MD, DO, and MD/PhD Degrees

There is more than one path for those interested in earning medical degrees. While all physicians share a commitment to patient care, different degree pathways emphasize distinct philosophies, training experiences, and career outcomes. Exploring these options early can help you identify programs that align with your interests, values, and long‑term goals.

MD or Doctor of Allopathic Medicine

The MD degree is the most common medical degree in the United States. MD programs focus on the diagnosis and treatment of disease using evidence‑based medicine, biomedical science, and clinical research.

Training & Scope

• MDs complete four years of medical school followed by residency (and possibly fellowship) training.
• MDs practice in every medical specialty and subspecialty.
• MD programs are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

Who Might Be Drawn to the MD Path?

• Students strongly interested in biomedical research or academic medicine
• Those drawn to large academic medical centers and teaching hospitals
• Applicants who prefer a curriculum centered on traditional Western medicine
• Students interested in any specialty or clinical setting

DO or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

DOs are fully licensed physicians who practice in all medical specialties, just like MDs. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care, considering how lifestyle, environment, and structure affect health.

Training & Scope

• DOs complete four years of medical school and the same residency and fellowship opportunities as MDs.
• DO training includes additional instruction in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), a hands‑on approach to diagnosis and treatment.
• DO programs are accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

Who Might Be Drawn to the DO Path?

• Students who value a whole‑person, patient‑centered philosophy
• Those interested in primary care, community health, or underserved populations
• Applicants who appreciate hands‑on approaches and preventative care

Important to Know

• Both MDs and DOs are recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA).
• MDs and DOs train together in the same residency programs and have the same medical licensure rights.
• Some DO students report encountering specialty-specific biases in competitive residencies.

Students are encouraged to explore and consider applying to both MD and DO programs. For more information about Osteopathic Medicine, visit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) website and read this article from the President of AACOM, Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH.

MD/PhD or Physician-Scientist

MD/PhD programs are designed for students interested in becoming physician–scientists who integrate clinical care with biomedical, behavioral, or translational research. These programs are extremely competitive and require a strong, focused research record.

Training & Structure

• These programs combine medical school with a PhD and typically take 7–8 years to complete.
• Graduates often pursue careers in academic medicine, research institutions, or industry.
• Many MD/PhD programs are fully funded, covering tuition and providing a stipend.

Who Might Be Drawn to the MD/PhD Path?

• Students with substantial research experience and a strong interest in scientific discovery
• Those who envision careers balancing patient care and research
• Applicants motivated by advancing medical knowledge and innovation

Important to Know

• Sometimes, there is one admission committee for both programs; at other schools you have to apply & interview separately for joint programs.
• In some cases, MD/PhD students have all tuition waived and receive a stipend for living expenses.
• There are a number of schools that also allow for or encourage the MD/PhD to be in the Humanities or Social Sciences.

Graduates of MD/PhD programs often go on to become faculty members at medical schools, universities, and research institutes such as the National Institutes of Health.

MD/PhD trainees are prepared for careers in which they will spend approximately 70% of their time doing research, but also offer care to patients. It is a challenging and rewarding career that offers opportunities to advance medical knowledge and develop treatments for diseases.

Students seeking this academic medical career should take advantage of opportunities to develop research skills and contribute to scientific publications as a co-author. Interested students should visit the Experiential Opportunities page to learn how to get involved in labs on campus or research elsewhere over the summer.

Other Combined Degree Programs

While the most common combined medical degree for Wesleyan graduates is the MD/PhD, MD/MPH (Medical + Public Health), or even MD/JD (Medical + Law) are not unheard of.

If you are interested in one of these alternative medical degrees, reach out to your Health Professions & Life Sciences Career Advisor or schedule an appointment on Handshake.

Healthcare Competencies for Medical School

Aside from quantitative measures like GPA and test scores, Medical Schools are looking for skills, values, and personal qualities that predict success as a physician. These competencies are demonstrated through coursework, activities, jobs, and life experiences. The AAMC Pre-Med Competencies for Entering Medical Students are listed below, and full descriptions can be found on the AAMC website at the link above.

Professional Competencies

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Experiential Opportunities

If you are not secure in your reasons for wanting to apply to a particular health profession you will most likely not succeed in interviews. Regardless of academic ability, schools will not offer an acceptance without good clinical experience and evidence that an applicant has a clear understanding of the day-to-day commitments required for that health profession.

Aside from coursework, the primary experiential areas to be engaging in as you prepare for medical school are Shadowing, Volunteering & Service to the Community, Research (Clinical or Otherwise), and Clinical Exposure & Direct Patient Care. You should visit the Experiential Opportunities webpage for more detailed explanations and suggestions within each category.

Students are encouraged to explore jobs, internships, fellowships and other opportunities on Handshake, especially through use of the Health Professions Collection.

Pre-Med students should utilize the Health Professions Portfolio to keep track of experiential opportunities, reflect on experiences, and carefully consider how each one connects to the health professions competencies as well as their own goals. Benchmarks for competitiveness in each area can be found in the Health Professions Portfolio.

Growth Years, Standardized Testing, & Application Timeline

Growth Years

It is common to take at least one or more Growth Years between graduating from undergrad and matriculating to medical school. While it is possible to attend medical school in the fall immediately after graduation, these students would need to complete the admission requirements by the spring semester of their junior year. This aggressive timeline is not necessarily recommended for most pre-medical students.

Having time between undergraduate and medical school offers many advantages. One advantage is that you are able to complete the required courses at a pace that will allow you to make the most of Wesleyan’s liberal arts curriculum. You are also likely to be a stronger candidate because of the additional clinical, volunteer, employment, or academic experience you will gain by the time of your application.

Undergraduate schedules rarely allow for the depth of clinical experience medical schools are looking for, so many pre-med students use their growth year(s) to boost their clinical experience. Clinical experience can be strengthened through full- or part-time roles working, for example, as a Medical Scribe, Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), ER Technician, or EMT, or by volunteering in a clinical setting. Keep in mind that some of these jobs require certifications (such as EMT, CNA, or MA licensing). Certain Clinical Research Coordinator roles also have a robust direct patient care aspect.

Students with a strong research background may also use their growth year(s) to deepen their scientific credentials. Formal post-bacc research programs—such as the NIH Post-Baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA)—offer structured, funded research experiences with mentorship and professional development built in. For students considering the MD/PhD path specifically, a dedicated research year can be especially valuable in strengthening an application.

Competitive fellowships like the Fulbright, Watson, or Humanity in Action can also serve as meaningful growth year experiences, particularly for students whose interests bridge medicine and global health, policy, and social justice. Students may also choose to pursue service-oriented healthcare work, through organizations like AmeriCorps.

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MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required by most medical schools. It is approximately seven-and-a-half hours long and very demanding, both in terms of the level of preparation required to be successful and the very strictly controlled, timed testing conditions. It is offered multiple times during the year, between January and September.

For more information about the MCAT, including Wesleyan applicant averages, view the Standardized Tests & Competition section of our Academic Preparation resource.

AAMC resources like the MCAT Essentials and Exam Overview are also critical. You can peruse guidelines about how to register, find information about Testing Accommodations, learn about the Fee Assistance Program, and more via AAMC.

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Sample Med School Application Timeline

Here is a sample timeline for an applicant looking to matriculate to medical school in the fall of 2028. You can extrapolate this to your own schedule, keeping in mind that the benchmarks are typically standard year-to-year.

Autumn 2026	Winter – Spring 2027	Spring 2027	Summer 2026	Fall ’26 -Spring ’27
Request Institutional Letter File & complete forms	Ensure Letters of Recommendation are submitted to Wes	Confirm your Institutional Action Status	Submit the Primary Application	Interview with interested schools
Pay the $50 Processing Fee*	Finalize & upload your supporting documents	Take standardized tests as soon as you are confident!	Complete the Formal Request for Upload	Receive Admissions Decisions
Contact Letter Writers	Complete your IL Interview	Prepare to submit your application materials	Submit Secondaries promptly	Notify the Health Professions Team of your results!