Applying to the UCSF MSTP
We require that you first complete the AMCAS, indicating that you would like to apply to UCSF's MSTP. After an initial screen, some applicants will be asked to complete a secondary application. The top candidates will then receive interview invitations. The MSTP admission decisions will be made in March; these decisions are independent of the medical school admission decisions. Candidates who receive acceptances from both the MSTP and SOM will be invited to join the program for the next academic year.
Information on individual graduate programs can be found on our Curriculum page. Students interested in doing a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology should refer to the Medical Anthropology website for more information on the requirements for this program.
AMCAS
The first step in applying to our MSTP is to submit a completed application to the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) indicating that you are applying to the UCSF School of Medicine and the UCSF Medical Scientist Training Program.
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Secondary Application
MSTP application materials will be sent only to applicants who pass the initial screening and are invited to submit a secondary application to the SOM. You will be asked to submit a brief supplemental essay describing your past research experiences, your interests, and your future career goals. For the Fall 2008 admissions cycle, you may duplicate your two AMCAS essay responses on the UCSF MSTP application. You will also need to submit confidential letters of reference on your behalf directly to the Medical School Admissions Office. The MSTP is especially interested in hearing from your past research advisors and others who can comment on your aptitude for laboratory science. You do not need to send any letters of recommendation to the MSTP office; all letters of recommendation are to be sent directly to the SOM's Admissions Office.
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Interviewing
Your secondary application will be reviewed independently by the Medical School and the MSTP. If chosen for an MSTP interview, you will be invited to visit San Francisco for one day of medical school interviews and orientation, followed by a second day of interviews with the MSTP. Our MSTP interview process includes individual meetings with two faculty from our MSTP Council and with two other graduate faculty whose research interests are similar to your own. You will be asked to submit a list of 10 graduate faculty who you are interested in meeting with while you are here. You will also meet with our Administrative Director and with current MSTP students, who will be happy to answer your questions about the MSTP and about life in San Francisco.
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Admissions
Criteria for MSTP admission include prior academic performance, documented experience in laboratory-based investigation, and commitment to a career in biomedical research. We interview approximately 70 applicants and enroll 12 new MSTP trainees each year. Successful applicants are typically notified in March. We complete the admissions process on May 15th, and require our newly accepted students to withdraw from all other institutions by this date.
Students who apply to the MSTP but are not offered a position nevertheless receive full consideration for admission to the medical school, if they request this on their application. UCSF strongly encourages all medical students to pursue their interests in research, and provides many avenues for doing so, including the option of applying to the MSTP after one or more years of medical school.
Our 06/07 application stats
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NIH GRADUATE PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP (GPP): Please note that the UCSF MSTP is currently not participating in this partnership.
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