MD-PhD Program

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Admissions, Application Steps, Interviews and Selection

Admissions

Applicants to the University of Louisville MD-PhD Program must apply to the School of Medicine through the American Medical College Application Service. Applicants should select the MD-PhD Program option on the UofL School of Medicine application. Indicating interest in the MD-PhD Program does not negatively affect consideration for admission to the MD program.

Applicants must meet the admissions requirements of the UofL School of Medicine, including completion of required premedical coursework, technical standards and MCAT requirements. Additional information about School of Medicine admissions, application requirements, technical standards, premedical requirements, acceptance and registration and transfer policies is available through the UofL School of Medicine admissions website.

Application Steps

Applicants must complete the following steps:

1. Submit the AMCAS application to the University of Louisville School of Medicine and select the MD-PhD Program option.
2. Complete the UofL School of Medicine secondary application when invited. Invitations and other application notifications are sent by email to the address listed in the AMCAS application. Applicants should monitor spam or junk folders to ensure messages are not missed.
3. Submit letters of recommendation, including letters from research mentors who can address the applicant’s research experience, intellectual curiosity, independence, perseverance, and potential for a physician-scientist career.
4. Complete interviews if invited. Selected candidates will interview with both the School of Medicine Admissions Committee and the MD-PhD Program admissions process.

Applicants should take the MCAT no later than the fall before the year in which they hope to matriculate. MCAT scores more than two years old are not accepted.

The MD-PhD Program uses a holistic review process. We do not rely on strict GPA or MCAT thresholds. Instead, we seek applicants with strong academic preparation, meaningful research experience, compassion for patients, and a clear commitment to a career that integrates discovery and clinical medicine.

The admissions committee considers several factors, including:

• Alignment between the applicant’s research interests and UofL MD-PhD Program mentors and research strengths
• Evidence of sustained commitment to research and potential for scientific independence
• Motivation to become a physician-scientist
• Commitment to improving health through discovery, clinical care, and community engagement
• Academic and research preparation
• Letters of recommendation, especially from research mentors
• Life experiences, service, clinical exposure, and background that may contribute to the applicant’s future impact as a physician-scientist

Because the MD-PhD Program prepares students for careers at the intersection of science and medicine, applicants should be prepared to discuss their research experiences in depth, including the questions they studied, methods used, results obtained, challenges encountered, and future directions.

Interview Process

Selected applicants are invited to interview virtually. Interview invitations are sent to the primary email address listed in the AMCAS application.

MD-PhD Program interviews typically occur in coordination with the School of Medicine interview process. Applicants meet with MD-PhD Program faculty and program leaders and have opportunities to interact with current students. Interviews focus on the applicant’s preparation for physician-scientist training, research experiences, career goals, fit with UofL research strengths, and interest in the distinctive features of the UofL MD-PhD Program.

Applicants should be prepared to discuss:

• Why they are pursuing combined MD-PhD Program training
• Their prior research experiences and scientific contributions
• How they think about research questions and experimental design
• Their clinical motivation and commitment to patient care
• Their long-term career goals
• Their interest in UofL’s MD-PhD Program community, research environment, and community-engaged mission

Applicant Selection

Following interviews, the MD-PhD Program admissions committee reviews each applicant’s full application, letters of recommendation, research background, interview evaluations, and fit with the program’s mission and research environment.

Applicants may receive updates after committee review, with final selections made by the spring of the matriculation year. Applicants who are not offered a position in the MSTPMD-PhD Program and wish to be considered for the regular MD program should notify the School of Medicine according to admissions office procedures.

Alternative Matriculation Pathways

Current UofL medical students may also apply to join the MD-PhD Program after demonstrating strong research aptitude during the early medical school curriculum. Interested students should contact the MD-PhD Program Co-Directors during the spring semester of the first year of medical school to learn about the internal application process. Selected internal applicants may be invited to interview with the MD-PhD Program admissions committee.

Where to Learn More

For complete School of Medicine admissions policies, including application requirements, technical standards, premedical requirements, acceptance and registration procedures, and transfer policies, applicants should consult the official UofL School of Medicine admissions website.