About PhD Program,
Duke has a wide variety of departments and programs in which students can earn the PhD. Since much work at Duke is cross-departmental and interdisciplinary, a student may choose a mentor in one department and at the same time work closely with others across department lines.
The official affiliation with the PhD department is made at the end of the first semester in the graduate school. While the rotations are optional, the typical student spends the first semester doing short exploratory rotations in several labs and then chooses a PhD department. Students who have already made their choices without rotation experiences are allowed to proceed straight into the chosen lab. In either case, official affiliation happens at the end of the first semester.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Applicants must meet both the Graduate School admissions requirements for PhD candidates and the School of Medicine admissions requirements for MD candidates. No GRE test is required.
In addition to the minimum requirements for acceptance into the Graduate School and into the School of Medicine; advanced course work in science and mathematics as well as prior research experience count heavily in the selection of candidates for the MSTP. The quality of prior research experiences, the individual personal statement of purpose and research interests, and evidence of a passion for research are key components in a successful application.
Most candidates apply for admission to the first year of the program, but each year a few students are admitted after completing the second or third year of Duke University School of Medicine.
Duke MSTP does not take applicants who are already in PhD programs. If interested, applicants can apply to DukeMed once the PhD is close to completion. The third medical school year, which is a research year, can possibly be waived.
PhD Funding Coverage,
All students admitted to the MST Program receive a full fellowship award: tuition; fees; health insurance; and a stipend to cover living expenses. These awards increase slightly each year to keep pace with increases in the cost of living and tuition/fees.
The program provides fellowship funds at this level for all medical school years and the early portion of the PhD study. The student’s PhD mentor provides similar financial support for the student in the upper-level PhD years.
Compared to the cost of living in the locales of most of the program’s peer institutions, the cost of living in Durham is relatively low; Duke MSTP students typically find that the annual stipend in Durham provides an attractive student life style.
Application Requirement,
MCAT
Applicants should arrange to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as early as possible in the year they plan to apply. The test is given at various times throughout the year in numerous locations. Check the schedule on the MCAT web site. MCAT scores dated earlier than four years prior to the year of entry into medical school will not be considered.
The MCAT test is required for acceptance consideration, and MCAT scores will be considered from January 2021 through September 2024 test dates.
AMCAS
The first segment of the application is submitted through The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS): Association of American Medical Colleges https://www.aamc.org/ The AMCAS Student Submission Deadline is October 15, 2024.
Duke supplemental application
The Duke portion of the application is completed online. After receiving the verified AMCAS application, Duke University School of Medicine contacts applicants via email to access and establish an account on Duke’s Supplemental Application.
Duke MSTP designation
In the Duke Supplemental Application, applicants have the option to choose MSTP only or MSTP and MD when asked to indicate the program to which they are applying.
If you choose MSTP only, your application will not be considered by the MD Program for consideration, however, you will still be required to interview with the MD program as part of the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) if offered the opportunity.
If you choose MSTP and MD you will be applying to both programs. Your application will first be reviewed by the MSTP admissions committee. If the MSTP admission committee does not consider your application for the MSTP program, your application will be forwarded to the MD admissions committee for further review. Choosing both MSTP and MD consideration will not hinder your application in any way.
Letters of recommendation
Duke participates in the AMCAS letter submission system. All letters of recommendation must be submitted through the AMCAS letter service.
Four letters of recommendation are required. Applicants may submit more than four letters, if more are needed to support the application adequately. If your school submits a committee letter, it applies the four letter rule. In other words, if you have a committee letter, you do not need to submit four letters of recommendation.
We will be interested in comments from recommenders who have knowledge of/can share information about the applicant’s interpersonal skills. In addition, we are interested in letters from scientists who can comment knowledgeably on the applicant’s research background and potential for success in a research career.
Applications will not be reviewed until all related documents, including all expected letters, have been received. All letters must be received by November 15, 2024 at 11:59 pm, EST.
If you are interested in learning about the Admissions procedures for Non-Traditional applicants click here.
Application Deadline,
Nov 15, 2024
Application Fee,
Please refer official website
