The University of Toledo

Admissions

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Students seeking admission to the M.D./Ph.D. program must meet the following minimum requirements:

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• One year each of college level biology, mathematics, physics, English, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
• Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited university prior to matriculation

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) can be used to demonstrate aptitude for graduate studies, but is not required.  Successful candidates will have a solid foundation in the physical, biological, mathematical, and social sciences, with strong performance in upper level courses in at least one of these areas. Admission is highly competitive, and successful applicants generally have a science GPA of 3.5 or above, and combined MCAT scores of 30 or higher.

Students admitted into the program will have demonstrated significant and sustained laboratory-based research experience and a strong commitment to a research career. The student’s contribution to this research should reflect not just a familiarity with techniques and procedures, but a role in designing the experiments, analyzing the data, summarizing the results and presenting them to scientific colleagues.  Students should also understand and be able to explain the significance of their research. 

The student should also be well-rounded with leadership roles or accomplishments in extracurricular activities.  Volunteer experiences in a medical setting help demonstrate familiarity with the medical system and a commitment to helping others.

Although students may apply to the M.D./Ph.D program in the context of the MEDStart Program (application to medical school in the junior year of college), they may be better served by obtaining further research experience at their undergraduate institution during a senior year of college.  Medical students who have already matriculated at UT College of Medicine and are interested in pursuing the dual degree program (for example, after a Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship) are encouraged to apply using the College of Graduate Studies online application as described below.   Students enrolled in the Ph.D.-granting graduate programs who apply and are accepted into the College of Medicine are generally not considered for the M.D./Ph.D. program, though they may pursue both degrees independently.  These students are encouraged to complete their Ph.D. requirements prior to matriculating into medical school.

Applying to the M.D./Ph.D. Program

Application to the M.D./Ph.D. program is a two-step process. The first step is to apply for admission into the College of Medicine, using the American Medical College Applications Services (AMCAS) web application. This application has an option to indicate your interest in a combined M.D./Ph.D. program and an M.D./Ph.D. essay where you can describe your motivation for entering the program.   Selected students will be sent a secondary application from the College of Medicine requesting additional information and essays.  One of the UT secondary application essays pertains to the M.D./Ph.D. program; you may simply use the same essay you wrote for this part of the AMCAS application, or write a different essay.

Ifyou are certain that the University of Toledo will be your first choice and want to apply through the Early Decision Program, the AMCAS application software may prevent you from also indicating your interest in the M.D./Ph.D program.  In this circumstance, we suggest that you elect the Early Decision Program, as you will have the opportunity to declare your interest in the M.D./Ph.D. program when you receive the secondary application from the College of Medicine. Further information about the admissions process can be found on the College of Medicine Homepage.

A separate application to the College of Graduate Studies is no longer required from most applicants, as the AMCAS application will substitute for formal graduate school application.  For students who have already matriculated into the College of Medicine, an application to the College of Graduate Studies is required and can be completed using the online application.  

Application Deadlines 
Processing of AMCAS applications begins in mid-June and ends November 1. Applicants interested in the M.D./Ph.D. program are encouraged to indicate their interest in the combined degree program early in the admissions process, but application to the M.D./Ph.D Program can occur at any stage, even after the medical school interview.  However, competing for a position may be more difficult if the application is delayed.

The Interview Process 
The medical school interview process differs slightly for M.D./Ph.D. candidates.  When M.D./Ph.D. applicants are invited for a medical school interview, the application is forwarded to the Director of the M.D./Ph.D. program for review.  The Director (or a substitute) will interview every M.D./Ph.D. applicant, and also recommend a second faculty interviewer with similar research interests as the candidate.  A third interview is usually performed by other faculty from the College of Medicine.  During the interview day, candidates will have an opportunity to interact with current M.D./Ph.D. students.  An additional visit is encouraged, and can be arranged at the student’s request.

Admissions and Scholarship Decisions

After the interview, the entire application is reviewed by the College of Medicine Admissions Committee which makes a decision regarding M.D. admission.  Students must initially be accepted into the College of Medicine before their applications can be considered by the M.D./Ph.D. Committee.  For M.D./Ph.D. applicants, the application is then forwarded to the M.D./Ph.D. Committee to consider admission to the combined degree program and the award of a medical school tuition scholarship.  Decisions for admission and medical school tuition scholarship are made independently, but most students offered admission will be offered a scholarship.  These scholarships require maintenance of a high pass (“B”) average in all medical school coursework.  Tuition and stipend support during graduate school also requires the maintenance of a 3.0 (B) average.  The names of students accepted by the M.D./Ph.D. Committee are forwarded to the Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs, who makes the final admissions and scholarship decisions. 

For further information about the structure of the M.D./Ph.D. program, see the overview of the M.D./Ph.D. program.