• Look carefully at your state schools first. You may have a better chance of admission there, and they tend to be less expensive when you are in-state.
• If you are thinking of applying to public schools outside of your state, take a look at their admissions statistics first. You can usually find these statistics on individual school websites, but national organizations may publish them as well (for example, the AAMC publishes admissions statistics by school for allopathic medical schools yearly). What percentage of the class is made up of out-of-state residents? If it is low, consider what attracts you to the program.
• Make sure most of the schools to which you apply are compatible with your GPA and admission test scores. A few “reach” schools are fine, but ensure you have some schools on the list to which you have a realistic chance of admission.
• Read the mission statement of each school. Does it fit with your goals?
• Consider factors such as geography, cost, curriculum, style of teaching, special programs, size of class, diversity, research opportunities, hospitals where you will train and other aspects that are important to you.
• Keep in mind costs, time, and effort as you think about the number of schools to which you’ll apply. In addition to primary applications, you’ll have the cost and labor of secondary applications. Anticipate your potential interview schedule and costs as well.
• International and undocumented and DACA applicants must pay careful attention to school websites regarding their eligibility for admission.
• Contact Wellesley student and alumnae organizations to get information and feedback about schools that Wellesley graduates have attended.
• If you’re considering applying to medical school, remember that there are two types of medical schools in the US: osteopathic medical schools and allopathic medical schools. Learn about both options and consider whether applying to one or both types of medical schools makes sense for you (see links below for more information).
• If you’re considering applying to medical schools outside of the US but wish to someday practice medicine in the US, visit the Educational Commission For Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) website. You will be considered an international medical school graduate and will have to go through a different process in order to practice in the US.

• The Delaware Institute of Medical Information and Research
• The Finance Authority of Maine’s Access to Medical Education Program
• University of Utah School of Medicine Idaho Contract
• The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
• The WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) Program

There are some schools that cater to the care of specific populations. For example, medical schools with rural health programs include University of Massachusetts, Ohio University, Tufts University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Wisconsin, SUNY Upstate, University of Washington, University of Alabama, Columbia University, University of Kansas, and University of Colorado.

1. It may take a shorter amount of time to complete both degrees 
2. The cost may be less to complete both degrees
3. Some joint degree programs are funded (e.g., MD/PhD through the National Institutes of Health Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP))
4. Joint programs may integrate learning across domains
5. There may be unique access to faculty, resources, and experiences
6. There may be enhanced employment opportunities after graduation

1. Entry may require gaining admission to both degree programs and  may be more competitive
2. It may take longer time to graduate and begin earning an income
3. It may be more expensive than the cost of a single degree program
4. Education in one degree area may be disrupted by responsibilities in the other  
5. There may be less time for elective courses, rotations, and other opportunities for exploration
6. Participants may be separated from peers when moving between degree programs
7. Stress and time management skills are important factors in accelerated programs

1. MD/PhD: Applicants who desire a career in investigative medicine that is informed by their clinical experience can consider obtaining a joint MD/PhD degree. (Please note that obtaining a PhD is not necessary to pursue a career in medical research.) Typically, MD/PhD programs take 7-8 years to complete, with the first 1-2 years spent completing course work, the next 3-5 years completing a doctoral thesis project, and a final 1-2 years in core clinical training. Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP) are among the most recognized and competitive MD/PhD programs. MSTP positions are funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and individual participating medical schools.  Applicants admitted to these highly competitive programs receive full tuition coverage as well as a stipend throughout the entire training period. Note that some institutions offer non-MSTP MD/PhD programs, and financial coverage for these programs may be variable, so it is important to ask about this if you intend to apply. The PhD degree is typically completed in a biomedical discipline, but some institutions offer opportunities for graduate study outside of laboratory disciplines. Note that not every research specialty is offered at every medical school and that curricula can vary. The majority of MD/PhD graduates enter residencies after graduation, but a small percentage go straight into research postdoctoral fellowship positions. Nearly all MD/PhD programs participate in AMCAS for their application process. In addition to the personal statement, applicants are asked to complete two additional essays: one on their interest in entering a MD/PhD program, and the other about their research experience. Letters of recommendation are expected from each research mentor. Some institutions may require GRE scores in addition to MCAT scores. Note that these programs are highly competitive, and require high GPAs, high admissions scores, and significant independent research experience. Specifically, admissions officers will want to know that you have played an active role in asking questions, designing and carrying out experiments, troubleshooting, gathering and analyzing data, and communicating your findings in written and oral form. They are looking to see if you have gained competency in scientific inquiry, quantitative reasoning, adaptability, resilience, teamwork, reliability, dependability, capacity for improvement, and critical thinking. They will look at for how long you worked on a project, and what your mentor(s) thought of your participation. For more information, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website.  
2. MD/MPH: Graduates of joint MD/MPH programs can combine their clinical expertise with knowledge of public health issues. They may be interested in pursuing careers in clinical medicine, research, policy, advocacy, and consulting.  Over 80 medical schools sponsor activities to help their students to pursue a master’s degree in public health. The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) has a MD/MPH-DO/MPH Guide that has detailed information about obtaining joint medical and public health degrees. The AAMC publishes a Directory of MD/MPH Educational Opportunities as well as Public Health Pathways for Pre-Medical Students.
3. MD/JD: Graduates of MD/JD programs may pursue careers in medical practice, policy, government, as part of an executive team for a healthcare institution, forensic medicine, and law with a medical focus. Note that most applicants will be required to take both the MCAT and the LSAT.  Eduers.com has a list of MD/JD programs on its website.
4. MD/MBA: Graduates of MD/MBA programs may use their knowledge in areas such as running the business side of a clinical practice, working at the executive level for a healthcare institution, pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry, or providing consulting services. Note that most applicants will need to take both the MCAT and the GMAT as part of the application process. In addition, certain business schools may have experiential requirements that differ from medical schools. TheAssociation of MD/MBA Programs has a website that includes a list of MD/MBA programs. The Atlantic published an article on “The Rise of the MD/MBA Degree” in 2014.

Many dental schools offer programs in which students can obtain a variety of degrees in addition to their DDS or DMD degrees. These include master’s degrees and doctoral degrees (PhD, MD, DO). A list of dental schools with joint degree programs is available in the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools.  For more information, visit the ADEA website.

Veterinary schools also host a number of master’s and doctorate programs that can be combined with the DVM degree. For a list of resources, visit the AAVMC website

The nursing profession is rapidly expanding, and there are now more than 120 types of joint degree nursing programs in the US today as per the Nurse Journal website. For detailed information, see “Your Guide to Graduate Nursing Programs” published by the American Association of Colleges in Nursing.