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You’re close to getting into a great MD-PhD program, but your “Why MD/PhD” essay has to be on point. I included a real example essay below, along with my thoughts on what made it work so well. Let me take you through how you can learn from it, and I’ll add some pointers on making your essay stand out from the crowd.
Just a note as you start the application process: MD-PhD applicants are required to complete two additional essays on top of a traditional AMCAS application. These include the “Why MD/PhD” essay (detailed below) and the “Significant Research” essay.
Work 1-on-1 with a Physician Advisor to create an MD/PhD application that stands out.
Real Example Essay: “Why MD-PhD?”
Here’s a real MD/PhD essay that one of our students used to get into a prominent MD/PhD program. Locations have been anonymized at the MD/PhD student’s request.
From the outset, I was acutely aware that pursuing a biomedical engineering degree in combination with a pre-medicine track was a nontraditional undertaking: one that, as I was frequently told, was completely impractical and would set me up for failure. However, after two summers of research on cancer treatment at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst followed by work in a medical device design lab at MIT, the marriage of these two fields made perfect sense to me. I realized that my biomedical engineering background can be incredibly useful in equipping me to make valuable contributions towards answering important research questions surrounding the practice of medicine. I have often encountered a chasm in understanding between engineers and providers, limiting the capacity for creative responses to clinical problems. The allure of an M.D./Ph.D. route is that I can help to bridge this gap.
As an engineering undergraduate, my research has epitomized the integral relationship between medicine and engineering. My work in a biomedical engineering lab at MIT has focused on designing a medical device for trauma medicine, and our interactions with clinicians have helped me recognize the value that an M.D./Ph.D. could add to our team. As our engineering group has interfaced with physicians for guidance on design choices and clinical needs, it has often seemed that we were speaking different languages. Physicians struggled to know what was technologically practical, making them less likely to engage with engineers to address their myriad clinical problems. Engineers, conversely, lacked a deep understanding of what technologies or solutions would be useful in the clinical setting, stifling creativity over concerns that improvements to the device would be either clinically insignificant or completely impractical. Without a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, alongside a knowledge of clinical procedures, it is incredibly difficult for biomedical engineers to make practical decisions about designs. I believe that questions about improving clinical practice through engineering could be most effectively directed by a physician-engineer who can speak both languages.
As an M.D., I aim to identify problems in the clinic that can be uniquely understood and engaged from an engineering perspective. I imagine no career more fulfilling than one where I can care for patients while developing devices and evolving procedures to improve the effectiveness of that care. By becoming fluent in the “languages” of both medicine and engineering, I will be uniquely equipped to bridge the gap between physicians, who appreciate the context of medical requisites, and engineers, who are fluent in the technology needed to address them. I want to use my Ph.D. training to develop a command of the physical and computational underpinnings of medical science, equipping me to imagine transformative solutions in medicine.
Here’s What Makes This Essay Memorable
I think this is a great real world example essay for these four reasons:
- It has clarity of purpose. Even though the writer has been told following such a specific career path “would set [them] up for failure,” this essay makes it clear that the applicant has a clear vision for their purpose in the medical and engineering specialties. An admissions committee (AdCom) reading this knows exactly how the writer will benefit their field.
- There’s real-world applicability. Along similar lines, a reader knows exactly the sort of thing that this candidate would excel at in the real world. You immediately get a detailed picture in your head of where this person will go after their education is finished.
- They offer a unique perspective. When AdComs read essay after essay after essay, it can be refreshing to read about an applicant who has pursued two academic paths that are uncommon to see together. The writer has a unique POV from which they tell their story, making for a compelling, memorable essay.
- There’s a vivid vision of the future. The writer paints a clear picture of where they’re headed as a physician-engineer. Using terms like “fluent in both languages” and “bridge the gap,” the candidate expresses in a memorable way how they intend to improve the lives of both patients and practitioners.
Looking for more research opportunities to strengthen your MD/PhD application? Follow our step-by-step guide for landing the perfect research position for you.
What Is the Purpose of the MD/PhD Essay?
MD-PhD programs combine medical training with scientific research. These programs train up physician-scientists. When reading your “Why MD-PhD” essay, AdComs want to ensure you’re ready to commit to the rigors of MD-PhD, which requires more coursework and training than traditional MD or DO programs.
AdComs are looking for “Why MD-PhD” essays that demonstrate the following:
- Commitment to the rigorous work required for MD-PhD
- Passion for both patient care and scientific research
- Experiences in both healthcare and academic research
- Desire to bridge the gap in understanding between physicians and scientists
- Evidence that you wouldn’t be satisfied with an MD or PhD degree by itself
You want to show that your passion is for MD-PhD work — practical scientific research and problem-solving that deals directly with patient well-being. You don’t want to seem indecisive, as if you simply can’t decide between an MD or PhD program.
Read Next: 2024/25 AMCAS Application Timeline
What to Include
Here are the three things that every candidate should include in their “Why MD/PhD” essay:
- Research experience: MD-PhD programs put a lot of emphasis on scientific research, as well as practical solutions for clinical problems. Admissions offices want candidates to include in their “Why Md-PhD” essays what kind of research experience they have to show they’re prepared for the rigors of their program. In general, MD-PhD candidates should have a minimum of 1,500 research hours to be competitive.
- Clinical experience: Even though most clinical experience you’ll do in an MD-PhD track will be in the context of research, you’ll still do some patient care as a medical student. Therefore, MD-PhD programs want you to include in your essay your own clinical experiences to demonstrate your readiness for the complex balance of clinical and research interests within their program.
- Why the joint program: You need to include in your essay why a joint MD-PhD program is your best path as opposed to a conventional MD or PhD program. Answer the question, “Why do I need both MD and PhD training?” Your answer should touch on your future plans for utilizing both degrees and your desire to improve collaboration between academic science and clinical medicine.
Learn More: Top American Medical Schools
Don’t Make These 4 Common Mistakes
Below are the most common blunders I see in “Why MD-PhD” essays with my top tips for avoiding essay mistakes:
- Don’t be vague and cliche. Instead of being vague, clearly state how you plan to integrate MD and PhD education into your career. Instead of cliche phrases like “I want to help people,” describe how your combined education track will uniquely improve patient and practitioner lives.
- Don’t avoid the personal. Use personal experiences that have influenced your decision to seek an MD/PhD program. A compelling personal anecdote can illustrate your passion and commitment and help your essay from coming across as robotic.
- Don’t focus too much on either clinical or research experience. When writing your “Why MD/PhD” essay, integrate clinical (MD) and research (PhD) experience. They are both critical to your dual degree, and admissions offices want to see dedication to both aspects. Also keep in mind that you’ll have space to describe the details of your research experience in the “Significant Research”essay.
- Don’t focus too much on either the past or the future. No, the past is not the only thing that matters. You also need to cast a vision for your future as a physician-scientist. Use past experiences to paint a picture of the future you envision for your career, where you make patient lives better through research opportunities.
Read Next: How to Make Your Personal Statement Stand Out
8 Writing and Editing Tips
Above were the don’ts. Now, the dos. Below are my tips on writing and editing your “Why MD-PhD” essay:
- Articulate your motivation: Explain why you’re passionate about both research and clinical work, highlighting specific experiences from your past that sparked your interest in combining clinical medicine and science. AdComs relate to a good personal anecdote.
- Show alignment with the MD/PhD mission: Demonstrate that you understand what an MD/PhD program is about — training medical scientists who bridge clinical practice and research. I keep harping on it, but it’s vital that they know you understand what you’re applying to.
- Provide specific examples of your clinical and research experience: Describe your research projects and clinical work in detail. Focus on the “why” behind your work.
- Explain the significance of a dual training program to you: Make it clear why having both clinical and research training is indispensable to the work you want to do.
- Demonstrate intellectual curiosity: Convey your passion for solving complex problems in clinical and scientific fields. AdComs like candidates who ask good questions.
- Show leadership and initiative: Highlight instances where you took initiative in research, clinical, or other relevant settings. Leadership skills are essential for an MD/PhD, and admissions offices tend to love a leader.
- Write with clarity and precision: Write concise and well-organized paragraphs. Each sentence should add value and then transition smoothly to your next thought. Avoid cramming your essay full of jargon, but don’t oversimplify your ideas, either.
- Seek feedback and revise: Look for input from mentors, colleagues, or advisors who know you pretty well. I recommend you use their feedback to polish your prose. Be open to revising multiple times.
Read Next: The Best Majors for Pre-Meds & How to Choose
Expert Support from Writing and Physician Advisors
Now you’re equipped to master your “Why MD/PhD” essay! It’s not just about MCAT scores, GPA, and research experience; you must demonstrate that you understand the commitment, experience, and vision for the future that will make you a good MD/PhD admissions candidate.
Work 1-on-1 with a MedSchoolCoach physician advisor to craft stand-out application essays and get accepted to your dream MD-PhD program. We’ve helped nearly 100 students become physician-scientists.
Renee Marinelli, MD
Dr. Marinelli has practiced family medicine, served on the University of California Admissions Committee, and has helped hundreds of students get into medical school. She spearheads a team of physician advisors who guide MedSchoolCoach students.
