Admissions

Important Dates (2023-24)

AMCAS Application Deadline

  • October 2nd, 2023

MD/PhD applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow ample amount of time for AMCAS verification, letter of recommendation submissions, and completing and submitting your secondary application.

Secondary Application Deadline

  • October 23, 2023

A secondary application must be submitted in order to be considered for an interview invite.

Letter of Recommendation Deadline

  • October 23, 2023

Interview Invitations

  • Invitations will be sent out during the week of October 23rd.

Admission Interviews

  • Interviews will take place:

  • Thursday, November 2, 2023 (MD/PhD Interview) & Friday, November 3, 2023 (MD Interview)

  • Thursday, November 16, 2023 (MD/PhD Interview) & Friday, November 17, 2023 (MD Interview)

The MD/PhD and MD interviews will be conducted separately on two consecutive days.

Applying to the MD-PhD Program

All applications for the University of Arizona College of Medicine MD/PhD program are reviewed and considered through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). MD/PhD Program candidates are expected to have a letter of recommendation that collaborates service with a physician and/or clinical experience. It is important for applicants to our program to possess clinical experiences that demonstrate a solid understanding of the clinical aspect of an MD/PhD Program.   For additional information and application process instructions please refer to The University of Arizona College of Medicine Admissions page.

What to Expect

  • Designate appropriate program: The University of Arizona College of Medicine MD/PhD Program
  • Complete two essays:
    • Why are you interested in MD/PhD training?
    • Highlight your significant research experiences. 

Eligibility

Entry to the MD-PhD Program is decided by the MD/PhD Admissions Committee.  Both in-state and out-of-state applicants will be considered as well as applicants with a permanent resident visa status.  International students are not eligible for admission to the Program at this time.

Applications from internal MD students will be considered in their first year of medical school. These students will need to submit to the Program Director an essay outlining why they are interested in MD/PhD training, and highlighting their significant research accomplishments.  If approved by the MD/PhD Committee and the Program Director, the candidate will be invited for an interview in competition with all applicants of the next academic year.  Current MD students who are interested in applying to the MD/PhD Program should contact the Program Director as soon as possible.

Last day to take the MCAT: September 28, 2020. Oldest MCAT score accepted: January 2018.

Selection Process

All MD-PhD applications are reviewed by members of the MD/PhD Admissions Committee, with top-ranking candidates invited for an interview.  Evaluation of applicants is based upon careful review of all application materials.

  • All applicants to the MD/PhD Program are expected to have outstanding undergraduate grades (GPA of at least 3.0) and high scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). 
  • Letters of recommendation from research supervisor(s) are an important component of the evaluation process.  At least one and preferably two letters from research mentors should attest to the applicant’s abilities and commitment to research.
  • Additionally, a minimum of one year in research experience is required.  The goal of the program is to train the next generation of academic physician scientists.  Therefore, an important factor in selecting MD/PhD applicants is evidence of a passion for research supported by substantial research experiences that have provided opportunities for independent and critical scientific thinking.  A significant number of MD/PhD applicants have spent one or more years completing research, thus confirming their desire for a career in research.  Therefore it is recommended that MD-PhD candidates have at least one year of documented laboratory experience.  Publications and/or presentations at national meetings are encouraged.  Successful applicants will be those who recognize and are capable of meeting the demands and responsibilities of a MD/PhD program, which is at a minimum seven years in duration.

Interview (MD/PhD)

Following submission and review of applications MD/PhD interviews will be during November.  If selected, you will be invited to visit the University of Arizona campus via email.  MD/PhD and MD interviews will be conducted separately on two consecutive days.

What to Expect

Interview Day One: Applicants will be interviewed by no more than two members of the MD/PhD Admissions Committee. T

Interview Day Two: Your interview for the MD program at UACOM-Tucson will take place on day two.  Valuable information on the Multiple Mini Interviews or (MMI) process is detailed here.

Admission Decisions

After the interviews, each candidate is evaluated by the MD/PhD Admissions Committee and the top-scoring applicants will be offered positions in the Program after final approval by the COM Admissions Committee.  Students not immediately offered a position in the MD/PhD Program may be placed on a waiting list and notified of acceptance into the program at a later date.  Students deemed non-competitive for the program will be notified immediately after final decisions are made. Admissions decisions will be announced between November and April of the following year.

All applicants for the MD/PhD Program are automatically considered for admission to the MD program. The UA College of Medicine offers multiple opportunities to actively participate in research and to join the Research Distinction Track to continue pursuing research interests.