MD-PhD Admissions
Highly motivated students who are passionate about medicine and research are encouraged to apply to the MD-PhD Scholars Program. Students should have an established and verifiable record of exceptional success in their undergraduate career.
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
All of the scholastic prerequisites for acceptance into the College of Medicine are required, including specific undergraduate courses and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Students should have solid previous research experience and significant clinical exposure. GRE scores are not required. However, if desired, GRE scores may be submitted to help the admissions committee in its evaluation of applicants.
The qualifications of scholars currently in the program are comprised of a mean undergraduate GPA of 3.75 and MCAT score of 515. Additionally, students have an average of 3,000 hours of research experience.
Step 2: Apply online
When applying to medical school using the online American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application, there will be a place where applicants should specify that they are applying for the combined degree MD-PhD program. This will ensure their application is forwarded to the MD-PhD Scholars Program office. There will be no additional application fee when adding the MD-PhD program designation to the AMCAS application.
In their AMCAS application, applicants will be asked to write two additional essays describing motivations for pursuing MD-PhD training and their most significant research experience. In addition to the letters required with the medical school application, students are expected to submit two letters from individuals qualified to evaluate the applicant’s research potential.
Step 3: Complete the UNMC secondary application materials.
After the application is received, the applicant will be sent information on how to complete the secondary application materials that are specific for UNMC. Top candidates will be invited to interview at our campus, which includes the opportunity to tour our facilities and meet with current scholars.Step 4: Interview
Virtual MD-PhD Scholars Program interviews take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT. Interviewees will have six 30-minute interviews with faculty/current students as well as two "research interest" interviews with faculty whose research the applicant has expressed an interest. To help an applicant select their "research interest" interviewers, a helpful resource is the Find An Expert (link to Nebraska find an expert tool) tool.
In addition to the Thursday interviews with the UNMC MD-PhD Scholars Program, interviewees will be invited to a "Get to Know Us" event on Wednesday evening. The applicant will also interview virtually with the College of Medicine (COM) on the Friday after their MD-PhD Scholars Program interview date from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CT.
Step 5: Second visit and admittance
Come back for another visit, and accept admittance. Welcome to the program!- AMCAS available: June 1
- MD-PhD application deadline: November 1
- Interviews: October-December
- Second visit: February-April
- Accepted applicants’ final matriculation decisions: April 30
- First year MD-PhD research begins on campus: May
First or second-year students enrolled in UNMC’s medical school are eligible to apply to the MD-PhD Scholars Program via the alternative pathway. Successful applicants will have to meet all academic and research criteria expected of MD-PhD Scholars entering by the regular pathway. Students accepted through the alternative pathway will receive tuition and financial support for those years of medical school and graduate school remaining after admission into the program.