Application Process

In order to apply to the Yale MD-PhD Program, students must follow the YALE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE MD APPLICATION PROCESS , which includes the AMCAS application and Yale Secondary Application, and indicate their interest in being considered for the MD-PhD Program. While deadlines for typical MD-PhD applicants is the same as for MD applicants, please note the exception that the Yale Secondary Application due date is October 15 for MD-PhD applicants interested in "non-traditional" PhD programs (see below).

Yale's MD-PhD Program grants full consideration to students who plan to pursue a PhD program in departments that are part of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), the School of Public Health (YSPH), School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and other divisions of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Please click on the links for more information on specific PhD programs.

The MD-PhD Program at Yale School of Medicine does not regularly accept transfer students. Please contact MD-PhD Office for further information.

MD-PhD applicants who plan to pursue their PhD studies in a department that is NOT part of the Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), or Yale School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) may need to submit several documents in addition to their AMCAS and Yale School of Medicine secondary applications. These materials allow GSAS faculty to evaluate MD-PhD applicants and support admissions decisions to our fully-funded dual-degree program. PhD programs that require additional application materials include Anthropology, Economics, History of Science & Medicine, and Sociology. Students interested in these programs, as well as other GSAS PhD programs are encouraged to contact the MD-PhD program to indicate their interest and to obtain up-to-date information about specific PhD program requirements.

In order to allow full review of materials by both MD-PhD and GSAS faculty, MD-PhD applicants to these "non-traditional" PhD programs must submit their AMCAS and YSM supplemental application by October 15. Applicants should also send an email communicating the submission of their MD-PhD application materials to mdphd.admissions@yale.edu and include the statement "SUBMITTED MD-PHD APPLICATION TO [PhD program name]" in the subject line.

Upon prompt review of the AMCAS and YSM supplemental application, applicants will receive an email with specific instructions to set up an online application account in the GSAS Admissions Portal. The link sent to you via email is specifically for the MD-PhD dual degree applicants. Additional materials that support the PhD application (as specified below) must be uploaded online through the GSAS Admissions Portal by November 1 to allow for careful and full evaluation by GSAS faculty.

Requested additional materials:

1. A writing sample is required for the following programs. (If submitting more than one document, please combine all documents into a single pdf document for upload into Slate.) Please upload a 20-30 page document.
   • Anthropology
   • History of Science and Medicine
   • Philosophy
   • Religious Studies
   • Sociology
2. Up to three letters of recommendation that speak to aptitude and preparation for the PhD
   • Anthropology
   • Economics
   • History of Science and Medicine
   • Philosophy
   • Religious Studies
   • Sociology
3. A statement of academic purpose (see below) is required for the following programs:
   • Anthropology
   • History of Science and Medicine
   • Philosophy
   • Religious Studies
   • Sociology
4. Please upload a current resume/CV.
5. Applicants to Economics (Only) – GRE Test Scores required

Important information to keep in mind:

• The "personal statement of academic purpose" is carefully evaluated by PhD program faculty; when requested, it should be prepared with this audience in mind. This document should be a succinct statement of 500-1,000 words explaining why you are applying to Yale for graduate study, describing your past research, your preparation for the intended field of study, your academic plans for graduate study at Yale (e.g. your proposed research project), and your subsequent career objectives. Explain how the faculty, research, and resources at Yale would contribute to your future goals.
• You may submit a letter of recommendation from the same individual as part of both the AMCAS and GSAS applications; we encourage you to ask the recommenders most capable of speaking to your preparation for the PhD program of study to submit their letters to both AMCAS and GSAS. Once you identify a recommender in the GSAS Admissions Portal, they will receive an email providing instructions and access information.
• No application fee to GSAS will be required to submit these additional materials.
• The MCAT will be accepted in lieu of the GRE UNLESS a GRE score is listed as a program-specific requirement