Frequently asked questions and answers

Question: Where can I download the 2009 Secondary Application for the School of Medicine?
Answer: Here (pdf). The application will be available within a few weeks.

Question: Where can I download the Thomson Peterson's Guide?
Answer: Here (pdf).

Question: Does a potential MSTP applicant need to take the GRE test?
Answer: No, it's optional. If you have it, then you can submit it. Note, however, that the MCAT is required.

Question: Is there a course to help prepare you to take the MCAT?
Answer: The Kaplan Course can help you to prepare for the MCAT.

Question: What months are the MCATs test taken?
Answer: Please see link for MCAT 2009 Administration Dates & Deadlines.

Question: Where can I know the detailed information about the MCAT?
Answer: Please see link for details about the MCAT.

Question: Where can I find information about the MCAT registration?
Answer: Please see link for details about domestic / international registration and test sites.

Question: Are international students (F1 or J1 visa) eligible for the MSTP Program?
Answer: All else being equal, priority will be given to candidates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; however, non-U.S. residents with a strong record of academic and research achievement are encouraged to apply.

Question: Is admission rolling or are all applications collected and assessed before the decisions are made?
Answer: Admission is rolling: the medical school continuously interviews applicants and offers positions from September - March. In general, applying earlier than the last possible moment will increase somewhat the chance of being admitted (this is the case for most institutions).

Question: How does an applicant apply for the M.D./Ph.D. Program?
Answer: In order to apply for the M.D./Ph.D. Program, applicants should apply for the M.D. Program via AMCAS and check the box on the AMCAS form that indicates interest in the MSTP program. If asked to provide a secondary application, additional documents specific for the MSTP application will be requested. Please refer to question #1.

Question: If I'm rejected from the M.D./Ph.D. Program, will I still be considered for the M.D. or Ph.D. programs independently?
Answer: Yes and no. Your application to medical school will be considered independently as if you had not applied to the MSTP program; however, you will not be considered for admission to the Ph.D. programs (unless you apply to them independent of the AMCAS route through the normal process for applying to graduate school).

Question: Is it possible for a student who is in a Ph.D. Program now to switch into the M.D./Ph.D. Program?
Answer: It is possible; you would have to apply to medical school just like any other applicant and check off the box on the AMCAS application for "interest in MSTP". The application would go through the initial screening process (grades, MCATs, etc.) and if positive, would be sent to us to set up an interview. Depending on your research background, it could improve your chances for getting into the MSTP program. But in general, you would have to do reasonably well (30+) on the MCATs and have some element of prior experience in medically-related activities (volunteer work, shadowing a doctor, medical research) to succeed at making it through the medical school admission process.

Question: How many applications do the MSTP normally receive; how many interviews and acceptances do you offer on average?
Answer: We receive 100-150 applications per year.  Typically, about 25% of the applicants are offered interviews and between 12 and 16 acceptances are offered to fill 7-8 positions.

Question: How many admittees per class per year for Medical students only?
Answer: We matriculate 124 each year into our first year class, 7-8 of whom will be Medical Sicentist Training Program (MD/PhD) students. Total M.D. applications approximately 3,500.

Question: Is there a cut off for GPA or MCAT scores for M.D.?
Answer: We do not have a cut off for GPA or MCAT scores. Last year's entering class mean on the MCAT was 10-Verbal, 11-Physcial Science, 11-Biological Science. The mean GPA was 3.6.

Question: Can you give me the general profile of an incoming M.D./Ph.D. class (i.e. average GPA and MCAT score and range if possible)?
Answer: The average student has a 3.6 GPA and a score of 32-33 on the MCAT.  A solid background in research is also typical.

Question: Do you have a "cut-off", or minimum set of academic scores required for consideration?
Answer: We do not have a cut off for GPA or MCAT scores. Many other factors come into play including the school at which the grades were earned, and whether the student faced obstacles in generating his or her achievements, such as financial hardship or a less nurturing background. In addition, we are keenly interested in recruiting under-represented minority students.

Question : Do I need to notify you prior before letting AMCAS know my intent to apply as M.D./Ph.D. to your particular school?
Answer : No. You just need to check the box indicating interest on the AMCAS application.

Question : Are there mentoring programs at the university?
Answer : Yes, for both women and under-represented minority students.

Question : How long does the combined degree program take?
Answer : 8 years is the average both nationally and at Stony Brook.

Question : Are there opportunities for gaining experience in translational medicine (clinical research)?
Answer : Yes - new programs are being established to provide unique opportunities for the MSTP students to be trained in translational medicine.

Question : Are there other opportunities for research at Stony Brook?
Answer : Yes - both Cold Spring Harbor Labs and Brookhaven National Labs are part of our program and you can do your thesis work there.

Question : What is the typical course of study?
Answer : The first two years of medical school; then the thesis (~3-5 years); then the last year and a half of medical school.

Question : What are the financial benefits of the program?
Answer : Tuition, health insurance, and fees are covered for both graduate and medical school. In addition, a stipend is provided (at levels up to 10% above standard graduate school stipends; top rate $28,500 this year). We also support costs of traveling to scientific and career development meetings and a variety of enrichment opportunities.

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