Prospective Students

The M.D./Ph.D. Program seeks applicants who have demonstrated excellent academic performance and significant research experience.  Students are required to have at least one reference letter written by a mentor of their research experience.

Prospective M.D./Ph.D. students are encouraged to begin investigating early which graduate group would be most appropriate for their Ph.D. research and more specifically identifying faculty whose research aligns with their own. 

It is the responsibility of each prospective M.D./Ph.D. student to complete applications to both the M.D. (School of Medicine) and Ph.D. (Graduate Studies) programs at UC Davis (see below).

The M.D./Ph.D. program does not accept international students and does not accept students who are, or have been, enrolled in a doctoral (Ph.D.) program or medical (MD) program.

Further information in this area can be obtained at the following sites:

Graduate Studies 
Admissions Process
MD/PhD Training Overview (AAMC Guide)
FAQ by Dr. Bass from UPenn

M.D. Application:  Prospective M.D./Ph.D. students will apply to the M.D. program at the UC Davis School of Medicine and proceed through the regular admissions process. This includes completing the AMCAS application and specifying interest in the M.D./Ph.D. program at UC Davis.  Applicants will need to complete the M.D./Ph.D specific essays as part of their AMCAS application.  Some applicants will be asked to complete a secondary application.  The M.D./Ph.D. program deadline is October 1.  Top applicants will receive interview invitations.  M.D./Ph.D. applicants invited to interview will participate in both a standard M.D. interview (MMI) as well as a M.D./Ph.D.-specific interview during their visit to UC Davis.  All standard M.D. interviews (MMI) occur on Fridays whereas the M.D./Ph.D.-specific interview will occur in the afternoon of the preceding Thursday.

Ph.D. Application:  Students matriculating into the M.D./Ph.D. will apply to UC Davis Graduate Studies in the fall of their 2nd year of medical school and start their graduate studies after successful completion of Year 2 and having taken their USMLE Step 1 exam.  Students are expected to explore and identify a Graduate Group and Mentor during their first 2 years of medical school.

Please see list of Graduate Group application deadlines.

NOTE: Most graduate groups will permit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to be substituted by the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).  Students should self-report their MCAT scores as "other" scores.

M.D./Ph.D. applications are considered for the M.D./Ph.D. program only.  If you don’t get an interview with M.D./Ph.D. (about 30% get interviews), then you are NOT automatically considered for M.D. only.