Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:
International students who have completed at least three years of full-time study (undergraduate, graduate and/or post-baccalaureate) at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university may apply. International students receive the same financial support as all other MSTP students. Current Feinberg MD students should contact MSTP Admissions for application information.
Individuals who have completed an MD or PhD and current PhD students are not eligible for admission.
See our Disabilities Statement and the Northwestern University Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance Non-Discrimination Statement.
Northwestern MSTP accepts applications only through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete all application materials, including AMCAS, supplemental materials and letters of recommendation, as early as possible because interview invitations are extended on a rolling basis.
Invitations to complete the secondary application may be sent only after AMCAS verification, which can take up to eight weeks.
Applicants may apply to the MSTP or the MD program, but not both simultaneously. Applicants who wish to transfer their MSTP application for MD-only consideration must notify MSTP Admissions in writing before Nov. 1. MSTP applications are not automatically transferred for MD-only consideration.
On the AMCAS website, choose "Northwestern MD-PhD Program (MSTP)." Answer the MD-PhD–specific questions. Submit your application plus official transcripts to AMCAS. We can send your invitation to complete the MSTP secondary application only after your AMCAS application is verified, which may take up to eight weeks.
To be considered for MSTP admission, applications must be complete, including AMCAS, the MSTP secondary application and at least three letters of recommendation. Applicants should request that at least three letters of recommendation be submitted to the AMCAS letter service as early as possible. Letters may be included in a committee or composite letter or be submitted individually. We will not consider applications for an interview until they reach "complete" status. There is no maximum number of recommendation letters applicants may submit.
Applications are reviewed and interview invitations are sent by email on a rolling basis, beginning in late August and early September and may continue as late as January. Interviews are held once per month from September through January. Applicants meet virtually with Northwestern MSTP leadership, faculty and current students.
Offers of admission are extended on a rolling basis beginning in mid- to late February.
In-person campus Visit programming includes a variety of social and academic events. Accepted applicants are invited to visit to learn more about our program, meet current students, explore Chicago and meet with potential thesis advisers.
Applicants must accept their MSTP offer of admission by May 1, 2027. After May 1, applicants may hold an offer of admission only at one institution.