Admissions
Is the MD/PhD Program right for you?
The University of Kentucky’s MD/PhD program trains the best and brightest in the skills, intellectual tools and science of both clinical medicine and ground-breaking biomedical research. As one of only a handful of universities to have six healthcare colleges on the same campus, we offer a wide range of graduate training opportunities. What makes UK unique is the range of multidisciplinary research and the exchange between investigators from different academic disciplines in our research centers.
Our current students’ qualifications are impressive, not only in terms of academic records, but also in community service, leadership roles, and scientific achievements. More than half of our diverse student population have published articles before joining the program.
On a national level, our students gain visibility through their leadership roles in organizations such as the American Physician Scientist Association, positions as co-chair of the Gordon Research Conference seminars, and by presenting high-caliber science at national and international meetings. Students in our program benefit from extramural training that serves as a pipeline to graduate training in NIH- funded research programs. These include a mix of the mechanistic: oxidative stress, drug abuse biochemistry, and muscle biology; as well as the disease-specific, such as therapeutic strategies for neurodegeneration, cancer nanotechnology, the neurobiology of aging, and cardiovascular disease.
Upon graduating, students typically move on to residencies at prestigious institutions including the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, University of Texas-Southwestern, Washington State University, UCLA, UCSF, UCSD, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Health System.
The AAMC's view on MD/PhD programs is located here. Additional information is available in this PowerPoint presentation and the following links:
- Outcomes of MD/PhD trainees from the last 50 years
- Perspective: Three Crucial Questions When Applying to MD-PhD Programs
- NIH Intramural MD/PHD Partnership: Prospective Students
- How to Succeed as a Clinical Scientist...
To view the UK MD/PhD Brochure, click here
If you are interested in emailing a current MD/PhD student about their experience or research interests, please refer to the Current Students page for contact information.
Criteria
The University of Kentucky MD/PhD Program is looking for well-rounded and accomplished individuals who are committed to pursuing a rigorous dual degree program and who have qualities necessary to be successful physician-scientists.
Our Program is open to all qualified applicants, regardless of state-of-residence.
We are committed to diversity and particularly encourage applications from women and members of racial, ethnic, and/or demographic groups currently underrepresented in biomedical science who can contribute new perspectives to our program and university.
When evaluating candidates for the combined degree program, we holistically consider the student's background, interview evaluations, research accomplishments, letters of recommendation, MCAT scores, and undergraduate academic performance. Although we do not have minimum numerical requirements, most applicants have significant research experience, stellar academic performance and competitive MCAT scores. We also highly value communication and leadership skills, motivation, integrity, empathy, and compassion when considering applicants.
Additional Information
- For additional information about the program and to help you decide if the MD/PhD Program is the correct choice for you, please Contact Us or view our FAQ page.
- Additional Information about our Application Process, Interview Days, and Program Outline.
- For general information, including application cycle due dates, about applying to the University of Kentucky College Of Medicine, please visit the College of Medicine Admissions website.