Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply to the Yale MD-PhD Program?: The majority of applicants to the Yale MD-PhD Program are U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents, as eligibility to be supported as a trainee by our Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) grant from NIH/NIGMS requires that students be a citizen or non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Applications from foreign nationals will be considered on a case-by-case basis for appointment to non-MSTP support.
Do you participate in the NIH Graduate Partnership Program (GPP)?: Yale’s MD-PhD Program participates in the NIH GPP. Applicants must apply to and be accepted by the MD-PhD Program in order to be part of the NIH GPP. The application and admissions/interview process is the same as for non-NIH GPP candidates.
What areas of research are considered by the Program?: The Program considers applications from students interested in traditional areas of biomedical research including biomedical engineering and epidemiology and public health. Applications from students interested in "non-traditional," Ph.D. programs will be considered, but it is important to contact the MD-PhD program early in the application process. Some of the Social Sciences and Humanities programs with which we partner ask that applicants provide specific elements of the Ph.D. application as part of the evaluation process and may require GRE scores.
I am currently enrolled in the Yale School of Medicine. Am I eligible to apply to the MD-PhD Program?: Students who have matriculated at Yale School of Medicine, are in their first two years of study, and are interested in applying to the MD-PhD Program should contact the MD-PhD Program. Such internal applicants must submit a MD-PhD program secondary application by October 15th (and may need to provide additional documents supporting their application if they are interested in a non-traditional PhD program.

Just like external applicants, internal candidates will need to demonstrate a commitment to a research career as a physician-scientist and provide evidence of aptitude and accomplishment in research and scholarship. Most successful internal applicants complete at least a summer (or the equivalent in time) of research with a Yale research mentor prior to applying to the MD-PhD Program.
I am currently enrolled in the Graduate School at Yale. Am I eligible to apply to the MD/PhD Program?: It is unusual for current PhD students to be admitted to the MD-PhD Program. Applicants must complete all MD requirements (including the MCAT) and submit an AMCAS application and Yale secondary application for the standard deadlines. Applicants are interviewed alongside all other MD PhD applicants. Additionally, the applicant’s PhD mentor and Director of Graduate Studies must endorse an interruption of 2 years to the applicant’s PhD studies should the student be admitted to the MD-PhD program. Students who wish to apply should contact the MD-PhD program prior to submitting their application for further guidance.
Do all students in the Program receive support?: All students admitted to Yale’s MD-PhD Program are supported for the duration of their studies, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance. In addition to stipend support, medical and graduate school tuition and basic health care coverage are provided by the Program.
How Do I Apply to the Yale MD-PhD Program?: Application to the Yale MD-PhD Program is made through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). AMCAS applicants will then be emailed instructions for completing the on-line Yale application.
What is the deadline for receipt of my application to the Yale MD-PhD Program?: The deadline for submission of applications to the Yale MD-PhD Program is November 15.

Please note: For "non-traditional" PhD applicants, the deadline for completion of applications is October 15.
Where should letters of recommendation be sent?: Electronic submission is the preferred method for sending in letters. Letters may be submitted via AMCAS Letter Service, VirtualEvals, Interfolio, or sent directly to Yale at the following address: Yale School of Medicine, Office of Admissions, 367 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510.
What is the deadline for receipt of my letters of recommendation to the Yale MD-PhD Program?: The deadline for submission of letters of recommendation to the Yale MD-PhD Program is November 15.

Note: For "non-traditional" PhD applicants, the deadline for completion of the AMCAS and YSM supplemental applications is October 15. Additional letters of recommendation can be submitted through the Graduate School application portal by November 1.
How can I verify that my application is complete and that my letters of recommendation have been received?: The Application Status page enables applicants to confirm the completeness of their applications. The page gives the dates on which the various components of the application were received and processed by the Admissions Office. Information about interview invitations and final admissions decisions will not appear on this site. For any status updates please log into the AMP application system.
How will I find out if I am to be interviewed by the Yale MD-PhD Program?: Yale’s MD-PhD Program receives close to 500 applications per year. After the Medical School Admissions Office has processed your application, MD-PhD Program faculty will read your application. We will let you know if you have been selected for interview by early December. Approximately 120 candidates will be interviewed between November and February. The MD-PhD Program matriculates approximately 20 new students per year. If you are not invited to interview for the MD-PhD Program, your application will still be considered for admission as a regular medical student.
When will I find out if I am accepted into Yale’s MD-PhD Program?: Yale does not have "rolling admissions." Decisions are made at the conclusion of the interview season and decision letters to all applicants will be mailed by March 15.
When I am offered a position in Yale’s MD-PhD Program, will I have a chance to revisit Yale before making a final decision?: Yale has its “Second Look Weekend” in mid- to late-March.