how much do md phd programs cost

Was Becoming an MD/PhD a Good Financial Decision?

This month, I graduated from my MD/PhD combined-degree program. Earlier this year, I matched to a psychiatry research track residency in a high-cost-of-living area on the West Coast. I will start residency without any debt from medical school. On top of the free tuition, my school paid me a stipend to cover my living expenses for each of the seven years, including three years of PhD. That is about $600,000 in value.

But when I was applying to MD/PhD programs eight years ago, I was not as financially literate, and I was not married. I did not know about the FIRE movement . I didn't grasp how long the journey to becoming an independent physician-scientist would be (spoiler #1: 14 years on average). I cannot quantify the intangible benefits of my MD/PhD training, but as this is a financial column, I'll examine today whether pursuing an MD/PhD is a good financial decision.

(Spoiler #2: I would do it again even if I knew the answer to the question before I applied.)

Why Do Medical Schools Pay MD/PhD Students?

According to the AAMC , out of the 22,000 students per year who matriculate at allopathic US medical schools, about 700 are in the MD/PhD program, which is 3% of all students. The number dwindles closer to 600 by the time of graduation. Most programs pay for tuition (~$60,000) and living expenses ($30,000-$40,000) for both the MD and PhD portions of training—I cannot imagine any circumstance in which one would pay for their own MD/PhD training —because many alumni have to sacrifice income in order to spend the majority of their time doing research in academia.

MD/PhD students are also more likely than their medical school counterparts to choose specialties that have lower-than-average compensations. For example, the national MD/PhD program outcomes study showed that 14% of MD/PhD alumni choose pathology (vs. 1% of MDs) and only 7.4% choose surgery (vs. 12% of MDs). Self-selection is a huge factor, but I think many of my MD/PhD colleagues might have entered more competitive and lucrative specialties if they could have received robust research training during residency.

The same study also reported a troubling trend. The mean time to a degree and mean time to a first full-time job (after graduating from MD/PhD training) have been increasing over the years to 8.25 and 5.88 years, respectively. For psychiatry, the mean time to a first full-time job was 5.6 years, and for surgery, it was 7.1. This data does not include those who graduated after 2014 for the mean time to degree and those who graduated after 2004 for the mean time to a first full-time job. Compared to their classmates who could become an attending psychiatrist after eight years of undergraduate and graduate training, someone who starts their MD/PhD training today could be in training for 14 years before they start working full-time as a psychiatrist.

The psychological effect of seeing your original classmates become attending physicians while you're just graduating from medical school cannot be overlooked. MD/PhDs would be in Years 7 and 8 of “living like a graduate student” with six more years of “ living like a resident ” remaining. MD/PhDs have to master delayed gratification as much as our PhD dissertation.

Given the above, the question I should have asked is: how far does the money go? In the chart below, I make assumptions that are as favorable for MD/PhDs as possible. Our MD/PhD alumnus maximizes their Roth IRA contribution beginning M1. Our MD-only alumnus would have a student loan burden of $527,000 at the end of their residency training. After these (somewhat unreasonable) assumptions, our MD/PhD alumnus would have about $89,000 more than their MD-only counterpart 14 years after they matriculated together.

However, even if the MD/PhD alumnus starts a full-time job after 14 years of training, the $89,000 gap will close down fast. I have not had a chance to ask any physician-scientist about the details of their compensation, and I could not find any data on the average income of MD/PhD alumni. But a quick scan of online forums suggests that one would have to be a superstar to earn anywhere between $200,000-$300,000 after they complete their training. Hopefully, I am wrong, and one can make more, or I might be naive to consider that such compensation is possible at the beginning of one’s academic career. Since the MD-only alumnus would pay off their loans and start maximizing their retirement savings after year 16, they would be ahead of the MD/PhD alumnus in terms of net worth in just a few more years.

More information here:

How to Stay Focused When Everyone Else Is Getting Rich

What Are the Alternatives to MD/PhD?

If a physician wants research to be their primary endeavor, one may not have a better alternative than a combined MD/PhD training. MD graduates can do research for their elective rotations—or earn a PhD during residency—and then join research fellowships. But their path would not be any shorter, and they would still have student loans (notwithstanding loan repayment or forgiveness programs). According to the NIH’s Physician-Scientist Workforce Working Group Report in 2014, the mean age at which a physician receives their first independent NIH grant is 43.8 for MDs and 44.3 for MD/PhDs. The mean age for MDs has been historically higher, but for whatever reason, the mean age plummeted in 2012 (the last year for which data was available).

While neither path is faster, MD/PhDs are more persistent and successful when they apply for an individual NIH research project grant (RPG). The report found that the first-time award rate of RPG applicants is about the same for MDs and MD/PhDs, but this data likely suffers from survivorship bias. The key metric is “persistence quality,” defined as reapplying for an RPG in subsequent years after their initial application was not funded. MD/PhDs were 8% more “persistent” than their MD counterparts. The difference in persistence was likely due to a combination of differences in commitment and preparation for prior training. Among T32 postdoctoral trainees (yes, many MD/PhDs have to do research fellowships after residency), a higher percentage of MD/PhDs apply for an RPG in the first place, and the award rate was 13%-14% higher for MD/PhDs.

Splurge on This, Not on That

‘Opportunity Cost Is a Huge Filter in Life'

I was not surprised on the interview trail—and this column validates my experience—when physician-scientists grilled me on my desire to do research in my career. Right now, I do not think that I will find my career fulfilling without research. I enjoy the process of generating and answering research questions. When I identify something that does not work well, I am going to be frustrated if I lack the skills and resources to improve it.

Money is not the reason to do an MD/PhD; it is why many of us no longer do research. The temptation to decrease my research effort will increase as my family grows and our tastes change. When faculty and former MD/PhDs explained why they (or someone else) left research, the primary reason was the opportunity cost of sacrificing clinical time, not the likelihood of receiving a grant. In five years, I could be writing a column about why I am not continuing my research career. Charlie Munger is right about how opportunity cost is a filter: when two suitors (i.e., clinic and research) are eager to have us and one seems way better, I may not find time for the other.

This column has allowed me to reflect on how my goalposts have moved. When I was working before medical school, I was planning to apply to graduate schools until my mentors persuaded me to pursue an MD/PhD. Now that I am at the end of medical school, I am comparing my lifetime income and net worth trajectory against those of my MD colleagues, not my PhD colleagues. (Don’t get me started on comparing myself to my college classmates and software engineers!)

I do not believe that I can stop the goalposts from moving. I can only adapt and make sacrifices for what I can control. I realized that I could improve my odds of becoming a physician-scientist by decreasing the financial effect of my career choices. This is one of the reasons why the program where I matched was high on my rank list (I will share those reasons in a future column). My wife and I will be moving to the state where she grew up and her parents still live. We are thankful for everyone who has made this seven-year journey possible and excited for the new opportunities that will be coming our way.

If you were an MD/PhD student, are you happy with how it turned out? What were your pros and cons? If you went the MD route instead of doing research, did that turn out to be the right decision? Comment below!

22 comments

Appreciate the article. Would NOT do an MD , PhD again. Strictly clinical now. Absent the financial advice or insight early in my career, can’t say I’m in a better financial position than my contemporary MD counterparts. Doubling down on a post doctoral research fellowship, probably was the most financially problematic decision, not to mention the strain it put on my family with time commitments to research. Don’t regret the journey taken, it helped clarify what’s most important in my life. Charlie Munger is a wise man, the financial incentives of clinical practice probably outweigh those of research unless you can see a way to starting a successful business or collecting on royalties from anything you patent in your research.

Thank you for sharing your journey. I’m hoping that I will have more clarity after doing a research track residency and having kid(s). On the interview trail, it seemed like many MD/PhD research tracks decide whether to continue research in their final year of residency or the first 1-2 years after residency.

Can you comment on the value (to “the public” etc.) of MD/PhD doing research rather than PhDs in similar fields doing so? How would Psychiatry medical care now and in the future be different if all Psychiatry research was done by PhDs consulting MDs at times/ following MDs’ patients with the MD’s cooperation? Would any MDs be willing to take the time that would demand of them as so many now do med stud and resident education?

While MD/PhDs may be less likely to become pioneers in methodology such as bioinformatics (Francis Collins being the counter-example), PhDs will rarely appreciate the complexity and diversity of clinical presentation and complications from treatments (except perhaps clinical psychologists). True “bench-to-bedside” is becoming rarer, but MD/PhDs clinical experiences as a resident can be enough to launch full-time research careers because research questions grounded in reality tend to be more “high-yield.”

If no MDs were primarily doing research in psychiatry, we would repeat what happened in the 2010s (granted it was under the leadership of Dr. Tom Insel who was a clinician-scientist) and go nowhere. As for med ed, it would depend on how they spend their clinical time. Less likely to directly supervise if they are doing outpatient.

I finished the MSTP in 7 years; followed by residency and fellowship over another 7 years. Although I started an academic career at least 3 years later than my original medical school classmates, I had a clean slate, with no debts. I had the opportunity to pursue clinical or research tracts, and followed my drive to specialize in interventional cardiology. In terms of financial considerations, a peak salary of 400k, while lower than many in private practice, afforded as high a lifestyle as I could want, while building equity. Combining accumulated funds with a government pension (from a decade in the VA), I could retire at 62, with FEGLI health insurance coverage.

For pre-meds considering M.D.-Ph.D. programs, they should pursue this track for a passion and commitment to research and an academic career, not for maximizing financial achievement. However, the advantages of starting a career free of debt, and the level of opportunities afforded by the combined degrees, should more than outweigh the costs of the few years’ delay they incur.

Thank you for sharing your journey. I 100% agree about choosing MD/PhD based on passion and commitment. Financial incentives should not be a factor at all. I was always puzzled by my classmates who thought I would be financially ahead of them. It’s what motivated me in part to try crunching the numbers for the column.

“I could retire at 62, with FEGLI health insurance coverage“

Are you still at the VA? I thought you had to work at VA for more then 10 years to get the health insurance coverage?

I finished my PhD in Biochemistry on full scholarship in 1980, then enrolled in 2 year Med School program at U of Miami Med. School. This PhD to MD program no longer exists. After Internship in Internal Med and 3 yr.Residency in Ophthalmology, I was hired at a major academic research institution for a paltry salary and advised that Research Grants would be necessary to augment my salary. I was surprised to discover that I was no longer eligible to apply for a “NIH young investigator award “, and would have to apply for RO1, which was highly competitive and therefore unlikely to be funded. Although I was successful in getting a few private grants, the amounts were barely enough to cover the cost of the research and not the salary. Ultimately, I left the University after a few years and remained in a successful private practice for 30 years. I am recently retired. I have to admit that the PhD education in Biochemistry was a fantastic background for medical school and clinical practice. It is hard for me to say whether I would do it again because I do not think I would have been of as much value to my patients, students and colleagues, however the institutions that funded my education might feel otherwise, with respect to the cost they incurred to educate me.

Thank you for sharing your journey. I think experiences like yours are one of the reasons that my program focused less on having us become experts in a siloed field (eg, biochem, cell bio, etc.) and encouraged us more to learn how to study a disease. After all, so many MD/PhDs choose a specialty that is unrelated to their PhD.

Given the difference in rates at which clinical work and research are paid, ot would be rare to find adding the PhD was a positive financial move. Same as for rarely will pursuing research lead to a higher income than purely clinical work.

People get PhDs and do research because they want to, not because it is the highest paying career path.

Same as for why people enter general peds, rather than neurosurgery. Neurosurgery pays better but many people would rather be pediatricians.

Thank you for your comment. I 100% agree. Just as the OG WCI says…longetivity over peak income. After all, many clinician-scientists choose to work beyond age 70 because they love what they do.

I did my PhD as a way to get into med school after a less than stellar first year as an undergraduate, which pulled my GPA down. I had already worked in a lab as a summer student and enjoyed the research I had started, however it was a means to an end, as my goal was always to be a doctor. Despite the opportunity costs of 4 years for my PhD and one year of post-doctoral fellowship, prior to med school, and then 3 years of subspecialty training after residency (Oncology), I retired 2.5 years ago at age 58. I also married the lab tech I worked with! Other than a bit of delayed gratification, I have no regrets at all !

Thank you for sharing your journey. Congrats also on your financial independence! My wife isn’t in research or healthcare, but we got married during my PhD years, so I will also never say that I regret doing my PhD.

Dude Francis congrats on the MD PhD man! Although maybe not the best financial decision, do you find value in that those researcher years may not have been as hard-core as redidency training and there was time to spend with family and friends?

Thank you for your always kind comment! The PhD years were a nice breather, and my wife and I (as well as my parents) appreciate the experiences that we’ve had because of my schedule’s flexibility. The trade-offs are: (1) living like a resident for a longer period especially if I do a research fellowship and (2) becoming financially independent later. I hope that we’ve made the trade-offs worthwhile, and I think having kid(s) and my parents aging will help me appreciate the PhD years even more later.

Besides the obvious late start on financial productivity – If you think MDs are bad with money, PhDs are worse. There is a culture of not caring about money in academic science, and that can help you take your eye off the ball. As a clinician scientist you spend you extra more on your research, not on projects that generate personal wealth. For so many reasons it is not a good financial move. Only do it if you want to be a clinican-scientist. Living like a resident is an easier path to being debt free than MD/PhD.

I was always puzzled by my classmates who thought I would be financially ahead of them. It’s what motivated me in part to try crunching the numbers for the column. I think many trainees are daunted by debt because it’s hard to grasp how much one could save and spend on attending salary.

Like the author, I came to the MD-PhD program as an alternative to a straight PhD. I think one of the main societal benefits of the program is drawing talented people into medicine who would otherwise have been basic scientists. I don’t know the latest statistics, but only a small portion of MD-PhD graduates go on to be federally-funded investigators. Not only is the financial pull of clinical medicine strong, but it is also inherently difficult for clinician-scientists to compete with PhDs who do research full-time. The other issue with MD-PhD programs is sequencing. After devoting 3-5 years on the PhD, most trainees take a long (4+ years) break from research for residency. During that time, they lose much of their competitive edge in research as science moves on in the meantime. They may have a bit more experience then their MD-only counterparts in a T32, but at that point it’s a small factor compared to the mentor you happen to get and how much (if at all) your research project takes off as you make the transition to junior investigator.

If medicine is the plan from the get-go, I think people are better off going to a reasonably-priced med school and looking at doing a year at NIH or some kind of masters in clinical research. Most MD-PhDs do basic science, but I would argue the real edge would be getting training in clinical research so you don’t end up competing in basic science with those full-time PhDs.

It’s my understanding that MD/PhDs are also in demand for medical school faculties. So it might be a good route to go if you want to teach as an academic faculty member.

No one, at least that I know of at the time (i.e. before explosion of VC and biotech) pursued an MD/PhD for $, but for personal goals as did I. I didn’t have perspective on the MSTP track until a chance encounter during a 11pm elevator ride from one lab to another during my research time. I ran into an esteemed MSTP alum, now a junior faculty member, who was way smarter, insightful, and accolade/award-winning than me. I asked him why he was there so late. He shared that between his 1/3 time in supervising his lab & research, 1/3 time as an attending, 1/3 time grant writing, and 1/3 time teaching, it was his routine, and he was NOT joking about his time allocations. I later noted that there had been no mention of his new wife or personal time. That led to some thoughtful discussions with my new spouse and some difficult decisions about career track. I ultimately chose to combine my interests in a pharma career and skipped the ivory tower rat race. While there are many similarities btwn academia and pharma, pharma provided greater career flexibility and personal time while still allowing me to make practical real-world contributions to health care in shorter time horizons.

My husband and I are coming upon a similar revelation, 3 kids in and facing the reality of tenure track junior faculty expectations. Would you be willing to chat more about your transition to industry?

Another take as a md/phd currently on the job market after completing residency/fellowship. The calculation was monetary, but not in the typical way as shown above – not having crushing levels of medical school debt and the gap of the PhD years allowed me to pursue some side hustles and venture-type investing, which made a difference (also, renting out the property I lived in as a md/phd produced another income stream – bought post 2008 crash, so values were atypically low). Thus, I’m starting out attending-hood with no debt (besides mortgage) and net worth close to 1M. This isn’t typical though and results may vary. But the lesson: not everything is Excel sheets and financial models; embrace spontaneity and luck.

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Fully Funded MD-PhD Programs

Last updated May 13, 2022

As part of my series on  How To Fully Fund Your PhD , I provide a list below of universities that offer full funding to all students admitted to their MD-PhD programs in Medicine. The Doctorate of Medicine and of Philosophy (MD–PhD) is a dual doctoral degree for medical researchers. The degree is granted by medical schools often through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) grant awarded to 43 institutions by the National Institutes of Health.

Universities that provide MD-PhD students “full funding” offer all admitted Ph.D. students a financial aid package that includes full tuition and an annual stipend or salary for living expenses for the three to the six-year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, which is why I recommend researching the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.

You can also find several competitive, external fellowships in the  ProFellow database for graduate and doctoral study, as well as dissertation research, fieldwork, language study, and summer work experience.

Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards !

1. Dartmouth University, Geisel School of Medicine

(Lebanon, NH): The MD-PhD program provides medical school tuition deferment (which becomes a full waiver upon completion of the PhD), health insurance, and a competitive stipend for its trainees. For the 2014/15 academic year, the stipend is $27,720.

2. Duke University School of Medicine

(Durham, NC): All students admitted to the MST (Medical Scientist Training) Program receive a full fellowship award: tuition; fees; health insurance; and a stipend to cover living expenses. The annual award for first-year MD students for 2021-2022 totals $101,151. The stipend is $30,200 for eleven months, and the fees/tuition/health insurance award is $70,951.

3. Harvard/M.I.T MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School

(Boston, MA): Applicants accepted through the MSTP receive full tuition, medical insurance, and stipend support throughout their training, contingent on continued academic progress.

4. John Hopkins University School of Medicine

(Baltimore, MD): All eligible applicants who are admitted to the MD-PhD Program are considered for funding under the Medical Scientist Training Program. This program, supported by the National Institutes of Health, provides full tuition, stipend, and insurance for students. Due to federal restrictions, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for MSTP funding.

5. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science

(Rochester, MN/Jacksonville, FL/Phoenix, AZ): Matriculating students receive a stipend (currently $34,218/year) as well as tuition waivers for up to 8 years.

6. University of Florida College of Medicine

(Gainesville, FL): The MD-PhD Training Program offers a full stipend scholarship and tuition waiver for up to 4-8 new students each year for the entire period of their training.

7. University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

(Philadelphia, PA): Offers of admission come with full funding which consists of tuition, health insurance, most fees, and a stipend ($32,000 for 2017-18). This funding support remains in effect for the entire duration of the program, as long as the student remains in good standing.

8. University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine

(Los Angeles, CA): All MD/PhD students receive fully funded scholarships that include an annual stipend and full tuition and fee waivers for the MD years from the MD/PhD program. Complete support during the Ph.D. training will be provided for each student by the specific graduate department, program, and/or research preceptor.

9. Yale University School of Medicine

(New Haven, CT): All students in Yale’s MD-PhD Program are supported fully with a stipend, tuition, and basic health coverage for the duration of training.

Need some tips for the application process? See my article  How To Get Into a Fully Funded PhD Program: Contacting Potential PhD Advisors .

Also, sign up to discover and bookmark more than 1800 professional and academic fellowships in the ProFellow database .

© Victoria Johnson 2020, all rights reserved.

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Everything You Need to Know About MD-PhD Programs

Posted in: Applying to Medical School

Table of Contents

MD-PhD programs are dual-degree programs for pre-medical students who want to both practice medicine and conduct extensive research.

In an MD-PhD program, the medical education of the MD program is combined with the in-depth research training of a PhD program. Students learn to practice medicine, diagnosing and treating patients all while gaining research experience to investigate medical conditions and diseases.

These programs are more intense than standard medical school. Students take additional coursework, typically in the biomedical sciences, graduate training, rotations in different laboratories, and intensive research.

The extra education gives students the tools to advance in the medical field after graduation. If you are interested in investigating diseases as you treat patients and developing innovative ways to provide care, an MD-PhD path may be for you!

What are MD-PhD programs?

MD-PhD programs are unique dual-degree programs designed for students who have an interest in both patient care and research. In these programs, students complete both a medical degree (MD) and a doctorate (PhD). This prepares graduates to function as physician-scientists, seamlessly bridging the gap between the laboratory and the clinical setting.

What is the difference between an MD and an MD-PhD? The difference between MD and MD-PhD graduates is that while both degrees are conferred to medical doctors, MD programs focus on clinical practice. MD-PhD programs, on the other hand, combine medical education with extensive biomedical research training. 

Is MD-PhD easier than MD? MD-PhD programs are not easier than MD programs. They require a longer time commitment, but in the end, provide graduates with a broader skill set to pursue careers that integrate medicine and scientific research.

How rare is an MD-PhD? Only about 3% of students that enroll in medical school are in MD-PhD programs. There are 122 MD-PhD programs in the U.S. and 13 in Canada listed on the AAMC MD-PhD Degree Programs by State directory .

Graduate programs aren’t confined to a specific area of study. Each school with this type of program has its own options for its PhD degree. PhD students commonly choose to specialize in topics such as:

• Cell biology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Biomedical engineering

Upon completion of an MD-PhD program, graduates are awarded the dual degree for their proficiency in both clinical practice and research. 

MD-PhD Program Duration

A significant commitment of time is necessary to complete an MD-PhD program, but the career path is rewarding and well-compensated. 

How many years are MD-PhD programs ? Students can expect to spend 7-8 years total between graduate school and med school, but there is no strict timeline for completing an MD-PhD. Some students complete their programs in as little as six years, and others take as long as 10.

Students usually start with the first year to two years of medical school, followed by 3-5 years of research, then finish with another two years of medical training and clinicals. Current students entering into MD-PhD programs are older , on average, than when these programs first began, and many take longer to complete their studies.

How much does an MD-PhD program cost?

Most MD-PhD programs offer enrolled students tuition-free training and a stipend to cover living expenses.

The cost of an MD-PhD program varies widely depending on the institution, but the stipend and tuition-free training makes many of these programs significantly less burdensome financially compared to standalone MD or PhD programs.

Financial support is available through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Scholarships are offered that cover tuition and provide a stipend for living expenses, making these intensive dual degree programs more attainable.

Not all MD-PhD programs are funded by the MSTP, but some schools offer similar financial support to their MD-PhD students. For any school you plan to apply to, double-check their program website or call an admissions counselor to see if there are options for financial aid. 

MD-PhD Residencies

MD-PhD residencies provide a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between patient care and research. Graduates often enter residency programs to acquire hands-on training in a particular medical specialty. Some even opt for a fellowship in a subspecialty after that. This training phase can range from 3 -7 years, depending on the specialty.

Although they can enter any medical specialty, they frequently gravitate towards specialties with a strong research component. Here are a few common residencies that MD-PhDs typically enter:

• Internal Medicine: This field covers a broad range of diseases in adults and often involves solving complex medical problems. It’s a popular choice for MD-PhD graduates because of the diversity of patients and conditions, which provides many opportunities for research.
• Neurology: The complexity and the largely untapped understanding of the nervous system provide abundant research opportunities. Advances in neuroimaging, AI , and genetics also offer tools for physician-scientists to explore the nervous system in unprecedented ways.
• Psychiatry: Studying the pathophysiology of mental disorders, exploring new therapeutic interventions, and examining the genetic basis of psychiatric conditions are just a sample of the ways an MD-PhD can continue research in this specialty.
• Pathology: Pathologists often work behind the scenes in medicine, studying the causes and effects of diseases. This field is deeply rooted in medical research, which makes it a good fit for many MD-PhD graduates.
• Pediatrics : Pediatric physician-scientists research a wide array of topics, including childhood diseases, growth and development, pediatric therapies, and many other areas related to child health.

The choice of residency program should align with each graduate’s clinical interests, research interests, and career goals. There is great flexibility in the MD-PhD pathway, and physician-scientists span all specialties in medicine.

MD-PhD Career Path & Salary

Careers for MD-PhD’s often sit at the intersection of healthcare, academic medicine, and industry. Roles vary from practicing physicians, medical researchers, educators, and policy advisors to leaders in biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

After completing their residency, MD-PhDs typically divide their professional time between research and clinical practice. They often work in academic medical centers or research institutions where they can see patients and conduct research. Their research may be basic, translational, or clinical, depending on their interests and training.

MD-PhDs may also grow to take on teaching roles, educating the next generation of physicians and scientists. This path can bring them to leadership roles such as department chair, dean of a medical college, or even hospital CEO with their unique understanding of both medicine and research.

The salary for MD-PhDs does vary depending on the chosen career path. Earning potential is generally high due to the advanced and specialized nature of their training.

On average, physician-scientists in the US earn a median salary that is well above the national average for all occupations. According to Doximity’s 2023 Physician’s Compensation Report , the average salary for physicians in the Pharmaceutical/Industry employment setting is highest at $392,534.

Those working in academia or research may have different salary scales. These salaries are frequently dependent on research grants, but still typically fall within a comfortable range.

An MD-PhD opens up a wide range of career options, particularly in the intersecting areas of healthcare and research. Below are careers someone with an MD-PhD might pursue:

• Academic Physician: They divide their time between seeing patients, conducting research, and teaching students and residents. These professionals usually work at medical schools or teaching hospitals.
• Biomedical Researcher: MD-PhDs often find employment as researchers in the field of biomedical sciences. They can work in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, or government organizations such as the NIH.
• Clinical Investigator: These are physicians who conduct research involving human subjects (clinical trials). They develop and implement studies to understand the effects of new drugs or therapeutic strategies.
• Pharmaceutical/Biotech Industry Professional : Many MD-PhDs work in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. They may be involved in drug development, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, or medical affairs.
• Medical Director: In this role, an individual would oversee the medical aspect of a healthcare facility, biotech company, or department in a hospital. This position often requires both a medical and research background.
• Science Policy Analyst/Advisor: They can work in government or nonprofit organizations, helping to shape policies that affect scientific research and healthcare.
• Public Health Official: Some MD-PhDs choose to work in the public sector, addressing health issues at the population level. They may work for entities like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO).
• Medical Science Liaison: This role often involves serving as a bridge between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals, explaining new therapies and scientific findings to physicians, researchers, and other stakeholders.
• Medical Educator: MD-PhDs are uniquely qualified to educate future doctors and researchers, teaching in areas such as pharmacology, pathology, genetics, or any other medical specialty. They may design and implement courses, advise students, and contribute to the educational mission of their institution.

These are just a few of the potential career paths. A career choice often depends on an individual’s specific interests, such as which medical specialties they are drawn to, whether they prefer working with patients or in a laboratory, and how they want to contribute to advancing medical science.

Medical Science Training Programs

Some MD-PhD programs in the United States are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). This means that students receive full tuition remission, health insurance, and a living stipend throughout their training.

Because of this financial support, admission to an MSTP is very competitive. Many schools have financial support available to MD-PhD students even if they are not part of the Medical Scientist Training Program to allow them to focus on their studies and research.

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4 Benefits of Becoming an MD-PhD

Earning dual degrees in medicine and research is an ambitious endeavor, but the impacts you can make on patient care and scientific research are significant and valuable to public health. An MD-PhD degree comes with some great benefits.

1. Interdisciplinary Perspective

The duality of the MD-PhD training allows graduates the ability to translate clinical observations into research questions, then taking research findings to enhance patient care. You will essentially be a bridge to the gap between the laboratory and the clinic.

2. Career Flexibility

Graduates can become practicing physicians, medical researchers, educators, and/or policy advisors. They may also take on leadership roles within academic institutions, hospitals, biotech companies, or pharmaceutical firms. 

The wide range of possible careers allows the flexibility to pursue a path that aligns with your passion.

3. Influential Impact 

The rigorous training in MD-PhD programs allows graduates to drive innovation in healthcare and medical science. This advanced education will have you asking critical questions and finding answers that can change the course of medical treatment and patient care. 

The potential to make significant contributions to the field of medicine is a rewarding and prestigious aspect of this career path.

4. Community and Mentorship

During their training, MD-PhD students join a tight-knit community of fellow dual-degree students, mentors, and faculty. This network can provide valuable support, guidance, and camaraderie during the demanding years of study. 

Post-graduation, this network continues to serve as a resource for collaboration, mentorship, and career advancement.

Are MD-PhD programs more competitive than MD programs?

In general, yes, MD-PhD programs are more competitive than MD programs. 

The statistics here can be a little confusing, though. 10% of applicants are accepted to an MD-PhD program, which is higher than the 3% that get accepted into MD programs. Acceptance rates are nearly the same as traditional medical programs, too.

But the quality of application for MD-PhD programs is inherently higher than traditional pre-meds. Your GPA and MCAT need to be higher, with well-developed extracurricular experiences and glowing letters of recommendation to have a chance at an MD-PhD program. 

Learn more about how we can help you boost your MCAT score.

Preparing to Apply to MD-PhD Programs

Applying for an MD-PhD program is done through AMCAS, just like MD programs. Preparation is key in the application process .

Being proactive, getting relevant experiences, understanding the requirements, and applying to multiple programs will significantly enhance your chances of success in securing a spot in an MD-PhD program. Applicants must be prepared to showcase themselves as doctor material and make a case for their desire to take part in research.

Here are a few tips for increasing your chances at acceptance.

Make sure you have the right extracurriculars under your belt.

Gaining relevant experiences beyond the classroom is crucial to showcase your commitment to a career in medical research. Admissions committees are looking for candidates with experience in research projects. 

It is absolutely necessary to have taken part in research to have a chance at getting into an MD-PhD program.

Check application requirements well in advance.

You’ll be required to meet all the AMCAS application requirements of MD programs. This includes the prerequisite coursework, your MCAT score and GPA, letters of evaluation, and personal statement . 

There are also two additional essays that are required on MD-PhD applications, which we’ll cover later.

We advise checking with each specific medical school on the requirements for their applications . Non-medical graduate programs may ask for your GRE scores. You want to make sure you’ve taken this test well in advance of the AMCAS open date. 

Our advisors can help you craft a personal statement for your MD-PhD that will stand out.

Apply to several programs.

Because of the limited number of programs and the competitive nature of MD-PhD programs, you should apply to multiple programs. Students who have gotten into these programs report applying to as many as 30 programs for the best chance to be accepted. 

Along with MD-PhD programs, we also recommend applying to some MD programs as well. On your AMCAS application, you can easily designate as an MD candidate or MD-PhD candidate.

Even if you don’t make it into the MD-PhD program of a medical school, you will still have the opportunity to be considered for their MD program.

MD-PhD Application Timeline

Get your medical school application in early — the same goes for MD-PhD applications. In fact, it’s even more important to have your primary application in as soon as possible to give yourself plenty of time to write your secondary essays. 

The MD-PhD application process follows the AMCAS application timeline :

• May: AMCAS application opens. You’ll receive your secondary application shortly after you submit your primary. 
• July-August: Submit your supplemental application within two weeks.
• October-March: Prepare for and attend all scheduled interviews.
• December-March: Application committees make final decisions. For schools with rolling admissions, this may happen shortly after an interview. Other institutions wait until after all interviews are complete to make decisions.
• March-April: Applicant decisions are made.
• June-August: Your MD-PhD begins.

Additional Essays in the MD-PhD Application

The MD-PhD application process includes two additional essays that showcase your commitment to a career as a physician-scientist. 

MD-PhD Essay

The MD-PhD Essay is your opportunity to express why you have chosen the dual-degree path and how it aligns with your career goals. Discuss your motivation for pursuing the ambitious MD-PhD degree. You should explain why both clinical practice and research are integral to your career vision and share personal experiences that ignite your interest in this path.

Describe your career goals and how integrating clinical practice and scientific research will allow you to achieve those goals. If you’re interested in a particular field, discuss how the blend of clinical and research training in the MD-PhD program will enhance your contributions to this field.

Significant Research Experience Essay

This essay is your chance to elaborate on your research experiences and demonstrate your scientific curiosity, perseverance, and ability to work independently. You’ll explain the objectives of the research project you have been involved in, your role in achieving these objectives, and the significance of the research.

You can also write about instances where you faced challenges and had to use your problem-solving skills, perseverance, and critical thinking to overcome them. Highlight your ability to learn from others, like your mentors, how you can collaborate, and contribute to a team-oriented goal.

If your work led to any significant findings, presentations, or publications, be sure to include this. Use this opportunity to communicate your passion for research and how these experiences have prepared you for a career that combines patient care and scientific investigation.

MD-PhD: The career path that moves medicine forward.

MD-PhD candidates have a commitment to both medical practice and research on this path. The journey is long and at times challenging, but for those driven by a passion for both clinical medicine and biomedical research, the reward lies in the unique ability to contribute to the advancement of healthcare as a physician-scientist.

Speak with a member of our enrollment team who can help you prepare your MD-PhD application.

Kachiu Lee, MD

Dr. Lee specializes in BS/MD admissions. She was accepted into seven combined bachelor-medical degree programs. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University and proceeded to Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. After completing a dermatology residency at Brown University, Dr. Lee pursued a fellowship in Photomedicine, Lasers, and Cosmetics at Massachusetts General Hospital and was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School. Academically, she has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and lectures internationally.

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M.D.-Ph.D. and M.D. Degrees, Salaries and What They Really Cost

Whether you're obtaining a Ph.D. or an M.D. degree in medicine, it is no easy undertaking . Years of intensive study, research and internships yield a degree that not only allows you to put those two little letters in front of your name, but usually comes with an impressive starting salary as well. However, what is the difference between an M.D.-Ph.D. and an M.D.?

The difference between the degrees

Before you compare salaries, you should understand the difference between the degrees themselves. Someone who receives an M.D. is licensed to practice medicine and participate in patient care. Someone who receives an M.D.-Ph.D. works in research and development, such as biomedical research, immunology or biochemistry, etc., but can also practice clinical medicine. A nonmedical Ph.D. can be in just about any subject, including the sciences, and varies as widely in cost and salary as it does in subject matter. For the purposes of this cost and salary comparison, we'll stick to M.D.-Ph.D.'s and M.D.'s.

You also must make sure you compare apples to apples. Before taking salary into consideration, measure other factors, such as the cost of each degree and subsequent school debt , living expenses, and potential stipends and funding offered.

According to the AAMC, the average cost of four years of medical school is $228,006 (that's averaging together public vs. private schools and resident vs. nonresident). Of course, that's not taking into consideration the cost of living and other expenses, which will vary depending on where you go to school, for example, New York City, N.Y. vs. Bloomington, Ind.

While physicians shoulder some of the highest school debt of any profession, they also enjoy some of the highest salaries, which is helpful when they are making mortgage-sized payments for their school loans. The national average for annual physicians' salaries in the U.S. is $209,044. However, not all costs to train a medical doctor fall on the medical student. The costs that a university and society expend on each medical student are fairly exorbitant as training excellent medical professionals is highly valued in this country.

While students pay for medical school, the university hospital foots the bill for the student's residency, which includes expenses such as hospital call rooms, administrative costs and salaries for the student and supervising faculty. For specialties that take longer to train for, the costs are in excess of $1,000,000. Where tax paying citizens come in is that most university hospitals receive federal funding, some of which is used to pay for students' residencies.

M.D.-Ph.D. costs

Falling into the category of medical scientists, M.D.-Ph.D. recipients are trained in both clinical medicine and research. This type of dual degree is ideal for conducting clinical trials, as both intensive research skills and patient care involvement are required. Because this is a dual degree, the time it takes to complete it is considerably longer than the four years for just medical school. An M.D.-Ph.D. typically takes seven to eight years to complete due to the student having to attend both medical and graduate schools.

The major difference between an M.D. and an M.D.-Ph.D. is the cost of tuition. While medical school tuition and costs will run well into six figures over four years, M.D.-Ph.D. students will find that their costs are largely reduced or even eliminated through waivers and stipends.₁ The National Institute of General Medical Sciences currently funds forty-nine M.D.-Ph.D. programs through the Medical Scientist Training Program. 2

Many universities also offer full funding to M.D.-Ph.D. candidates as they leverage the exorbitant cost of educating these students against the expected scientific breakthroughs and accomplishments they'll make in the medical field. The state of health care and the increasing need to study and treat numerous diseases affecting the population have contributed to a faster than average job growth rate for medical scientists. 3

Salary is a different story, as it's very dependent on what type of work the M.D.-Ph.D. pursues. Working in just the scientific research field will yield a median annual salary of $91,510, considerably less than the mid-six-figure salaries of practicing physicians; however, those who practice medicine as well as medical research will see their salaries increase accordingly.

The application process

Both degrees carry a high level of competitiveness, and the application process can be an intensive one. There are no test-optional choices here. MCATHs are a given requirement , so start preparing as soon as you've made the decision to apply to these programs.

Submitting a strong and effective statement of purpose , personal statement and letters of recommendation are critical to getting that coveted acceptance letter from your choice schools. It’s important to keep track of what you've submitted and when, as well as deadlines and communications with program recruiters or advisors.

Choosing your path

Entering the medical field, in any capacity, is a noble and stressfully intensive undertaking. However, the effect you'll have on patients' lives or future treatments and cures for diseases makes the investment of the student, university and government well worth it. Once you've decided which medical career path you want to take, your options will become clearer.

1 MD PhD vs MD: Which is best for you? | BeMo ® (bemoacademicconsulting.com)

2 Medical Scientist Training Program (nih.gov)

3 Medical Scientists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

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MD-PhD students receive a stipend to supplement their living expenses, as well as full tuition (graduate and medical school) and health benefits for the entire duration of their time in the program. The MD-PhD program itself provides stipend support to students in the first three years of their training, and again in the final ~1.5 years after they have defended their PhD and returned to clinical training. We consider it very important that our students receive stipend and tuition support from our program in their 3rd year, when they are affiliating with a PhD advisor and a department, and completing coursework required for their PhD. Full financial responsibility for their stipend is assumed by research mentors in the 4th year and beyond, usually for a period of ~2.5 to 3 years.

The stipend for students engaged in medical school courses and clerkships prior to beginning the PhD is reviewed annually and is adjusted to cover all living expenses and school related costs as calculated by the Yale School of Medicine Financial Aid Office. Once a student affiliates with a PhD department and joins their PhD advisors research group, their stipend increases to the BBS PhD level of support and continues at this level until graduation.

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Is an MD-PhD Right for Me?

New section.

Do you want the opportunity to train in both medicine and research? An MD-PhD allows you to do just that. But what does it mean to become a physician scientist? We asked AAMC experts to explain why you might want to consider this type of training.

As you prepare to apply to medical school, it’s valuable to explore other potential career paths beyond a traditional MD degree. One path to consider is an MD-PhD degree, which provides training in both medicine and research.

But how do you know if it’s the right career path for you? We asked AAMC experts to explain the advantages of training to be a physician scientist through an MD-PhD program.  

Who are physician scientists? Physician scientists are focused on scientific discovery and patient care at the intersection of science and medicine, understanding human health and disease from a scientific and clinical perspective. Physician scientists have the unique ability to identify and study important questions in health care. There are four pathways to become a physician scientist:

• Complete MD training and then conduct extended research through fellowship training.
• Complete MD training and then return to graduate school to earn a PhD degree.
• Complete PhD training and then enter medical school to earn an MD degree.
• Work towards both degrees simultaneously in a dual MD-PhD degree program.

In each pathway, students are exposed to a career in scientific research while also treating patients in a clinical setting.

What are MD-PhD Programs? MD-PhD programs provide training for the dual degree by integrating research and clinical training experiences where students learn to conduct hypothesis driven research in a mentored environment. There are over 100 MD-PhD programs affiliated with U.S. medical schools, and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences partially supports approximately 45 programs, known as Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTPs). 

These programs provide unique training experiences, including MD-PhD specific courses and professional development workshops, visiting scholar seminars, retreats, opportunities to attend national conferences and join organizations, and mentoring for graduate and residency training. The students and mentors in these programs are a vibrant community, working to advance the trainees’ development as a scientist and physician. 

How long does training take?

The MD-PhD career path is a commitment, as training to complete both MD and PhD degrees takes about 7 or 8 years.

How do I pay for a MD-PhD program?

Most programs offer financial support, including stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance to help students cover the cost of their scientific and medical training.

Who are MD-PhD students?

Annually, an estimated 600 students matriculate into MD-PhD programs. This is only about 3% of all students who matriculate into medical school. PhD training for MD-PhD students is typically in biomedical sciences, such as molecular, cellular, or human or animal studies in biochemistry, cell biology and microbiology, immunology and genetics, neuroscience, pharmacology, and physiology. However, PhD training may also be in fields outside of the classical biomedical sciences, such as bioengineering, chemical biology, bioinformatics, public health, anthropology, and bioethics. 

What do MD-PhDs do after graduation?

Most MD-PhD graduates train in a residency program and become licensed to practice in a specific field of medicine. From there, they typically go on to careers that blend research and clinical medicine, though their research topic may or may not be closely related to their field of medical practice. Most MD-PhDs work in academic medical centers, such as medical schools or teaching hospitals. MD-PhDs also conduct research in institutes such as the National Institutes of Health or other government or private agencies, or work for pharma or biotech companies.

MD-PhD careers provide unique perspectives on questions about basic scientific discovery, medical intervention, or translational research. During their career, MD-PhDs may remain focused as a basic or clinical scientist, or become an administrative leader within their academic medical center. Their training provides opportunities to be successful in either environment. 

Is an MD-PhD path right for you? To find out more, visit the AAMC website for information on MD-PhD dual degree training . 

• @AAMCpremed

Helpful tools and information regarding medical MD-PhD programs.

Information about applying to MD-PhD programs, emphasizing the application process during COVID-19.

Information about MD-PhD programs, emphasizing the career and application process.

Learn about MD-PhD Programs from program leaders.

Upcoming short presentations will describe features of MD-PhD training, alumni careers, and detailed logistics of the application process.

Emily battled viral encephalitis for years during college, and now as a MD/PhD student, she reminds premeds that it's okay to ask for help.

Cesar couldn't apply to medical school when he first graduated from college due to his undocumented status. Now he's in a MD-PhD program and hopes to practice in the Southwest where there's a high need for Spanish-speaking physicians.

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MD-PhD Programs: The Definitive Guide

Including a list of md-phd programs in the us and canada.

Featured Expert: Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD

An MD-PhD program might be the right choice for you if the question “ Why do you want to be a doctor? ” leaves you feeling excited but a little unsure. Are you inspired to work in medicine but not interested in concentrating exclusively on clinical work? MD-PhD programs accept applicants who want to become physician-scientists, a career path that focuses on scientific innovation and research. 

In this definitive guide to MD-PhD programs, you will learn everything you need to know about applying, medical schools in North America that offer this program, admission requirements, funding for MD-PhD programs, and tips to help you get accepted!

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 1 min read

List of md-phd programs.

Many schools offer the MD-PhD program in Canada and the United States, and the number of available programs is growing. Here is an up-to-date list, which is also available on the AAMC website. Schools funded through MTSP are starred.

·       University of Alabama School of Medicine*

·       University of Arizona College of Medicine *

·       University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

·       University of Arkansas College of Medicine

·       Loma Linda University School of Medicine

·       Stanford University School of Medicine*

·       University of California, Davis School of Medicine *

·       University of California, Irvine School of Medicine*

·       University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine*

·       University of California, San Diego School of Medicine*

·       University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine*

·       Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

·       Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California

·       University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

·       University of Colorado Denver*

·       Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences*

·       University of Connecticut School of Medicine

·       Yale University School of Medicine*

·       Georgetown University School of Medicine

·       Howard University College of Medicine

·       University of Florida College of Medicine

·       University of Miami Miller School of Medicine*

·       University of South Florida College of Medicine

·       University of Central Florida College of Medicine

·       Emory University School of Medicine*

·       Morehouse School of Medicine

·       Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

·       Loyola University of Chicago - Stritch School of Medicine

·       Northwestern University Medical School *

·       Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science - Chicago Medical School

·       University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (MTSP) *

·       University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine *

·       Carle Illinois College of Medicine

·       Indiana University School of Medicine *

·       University of Iowa College of Medicine *

·       University of Kansas School of Medicine

·       University of Kentucky College of Medicine

·       University of Louisville School of Medicine

·       Louisiana State University, New Orleans School of Medicine

·       Louisiana State University, Shreveport School of Medicine

·       Tulane University School of Medicine

·       Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine *

·       National Institutes of Health Intramural MD-PhD Partnership

·       Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

·       University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine *

·       Boston University School of Medicine

·       Harvard Medical School *

·       Tufts University School of Medicine *

·       University of Massachusetts Medical School *

·       Michigan State University College of Medicine

·       University of Michigan Medical School *

·       Wayne State University School of Medicine

·       Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

·       Mayo Medical School *

·       University of Minnesota Medical School *

·       University of Mississippi School of Medicine

·       Saint Louis University School of Medicine

·       University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine

·       Washington University School of Medicine *

·       University of Nebraska College of Medicine

·       Creighton University School of Medicine

·       University of Nevada School of Medicine

·       Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

·       University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School

·       University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

·       Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

·       University of New Mexico School of Medicine

·       Albany Medical College

·       Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University *

·       Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons *

·       Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

·       Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD/PhD Program

·       Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai *

·       New York Medical College

·       New York University Grossman School of Medicine *

·       Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo

·       SUNY at Stony Brook Health Sciences Center *

·       SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine

·       SUNY Upstate Medical University

·       University of Rochester School of Medicine *

·       Wake Forest School of Medicine

·       Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

·       Duke University School of Medicine *

·       University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine *

·       University of North Dakota School of Medicine

·       Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine *

·       Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine

·       Ohio State University College of Medicine *

·       University of Cincinnati College of Medicine *

·       University of Toledo College of Medicine

·       Wright State University School of Medicine

·       University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

·       Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine *

·       Drexel University College of Medicine

·       Penn State University College of Medicine *

·       Perelman School of Medicine School of Medicine *

·       Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University  

·       University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine *

·       University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine  

·       Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Philadelphia, Pa.

·       University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine

·       Brown University School of Medicine

·       Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine *

·       University of South Carolina School of Medicine

·       University of South Dakota School of Medicine

·       Meharry Medical College School of Medicine

·       East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine

·       University of Tennessee, Memphis College of Medicine

·       Vanderbilt University School of Medicine *

·       Baylor College of Medicine *

·       Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center College of Medicine

·       Texas Tech University School of Medicine

·       University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

·       McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center *

·       University of Texas, San Antonio Medical School *

·       University of Texas, Southwestern Med Center - Dallas *

·       University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

·       University of Utah School of Medicine

·       University of Vermont College of Medicine

·       Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

·       University of Virginia School of Medicine *

·       University of Washington School of Medicine *

·       Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

·       West Virginia University School of Medicine

·       Medical College of Wisconsin *

·       University of Wisconsin Medical School *

·       McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Montreal, Quebec

·       McMaster University of Faculty of Health Sciences Hamilton, Ontario

·       Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, Newfoundland

·       Queen’s University School of Medicine Kingston, Ontario

·       Universite de Montreal Faculte de Medecine  Montréal, Québec

·       Universite de Sherbrooke Faculte de Medecine  Sherbrooke, Quebec

·       Universite Laval Faculte de Medecine  Québec, Québec

·       University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Edmonton, Alberta

·       University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine Calgary, Alberta

·       University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine Vancouver, British Columbia

·       University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba

·       University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Ottawa

·       University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Toronto, Ontario

·       University of Western Ontario London, Ontario

MD-PhD programs allow you to obtain a dual degree in medicine and research. When deciding between MD-PhD vs MD programs, it is important to know what MD-PhD programs entail. Upon graduation, students receive a combined degree with advanced, hands-on research training and expertise in a field of their choice.

“MD-PhD … students enter their first year of medical school and complete their pre-clerkship years. During this period they are likely exploring what they are interested in, solidifying their focus in research and seeking supervisors. Then they will take approximately 5 years off of their medical training to complete their PhD. They will then re-engage in their medical training completing their clerkship training, which will complete their program. MD-PhD is a rigorous program and the committee is looking for individuals who are academically strong and possess research skills to succeed in the PhD program. Applicants should be strong clinicians, thus having a breadth of leadership, extracurricular, volunteerism and research experience.” - Dr Jacquelyn Paquet, MD

Is the md-phd program right for me.

The MD-PhD program is for exceptional students interested in a career in medical research, but you’ll still need to be a well-rounded medical school applicant.

“For the MD-PhD they are wanting individuals to possess additional research skills, however recognizing the unique leadership positions of those with doctoral degrees, they are often situated in academic centers, thus involved in administrative and teaching roles as well! They are still wanting applicants to be strong clinicians, thus having a breadth of leadership, extracurricular, volunteerism and research experience are sought.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.

Keep in mind that even if you choose not to pursue a dual degree program, MDs can still earn their PhDs—and vice versa!

“I pursued a PhD during residency. I had considered doing a MD-PhD as it would provide more opportunities to focus on research prior to initiating my residency training. I opted to complete my MD first and pursue my MSc and PhD during residency as I was concerned about having 5 years off between my pre-clerkship and clerkship years would impact my clinical skills.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.

Finally, ask yourself, \u201c What is your greatest weakness? \u201d If the answer is research, an MD-PhD program might not be for you. However, if you are determined to pursue medicine and research simultaneously, the MD-PhD program is perfect! ","label":"Question to Ask Yourself","title":"Question to Ask Yourself"}]" code="tab4" template="BlogArticle">

Struggling to decide between MD-PhD and MD programs? Check out our video below!

The most important admission requirements and prerequisites for MD-PhD programs are your research background and lab experience. MD-PhD programs require the completion of a four-year undergraduate degree and background in the following disciplines:

2 years of clinical training to prepare you for residency. After clerkships, you will complete the USMLE Step 2 exam and any other MD requirements of your program.  "}]">

These medical school prerequisites are the baseline. Your academic record should include a variety of science and non-science courses. Admissions committees will note your coursework’s difficulty levels and academic improvement over time.

Check with your program of choice for specific course requirements.

We’ve compiled a list of our top tips for getting accepted into an MD-PhD program, based on expert advice and experience:

GPA and MCAT

According to the latest AAMC statistics, the average GPA of MD-PhD matriculants is 3.7, while the average MCAT score is 511. If your academic record does not reflect these numbers, you need to get your grades up. Here are four ways you can start to get into medical school with a low GPA.

• Re-enroll in classes you performed poorly in and get a higher grade.
• Ask your instructors and teaching assistants for extra credit assignments.
• Find a tutor to help with areas where you struggle.
• Plan your school schedule to include subjects in which you excel.

Your MCAT score is an indicator of your academic prowess. Before you take the test, make sure you know what is a good MCAT score and when to start studying for the MCAT . Here are four strategies that can help your MCAT score.

• Give yourself ample time to prepare.
• Start by taking an MCAT practice test to determine areas for improvement.
• Create an MCAT study schedule.
• Take multiple practice tests to monitor improvement. If you consistently score at the 90% percentile in your practice tests, you can start planning to take the actual MCAT.

If you’re still wondering “ When should I take the MCAT ?”, read our blog for tips.

CASPer Test

If your schools require the completion of the Acuity Insights Suite, you will complete the Duet profile and CASPer test. Preparing for each component is challenging, but CASPer remains the most intimidating.

The CASPer test is an online situational judgment test designed to assess the suitability of students applying to professional schools. The timed format is challenging, so knowing how the CASPer test is scored is helpful. Learn how to prepare for CASPer and review these CASPer practice questions to ace your test!

“Thanks to BEMO I got a 4th quartile on my casper test!!!!! It took me long to understand the BEMO structure but practice and great coaching made the difference. Without BEMO I would of probably gotten a 2. So don’t hesitate signing up with them, if you are committed, you will also get a 4! Also, buy the BEMO casper book!” - Mike, Former BeMo Student

You will need to submit a total of three essays for the MD-PhD program:

• Your personal statement,
• The research interest statement , and
• The MD PhD essay .

Note: If you’re applying through TMDSAS, you will need to submit the Dual Degree essay along with the other essay application components.

“In your personal statement you want to highlight your breadth and skillset in research and areas of interest. You also want to highlight how completing a PhD will make you a stronger clinician and if you are aware, how you see yourself fulfilling the roles of researcher and clinician.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.

While your medical school personal statement answers the question “Why do you want to be a doctor?”, the MD-PhD specific essays demonstrate your research expertise and explain why you have chosen to pursue an MD-PhD. The significant research experience essay outlines your most valuable research experiences, including the nature of the work, your role and contributions, project length, and details about the principal investigators. Your MD-PhD essay tells the story of how you became involved in scientific research and how you want to apply your research to medical practice.

“I used BeMo consulting when applying to my MD/PhD programs this year. As a first time applicant to these programs, it can be overwhelming. Luckily, BeMo’s services are helpful and easy-to-use. They have a fast response and helped me greatly in writing my essays." -- Zhinan Liu, former BeMo student.

Want to know how to write an MD-PhD essay? Check out our video below!

Research Experience

As an MD-PhD program applicant, you must have research experience to demonstrate your exposure to research methods and techniques.

Dr. Monica Taneja, BeMo expert and Psychiatry resident at Harvard South Shore, reminds students that it is important to consider your own passion when finding research opportunities, not focusing solely on what you think the admission committee is looking for.

“I definitely felt that public health gave me a lot of unique opportunities to delve into research related to the social determinants of health and health equity. I noticed that research in this area was not as common compared to basic science or clinical research.” - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, Harvard South Shore – Psychiatry.

Make sure you can identify what you learned from your research experiences – you will have to outline valuable lessons and skills you acquired in multiple parts of your MD-PhD application and interviews. To bolster your research background, try looking for research assistant positions.

• Talk to your instructors and teaching assistants about participating in their research projects.
• Check for research position postings on your school’s website.
• Reach out to former instructors and ask about research opportunities.
• Contact physicians you volunteered with or shadowed to find out if they are involved in research projects. Even if they are not, physicians can often recommend research-oriented organizations and medical professionals.

You need a strong application, including a research assistant cover letter and CV, to apply to research positions. If academia is your passion, you might want to look into special master’s programs . These graduate degrees are designed to enhance students’ medical school applications and may improve the quality of your research background.

Clinical experience is one of the essential extracurriculars for medical school , and having no clinical background will decrease your chances of being accepted to an MD-PhD program.

You can gain clinical experience through:

• Working and volunteering in clinics, hospitals, and hospices.
• Volunteering in long-term care and retirement homes.
• Working as a health professional’s assistant.
• Volunteering as a medical scribe or a personal caretaker.

Shadowing a physician can also increase your knowledge of clinical practice. Take note of memorable lessons you learn – they may be invaluable sources for your MD-PhD essays. Make sure you know how many shadowing hours are required for medical school to fulfill the requirement and how to ask to shadow a doct or.

Dr. Neel Mistry, MD, a graduate from the University of Ottawa medical school and a BeMo admissions expert, says this about his clinical experience:

“These experiences helped solidify my passion for medicine and why I wanted to become a doctor. I was able to draw on these experiences during my medical school application and the interview process.” - Dr Neel Mistry, MD

Md-phd residency.

As an MD-PhD student, you need to find residencies developed to train physician-scientists by fully integrating research into clinical training. The number of residency programs for MD-PhDs is growing, and a wide range of clinical specialty choices exist. During your dual degree program, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore research in different medical specialties.

“By having an area of focus, it allows you to explore if you do want to indeed be a clinician-scientist in the area you have considered or if you have a different scope of the project that might lend itself better to a complimentary specialty. For instance, someone who is interested in head and neck cancers may be quite interested in pursuing otolaryngology however when they focus on their project, they recognize that they prefer the radiology or oncologic treatments and thus pursue interventional radiology, radiation oncology or oncology.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.

You will use the ERAS application to apply to American residency programs and CaRMS to apply to programs in Canada.

1. WHAT ARE MY CAREER OPTIONS WITH AN MD-PHD?

Individuals with an MD-PhD have career options across academia, research institutions, healthcare organizations, and private industry. The versatility of an MD-PhD equips graduates to make significant contributions to medical practice and scientific innovation.

Career paths for MD-PhDs include:

• Academic careers, working in universities or medical schools, where time is shared between patient care, teaching, and conducting research.
• Leadership roles within healthcare organizations, directing research programs or shaping healthcare policy.
• Private industry, such as pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, or healthcare consulting.
• Government agencies, advancing medical research and public health initiatives.

2. HOW LONG ARE MOST MD-PHD PROGRAMS?

MD-PhD programs can take up to 8 years to complete. Factors influencing the duration include clinical and PhD requirements and research progress. Two common tracks are the 2-3-2 or 2-4-2, involving initial MD coursework, followed by PhD research, and concluding with clinical training.

3. IS IT HARDER TO GET INTO AN MD-PHD PROGRAM?

Getting into an MD-PhD program can be harder because you have to meet the admission requirements for both the MD and PhD programs, and have research experience. MD-PhD programs can be very selective and highly competitive.  

4. ARE THERE ANY FUNDED MD-PHD PROGRAMS?

MD-PhD program funding can include tuition waivers and a stipend to help cover the costs of living expenses. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) provides financial support to dozens of MD-PhD programs through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). These programs are extremely competitive as the funding offers a tuition allowance and a basic stipend, with most institutions supplementing the stipend.

5. DO I STILL NEED TO GET CLINICAL AND SHADOWING EXPERIENCE IF I AM APPLYING TO THE COMBINED PROGRAM?

While research is going to be the major focus of the MD-PhD, you must still have sufficient clinical and shadowing experience to assure that medicine is also a desired component of your career.

6. SHOULD I GET A MASTER’S DEGREE BEFORE I APPLY TO MD-PHD?

Most applicants do not have master’s degrees. However, some students pursue a special master’s program to gain valuable research experience and bolster their MD-PhD applications.

7. WHAT IS A GOOD RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR MD-PHD?

You do not need to have research experience in the medical field to qualify for MD-PhD. Many research skills are transferable across disciplines. As long as you learn valuable research skills and understand the process, your research experience can come from any field you like.

8. HOW MUCH RESEARCH EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO GET ACCEPTED?

The quality of your research experience is most important. It is not necessary to be involved in dozens of research projects or make any ground-breaking scientific discoveries to enter the MD-PhD program. In your application, focus on what you have learned and accomplished and don't be afraid to discuss your setbacks in addition to your accomplishments.

9. DO I NEED TO BE A PUBLISHED RESEARCHER TO ENTER THE MD-PHD PROGRAM?

Having published research can give you a competitive edge as not every applicant will have this experience. Keep in mind that you must have an in-depth understanding of this research because you will be asked about it during your interviews. However, many students apply directly out of undergrad and admissions committees understand that it is difficult to contribute to publication at such an early stage in your education.

10. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MD-PHD AND MSTP?

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is an MD-PhD program that has been awarded a training grant (T32) from the National Institute of General Medical Science that financially supports trainees in the program. There are currently about 49 MD-PhD programs that have T32 awards. Non-MSTP MD-PhD programs also provide environments where students obtain outstanding dual-degree training.

11. WHO SHOULD WRITE MY RECOMMENDATION LETTERS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM?

Ideally, at least one of your writers will be the head of a research project in which you participated. It is important to have a person who can speak to your research skills and progress. Other writers can include professors and instructors, volunteer and work supervisors, athletics coaches, or a physician you worked with or whom you shadowed.

12. CAN I CHANGE MY RESEARCH INTERESTS DURING MY STUDIES, OR WILL I HAVE TO STICK TO THE RESEARCH FIELD I IDENTIFIED IN MY PERSONAL STATEMENT AND MY MD PHD ESSAY?

It is completely normal to change direction in your research throughout your studies and many students change their research fields after they gain more research experience.

13. CAN I BECOME A PHYSICIAN-SCIENTIST WITHOUT OBTAINING AN MD-PHD DEGREE?

It is certainly possible to become a physician-scientist without obtaining an MD-PhD degree. However, the joint program is the most effective way to become a physician-scientist. You can also complete an MD and PhD separately, but this route takes much longer. Some schools will let you transfer into their MD-PhD program if you've completed a year or two in their medical program.

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A joint venture of IU School of Medicine and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at IU School of Medicine—Indianapolis is a dual degree program (MD/PhD) that integrates state-of-the-art clinical medical training with cutting-edge biomedical research.

In this highly selective program, MSTP students are provided with strong mentorship, an incredible breadth of research opportunities and a unique curriculum. The program is designed to help learners gain insight to the molecular pathogenesis of disease with the goal of developing therapies through strong clinical acumen and knowledge of the basic sciences.

Academic programs span from the traditional sciences of anatomy and cell biology to next-generation programs in biomedical engineering, medical biophysics and medical neurobiology. New to the program are sociomedical and behavioral science training opportunities with the Indiana Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (IARD) Medical Scientist Training Program. Learners receive guidance throughout the program from nationally recognized experts in one of the most prestigious programs in the Midwest.

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MSTP Featured News

MSTP receives $4.6 million NIH grant to train more physician-scientists

The Indiana MSTP received $4.6 million in renewed grant funding  from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to sustain and expand its efforts throughout the next five years. A joint venture between Indiana University School of Medicine and the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, the program seeks to meet the growing need for more physician-scientists and physician-engineers in health care.

Outstanding Research Facilities

IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

Stark Neurosciences Research Institute

Center for Diabetes Research

Residency Placement of MD-PhD Graduates

• 2024 Diagnostic Radiology: Indiana University Internal Medicine: Cleveland Clinic Internal Medicine PSTP: Mass General Brigham/Harvard Neurology: Mass General Brigham/Harvard Neurology: Mount Sinai NY Otolaryngology: Indiana University Pathology: Indiana University Pathology: New York University Pediatrics: University of Minnesota Pediatrics Combined Residency: Boston Children's Hospital Psychiatry: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Triple Board: Cincinnati Children's Hospital
• 2023 Hematology-Oncology PTSP: Washington University in St. Louis Neurology: Mayo Clinic Neurosurgery: University of Minnesota Ophthalmology: Indiana University Otolaryngology: Indiana University Pathology: Emory University Pediatrics Hematology-Oncology: University of Washington Pediatrics PSTP: Stanford University
• 2022 Family Medicine: St. Vincent, Indianapolis Internal Medicine PSTP: Northwestern Radiation Oncology: Indiana University University Psychiatry: Indiana University

Psychiatry: Mayo Clinic General Surgery: Johns Hopkins Anesthesiology: Massachusetts General Hospital Radiation Oncology: Stanford Pediatrics: Washington University in St. Louis Emergency Medicine: Resurrection Hospital in Chicago Internal Medicine: University of Colorado-Denver Health-PC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Physician Scientist Training Program: Internal Medicine/Endocrinology at Cedar-Sinai Pathology: Massachusetts General Anesthesiology: Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine-Pediatrics: University of South Florida Internal Medicine: University of Texas-Southwestern General Surgery: Indiana University Internal Medicine: Brigham & Women’s Hospital—Boston, MA

Radiation Oncology: University of Michigan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: University of Pittsburgh Psychiatry: Indiana University Neurology: Mayo Clinic Physician-Scientist Training Program: Washington University St. Louis Physician-Scientist Training Program: Emory University

Pathology: Johns Hopkins University Radiology: Indiana University Radiology: University of Colorado

• 2017 Neurology: Indiana University School of Medicine Dermatology: University of Alabama-Birmingham Psychiatry: Indiana University School of Medicine Otolaryngology: University of Michigan Dermatology: Yale University Pediatric Neurology: Baylor University Radiology: Indiana University School of Medicine Neurology: Cornell University
• 2016 Vascular Surgery: Washington University St. Louis Ophthalmology: University of Pittsburgh Family Medicine: Fort Wayne, Indiana Pediatrics: Indiana University
• 2015 Physician-Scientist Training Program: University of Utah Neurosurgery: Indiana University School of Medicine Internal Medicine: Indiana University School of Medicine Neurology: Mayo Clinic Pediatrics: Indiana University School of Medicine
• 2014 Emergency Medicine: Rutgers, New Jersey Psychiatry: Indiana University School of Medicine Neurology: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Psychiatry: Indiana University School of Medicine Dermatology: Pennsylvania State
• 2013 Pediatrics: Children’s Hospital, Boston Family Medicine: University of Florida-COM Dermatology: University Medical Ctr., Chicago OB/GYN: Ohio State University Dermatology: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis

Applying to the Hopkins MSTP

MCAT information: The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is required for acceptance.  Applicants wishing to be considered for admission to the MD-PhD Program class entering in Fall 2024 must take the MCAT  no later than September in the year the application is submitted.  The oldest MCAT considered will be four years prior to date of expected matriculation. For students entering in Fall 2024 , the oldest acceptable MCAT is 2020 .

Fall 2024 Schedule of Application Deadlines

Submission of AMCAS Application : October 15, 2023

Submission of JHU SOM Secondary Application: November 1, 2023

Virtual Interview Dates :

September 27-28, 2023

October 11-12, 2023

October 18-19, 2023

November 8-9, 2023

November 29-30, 2023

December 13-14, 2023

January 10-11, 2024

All Decision Letters Mailed by : Mid-February 2024

Second Look Weekend : April 10-14, 2024

April 15, 2024: Admitted applicants must narrow acceptances to 3 MD-PhD Programs

April 30, 2024: National Reply Date. Accepted applicants must choose a single MD-PhD Program to attend

. The deadline for submitting an application to AMCAS for the class entering in Fall 2024 is October 15, 2023 . Letters of recommendation should be submitted with the primary application and must be received at Johns Hopkins no later than November 1, 2023 . 

In addition to the three letters of recommendation required by the Johns Hopkins SOM, the MD-PhD Program requires an additional two letters. These letters should be from science faculty with whom the applicant has done research. The letters may be part of the committee packet if your institution provides one. MD-PhD applicants should send all letters of recommendation via the AMCAS letter service .

Any additional supplemental material (manuscripts, awards, etc.) pertaining to the MD-PhD application, not already included with the primary or secondary application, may be sent via e-mail to:

E-mail: Ms. Martha Buntin [email protected]

Link to Prerequisites, Requirements, and Policies

Admissions Process

Interview visits generally last for two days. Applicants are interviewed by members of the MD-PhD Committee and other faculty members who share their research interests. Applicants have many opportunities to meet with current students and tour the campus during their visit. To see a map of the campus, click here . For directions to the campus, click here .

All eligible applicants who are admitted to the MD-PhD Program are considered for funding under the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program Award. Approximately 10-12 MD-PhD students matriculate each year and receive the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) award. This program, supported by the National Institutes of Health, provides full tuition, stipend, and insurance for students. Due to federal restrictions, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for MSTP funding.

Sometimes things don’t go as planned; your flight gets delayed, the elevators aren’t working, or the lunch caterers don’t show up (thanks for the disappointment, Chipotle). We will do everything we can do make your visits smooth and enjoyable! Here is the impromptu lunch scene at a Baltimore exclusive and student favorite, Kabobi!

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Tuition, Stipend, and Student Benefits

Tuition and Stipend

Mayo Clinic has made a continuing commitment to fully support the tuition and stipend costs for all M.D.-Ph.D. students throughout their medical and graduate training. This allows you to choose your thesis laboratory with a focus on the education and training you want to achieve.

Mayo Clinic M.D.-Ph.D. Program students are fully supported (tuition and stipend) through a guaranteed internal fellowship for up to eight years contingent upon satisfactory progress in the program. This eliminates the need for students to identify a faculty member to provide financial support.

If additional funding is required for other student expenses, you have access to the resources of the  Office of Student Financial Aid and Registrar .

In addition to full tuition support, this guaranteed internal fellowship provides an annual graduate-level stipend. The 2024-2025 annual graduate-level stipend is $40,000 provided on a payment schedule. 

Student benefits

We fully invest in you. In addition to academic-related resources, we provide a full range of student benefits for you and your family, including:

• Low-cost comprehensive medical insurance, which includes a prescription drug plan, as well as dental and vision insurance
• Membership in  Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union
• Access to  Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center , a low-cost and modern exercise facility (MN campus)
• Student Assistance Program, including Mayo-paid, confidential services for individual, family, marital, stress, and educational training-related concerns; chemical dependency assessment; assistance with finding childcare and eldercare; and limited legal assistance
• Student academic support and wellness services available through  Student Services

These benefits are just the highlights. We strive to review and expand our student benefits in order to provide students with the highest quality of experience and support.

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Applications are accepted June 1-Oct. 1 each year.

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Visit the financial aid office for more information.

Tuition and fees: the big ticket item

Beyond tuition: other expenses to consider, financial aid options, reducing costs: tips and strategies, the cost of medical school: a reality check.

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• Going to medical school in the United States can be extremely expensive. 
• From scholarships to loans, there are plenty of options to pay for a medical education.
• In some cases, you might be able to avoid paying tuition altogether.

Medical school in the U.S. is very expensive. You can easily rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt while earning your degree. There are, however, plenty of options to ease the financial pain of pursuing a medical career.

Public vs. private schools

The average total cost of medical school is $235,827, and the average yearly cost of medical school is $59,968, according to the Education Data Initiative . Total costs can vary widely by institution type and location, ranging from $161,972 for in-state public schools to $264,704 for out-of-state private schools.

In-state vs. out-of-state

In-state residents are afforded certain advantages when applying to state schools, and typically pay less at public schools than they would at private universities.

Books and supplies

The cost of textbooks and supplies varies depending on your school and which year you are in. At UCLA, the cost for the first year is estimated at $3,476 . That compares to the third year with an estimated cost of $2,703. At Harvard, the estimate is $1,498.

Health insurance and fees

There are also certain indirect costs to consider. Take insurance, for example. Medical schools should require that all medical students have an active health insurance policy. Schools should offer a policy, but medical students should be allowed to select a personal policy after providing documentation that the policy provides comparable coverage. 

Living expenses

Your cost of living can vary greatly depending on whether you live in a big city or in a rural area. For example, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York was $3,789 as of June 2024. That compares to $942 for a one-bedroom apartment in Iowa City, according to data compiled by Apartments.com , a website that connects renters and landlords.

Of course, in New York you may not need a car. In Iowa City, that could be a real cost that comes with fluctuating gas prices, and auto insurance and maintenance costs. You also have to eat. Grocery prices are nearly 20% higher in New York versus Iowa City, according to Numbeo, a crowd-sourced platform that compiles cost of living data.

Exam fees (USMLE, etc.)

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) parts 1 and 2 cost about $670 each. Step 3 costs $925. Licensure fees range from state to state. In New York, they cost $735 for the initial application fee. In Iowa, that will run you $450.

Scholarships and grants

Scholarships and grants abound and can vary greatly in terms of eligibility requirements and what they can be used for, from tuition to travel for activities like conferences. You can start your search using the best scholarship websites such as FastWeb and at the US Department of Education's student aid website . The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) also has a database with opportunities.

Local hospitals, religious institutions, local business, nonprofits, and others may also offer scholarships, so it pays to dig around. And don't forget to check with your medical school. Many of them offer aid to students in financial need.

Federal student loans

Federal student loans are available to med students. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what programs might be available for you. You could qualify for:

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Federal Direct Loans are unsubsidized, meaning you're responsible for paying all the interest on these loans.
• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans: You may be able to get a PLUS Loan for funds beyond Federal Direct Loans. PLUS Loans are also unsubsidized. They tend to have a higher interest rate than Federal Direct Loans.
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Primary Care Loan: This is a school-based program that offers loans for medical students who demonstrate financial need.

Choose an in-state public school

If you're a resident applying to an in-state school, you can expect lower costs overall than with private or out-of-state universities. State-based financial aid programs can also be beneficial. Apply through FAFSA to see if you're eligible for any state-based loans or other financial aid. Twenty-eight states and Washington, DC, offer loan repayment programs for medical students.

Apply for scholarships and grants

Scholarships and grants come in all shapes and sizes, and they can add up over time if you apply and qualify for more than one. Be sure to begin your application process early, as these funds can run out.

Consider military scholarships (HPSP/HSCP)

Military scholarships are another option for med students. The U.S. Army, for example, could offer a scholarship, stipend program or educational loan repayment, as well as the ability to train alongside dedicated healthcare professionals. The F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program, for example, pays 100% of tuition, plus required books, equipment, most academic fees, and a monthly stipend of $2,000. Qualifying medical and dental students are also eligible to receive a $20,000 sign-on bonus.

You will have to fulfill a service commitment for the funding. The active duty service obligation to the U.S. Army is one year of service for every year you receive the scholarship.  

Loan forgiveness programs

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program offers forgiveness of qualified federal student loans after 120 payments are made while employed full time at a 501(c)(3) non-profit or government employer. PSLF can erase much of your initial debt balance tax-free, and some residency programs are 501(c)(3) organizations, allowing physicians to start making qualified payments as soon as residency starts.  

The Health Resources and Services Administration provides grants to assist states in operating State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) for primary care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). The New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program, for example, provides funds to health care professionals working in areas of the state designated as being medically underserved and who are willing to commit and contract with the state for a minimum of three years (or two if part-time). 

Finally, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is a federal program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that provides scholarships and loan repayment to healthcare professionals practicing at approved sites located in/or serving Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) throughout the United States.

The cost of medical school FAQs

The cost of medical school application fees vary, but can be around $100-200 per school.

You might have a hard time trying to work during medical school, as there is limited time free time due to the intense demands of the program.

Yes, many medical schools offer scholarships, grants, and work-study options.

Yes, you can get your student loans forgiven through programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or state-specific programs for doctors working in underserved areas.

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Get Medigap Costs

Medigap premiums vary widely depending on the insurance company, the plan, and where you live. Each insurance company decides how it will set the price, or premium. for its Medigap policies, which can affect how much you pay now and in the future. How do insurance companies set prices for Medigap policies?

Comparing Medigap costs

The benefits in each lettered plan are the same, no matter which insurance company sells it.  The premium amount is the only difference between policies with the same plan letter sold by different companies . There can be big differences in the premiums that different insurance companies charge for the same coverage, so be sure you compare Medigap plans with the same letter (for example, compare Plan G from one company with Plan G from another company). 

When you compare Medigap plans, you’ll see their estimated costs so make sure you contact the insurance company for a more accurate price.  Compare the costs of Medigap plans in your area.

The cost of your Medigap policy may also depend on whether the insurance company:

• Offers discounts (like discounts for women, non-smokers, or married people; discounts for paying yearly; discounts for paying your premiums using electronic funds transfer (automatic payment from checking account or credit card); or discounts for multiple policies).
• Uses medical underwriting or applies a different premium when you don't have a guaranteed issue right or aren't in your Medigap Open Enrollment Period .
• Sells Medicare SELECT policies that may require you to use certain providers. If you buy this type of Medigap policy, your premium may be lower.
• Offers a "high-deductible option." How does this affect cost?

Paying for Medigap

When you buy a Medigap policy, you’ll pay the private insurance company a monthly premium. Your insurance company will let you know how to pay for your monthly premium. You also have to pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium. Medicare doesn't pay the premiums for your Medigap policy. Premium amounts typically increase each year.

Next step: Get ready to buy

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

FACT SHEET: President   Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families   Together

Since his first day in office, President Biden has called on Congress to secure our border and address our broken immigration system. As Congressional Republicans have continued to put partisan politics ahead of national security – twice voting against the toughest and fairest set of reforms in decades – the President and his Administration have taken actions to secure the border, including:

• Implementing executive actions to bar migrants who cross our Southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum when encounters are high;
• Deploying record numbers of law enforcement personnel, infrastructure, and technology to the Southern border;
• Seizing record amounts of fentanyl at our ports of entry;
• Revoking the visas of CEOs and government officials outside the U.S. who profit from migrants coming to the U.S. unlawfully; and
• Expanding efforts to dismantle human smuggling networks and prosecuting individuals who violate immigration laws.

President Biden believes that securing the border is essential. He also believes in expanding lawful pathways and keeping families together, and that immigrants who have been in the United States for decades, paying taxes and contributing to their communities, are part of the social fabric of our country. The Day One immigration reform plan that the President sent to Congress reflects both the need for a secure border and protections for the long-term undocumented. While Congress has failed to act on these reforms, the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to strengthen our lawful immigration system. In addition to vigorously defending the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood arrivals) policy, the Administration has extended Affordable Care Act coverage to DACA recipients and streamlined, expanded, and instituted new reunification programs so that families can stay together while they complete the immigration process.  Still, there is more that we can do to bring peace of mind and stability to Americans living in mixed-status families as well as young people educated in this country, including Dreamers. That is why today, President Biden announced new actions for people who have been here many years to keep American families together and allow more young people to contribute to our economy.   Keeping American Families Together

• Today, President Biden is announcing that the Department of Homeland Security will take action to ensure that U.S. citizens with noncitizen spouses and children can keep their families together.
• This new process will help certain noncitizen spouses and children apply for lawful permanent residence – status that they are already eligible for – without leaving the country.
• These actions will promote family unity and strengthen our economy, providing a significant benefit to the country and helping U.S. citizens and their noncitizen family members stay together.
• In order to be eligible, noncitizens must – as of June 17, 2024 – have resided in the United States for 10 or more years and be legally married to a U.S. citizen, while satisfying all applicable legal requirements. On average, those who are eligible for this process have resided in the U.S. for 23 years.
• Those who are approved after DHS’s case-by-case assessment of their application will be afforded a three-year period to apply for permanent residency. They will be allowed to remain with their families in the United States and be eligible for work authorization for up to three years. This will apply to all married couples who are eligible.  
• This action will protect approximately half a million spouses of U.S. citizens, and approximately 50,000 noncitizen children under the age of 21 whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.

Easing the Visa Process for U.S. College Graduates, Including Dreamers

• President Obama and then-Vice President Biden established the DACA policy to allow young people who were brought here as children to come out of the shadows and contribute to our country in significant ways. Twelve years later, DACA recipients who started as high school and college students are now building successful careers and establishing families of their own.
• Today’s announcement will allow individuals, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers, who have earned a degree at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education in the United States, and who have received an offer of employment from a U.S. employer in a field related to their degree, to more quickly receive work visas.
• Recognizing that it is in our national interest to ensure that individuals who are educated in the U.S. are able to use their skills and education to benefit our country, the Administration is taking action to facilitate the employment visa process for those who have graduated from college and have a high-skilled job offer, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers. 

Stay Connected

We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better.

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Elektrostal

Elektrostal Localisation : Country Russia , Oblast Moscow Oblast . Available Information : Geographical coordinates , Population, Altitude, Area, Weather and Hotel . Nearby cities and villages : Noginsk , Pavlovsky Posad and Staraya Kupavna .

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State Housing Inspectorate of the Moscow Region

Phone 8 (496) 575-02-20 8 (496) 575-02-20

Phone 8 (496) 511-20-80 8 (496) 511-20-80

Public administration near State Housing Inspectorate of the Moscow Region