PhD in Medicine

The combined M.D.-Ph.D. pathway lets current medical students at the college integrate both degrees and train as physician-scientists who divide their time between research and clinical practice. It suits students who have a passion for discovery and perform well in foundational science courses. Students are urged to meet the program director soon after matriculating and to start research early, ideally the summer after the first year, supported by a summer research fellowship. That experience helps identify a faculty mentor for dissertation work. Formal application takes place during the second year of medical school and requires approval from both the student affairs dean and the program director. The application includes personal statements, transcripts and recommendation letters, and is submitted to the graduate school admissions office in the fall.