Application Process

AMCAS Application

The admissions process for the MD/PhD Program is coordinated with that of the UK College of Medicine Admissions Office. To apply to the MD/PhD Program, applicants must submit an online American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) application to the UK College of Medicine, meeting their pre-requisite requirements and designate the University of Kentucky MD/PhD Program. This application in conjunction with the University of Kentucky's College of Medicine application must be completed in a timely manner. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores must be submitted at this time. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required. Because of the competitive nature of the program, we strongly encourage you to complete your AMCAS application EARLY. 

University of Kentucky College of Medicine Pre-Requisites for Admission (Required): 

Medical science and practice involve complex relationship between physical, biological, psychological, cultural, and environmental aspects of human behavior. In the preparation for medical school, fundamental undergraduate college training in biology, chemistry, physics, and English is essential. Minimal requirements are satisfied with the following or their equivalent:

Required:

• Two courses of studies in physics (6 credit hours)
• Two courses of studies in biological sciences (6 credit hours)
• Four courses in chemistry (12 credit hours)
  • One course, organic chemistry (3 credit hours)
  • One course, biochemistry (3 credit hours)
• Two courses involving critical writing, synthesis of scholarship, and oral presentations/speaking skills (6 credit hours)
  • No specific prefix designation (e.g. ENG prefix, upper-level seminars, humanities courses, or a 500-level foreign language courses if the language is other than your primary language).

Advanced Placement (AP) credit is accepted for all required courses if the AP course is accepted for credit at the student’s undergraduate institution, no matter the specific course designation by the undergraduate institution.

Secondary Application

All AMCAS applications are reviewed by the College of Medicine Office of Admissions and the MD/PhD program. Applicants who meet preliminary screening criteria will be asked to complete a Secondary Application. The Secondary Application is a supplement to the AMCAS® application. You will be notified via email (on the account listed in your AMCAS application) of the offer to complete the Second Application. Please be aware that spam filters on your e-mail account may interfere with Secondary Application notification.

Please note: If you have been offered the secondary application and are having trouble logging in, please be aware that the login information must exactly match the information as you entered it into the AMCAS application. If you need additional help, please contact the Admissions Office.

You should make sure that your secondary application is complete as early in the application cycle as possible. All materials should be sent to:

MD/PhD Program
UK College of Medicine
Office of Admissions
800 Rose Street
Lexington, KY 40506-9983

Letters of Recommendation

The Internal Advisory Steering Committee cannot review applications that do not include letters of recommendation. Letters are due at the same time the secondary application. We recommend that you have at least one letter of recommendation from a faculty member who served as a research mentor. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the AMCAS letter service.

Interview

Your file will be complete when we have received your Secondary Application, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, and secondary application fee. Select candidates will be invited for an interview. Students who apply directly to the MD/PhD program will receive priority consideration. However, students who apply and are offered admission to the MD Program and would like to be considered by the MD/PhD Program should contact the MD/PhD Program for more information.

Please note: Students who wish to be considered for regular medical school admission in addition to the MD/PhD program should inform the College of Medicine Office of Admissions via email.

Please refer to the Interviews tab for more information.

Open Houses

Open houses are held approximately once per month from August to February of the application cycle. These events are student-run and are an informal opportunity for applicants to get to know current program members and discuss relevant topics such as life in Lexington, research and medical training at UK, 'ask us anything' sessions,  and more.  While open houses are student-run, participating students do not include those that serve on the Internal Advisory Steering Committee that interview applicants. Invitations are extended on an ad-hoc basis based off of the stage of the application cycle. 

The Offer

Recommendations for acceptance to the Program are made by the MD/PhD Admissions Committee. The Program will notify you of decisions by e-mail. 

Please note: Students who are not accepted into the MD/PhD Program and wish to be considered for regular admission into the medical school should contact the Office of Medical Education Admissions.

Second Look 

Second Look weekends are an opportunity for applicants to deepen their understanding of the University of Kentucky MD/PhD Program and visualize their life in Lexington. Applicants are invited on an ad hoc basis to meet with hand-picked faculty members to discuss their research interests and potential summer rotations, spend time with program administrators, and receive customized research and medical school facility tours. On a less academic note, applicants also spend time with our current students through various activities around Lexington. Lodging and meals are provided during Second Look weekends. 

Incoming Students 

Incoming first-year students are expected to complete a laboratory rotation in the summer prior to starting their first year of medical school.  Rotations begin immediately after our annual program retreat. For additional information on laboratory rotations and fellowships, refer to the Lab Rotations and Transitions link listed under our 'Current Students' tab.