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Admissions
Admissions Criteria
Admission to the UK College of Medicine M.D./Ph.D. Program is highly competitive. When evaluating candidates for the combined degree program, we take into account the student's background, overall classroom success, MCAT scores, research experiences and letters of recommendation. In addition, strong interpersonal skills, compassion for others, integrity, leadership, reliability, stamina and strongly tested motivation for medicine are necessary personal qualities. We are looking for well-rounded and accomplished individuals that will flourish as combined degree students.
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Application Process
Applying for admission to the UK College of Medicine M.D./Ph.D. Program is a multi-step process that is completely separate from the medical school admissions process. Applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. Program must first submit an online American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) application. On your AMCAS application, the UK College of Medicine must be included in the list of schools to which the application will be sent and the M.D./Ph.D. Program must be designated. It is strongly suggested that you complete your AMCAS application as early in the admissions cycle as possible since admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores must be submitted at this time. (GRE scores are not necessary.)
If your AMCAS application demonstrates that you meet preliminary screening criteria, you will receive instructions regarding the completion of the Secondary Application. This Secondary Application is a supplement to the AMCAS® application. (If you have been offered the Secondary Application and are having trouble logging in, please be aware that the login information must match the information exactly as you entered it into the AMCAS application. If you need additional help, please contact the M.D./Ph.D. Program Office.)
A key part of the secondary application is the submission of letters of recommendation from a pre-med committee or at least three faculty members. Since completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, you should make sure that your secondary application, including receipt of letters of recommendation, is complete as early in the application cycle as possible. All materials should be sent to:
M.D./Ph.D. Program
College of Medicine Office of Medical Education
800 Rose Street, MN 104 UKMC
Lexington, KY 40536-0298
Once your file is complete including the M.D./Ph.D. Secondary Application, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation and secondary application fee your application will be reviewed by the M.D./Ph.D. Admissions Committee. The evaluation and recruitment of M.D./Ph.D. Program applicants is performed by a committee distinct from those that are involved in the admission of M.D. and/or Ph.D. applicants.
The Graduate School application will need to be completed during the spring of your second year in Medical School and a $40 application fee will need to be paid.
While students applying directly to the M.D./Ph.D. program receive priority consideration, those students who apply directly to the M.D. Program and are accepted, and would like to be considered by the M.D./Ph.D. Program should contact us for more information.
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Interview Process
Prospective students selected for an interview will be contacted by e-mail to set up an individual interview time. The program will make all the necessary reservations for you including airline tickets and hotel reservations. During the interview, you will meet with the director of the M.D./Ph.D. Program, the M.D./Ph.D. Advisory Committee, the Directors of Graduate Studies from each of the College of Medicine basic science departments and any faculty of interest. You will also be given a tour of the facilities and a chance to meet with some of our current M.D./Ph.D. students.
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The Offer
After your interview, the M.D./Ph.D. Admissions Committee will make a final decision on your application and notify you by e-mail. Applicants have until April 15 to make their final decision.
Applicants offered admission are encouraged to revisit the University of Kentucky in April at the expense of the M.D./Ph.D. Program. During this visit, the applicant is encouraged to select one or two departments to learn more about. The applicant will also have the opportunity to meet informally with faculty members of their choice, spend more time with current students and explore Lexington.
Students who accept a position in the M.D./Ph.D. Program are strongly encouraged to complete a rotation in a lab of their choice prior to the start of their first year in medical school. This rotation will be funded by the department they choose.
Students not accepted into the M.D./Ph.D. Program that are still interested in admission into the medical school should contact the Office of Admissions for more information. Please visit the Office of Medical Education Admissions Web site for more information about their admissions process.
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General Guidelines
- Try to have all of the prerequisites for entrance completed by your junior undergraduate year of college.
- Take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) in April of your junior undergraduate year. This will give you enough time to repeat the test should you wish to improve your scores. Please note that we do not accept MCAT scores that are over two years old.
- Try to complete your AMCAS application in June of the year prior to intended matriculation. The earlier you complete this application, the earlier you will be sent a Secondary Application.
- Make sure that your letters of recommendation arrive here in a timely fashion. Usually, the letters will follow the completion of the Secondary Application. If the letters come prior to its completion, we will hold the letters on file.
- Send your Secondary Application fee in as early as possible. Most delays occur while we wait for either this $30 payment or your letters of recommendation.
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Deadlines
November 1 – AMCAS Application Deadline
January 15 – Secondary Application Deadline
December - March – Interviews
Since our interviews and admissions are made on a rolling basis (based on the date of completion of your file), it is very important that you complete your file as early as possible. This includes your secondary application, letters of recommendation, MCAT scores and fee.
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Strategies for Applying
Please take these points under advisement before beginning the application process. They are here to prepare you and help you become a better candidate for admission to the M.D./Ph.D. Program.
- Seek advice from a premedical advisor early in your college experience.
- Gain as much research experience as possible.
- Educate yourself about the medical profession. Talk to physicians about their experiences; shadow them in their offices or in the hospital, volunteer in a health care facility.
- Contact medical schools to become familiar with their entry requirements and admissions process.
- Complete prerequisite science courses by the end of your junior year.
- Register for, prepare for, and take the MCAT in April of your junior year, approximately 16 months prior to your anticipated medical school enrollment.
- Submit completed medical school application early in the summer before your senior year in college.
- Prepare for and retake MCAT in August of your senior year, if necessary.
- During your senior year of college, concentrate on improving your study skills. Take rigorous, high level courses.
- Solicit premedical committee recommendations (if your college has such a committee). If not, seek academic recommendations from three of your college professors who know you well.
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The AMCAS® Application
AMCAS® (American Medical College Application Service) — provided by the AAMC® (Association of American Medical Colleges) — enables applicants from very diverse locations to simplify the application process by creating a unified way to apply to many medical schools with one single electronic application. That being said, AMCAS will be your first formal step into the applicant pool. When working on your application, please pay close attention to detail and make sure that all the information is correct. Instead of submitting transcripts to 10 or more medical colleges for review, they are sent to AMCAS, who then forwards them to any and all colleges to which an applicant wishes to apply.
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Medical College Admission Test
The MCAT is required of all medical school applicants. The test assesses mastery of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics; facility with scientific problem solving and logical reasoning; and writing skills. Students applying for medical school admission are strongly advised to take the MCAT in the spring of their junior year in college. Also, please be aware that it is the policy of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine to only accept MCAT scores that fall within the last two years of the current application cycle. Below you will find some links to resources that may help you to prepare for the MCAT.
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Contact Information
If you have questions or would like more information about the M.D./Ph.D. Program, please contact the M.D./Ph.D. Office by telephone, e-mail or mail:
Phone: (859) 323-6744
Fax: (859) 323-2076
E-mail: MDPHD@lsv.uky.edu
M.D./Ph.D. Program
College of Medicine
Office of Medical Education
800 Rose Street, MN 104
Lexington, KY 40536-0298
If you are an undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky, the following undergraduate premedical advisors will also be able to provide you additional information:
Kathy Hestand (Sophomores / Freshmen) - (859) 257-1525
Danita Tevis (Juniors / Seniors (A-M)) - (859) 257-3383 ext. 8707
Denise Reynolds (Juniors / Seniors (N-Z)) - (859) 257-4053
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