How to apply to Ohio State's Medical Scientist Training Program
Admission to the MSTP can be made through an application process initiated through the American Medical College Applications Service (AMCAS). To apply to the program, you should designate The Ohio State University on the electronic AMCAS application and select “Combined Medical Degree/PhD.” Later on, you will receive an email from the College of Medicine directing you to the web-based secondary application that also serves as your application to the MSTP and to graduate school. Use this helpful tool (external link) on the AAMC website to learn more.
To alleviate the financial burden of applying to multiple PhD programs, the MSTP department will manually build your graduate school application to include both PhD programs you are interested in.
Application deadlines
AMCAS applications will be accepted starting June 1 until Nov. 1 of the year prior to anticipated matriculation. No applications are accepted by AMCAS after Nov. 1. The Ohio State University secondary application forms are due 30 days after receipt of the AMCAS application or no later than the deadline outlined on the admission requirements. Early application is strongly encouraged, as interview slots fill up quickly.
Selection process
An earned cumulative grade-point average (GPA) equivalent of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 in all previous undergraduate college-level course work is required by the Ohio State Graduate School, but considerably higher scores will be required to gain admission to the MSTP. Students should apply to be admitted for the summer quarter. In rare circumstances, exceptions can be made.
A student is selected based on:
- Previous academic record
- Research experience
- Biographical statement that explains why the applicant wants to pursue a combined MD/PhD
- Four letters of recommendation, with at least two letters which should address the applicant’s previous research experience and potential for a research career
- MCAT scores
- Personal interview
Although all of these criteria are considered, particular emphasis is placed on research experience.
As is expected of all applicants to the College of Medicine, these individuals must possess the personal attributes of self-motivation, compassion, integrity and interpersonal skills as well as the intellectual, physical and emotional capacities to master the medical curriculum. Candidates must possess high ethical standards, especially honesty and concern for others. Candidates must be free of substance abuse, addictions and violent behaviors, and must possess the skills required to practice direct patient care.
How to apply as an Advanced Training Applicant
Students who have completed their second year of medical school are eligible to apply to the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) as advanced training applicants (ATAs). These students are evaluated as rigorously as new applicants, including the requirement for high-level research experience, and are only accepted into the program if their achievements are equivalent to the excellence of our other MSTP students. For these students, laboratory rotations may be done after joining the program, although students with an established research project can forego rotations with the approval of the MSTP director. After completing Med 2 and taking the USMLE STEP 1, the student takes a leave-of-absence from medical school and completes the requirements for a PhD. Because we believe these students require the same rigorous training, they have the same graduate class requirements and perform graduate research equivalent to other MSTP students.
Application process
1. Contact the Medical Scientist Training Program Office to set up a meeting with the Administrative Program Director, Ashley Bertran at 614-292-7790 or Mdphd@osumc.edu.
2. After meeting, complete the following items and return them to the MSTP Office:
- MSTP ATA application (available from the administrative program director)
- CV
- Statement of purpose - directed towards your selected graduate program of interest
- Three new (or updated) letters of recommendation
Questions regarding the ATA process should be directed to the MSTP Office at 614-292-7790 or Mdphd@osumc.edu.