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Akua Sarfo, a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program at Penn State College of Medicine, is seen in a College laboratory in April 2017. Sarfo is pictured looking at the camera, standing in front of a microscope while wearing a white lab coat. She is surrounded by other laboratory equipment.

MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program

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MD/PhD How Do I Apply H2

How Do I Apply to the MD/PhD Program?

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To apply for Penn State College of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program, you’ll need to submit two applications:

  • An application through AMCAS (choose “Combined Medical Degree/PhD” as the program choice)
  • A secondary application for the College of Medicine

After you’ve submitted your AMCAS application, you’ll receive an email from Penn State with a link to the secondary application, to be completed and submitted online.

MD/PhD How to Apply Basic Article

What are the Application Requirements?

To complete the AMCAS and secondary applications, you’ll need:

  • $170 AMCAS application fee
  • $90 secondary application fee
  • Letters of recommendation to be submitted directly to AMCAS
  • Letters of support for your secondary application
  • Official transcript(s) from each school you attended after high school
  • MCAT scores
  • MD/PhD applicants for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle are not required to complete a CASPer test

Learn more about the AMCAS application sections.

Key Dates

  • AMCAS application deadline is Nov. 15.
  • Secondary applications must be completed by Dec. 15.

When are Interviews?

All completed applications are reviewed by MD/PhD program leadership and receive a thorough holistic review. Applicants judged to be most qualified for admission are invited for an interview. We invite students on an as-needed basis, so we recommend you submit your application early.

If you’re selected for an interview during the 2023-2024 academic cycle, you’ll be invited to attend the College of Medicine Virtually, on selected MD/PhD interview days. College interviews are carried out by faculty who are members of or affiliated with the MD/PhD Program.

Virtual tour

Want to see inside Penn State College of Medicine?

View the virtual tour

Our goal during your virtual visit is to have you gain a better understanding of our program, campus, and the Hershey area. We’ll also learn more about your interest in obtaining both degrees and about your research experience.

Interviews will be two days in length:

  • Sunday: You’ll have an opportunity in the afternoon/evening to meet virtually with current MD/PhD trainees. 
  • Monday: You’ll interview virtually with faculty, meet with program leadership, and take a virtual tour of the campus core facilities.

Interview dates for the 2023-2024 academic year will be:

  • Oct. 9, 2023
  • Nov. 6, 2023
  • Dec. 4, 2023
  • Jan. 8, 2024

When are Decisions Made?

Offers of admission to the program are made on a rolling basis. We normally admit seven to eight students per year.

Second Look Day

Second Look Day, open to applicants admitted into the MD/PhD Program, provides the opportunity to learn about student life in greater depth than was possible during the interview day. 

You’ll have the chance to meet with faculty with whom you might be interested in doing research, get to know current students and explore housing options.

For the 2023-2024 academic cycle, accepted applicants will have an opportunity to visit Hershey, Pa., at Penn State College of Medicine.

Contact Us

If you have questions about the MD/PhD Program, please contact us at 717-531-1188 or mstp@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.