Application Information
A driving force of this group's formation has been to illuminate the application process for those interested in pursuing the joint degree in the social sciences, which has not previously been done. We've compiled a list of resources below, including a timeline, a list of funded programs, common FAQs, our own junior CVs, and others, to demystify the long and detailed application year.
​
The American Physician Scientist Association recently held a webinar for MD/DO-PhD applicants in the social sciences and humanities, answering frequently asked questions and talking more about the joint degree itself.
APSA 2024 Webinar
Timeline
Broken down by program
The application timeline can seem varied and daunting! Largely because it is. We have broken it down by program and compiled general insights from our personal experiences applying to each institution to give an idea of what materials are expected when from each school during this application process.
FAQs
What is the MSTP and how does it relate to an MD-PhD in the social sciences?
The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is a federally funded educational path that combines an MD with a PhD. For most programs, students complete the first 2 years of medical school, then complete the entirety of their PhD, and return for the final 2 years of medical school before applying to residencies. In addition to covering tuition, students also receive a living stipend while completing both degrees. Many schools across the country partake in this program, with each school admitting between 8-20 students a year. However, traditionally the PhD is in a biological science such as immunology or biochemistry. More recently, a strong and convincing case for PhDs in the social sciences and humanities has been made, and a select number of programs allow for PhDs to be in fields such as anthropology, sociology, philosophy, etc. This means that in their usual cohort of about 15 MSTP students, there may be 1-2 "non-traditional" PhDs at the schools which allow for them. As such, trainees are spread far and wide across the country, and certain programs only have a handful of alumni from this tract.
Do I need a masters to apply?
Some applicants do have masters at the time of application, but it is not required. (Neither Isa, nor Zoe, nor Cris had one for example)
Can I do an MD-PhD without the MSTP?
Yes, anyone can do the combined degree in whatever way they choose. This could include returning to graduate school to complete a PhD after practicing as a physician or vice versa, or combining the degrees outside of the funded MSTP by coordinating with your institution in the parameters which they allow. However, funding would depend on the financial packages of your individual graduate programs.
What can you do with an MD-PhD in the social sciences or humanities?
While there are many possibilities, graduates often go on to combine clinical practice with academic research, and often times contribute to policy and educational programming. For inspiration, here are a (limited) few examples that range the spectrum of time split between the two degrees:
Is an MD-PhD in the social sciences or humanities right for me?
It is a very personal decision in each person's case whether or not to do the joint degree, but there are several very useful places to begin asking yourself questions that may help you figure it out, as outlined for example here by recent graduate Michelle Munyikwa, or here by the AAMC.
Snapshot CVs
Here's what our CVs looked like at the time of application. This is in no way to provide a blueprint, but rather to show the very different ways we all come to the path.