The Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program is committed to reviewing applications holistically, with and emphasis on the applicant's commitment to a physician-scientist career as evidenced by letters of recommendation, research experiences, GPA, and other academic and community accomplishments.
Important Dates (2024-2025)
on the Choose Your Medical School tool
*All interviews for this application cycle will be conducted via Zoom.
MD-PhD Applications
Please note that the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program follows the Application and Acceptance Protocols established by the AAMC.
The Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program Interview Days are listed above. If you are applying to the program, you are strongly encouraged to keep these dates open on your calendar until you hear from us regarding a decision with respect to an interview offer. As we only have three interview days, rescheduling is discouraged.
MD-PhD applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications as early as possible. The AMCAS verification process can take up to eight weeks. Access to the secondary application will not be sent to the applicant until the application verification process is complete. Please make sure all other parts of the application (e.g., letters of recommendation) are submitted so that the admissions committee can review the application as soon as it is verified and the secondary is submitted. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure their file is complete.
Successful applicants will have excellent undergraduate science preparation, substantial undergraduate research experience, and a strong commitment to combining an investigative career in the biomedical sciences with clinical medicine.
Diversity
There is a national need for physician-scientists who come from diverse backgrounds. In 1868, at the official dedication of Cornell University, Ezra Cornell stated, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." Cornell and Tri-I have been, and remain, committed to enrolling students who bring different perspectives and backgrounds to their education, both inside and outside of the classroom.
International Students
Applications from US citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients are welcome. We are not accepting applications from international students at this time.
Technical Standards
Successful applicants must satisfy the requirements of both the medical and the graduate components of the program, and all matriculants must satisfy the requirements in the Medical College's Technical Standards policy.
MD-PhD Admissions and Gap Years
While a meaningful research experience is a requirement for admission, taking a gap year(s) is not required. We do not value research done after earning a baccalaureate any more than that done while an undergraduate. Published data (and our own experience) have demonstrated that doing post-bacc research does not reduce the time taken to earn a PhD. Further, applicants who have taken a gap year(s) have fared no better than their peers at being offered an interview or being accepted into our program.