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A Sample “Why MD/PhD” Essay (Plus, How to Make Yours Stand Out)

Posted in: Applying to Medical School

Table of Contents

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.

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.

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• Physician-Scientist

MD PhD Essay: The Ultimate Guide

MD-PhD programs  combine medical school training with the demands of scientific research. Graduates of these hybrid programs can pursue a variety of career paths, but the ultimate goal of MD PhD programs is to train physician-scientists. The MD PhD program is a long and difficult process, lasting between seven to eight years. On top of your personal statement and  AMCAS Work and Activities  section, you will have to submit two additional essays through AMCAS: The Significant Research Experience Essay and the MD PhD Essay. Many applicants find the MD PhD essay quite challenging since it lacks the definitive expectations of the research experience essay. So in today's blog, you'll learn exactly how to write a strong MD PhD essay.

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Article Contents 15 min read

What is the md phd essay and what is its purpose.

MD PhD admissions offices seek to ensure that the students they admit are ready to commit to many years of rigorous training and study. If you want to apply to MD PhD vs MD programs, keep in mind that there is more work involved in the application process as you'll have two additional essays to complete. The MD PhD essay is a unique component of the application process and it's where you'll discuss your reasons behind pursuing the joint program.

To understand what admissions committees are looking for in this essay, you need to first understand what kind of professionals they are hoping to train. A physician-scientist values medical research and progress above other elements of the medical profession. They will most likely spend their time in clinical settings, but mainly in relation to their research. Due to the large emphasis on research, clinical care is not their primary role. Research, discovery, and the application of new knowledge is their main interest. With this said, their research still directly involves clinical work and patient well-being, otherwise, they could have simply pursued a PhD. This intricate balance between research and medicine must be demonstrated in your MD PhD essay, with a larger emphasis on research.

Your MD PhD essay must show that you wouldn’t be satisfied with a career that didn't involve both medical research and clinical practice. You must demonstrate that pursuing just one or the other is not right for you. Your essay should not make you appear indecisive, as if you cannot choose between MD and PhD programs. Instead, you must show that you will be most fulfilled working as a physician-scientist. Overall, your essay must answer the question “Why did you choose the combined MD PhD program?”

Research experience

Your MD PhD essay should tell the story of how you became involved in scientific research and how you want to apply this research to medical practice. Your personal statement, research essay, and your MD PhD essay may sometimes touch upon the same experiences, but you will want to approach each of them from different angles. While your personal statement typically focuses on how you came to medicine in general, your MD PhD essay should answer how your interests and qualifications combine science and medical practice. Have a look at our blog if you're looking for medical school personal statement examples .

Admissions committees are looking for certain qualities and experiences in their applicants. Every scientist should possess creativity and curiosity. Maturity and critical thinking are also essential, as MD PhD applicants will have to face unexpected problems and challenges during training and throughout their careers. Other valuable qualities include grit, initiative, academic prowess, and of course, a love of research. If you don't like research, then the joint program is definitely not for you! Many MD PhD programs aim to prepare future leaders of research initiatives and projects. Your essay does not need to dive into the fine details of your research experiences but you should highlight 2-3 experiences that were significant while discussing what you learned from them. Demonstrating perseverance is also key since the scientific method is often a repetitive and frustrating process. It’s perfectly acceptable to highlight any setbacks you experienced during the research process as long as you can speak to how you overcame these challenges and what you learned in doing so.

Remember, your MD PhD essay is a tough balancing act. While it is important to describe your solid research background throughout your application, if all your application components focus only on research, you may have a problem. This would be great for someone who wants to pursue a PhD, but research only experience is not suitable if you want to pursue a combined program. Your MD PhD essay must show a crossover between your scientific research and the experiences you have had working with patients and physicians. For example, you could show that your research is inspired by clinical experience or you could discuss a significant patient interaction during your experience working in a clinical setting. Your interest in MD PhD programs may also be inspired by your concern for the medical issues facing your community, your country, or the world.

Why you are pursuing the joint program

The MD PhD essay is the only component of your application process which directly questions your passion for the combination of the two fields. Make sure that your MD PhD essay and Significant Research Experience Essay are not the same. You have a small amount of space to express your desire to become a physician-scientist, so do not waste it by repeating the same information in all your application components. The Significant Research Experience Essay is where you’ll include all the details of your research experience such as your exact duties, results, and where and with whom you conducted your research.

Use your MD PhD essay to show a larger picture. Admissions offices want to see evidence of problem-solving, maturity, independence, and your level of involvement in a project. Think about how your research experiences foster your scientific curiosity. The MD PhD essay is your chance to show admissions committees the important steps of your journey to the MD PhD program. This is your chance to describe components of your experiences and plans, which might not be evident from your other application materials.

Avoid including cliché topics or phrases in your essay. Many applicants indeed have similar stories of how they became interested in the medical profession. While these reasons may be common, your experiences are unique. Your essay must stand out and leave a lasting positive impression on the reader. Similarly, do not include grand statements linking your choice to enter the MD PhD program to destiny. These will only come across as dramatic, which isn't what you want to convey.

Remember not to describe any negative experiences and their effect on your decision to apply to MD PhD programs. For example, don't discuss how you believe that the academic job market does not look promising for a PhD graduate. Discussing failures in research however, is different, and can be a great way to demonstrate resilience. Frustrating experiences in research are common, so rather than describing the negative aspect of your failures in research, try to describe how this experience positively affected your journey.

Another thing you must avoid in your MD PhD essay is listing accomplishments and skills that are already found in your CV. Your personal statement is not meant to be a reiteration of your CV, instead, it should be your story – one that you will share with the admissions committees. Take them on a journey, in chronological order, highlighting the significant experiences that have led you to want to pursue both medicine and research. With each experience, you must reflect on what you've learned and you need to provide evidence to support any statements. It's not enough to simply state “I demonstrated compassion volunteering at a homeless shelter”. You must show the admissions committees how you demonstrated compassion. For example, you could discuss a specific interaction you had, or a specific project you worked on that demonstrates your ability to show compassion.

What to avoid in your MD-PhD essay:

Your MD-PhD essay should be a story! Avoid simply listing what is already in your CV. "}]' code='timeline1'>

Check out our video for some more tips on how to write the MD PhD essay:

How to Structure your MD PhD essay

If you’re applying to MD PhD programs through AMCAS, the MD PhD essay must be no longer than 3000 characters, typically, one page in length. Your essay must be well structured and it's important to avoid any fluff or unnecessarily descriptive language. It must be succinct while containing all the necessary information to make a complete impression of your candidacy. Overall, it should follow the structure of an academic essay and should contain an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Successful essays will have a powerful introduction, which will introduce the reader to the main message of the letter – your motivation for pursuing the joint program. The opening sentence, in particular, can make or break your entire essay. If it isn’t captivating, unique, and interesting, you risk losing the reader’s attention, which could result in your essay blending in with the thousands of other essays.

To create a unique opening sentence, considering beginning your essay with a personal anecdote. Essentially, you could narrate a personal experience or story that introduces the topic – this is a very common technique in personal essays and it's very effective. For example, you could talk about a time you were ill, an exciting moment during your research, an encounter with the medical system, or even a story of a loved one who was ill or passed away. If you had a specific experience or revelatory “aha” moment, where all of a sudden you just knew you wanted to become a physician-scientist, then this can be a great way to open your essay.

Body paragraphs

The body of your essay has to reveal how your experiences in research and clinical medicine have prepared you for a career as a physician-scientist. Essentially, this is where you provide evidence to the admissions committee to justify your reasons for pursuing the joint program. It’s important that you demonstrate not only your suitability for both research and medicine but that you've taken the steps necessary to test drive your future career. Try to include two or three experiences that demonstrate your expertise as a researcher and future physician.

Remember to always focus on quality, rather than quantity. When deciding which experiences to include, pick the experiences that were most transformative in your journey towards medicine and research. For example, you could highlight a patient interaction that influenced your research interests or a research or lab experience that pushed you towards considering the combined program. If your research made you realize the wider implications of your profession and its relationship to medical practice, it's a great experience to include. It is wise to remember the AAMC’s core competencies when describing your clinical and research experiences. These competencies may help you find connections between your desire to practice both science and medicine.

A strong MD PhD essay conclusion should include a creative reiteration of why you want to pursue training in both medicine and research. Do not make your conclusion into a dry summary of your essay. Rather, it should discuss how your research experience and clinical experience complement each other and should tie together the overall theme of your essay. Your final sentence should leave the reader with a lasting impression that you are a suitable candidate for their MD PhD program.

Once you’ve constructed your essay, be prepared for multiple rounds of revisions and re-edits, ideally, with the help of a medical school advisor . Never underestimate the importance of revision in getting your essay just right. Enlisting the help of a professional who knows exactly what admissions committees are looking for can help you create a powerful essay that will stand out. Family and friends are a good start with your essay, but for a truly unbiased review, it's best to consult a professional with years of experience. Writing your MD PhD essay is a challenge, but do not lose sight of the message you are trying to get across. It is important to keep in mind that the experiences you include in your MD PhD essay must reinforce your desire and need to become a physician-scientist – this is the central purpose of your statement.

MD PhD Essay Example #1:

Amidst crying babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), I asked my current mentor, “How do physicians and scientists approach a disease differently?” [Name of doctor] with over 30 years of experience in her neonatal practice and perinatal brain research, replied, “A physician looks at disease top-down while a scientist looks at disease bottom-up.” Her answer resonated with me because at that moment I realized the value of converging physician and scientists’ interpretations of disease. My goal as a physician-scientist will be to draw connections between physiopathology of disease and molecular properties of drug candidates in order to characterize its efficacy and mechanism of action in the process of drug development.

My research experience led me toward a career as a physician-scientist as I began to draw connections between the properties of therapeutic proteins in the body and the impact it could have on patients. In [name of doctor] 's lab, I found intercellular adhesion molecule-5 could serve as a diagnostic tool for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders since its presence in serum meant brain damage. While in [name of doctor]'s lab, my experiments showed overexpression of sigma-1 receptor protein (S1R) in cancer cells causes them to proliferate. PKC inhibitor that suppresses S1R signals to cell could mean a treatment strategy for cancer patients.

As a research assistant in [name of doctor] ’s lab, researching inter-alpha inhibitor protein (IAIP) as a drug candidate for neonatal hypoxia ischemia encephalopathy (HIE), I visited the NICU where I witnessed the distress of both the premature babies and their families. Working in the lab, I was not fully aware of the human impact of HIE but speaking with physicians I began to understand the need for developing a new therapeutic strategy for HIE as the current treatment—hypoxia is only partially protective. It was here I realized a physician-scientist sits in an advantageous position to explore new therapeutic options that being a researcher, or a physician alone could not.

By working in the lab and hospital, I considered the perspectives of both physicians and scientists as I investigated IAIP’s neuroprotective mechanism. From a physician’s point of view, I understood HIE-associated brain injury is caused by inflammation after energy deprivation. From a scientist’s view, IAIP protects the cell by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production. IAIP’s mechanism can be hypothesized and tested by exploring how IAIP’s molecular properties influences HIE’s pathology, so I am currently performing histological and cell culture studies to understand IAIP’s mechanism in tissue and cell.

My intention is to be a physician-scientist because the overlap of the two professions brings out the best of medicine—translation of bench research into medical devices and drugs that can be used in the clinical arena for patient care.

What makes this essay great:

• The essay begins with a personal anecdote, which instantly captivates the reader's attention and transports them into the NICU with the student.
• The student describes their revelations at each point in their story, in particular, where their initial interest in medicine and research began, and when they understood the intricate interconnection between both fields.
• The student demonstrates their curiosity into the mechanisms behind disease, and it's interesting to see how they investigate complex issues from both a physician and scientist point of view.
• The student utilizes excellent transitional sentences allowing for the essay to flow well and the body paragraphs are well constructed. Through strong examples and evidence, the student supports their statements and discussions effectively, ie, showing instead of telling.

Click here to view the example.

MD PhD Essay Example #3:

1. Can I change my research direction during my studies, or will I have to stick to the research field I identified in my personal statement and MD PhD essay?

The majority of applicants only have a general idea of what area of research they want to pursue in the future. For this reason, it is completely normal for you to change direction in your research throughout your studies. Most likely, you will have to get more research experience to realize what type of research you want to follow. In your MD PhD essay, the admissions committees will value the quality of your research experience, rather than the field. They want to see your ability to ask the right questions, design experiments, conduct analysis, and so on. This will show your scientific skills and qualifications, which can be transferred to any field.

2. Do I have a chance of getting accepted into MD PhD programs if I have limited research experience?

Research experience is essential when applying to MD PhD programs. Admissions committees want to select students who have a history of conducting meaningful academic research and have the potential to progress knowledge in the medical profession. It is normal for applicants to be uncertain of what research project they want to pursue in the future, but you must have some background in scientific study. If you have zero research experience, it's best to wait until you can gain some relevant experience before applying. You can, on the other hand, make a positive impression in your MD PhD essay if you convey a strong interest and experience in a research project – even if you have only one experience to reference. Your progress and commitment to a specific research area can make you stand out as long term dedication will always impress admissions committees. It is not necessary to be involved in dozens of research projects or make any groundbreaking scientific discoveries to enter the MD PhD program. Be sure to include and highlight your significant experiences in research throughout your application. Always focus on what you have learned and accomplished and don't be afraid to discuss your setbacks in addition to your accomplishments.

3. Should my research and my clinical experience be in the same field?

It’s great if you have research and clinical experiences that are related - this way you could write about how you worked with patients who had problems related to your scientific research and how you enjoyed helping them in a clinical setting. You can emphasize that you know from experience how fundamental research could be in providing a cure or treating a disease. However, you do not need to have clinical experience related to your research experience and interests. You can create a strong MD PhD essay by describing the research you plan to do in the context of a larger problem you want to solve and not just a question you want to explore. If you are looking to do research where you haven't worked with a related patient population, it could still be good to discuss the broader picture of why you think that research is important and how it might help communities in the future.

4. Do I need to have publications to apply to MD PhD programs?

Publications are not necessary, especially if you are applying directly out of your undergrad degree. Admissions committees and program directors are aware of how difficult it is to contribute to publication at such an early stage in your education. If you do have publications to include in your application – please do! Publications can certainly give you a competitive edge as not every applicant will have this experience. Keep in mind that you must have an in-depth understanding of the research you participate in because you will likely be asked about it during your interviews, regardless of your level of contribution.

5. Are letters of reference important for MD PhD applications?

Absolutely. Admissions committees value outside perspectives on whether or not you will be suitable for their joint program. Research related references are especially important. Try to form good relationships with your research mentors, professors, directors, and principal investigators. Make sure you select referees that know you well. They should be able to give a detailed account of your research involvement and your strengths as a researcher and critical thinker. They should also be able to emphasize your maturity, reliability, and any other strength unique to you.

6. Can I apply to MD and MD PhD programs at the same time?

Yes, you can. You'll be able to indicate which schools and which programs you’re applying to in your AMCAS application. Many schools that reject you for MD PhD programs will still consider you for the regular MD stream. 

7. Is a career as a physician-scientist my only option if I graduate from the MD PhD program?

Not necessarily, however, it is important to think about your future career plans when you apply to any professional program. The MD PhD training is very costly in terms of time and money for you and the institution that admits you, so try to reflect on whether your goals coincide with the goals of the MD PhD program you want to attend. Becoming a full-time physician and tending to patients are amazing goals, but they do not require a PhD in addition to an MD. If you want to become a physician-scientist, then you should plan to spend most of your time and efforts on research and less time in clinical practice. If you want to become a physician who works on making discoveries in the medical field, then the MD PhD program may be for you. Career-wise, most MD PhD graduates end up in careers that combine patient care and research. Many end up at academic medical centers, research institutions, or in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. A large number of MD PhD graduates end up in academia as well.

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