1. James M. Slauch, PhD Director, Medical Scholars Program The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign

2. MD/PhD Training Combined medical and research degrees Primarily training for a career in research –Physician Scientists What’s the point? –Synergy –Physician-Scientists: Use their clinical knowledge to frame and target their scientific efforts Understand how advances in basic scientist can most readily be applied to clinical problems

3. Careers for MD/PhDs Most MD/PhDs receive the PhD in a biomedical lab discipline –Biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, bioengineering, etc –Some programs (like UIUC MSP) also allow PhDs in other disciplines: computational, health care policy, anthropology, history, etc Most MD/PhDs have careers in academic medical centers or pharmaceutical companies. The deans and directors in Med Schools are often MD/PhDs Goal: 70-80% research with clinical and perhaps teaching taking up the other 70% of your time

4. MD/PhD Training Combining MD and PhD but the route varies with the institution Many have a “2-3-2” or “2-4-2” structure – Med-PhD-Med UIUC MSP has PhD with 1 st yr Med, then M2-M4 Average time is ~8 years but this is strictly dependent on the research

5. Then what? Most MD/PhDs enter a clinical residency program –Medicine, pediatrics, pathology, neurology, etc –MD/PhDs are particularly attractive to many residency programs Subspecialty training - Fellowship –Cardiology, Hemotology-Oncology, etc Postdoctoral work –Transition back to mostly research

6. Then what? Growing number of “research residency programs” – built-in postdoctoral work Transition into faculty position –NIH K awards Training IS life –MD/PhD 8 yrs; Residency/Fellowship 3-7 yrs

7. Applying to MD/PhD Programs AMCAS Med School Application Check “MD/PhD” –Brings up two additional essays Why do you want to be an MD/PhD? Describe your research experience Secondary applications for med school Some MD/PhD programs ask for additional information/application Most programs accept the MCAT in lieu of GRE Letters of recommendation

8. Admissions What makes a successful MD/PhD candidate? –MCAT scores –GPA –Research Experience –Letters of Recommendation –Essays –Extracurricular Activities Qualified applicants are invited for an interview –Could be both basic science and clinical faculty

9. The Standard Student 3.7 GPA 34 MCAT Research Experience Usually always intended to practice medicine Discovered research Realized that they could have it all

10. Financial Support There are 120 MD/PhD programs in the country – Most fully fund their students: tuition and stipend About 46 are “MSTP” – Supported by NIH training grant – Doesn’t actually pay for all the students in the program Students are funded by other training grants, research grants, TAs, etc.

11. What I Look for In a Candidate Clear, well-written statements that focus on research experience Letters of recommendation – particularly from the research advisor Be able to explain your research projects in detail and be aware of other projects going on in your lab. Look up faculty ahead of time

12. What Should You Do Get some research experience! -Even if you just plan on Medical School Summer research programs

13. For more information AAMC –www.aamc.org APSA –www.physicianscientists.org Contact us – we’re happy to help mspo@illinois.edu 217/333-8146