MDadmit: Medical Admissions Advice from a Harvard/Stanford MD

Medical School Admissions: Program Options

Are you applying EDP?  How about MD/JD?  Wondering what I am talking about?  Read on…

Before starting on your personal statement and list of activities for AMCAS, you need to decide what general program you will apply to. No matter what path you choose, it will require some research to learn the exact rules and requirements for each path. Here are some general guidelines:

• Early Decision Program (EDP): You can only apply to one school and will find out by October 1 if you are accepted.  If don’t get in, you can then turn in a regular AMCAS application. You are not allowed to apply to the EDP and AMCAS at the same time. The EDP deadline is August 1.
• Regular MD: Follow the AMCAS guidelines. The application deadlines vary by school and range from mid-October to mid-December, but you want to submit your application in June.
• MD/PhD: This program is for candidates who want to focus on research. MD/PhD students generally complete their first two years of medical school then head off to lab for 3-7 years and return to complete medical school upon finishing their PhD research. You will need to prove a talent for research to the admissions committee and two extra essays detailing your research history and future plans must be submitted through AMCAS. 
• Other combined programs: Many schools are starting to offer combined programs such as MD/MBA, MD/JD, MD/MPH, and MD/MPA. Such programs often shave a year off of the regular requirements. You will have to contact each school separately for the specific application.  Many schools will have you apply to the joint program once accepted into the medical school.

Want help deciding which program to apply to? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

Also check out The Medical School Admissions Guide: A Harvard MD’s Week-by-Week Admissions Handbook for step-by-step advice on how to get into medical school and excellent examples of personal statements, AMCAS work/activities, secondary essays and more.