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MD/PhD Program

 Here is the link to the first edition of our newsletter! Have a look! 

 MDPhD Newsletter

 

Medicine Section

PhD Section

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MD/PhD Brochure (pdf) Training for Clinicians Brochure (pdf)

The MD/PhD program is jointly sponsored by the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at the University of Western Ontario. It provides a wonderful opportunity to begin a career combining research and clinical practice.

The program at Western enables participating students to combine undergraduate medicine and forefront research with one or more of the leading scientists in the Faculty or one of the research institutes.

We hope our website gets you started in learning about our expanding MD/PhD program at Western.

Applying to the MD/PhD Program

MD/PhD Admission Form(in PDF format)

Applications are welcomed from students from many different backgrounds, including the principal science disciplines, e.g. chemistry or biology, the disciplines of medical sciences, e.g. pharmacology, biochemistry and microbiology, or non-medical disciplines such as kinesiology, economics, computer science or engineering. Candidates with previous experience in research, perhaps through summer research training, should detail that experience in their application.

A student wishing to get acceptance into the program needs to satisfy the admission requirements for both the MD program and the graduate program in their fields of study. The match-up of student with supervisor and project is tailored to each student. Preliminary explorations can be undertaken by candidates with prospective supervisors, and the MD/PhD committee can help to make the final decision. The recommendation for acceptance to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is the responsibility of that committee.

Application Process

Students must meet all the admissions criteria of both the MD and PhD programs. An application will be evaluated by the MD/PhD Committee, using the same criteria of academic achievement and scores as the Medicine Admissions Committee, as well as assessing the research experience of the individual. Qualified candidates are selected to come in for interview, in order to get a sense of the general skills, personality and potential of the individual, as well as their ability to cope with the workload and demands of the combined program. 

The MCAT scores required for consideration for medical admission can be found on the Medicine Admissions page.

 Individuals interested in applying for the MD/PhD Program may obtain an application by contacting:
Vicki VanStrien
Office of the Dean
Schulich School of Medicine &Dentistry
Clinical Skills Building, 3700
The University of Western Ontario
London ON N6A 5C1
Telephone: 519.661.2111 ext 87908
Fax: 519.661.3797
E: vicki.vanstrien@schulich.uwo.ca

Or by clicking on MD/PhD Admission Form (in PDF format)

Click for Referee Assessment form (in PDF format)

Along with the completed MD/PhD Application we require:

  • An official copy of the student's transcript
  • A curriculum vitae
  • written statement from the applicant describing his/her interest and commitment to the program, his/her area of research accomplishments, and possible directions for study.
  • Two confidential letters of reference emphasizing in particular, the student's aptitude for research (forms will be provided to assist the referees for their letters of reference - in PDF format)

 The following points are noted for special consideration: 
 

  1. All students entering the MD/PhD program will have either an honours or masters degree. A minimum of an honours degree or equivalent, will ensure that the student has had sufficient intensity of study, academic training and some research training. For students from areas of science, it will also provide the opportunity to evaluate research skills through the normal fourth year research project, and important component for assessing any candidate for most graduate programs. Applicants who have completed a masters's thesis will have had substantially more research training as part of their program.
  2. Only Canadian Citizens or those holding Canadian Permanent Resident status will be considered for admission.
  3. Candidates will be required to have completed all requirements for their graduate degrees prior to registration in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry MD/PhD Program.
  4. Once applicants have submitted their application to OMSAS, there is a separate application for the combined MD/PhD program (see above) that must be submitted by December 1 of the year.
  5. If the application is considered to be sufficiently strong by the MD/PhD Committee, the applicant will be interviewed late winter. Final acceptance into this program will not be granted until a research supervisor and a mentorship committee has been determined, and is conditional on acceptance from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
  6. Once a suitable supervisor has been selected, students will apply to the appropriate graduate program through the regular process. For more information, on applying to grad studies, please visit http://www.uwo.ca/schulich/gradstudies/prospective/index.html
  7. The student will be conditionally accepted into the MD/PhD program by April 15th.