Physician-Scientist Pathways
M.D./Ph.D. Program
How to Apply
The M.D./Ph.D. Program at UC Davis School of Medicine trains physician-scientists who integrate clinical care and biomedical, social science, or humanities research. Students complete medical training alongside advanced research preparation for careers in academic medicine and discovery.
Step 1: Primary Application
Apply to UC Davis School of Medicine through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) by October 1.
- Indicate your interest in the M.D./Ph.D. program within your application
- Complete the required M.D./Ph.D. essays
- Submit letters of recommendation (include at least one letter from a research mentor)
Important Note: M.D./Ph.D. applicants are exempt from the AAMC PREview Exam requirement.
Step 2: Secondary Application (By Invitation Only)
If invited, complete the UC Davis School of Medicine secondary application.
- Full applications are reviewed holistically by program leadership and faculty steering committee
- Top applicants are selected for the next step, M.D./Ph.D. pre-interviews
Step 3: Initial Interview for M.D./Ph.D. Program (By Invitation Only)
If invited, complete the initial interview for the M.D./Ph.D. program.
- All interviews are virtual
- Interviews are with program leadership, current students and faculty members
- Interview will explore applicant’s:
- Research experiences
- Desire to become a physician-scientist
- Interest in UC Davis
Step 4: Interviews for M.D. Program (By Invitation Only)
If invited, participate in the School of Medicine M.D. program interviews.
- Interviews follow the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format to assess experiences and attributes relevant to a career in medicine
- May be conducted in-person or virtually
Important Note: Applicants to the UC Davis M.D./Ph.D. program will NOT be considered separately for admission to the School of Medicine M.D.-only program.
Admission FAQs
We are in the process of expanding the size of our program and are currently approved to matriculate five students per year.
Due to funding requirements, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. DACA applicants may be considered case-by-case.
No. M.D./Ph.D. applicants are only considered for the M.D./Ph.D. program.
Not usually, but please contact us by email to discuss your situation.
While evidence of aptitude to complete a rigorous program of study is required, we take a holistic approach to reviewing applications. For reference, over the past 5 years, our students have a mean GPA of 3.76 and a mean MCAT score of 516.
No. M.D./Ph.D. applicants are exempt from the PREview requirement.
The requirements for the Letters of Recommendation are the same as for the UC Davis School of Medicine (3 to 6 letters allowed; at least one from a physician or clinician recommended). Applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. program are required to have at least one reference letter written by a mentor of their research experience.
Emphasis is placed on the quality and commitment to the research, not the type of research.
Graduate School FAQs
Students are admitted first to the M.D./Ph.D. program then apply to graduate programs during their first two years of medical school. For students interested in non-traditional Ph.D. programs, including in the social sciences and humanities, a separate application to the graduate program may be requested later in the admissions cycle.
GRE scores are neither required nor accepted for M.D./Ph.D. program consideration. The majority of graduate programs at UC Davis also do not require the GRE.
Yes, students may join any Ph.D.-granting graduate program/group at UC Davis as long as they fulfill the prerequisites for that program.
Review listing of Graduate Programs available at UC Davis
We are actively recruiting students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in the social sciences and humanities. Due to the differences in how graduate students are funded in some programs, it is important to express interest in non-biomedical programs in advance.
UC Davis currently requires our students to separately apply to a graduate program/group during their first two years of medical school. This is, in part, administrative, and in part so students can have time to decide on their program interest.
To date, every M.D./Ph.D. student has been admitted to the graduate program of their choice, without exception. For non-traditional fields, including in the social sciences and humanities, separate application and admission to the graduate program of interest may be required prior to admission into the M.D./Ph.D. program.
M.D./Ph.D. Dual Degree Training
For general information about M.D./Ph.D. training programs, visit the AAMC site.
Learn more about M.D./Ph.D. training