How to Apply
Prospective students must apply individually to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and complete the MSTP online application. The criteria for acceptance to the MSTP include an outstanding academic record and letters of recommendation, positive personal interviews, and significant prior research experience. Admission to the MSTP is competitive, as is admission to graduate school, with students applying to the PhD programs of their choice after the first year of medical school.
Every year the program receives approximately 600 applications for a maximum of 15 available positions. The application review committee screens each completed application and well-qualified applicants are invited for an interview. The 2023 matriculating class has an average undergraduate GPA of 3.78 and a 515 average MCAT score. (These scores are for general assessment purposes only; applications are considered holistically.) We also review the letters of recommendation that are submitted to the medical school as part of candidates' School of Medicine application. Please be sure to include two letters of recommendation from faculty and/or scientists who are conversant with your research training. Previous research experience and commitment to a career as a physician-scientist are crucial in the evaluation of applications. Please convey your anticipated research interests and plans as well as past work. Additionally, a bachelor's degree or equivalent must be completed prior to matriculating.
For additional information contact:
University of Pittsburgh
MSTP
M250 Scaife Hall
3550 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Telephone: (412) 648-2324
Fax: (412) 648-2185
Email: mstp@medschool.pitt.edu
AAMC Fee Assistance Program
The AAMC Fee Assistance Program assists those who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®), apply to medical schools that use the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®), and more.
MSTP Application Deadline
Applicants must submit an initial application through AMCAS by October 1.
In order to be considered for the MSTP, your MD application along with the supplemental application for Pitt-CMU MSTP and all supporting documents, including letters of recommendation, are due no later than 11:59 PM on OCTOBER 15. We do not grant application deadline extensions. Early applications are strongly encouraged, as interview offers are made on a rolling basis.
Our MSTP admits only U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents; international students are ineligible for the MSTP.
Acceptances
We accept students on a rolling basis; therefore, it is very important to complete the application, including recommendation letters, as early as possible. Applicants must complete their MD secondary application as soon as possible. Starting October 15, those with completed applications will be informed of their acceptance to our program within roughly three weeks of their interview date.
Applicants are ranked and notified of the following action:
1) Acceptance into MSTP with full funding for all years of medical school and graduate school (including tuition and stipend)
2) Wait-listed for acceptance into MSTP with funding
3) Not accepted into MSTP
The second group of students is placed on the waitlist. The University of Pittsburgh MSTP also accepts a small number of matriculated second-year medical students into the dual-degree program based on their outstanding performance and developing interest in research pursuits during their medical school experience.
The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University MSTP recognize that our training environment is positively enriched by trainees with diverse backgrounds and needs. Our program gives full consideration to all eligible applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, veteran status, disability, national origin, creed, marital status, age, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Effective December 6, 2021, all University of Pittsburgh students, faculty, and staff on all campuses must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have received an approved exemption to remain a community member. Please visit the following site about the requirement, providing proof of vaccination or to request an exemption: https://www.coronavirus.pitt.edu/covid-19-vaccines/vaccine-requirement.