Eligibility & Procedures

Applications are accepted to the MD/PHD program from all US Citizens and those holding permanent resident status within the United States. Applicants to the MD/PHD program should apply directly to the UMass Chan Medical School through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), indicating their interest in the combined degree program. Upon receipt of the AMCAS application, a UMass Chan supplemental application form will be forwarded to each applicant as well as materials related to the MD/PHD program. There is no fee for completing the secondary application for MD/PhD applicants. The only standardized testing required is the MCAT.

MD/PhD applications will be screened by two committees, the MD/PHD Sub-committee on Admissions and the MD Admissions Committee. This committee includes Deans from the graduate school, the Vice Chancellor for Research and faculty members of the MD Admissions Committee. Competitive applicants to the MD/PHD program should present a strong background in the biological and physical sciences as well as substantial laboratory-based research experience. Course specific requirements for the medical school are listed under the section called “Requirements.” A number of factors are carefully considered in the committee's review of each applicant's qualifications and in the selection of a matriculating class that will represent a broad and diverse spectrum of individuals, backgrounds and interests. These factors include but are not restricted to the following:

• Prior academic performance
• Content and breadth of scholastic preparation
• Standardized test performance (MCAT)
• Service activities which indicate an ability to work with people in a "helping" role
• A baccalaureate degree
• Massachusetts’s residency is not required for application to the md/phd program
• Diversity of experience in a variety of areas including professional or educational experience, family or cultural background, and avocation activities
• Extracurricular accomplishments
• Oral communication and interpersonal skills as documented in letters of support and in the medical school interview
• Written communication skills as determined by academic performance, standardized testing, and materials submitted in the application package
• Achievement in scientific research and/or medically-related service
• Evidence of motivation and preparedness for medicine; attributes and values deemed necessary for physicians, including: honesty; altruism; compassion; flexibility; maturity; intellectual curiosity; self-awareness; ability for self-directed learning; ability to work as a member of a team