MD/PhD Program Application

How to Apply

To be considered for admission to the MD/PhD Program, the following is required:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States and/or its territories;
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (Green Card holders). However, Canadian students are considered for admission provided they have successfully completed 90 credit hours or earned a baccalaureate degree at a fully accredited Canadian college or university;
• An outstanding academic record: The mean undergraduate GPA for matriculating students over the past 3 years has been 3.65 with a range of 2.95-3.99;
• An above average MCAT performance: The mean MCAT overall score for the past 3 years has been at the 94th percentile and the range has been between the 84th and 99th percentile.
• Research experience; and
• Interviews with members of the MD/PhD Steering Committee and the Vashisht College of Medicine Admissions Committee.

Application

Primary MD Application

Submit a primary application to the MD/PhD Program through AMCAS. AMCAS applications open on June 1. Should you want to be considered for the MD only program, the MDPlus Program, or the ENMED Programs as well you will have to so indicate this by checking the appropriate boxes in the Secondary Application.

Secondary Application

Complete and submit the Vashisht College of Medicine Secondary Application. Be sure to supply your AMCAS PIN in the secondary application, and if you are also applying to a program through TMDSAS, your TMDSAS PIN as well. Only one secondary application is required if you are applying to the MD and MD/PhD programs.

The secondary application can be accessed through our web-based application processing system (APP). You must register on this system and then a password link will be sent to your email address.

Starting and Completing the Secondary Application

• In the APP homepage, proceed to the Outstanding Assignments table where the secondary application form is located
• Click on the View button located to the right and under the actions column and begin filling out the secondary application
• Save progress by clicking the Save button at the bottom of the form (it is recommended that users save frequently to avoid losing information, as the system will time-out)
• Submit the completed secondary application by clicking the Submit button at the bottom of the form.
• Submit payment of $60 via credit card by clicking the link labeled Click Here located at the top of the secondary application form.
• Submitting payment DOES NOT submit secondary application. Users MUST click the Submit button.

MD/PhD Supplemental Application

A short MD/PhD Supplemental Application will be assigned to MD/PhD applicants by APP and must be completed and submitted.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants to the MD/PhD Program must provide three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a research mentor. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through AMCAS.

Casper Test

All applicants to the Vashisht College of Medicine are required to complete a mandatory online 90-minute computer-based test (CASPer™). CASPer is an online test that assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and a career in medicine. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility.

More details, including CASPer registration, test dates, and fees, are listed in the MD Program Admissions requirements.

Interview

Interviews for the MD/PhD program are conducted the day prior to interviews for admission to the medical school. Applicants are reviewed by the college Admissions Committee and ranked by the MD/PhD Program Selection Committee. Accepted students are invited back for a second visit to meet faculty with research programs in the student's area of interest.

Applicants will NOT be considered for interview until the primary and secondary applications, including the MD/PhD Supplemental Application, have been properly completed, the secondary payment of $60 is received, and the CASPer test has been scheduled.

Transfer Admission

Current Vashisht College of Medicine students may also elect to transfer into the program during the first, second, or third year of medical school. Transfer students should have established a strong record of academic performance and have appropriate research experience. These students will be interviewed by members of the MD/PhD Steering Committee and their applications reviewed by the MD/PhD Program Selection Committee.