MSTP FAQs
Q. What are the MSTP applicant requirements? How do I know if I will be a competitive applicant?
A. The Medical Scientist Training Program seeks students with strong academic records and a commitment to biomedical investigation. Successful applicants generally have extensive research experience and strong letters of recommendation indicating their interest and potential in basic science research.
Q. Is the research that applicants pursue in their undergraduate years expected to be related to the research they pursue as graduate students?
A. Not at all. Students frequently change research interests after beginning their medical studies.
Q: What is the normal sequence of study for MSTP applicants?
A: Typically, students complete two years of medical school and then take a leave of absence to complete their PhD (on average 3-4 years). They then return to Pritzker for the final two years of medical school.
Q. If my application is turned down by the MSTP, can I still be considered for the regular MD program?
A. Yes, as long as the student applied as an MD/MSTP applicant. Please see the application process below for each type of application.
MD/MSTP applicants: If an applicant applies MD/MSTP, the medical school first reviews the application. If the medical school is not interested in an applicant, the application goes no further. If Pritzker is interested in the applicant, they will invite him/her to interview. While interviewing at Pritzker, the applicant will speak with a representative of the MSTP. If there is interest on the part of the MSTP, the applicant may be invited back for an MSTP-only interview. If the MSTP is not interested in an applicant, he/she is still able to be considered for admission to Pritzker as an MD student.
MSTP-only applicants: If an applicant applied MSTP only, and the MSTP Admissions Committee does not wish to review their application further, the application will not receive any additional consideration. If the MSTP Admissions Committee is interested, then the applicant will be invited for an interview January – March. Please keep in mind that MSTP applications are not reviewed until after December 1. See the Admissions Timeline for more information.
Q. Can I apply to the MSTP after I've started school at the Pritzker School of Medicine?
A. The MSTP is primarily open to incoming medical students. Current Pritzker students interested in pursuing a PhD in the biological sciences may apply for the Growth and Development Training Program as well as various other Biological Sciences Divisional training grants.
Q: Can international students apply to the MSTP?
A. Most students in the MSTP are on a federally funded training grant and therefore are required to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. On the rare occasion, exceptionally qualified international students have been considered for other funding.
Q. Do you require any applications in addition to the AMCAS application?
A. Every student who submits an application through AMCAS will receive an online Pritzker School of Medicine Supplemental Application by email. The supplemental application requires three letters of recommendation, an essay and a $75 processing fee. To apply for the MSTP, applicants simply need to select the MSTP when filling out this online application.
Q. Do you require any additional materials to the Pritzker Supplemental Application?
A. MSTP applicants should submit letters (no more than 3) from individuals familiar with their research. These letters need not duplicate letters that are sent in support of the application to Pritzker so long as the Pritzker letters support the applicant's research experience.
Q: Do I need to file a separate application to the graduate PhD program that I am interested in?
A. MSTP applicants initially need only to submit an application to the MSTP through the Pritzker School of Medicine. If accepted into the MSTP, they will then automatically be a part of the Interdisciplinary Scientist Training Program for their PhD work.
Note: Applicants to the MSTP should be interested in biological or physical sciences. Students interested in social sciences or humanities can earn an MD/PhD through the MeSH program.
Q: Do I need to take the GRE?
A: MSTP applicants do not need to take the GRE. MCAT scores and coursework are sufficient to earn a PhD in the Interdisciplinary Scientist Training Program (ISTP), the department through which all MSTP applicants earn their PhD beginning Autumn 2009.
Q: Can I apply to both MSTP and to MeSH?
No, students must apply for one program or the other. The MSTP is designed for students interested in pursuing their PhD in the biological or physical sciences. The MeSH program is for students interested in pursuing their PhD in the Social Sciences, Humanities, or at the University of Chicago’s other professional schools. (Business, Law, Public Policy, Social Science Administration)
