Office of Medical Education

Admissions

Admissions Criteria
The University of Kentucky MD/PhD Program is looking for well-rounded and accomplished individuals who are committed to pursuing a rigorous dual degree program and who have qualities necessary to be successful physician-scientists. Our Program is open to all qualified applicants, regardless of state-of-residence. We particularly encourage applications from women and members of racial, ethnic, and/or demographic groups currently underrepresented in biomedical science. When evaluating candidates for the combined degree program, we consider the student's background, academic achievement*, MCAT scores*, research accomplishments, and letters of recommendation. Additional qualities we seek include communication and leadership skills, stamina, integrity, empathy, and compassion. For general information about applying to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, please visit the Admissions web site.

*We consider the candidate as a whole and do not have a minimum GPA and MCAT requirements. On average, the applicants that are offered positions in the program have had a GPA of 3.8 and MCAT scores of 32 – 40, although the range may be wider.

For additional information to help you decide if an MD/PhD Program is the correct choice for you and frequently asked questions, refer you to this FAQ.

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Application Process
The admissions process for the MD/PhD Program is coordinated in conjunction with the College of Medicine Admissions Office. To apply to the MD/PhD Program, applicants must submit an online American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) application with the UK College of Medicine included in the list of schools and the MD/PhD Program designated. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores must be submitted at this time. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required.

Because of the competitive nature of the program, we strongly encourage you to complete your AMCAS application EARLY.

All AMCAS applications are reviewed by the College of Medicine Office of Admissions and the MD/PhD program.  Applicants who meet preliminary screening criteria will be asked to complete a Secondary Application. The Secondary Application is a supplement to the AMCAS® application. You will be notified via email (on the account listed in your AMCAS application) of the offer to complete the Second Application.  There is a $50 fee that accompanies the Secondary Application. This can be paid via cash, check, money order, Visa, or MasterCard. Please be aware that spam filters on your e-mail account may interfere with Secondary Application notification.

You should make sure that your secondary application is complete as early in the application cycle as possible. All materials should be sent to:

MD/PhD Program
UK College of Medicine
Office of Admissions
138 Leader Avenue Room 118
Lexington, KY 40506-9983

Letters of recommendation are an important component of our evaluation.  We recommend that you have at least one letter of recommendation from a faculty member who served as a research mentor.  Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the AMCAS letter service.

Your file will be complete when we have received your Secondary Application, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, and secondary application fee.  Select candidates will be invited for an interview. Students who apply directly to the MD/PhD program will receive priority consideration.  However, students who apply and are offered admission to the MD Program and would like to be considered by the MD/PhD Program should contact the MD/PhD Program Coordinator for more information.

Students who wish to be considered for regular medical school admission in addition to the MD/PhD program should inform the College of Medicine Office of Admissions in writing via email.

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Interview Process
Prospective students selected for an interview will be contacted by e-mail.  Interview dates are held in November, December, and January.  Transportation, lodging, and food will be provided by the program.  On the first day of your visit, you will have a chance to interact with current MD/PhD students in the Program in a relaxed, social environment.  Formal interviews with approximately five faculty members are held on the second day, along with a tour of the campus.

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The Offer
Recommendations for acceptance to the Program are made by the MD/PhD Admissions Committee. The Program will notify you of decisions by e-mail. Applicants who are offered admission are encouraged to return for a second visit. Transportation, lodging, and food will be provided by the program. During your second visit, we will arrange for you to meet with faculty members of your choice, spend time with current students, and explore Lexington.

We strongly encourage incoming students to complete a laboratory rotation in the summer prior to the start of their first year in medical school. Please consider the following Funding Opportunities.

Students who are not accepted into the MD/PhD Program and wish to be considered for regular admission into the medical school should contact the Office of Medical Education Admissions.

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Deadlines for the MD/PhD Candidate

• November 1, 2009 - AMCAS Application Deadline
• January 15, 2010 - Secondary Application Deadline
• November 2009 - January 2010 - Interviews

Because of the competitive nature of the program, we strongly encourage you to complete your file as early as possible. This includes your secondary application, letters of recommendation, MCAT scores, and fee.

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