Medicine (MD/DO/MD-PhD)
Medicine is a broad, inclusive profession with many different career paths and practice settings.
Ideally, physicians strive to develop both strong professional values and solid clinical skills. Common expectations include being:
- Altruistic and compassionate in caring for patients and their families.
- Honest and trustworthy in all professional relationships.
- Well grounded in the scientific basis of medicine and the normal and abnormal functioning of the human body.
- Effective communicators who can explain information clearly and provide patient-centered care.
- Responsible members of the health care team who work with others to promote the health of individual patients and communities.
(source: Medical School Admissions Requirements publication)
Osteopathic physicians (DOs) complete medical training that is comparable to allopathic (MD) physicians, including basic sciences and clinical rotations. In addition, they receive roughly 200 extra hours of training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), a hands-on approach used to help diagnose and treat illness and injury.
DO programs emphasize a “whole person” approach, focusing on wellness, prevention, and the impact of lifestyle and environment on health. Some osteopathic medical schools also offer dual degrees, such as DO/PhD and other combined programs.
- Learn more about OMM: Osteopathic Manual Medicine Explained.
- Explore DO dual degree programs: Learn more about the programs here.
(source: Become an Osteopathic Physician)
MD-PhD programs train physicians who are also researchers, often called “physician-scientists.” Graduates typically spend a large portion of their careers doing research, while also caring for patients and helping bring discoveries from the laboratory (“bench”) to clinical practice (“bedside”).
MD-PhD training is designed to integrate medical education with rigorous scientific research. Many programs provide tuition support and a living stipend, though the amount and eligibility (for example, U.S. citizens or permanent residents only) differs by institution.
- MD-PhD training efficiently integrates the scientific and medical education of the physician-scientist.
- Most MD-PhD programs provide trainees a stipend and tuition scholarships. The extent of financial support varies among programs and may only support U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
(source: AAMC MD-PhD website)
Most MD, DO, and MD-PhD programs in the U.S. and Canada expect applicants to complete foundational coursework in the sciences. Common areas include biology, chemistry, physics, and math or statistics. However, specific course requirements vary, so it is essential to review each school’s website or admissions materials carefully.
📝 All accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools require an entrance exam, typically the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT assesses problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social sciences that are considered prerequisites for the study of medicine.
Application Timeline
This timeline assumes you begin your medical school application preparation in the fall before the application cycle you plan to apply to.
November/December: Explore and Plan
- Review Health Professions Applicant Preparation Information to understand overall process and expectations
- Considering a gap or short-term experience? View this blog.
January – April: Core Preparation
- HPAP Process
- Submit Health Professions Applicant Preparation Materials
- Schedule an appointment with an HPAP advisor
- Plan and sit for MCAT exam (if not already taken)
- Read this article: “Looking for advice on how to prepare & study for the MCAT?” and this MCAT information
- Application Content
- Request Letters of Evaluation/Recommendation
- Draft your work & activities descriptions
- Draft your personal statement
- Create a school list
May/June: Applications Open
- Request transcripts be sent to application services
- Begin primary applications
- Aim to submit primary applications as early as reasonably possible once they are complete
- Situational Judgement (CASPer) & Readiness Exams (PREview)
- Take Acuity Insights Assessments for select programs (note: if applying to both US and Canadian schools there will be two different assessments)
- PrepMatch offers practice resources for CASPer
- Take the AAMC PREview Exam for select programs
- Take Acuity Insights Assessments for select programs (note: if applying to both US and Canadian schools there will be two different assessments)
June-August: Secondary Applications and Additional Tests
- Complete secondary applications
- Compiled by third party company
- Take CASPer test and PREview exam if required by certain schools
August – February: Interview Season
- Practice interview multiple times with Big Interview
- Sign up for a virtual mock interview through Yale Career Link
- begins August 17, 2026
- Watch this video and learn valuable tips from one of our Health Professions Mock Interviewers Interviewing for Medical School
- Review additional interviewing resources
- Interview at medical schools
March – April: Decide and Matriculate
- Evaluate offers of acceptance and financial aid
- Financial Resources for health professions
- AAMC: Choose Your Medical School Tool
- Attend second visit events
- Application & Acceptance Protocol for Applicants
Application Services and Other Resources
MD (Allopathic)
- AAMC 2027 AMCAS Applicant Guide
- AMCAS application opens May 5, 2026
- Submission for AMCAS verification begins May 28, 2026
- Application transmission to medical schools begins June 26, 2026
- Navigating the 2027 AMCAS Application Cycle
- AAMC 2027 Applicant Workbook
- Resource for International Applicants: F-1 Doctors
- AAMC Medical School Prerequisites
- AMCAS
- AAMC: Tools for MD-PhD Applicants
- ASPA: MD-PhD Resources
- Resources for Veterans and Current Military Members
- AAMC Premed Webinars
- AAMC Fee Assistance Program
- AMCAS Tools and Tutorials
- AMCAS FAQs
DO (Osteopathic)
- AACOMAS
- Application open May 4, 2026
- Application Instructions
- PCOM Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine video
- AACOMAS Application Fee Waiver
Texas Public Schools (MD/DO)
- TMDSAS: Educational Requirements
- TMDSAS
- Application Instructions
- TX Health Education Service YouTube
- TMDSAS Medical School Match Process
