Admission
Requirements
for Entrance
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine seeks students with a strong
background in both science and the liberal arts who will have the
baccalaureate degree before matriculation. The Medical College Admission
Test (MCAT) is required and used along with other observations to
predict success in preclinical course work.
Applicants must present evidence of having satisfactorily completed
the minimum requirements listed below. A semester hour is the credit
value of sixteen weeks of work consisting of one hour of lecture or
recitation or at least two hours of laboratory.
Biology. Eight semester hours, including laboratory, in either
general biology, zoology, or molecular biology. Courses should deal
with the structure and function of living organisms at the cellular
and molecular level.
Chemistry. A minimum of 16 semester hours, 8 in general inorganic
chemistry, including laboratory, and 8 in organic chemistry, covering
aliphatic and aromatic compounds and including laboratory.
While a year of inorganic chemistry is designated, Vanderbilt will
accept the additional 8 hours with lab in an upper level chemistry
course(s) other than organic, especially if the student has placed
out of the entry level course.
English and Composition. Six semester hours.
Physics. Eight semester hours, including laboratory. Quantitative
laboratory work should be emphasized.
Advanced placement credits and pass/fail credits are not acceptable
in lieu of science requirements. Advanced courses in the same discipline
may be substituted for the traditional requirements when the applicant
has placed out of the entry level course.
The faculty of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine recognizes
its responsibility to present candidates for the M.D. degree who have
the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical
situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. Candidates
for the M.D. degree will ordinarily have the broad preliminary preparation
to enter postgraduate medical education in any of the diverse specialties
of medicine. All candidates for admission must possess sufficient
intellectual ability, emotional stability, and sensory and motor function
to meet the academic requirements of the School of Medicine without
fundamental alteration in the nature of this program. The Assistant
Dean, in consultation with the Admissions Committee of the School
of Medicine, is responsible for interpreting these technical standards
as they might apply to an individual applicant to the School of Medicine.
Recommendations for Entrance
A broad experience in non-science courses is encouraged, especially
experience beyond the introductory course level in areas such as English,
the humanities, the arts, and the social and behavioral sciences.
A major in non-science courses does not affect selection.
Selection Factors
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) seeks to matriculate
a diverse group of academically exceptional students whose attributes
and accomplishments suggest that they will be future leaders and/or
scholars in medicine. To accomplish this goal, VUSM provides a review
of each candidate by multiple members of the faculty who are broadly
representative of the faculty body. The committee uses a holistic
approach to evaluate an array of applicant attributes, including academic
excellence, personal characteristics, accomplishments in research,
leadership, service to others, contribution to diversity (gender,
race, ethnicity, sexual preference, socio-economic background, geographic
origin), and participation in extracurricular activities.
Medical College Admission Test
The Medical College Admission Test is given under the auspices of
the Association of American Medical Colleges and is required of applicants
to Vanderbilt. It is given twice a year at most universities and colleges.
Since the examination score is used by medical schools in the selection
of applicants, candidates should take the test in the spring prior
to the time application is submitted, if possible. Results of the
fall examination are acceptable, but will delay review of the application.
Application Procedure for Admission
As a convenience to the applicant, Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine participates in the American Medical College Application
Service. All application materials may be obtained on-line through
AMCAS by going to http://aamc.org. AMCAS applications are screened
by four faculty screening committees in order to select applicants
for interview. Interviews are conducted at Vanderbilt between
the third week of August and March. Interviewers consist of 50 faculty
trained in interviewing techniques.
The Committee on Admissions evaluates the initial application received
through the application service. Applicants receiving a favorable
initial review are invited to be interviewed and to request letters
of evaluation. Applications are received on-line by AMCAS any time
after 1 June and before 15 November preceding an anticipated
fall semester enrollment date. Vanderbilt participates in the
Early Decision Program through the American Medical College Application
Service.
One of the dual degree programs, the combined M.D./Ph.D. program is
designed to develop investigators and teachers in the clinical and
basic medical sciences. Students in the program have the opportunity
to study a basic biomedical science in depth and to do research in
some aspect of that subject while concurrently pursuing studies leading
to the medical degree. This training develops the skills and techniques
necessary for an experimental approach to problems in basic and clinical
medical sciences. The program is designed for students aspiring toward
careers in academic medicine and medical research.
The M.D./Ph.D. program fully meets the Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine requirements for the Doctor of Medicine degree and Vanderbilt
University Graduate School requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy
degree. The combined degree program usually requires seven calendar
years beyond the baccalaureate for completion. Although some saving
of time is built into the program, there is no implication that the
combined degree program circumvents, alters, or dilutes requirements
for either the M.D. or the Ph.D. The intent is to profit optimally
from the strengths of each school.
Admission to the Program
Those applying to the M.D./Ph.D. program should indicate such on the
AMCAS application to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and
complete the Medical Scientist Training Program secondary application
to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Applications to the program
are reviewed by the Faculty Advisory Committee for the Medical Scientist
Training Program Committee. Applicants must be accepted into Vanderbilt
University School of Medicine and into Vanderbilt University Graduate
School upon recommendation of the Medical Scientist Training Program
Committee. In exceptional circumstances, late applications to the
program will be received from applicants who have already been accepted
into the medical school. Students who have completed no more than
two years in medical school may also apply for admission to the combined
degree program.
Upon enrollment in the M.D./Ph.D. program, students are assigned to
faculty and student advisers. During their first semester, they become
familiar with Ph.D. study and research activities of the affiliated
graduate programs: Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences,
Biomedical Engineering, Cancer Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology,
Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics,
Neuroscience, Pathology, and Pharmacology.
Following the orientation program, but before the end of their second
year in medical school, M.D./Ph.D. students must select and be accepted
into the graduate program of an affiliated department or program.
M.D./Ph.D. students work closely with their assigned faculty and student
advisers in all matters related to enrollment, registration, course
selection, and scheduling. The usual course of study is divided into
several phases.
Medical
Scientist Training Program
The first
phase consists of the first two years of medical school, devoted largely
to the basic biomedical sciences. Students then enter the graduate
school (Ph.D.) phase of the program after the second year of medical
school. During this second phase, the student meets the Graduate School
requirements for the completion of the Ph.D. degree. The third phase
consists of the core clinical clerkships of the third year and the
elective and selective clinical rotations of the fourth year of medical
school.
Requirements for the Ph.D. degree are set out in detail in the Bulletin
of Vanderbilt University: Graduate School Catalog. Briefly stated,
Ph.D. students must complete 72 hours of graduate work for credit,
of which a minimum of 24 hours is required in formal course and seminar
work. Ph.D. students must also complete a qualifying examination to
test their knowledge of their field of specialization and present
an acceptable dissertation in the major field of study.
M.D./Ph.D. students are encouraged to begin courses for graduate school
credit and to select a preceptor to supervise their dissertation research
as soon as possible. Enrollment in the program begins in late June
in the summer prior to matriculation in the first year School of Medicine
class. Certain Graduate School courses may be taken as part of the
elective program in the School of Medicine and be applied toward formal
course work requirements for the Ph.D. degree. The M.D./Ph.D. student
must be officially enrolled in any one semester in either or both
the Medical and Graduate schools to ensure appropriate assignment
of credits. Students must complete all course work and the research,
writing, and defense of the Ph.D. dissertation before entering the
third phase of the program.
Financial Support
Special funding (tuition and stipend) is available for those who gain
admission to the Medical Scientist Training (M.D./Ph.D.) Program.
The limitations of financial support create a competitive situation
in the selection process. Candidates are urged to submit their application
to the M.D./Ph.D. program as early as possible. In accepting financial
support for the program, the student agrees to promote primary effort
to M.D./Ph.D. studies, and further agrees not to undertake concurrently
any other gainful employment or effort without formal approval of
the Medical Scientist Training Program Committee and the Medical School
officers responsible for the M.D./Ph.D. program.
In general, financial support is arranged by mutual agreement of the
Medical Scientist Training Program Committee, the Dean of the Medical
School and, in certain instances, the chair of the graduate department
involved. Various sources of funds are available with different restrictions,
obligations, and levels of support. Some potential sources for support
available to the student include the following:
Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Scholarship Programs.
Currently there are several sources of funding available in support
of the scholarship awards, a privately endowed program and a special
allocation of funds by the School of Medicine. These programs pay
tuition and fees and provide a competitive stipend. Once awarded,
support from these scholarships will continue, contingent upon satisfactory
performance, until the M.D. degree is awarded.
National Research Service Award. Financial support is available
through an institutional grant awarded to Vanderbilt University Medical
School by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The
support pays tuition at the current level, provides a stipend (plus
a Medical School supplement) per year, and includes funds for fees
and related expenses. As with all federal funding, support is guaranteed
for only one year at a time, since all federal funds are reviewed
and funded annually. Generally, funds are renewed and support is continued.
Departmental Support. Limited resources are available through
graduate departments. Tuition awards are available as well as some
stipend support either from federal training grants or research funds.
Interested students should request from their faculty adviser or department
chair specific information on the availability of this type of support.
Personal Support. This refers to the student’s own resources
or sources of funds. Approved students for the Medical Scientist Training
Program who do not receive financial support from any of the above
sources may remain in the joint program at their own expense. Although
not guaranteed, financial support can usually be obtained for the
graduate phase of the M.D./Ph.D. program.
Other
Joint Degree Programs
M.D./J.D.
Joint Degree Program
This describes the features of a joint M.D./J.D. degree. Such a degree,
with its potential to attract outstanding students to both programs,
will benefit both the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and
Vanderbilt Law School. It offers an excellent opportunity to enhance
the collaboration between these two programs.
Students must apply to each program separately and be accepted by
both programs to pursue the joint degree. Ideally, students will apply
for joint degree status before enrolling in either program. However,
medical students may elect to apply for admission to the joint degree
program at any time during their first three years in the medical
school. Law students who apply to the medical school during their
first year in the law program may also be considered for the joint
degree.
Joint degree students will complete both degrees in six years, saving
one year in school, as medical school ordinarily takes four years
and law school takes three.
M.D./M.S. in Biomedical Engineering
This describes the features of a joint M.D./M.S. program in biomedical
engineering degree. Such a degree, with its potential to attract outstanding
students to both programs, will benefit both the Vanderbilt University
School of Medicine and Vanderbilt’s Biomedical Engineering Department
in the School of Engineering. It offers an excellent opportunity to
enhance the collaboration between these two programs.
Students must apply to each program separately and be accepted by
both programs to pursue the joint degrees. Ideally, students will
apply for joint degree status before enrolling in either program.
However, medical students may elect to apply for admission to the
joint degree program at any time during their first three years in
the medical school.
Joint degree students will complete both degrees in five years, saving
one year in school, since ordinarily medical school takes four years
and the M.S. in biomedical engineering two years.
M.D./M.S. in Biomedical Informatics
This describes the features of a joint M.D./M.S. program in biomedical
informatics program. Such a degree program, with its potential to
attract outstanding students to both schools, will benefit both the
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Vanderbilt’s Biomedical
Informatics Department. It offers an excellent opportunity to enhance
the collaboration between these two programs.
Students will apply to each program separately and must be accepted
by both programs to pursue the joint degree. Ideally, students will
apply for joint degree status prior to enrolling in either program.
However, medical students may elect to apply for admission to the
joint degree program at any time during their first three years in
the medical school.
Joint degree students will complete both degrees in six years, saving
one-half year in school, since medical school ordinarily takes four
years and the M.S. in biomedical informatics two and one-half years.
M.D./M.Div. and M.D./M.T.S.
This describes the features of joint degrees of the Medical School
and the Divinity School. The M.D./M.Div. and M.D./M.T.S. degrees represent
the Medical Doctorate and the Master of Divinity and Master of Theological
Studies. These joint degree programs provide the potential to attract
outstanding students to both schools and will benefit both the Vanderbilt
University School of Medicine and Vanderbilt Divinity School. This
offers an excellent opportunity to enhance the collaboration between
these two schools.
Students must apply to each school separately and be accepted by both
to pursue the joint degree. Ideally, students will apply for joint
degree status before enrolling in either program. However, medical
students may elect to apply for admission to the joint degree program
at any time during their first three years in the medical school.
Divinity students who apply to the medical school during their first
year in the divinity program may also be considered for the joint
degree.
Students with interest in medical and divinity degrees will have the
opportunity to enroll in one of two joint degree programs.
The M.D./M.Div. (M.D./Master of Divinity) joint degree program will
take a total of six years for completion. This saves one year as the
M.D. degree ordinarily takes four years and the Master of Divinity
takes three. The Master of Divinity is a professional degree and prepares
students for the practice of ministry. This program has a required
field education component as part of the Master of Divinity degree
requirements. In this program, students will carry 15 credit hours
per semester while in the Divinity School.
M.D./M.S. in Computer Science
This describes the features of a joint M.D./M.S. in computer science
degree program. Such a degree program, with its potential to attract
outstanding students to both schools, will benefit both the Vanderbilt
University School of Medicine and Vanderbilt’s Computer Science
Program in the School of Engineering. It offers an excellent opportunity
to enhance the collaboration between these two schools.
Students must apply to each program separately and be accepted by
both programs to pursue the joint degrees. Students must meet requirements
of each program for admission. Ideally, students will apply for joint
degree status prior to enrolling in either program. However, medical
students may elect to apply for admission to the joint degree program
at any time during their first three years in the medical school.
Joint degree students will complete both degrees in five years, saving
one year in school, since medical school ordinarily takes four years
and the computer science program two years.
M.D./M.Ed. Program
This describes the features of a joint degree program leading to completion
of both the M.D. and M.Ed. degrees in five years. Such a program,
with its potential to attract outstanding students, would benefit
both the School of Medicine and Peabody College of Education and Human
Development. It offers an excellent opportunity to enhance the collaboration
between these two schools.
Education is an integral part of medicine. The word doctor comes from
the Greek and means teacher. Whether a student chooses a career in
research or clinical practice, there always will be a need to teach
students, patients, and colleagues. Students who choose this program
may be interested in patient education or in a career in an academic
center working in medical education. They also may be interested in
leadership positions at the national level that interface with health
policy and education. Education will be a large part of prevention
in future medical practice.
Students must apply to the M.D. and M.Ed. programs separately and
be accepted by both programs to pursue the joint degree. Ideally,
students will apply for joint degree status before enrolling in either
program. However, medical students may elect to apply for admission
to the joint degree program at any time during their first three years
in the School of Medicine. Peabody students may apply for admission
to the M.D. program during their first year in the master’s program.
Joint degree students will complete both degrees in five years, saving
on year in school, as medical school ordinarily takes four years and
the Peabody program two years.
M.D./M.P.H. Program
This describes the features of joint the M.D./M.P.H. degree program.
Such a program, with its potential to attract outstanding students
interested in public health and medicine, will benefit the educational
program of the School of Medicine.
Students must apply to each program separately and be accepted by
both programs to pursue the joint degree. Medical students may elect
to apply for admission to the joint degree program at any time during
their first three years in the medical school. An important component
of the M.P.H. program is a mentored research investigation, which
assumes a degree of student independence typically associated with
fellowship or junior faculty status. Thus, acceptance into the M.P.H.
program will be restricted to students who exhibit this capacity and
will require pre-identification of a qualified faculty member willing
to serve as the student’s mentor.
Joint degree students will complete both degrees in five years, saving
one year in school, since medical school ordinarily takes four years
and the M.P.H. program two years.
M.D./M.B.A. Program
This describes the features of a joint M.D./M.B.A. degree program.
Such a program, with its potential to attract outstanding students
to both schools, will benefit both the Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine and Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management.
It offers an excellent opportunity to enhance the collaboration between
these two programs.
Students must apply to each program separately and be accepted by
both programs to pursue the joint degree. Ideally, students will apply
for joint degree status prior to enrolling in either program. However,
medical students may elect to apply for admission to the joint degree
program at any time during their first three years in the medical
school. Owen students who apply to the medical school during their
first year in the M.B.A. program may also be considered for the joint
degree program.
Joint degree students will complete both degrees in five years, saving
one year in school, since medical school ordinarily takes four years
and the Owen program two years. The first three years are spent in
medical school. Students spend their fourth year at the Owen School
and then spend the fall semester of year five in medical school and
the spring semester of year five at the Owen School.
Single
Degree Programs
The
Master of Science in Clinical Investigation Program (M.S.C.I.)
The Master of Science in Clinical Investigation program provides direct,
mentored experience in clinical investigation and, through didactic
work, provides trainees with a strong foundation in study design,
biostatistics, biomedical ethics, clinical pharmacology, human genetics
and assay methods. It is expected that graduates of this program will
compete successfully for grants such as the K23, KO8, and R01. These
graduates will be poised to make major contributions to our understanding
of the pathophysiology and treatment of human disease over the coming
decades.
Typical candidates for the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation
program are physicians who have completed the clinical requirements
for Board eligibility in their primary specialty. Full time Vanderbilt
faculty members may also apply to the program with the consent of
their department chair. Post-doctoral Ph.D.s who anticipate a career
in patient-oriented research will also be considered.
Candidates will be asked to submit an application that will include
biographical information, references, career goals, and a specific
proposal for a patient-oriented research project. The research proposal
must identify the candidate’s proposed mentor. Applications will
be judged on the quality of the science proposed, on the commitment
of the mentor to the career development of the candidate, and on the
overall impact of the training program on the applicant’s career
development
For more information, visit our Web site at www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/msci
The Master of Public Health Program
The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program is a two-year program
offered by the School of Medicine for physicians and other doctoral-level
health care professionals. The primary objective of the program is
to provide training for clinical and patient-oriented researchers
who will conduct non-experimental studies or clinical trials with
large sample sizes. The M.P.H. includes didactic course work and mentored
research, the latter resulting in a thesis.
The M.P.H. program is open to physicians who have completed their
residency training or other health care professionals at a comparable
level. Normally, applicants will be clinical research fellows or faculty
who seek training for a future career in epidemiologic, clinical,
or health services research or health administration.
A five-year joint M.D./M.P.H. degree is offered for students interested
in acquiring tools needed to conceptualize and conduct studies using
the methods accepted by the premiere medical journals. Students in
the joint degree program apply separately to the M.P.H. program and
the M.D. program and must demonstrate a level of independence typically
associated with fellowship or junior faculty status.
For more information, visit our Web site at www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/prevmed/mph/Pages/Program.html
Doctor of Audiology
The Au.D. is a four-year post-baccalaureate degree and will replace
the currently offered Master of Science degree as the requirement
for the entry-level practitioner of audiology. The Doctor of Philosophy
will continue to be offered to students interested in becoming teacher/investigators.
The Vanderbilt Audiology Program will help ensure that Vanderbilt
continues to provide excellence in its efforts to meet the increasing
national demand for high quality professionals educated in the profession
of audiology and to contribute to the improvement of hearing health
care. The program will pursue excellence by recruiting the very best
students, exposing these students to nationally recognized faculty,
and offering these students unique and varied clinical experiences
and special research opportunities.
Audiology is a relatively new health care profession concerned with
the study, assessment, and treatment of both normal and disordered
hearing in children and adults. The term audiologist typically refers
to a hearing health care professional involved in the prevention,
identification, and evaluation of hearing disorders, the selection
and evaluation of amplification, and the habilitation/rehabilitation
of individuals with hearing impairment.
For further information, visit our Web site at www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/VanderbiltBillWilkersonCenter/AuD.html
Master of Laboratory Science
The Master of Laboratory Science program is a two-year program offered
by the School of Medicine for Vanderbilt or Meharry staff who have
a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of
2.5, have six months to one year of residency at VUMC or Meharry in
a research laboratory, and who are nominated by the faculty mentor
in whose lab they work with a strong letter of support.
The mission of the Master of Laboratory Science program is to provide
a stronger academic base of knowledge for research personnel who will
continue to work in an academic research environment; to foster the
professional growth and increase the intellectual investment of the
research assistant in the laboratory; and to improve the career growth
potentials of our brightest and most qualified young researchers who
do not wish to develop the full independent potential of the Ph.D.
For more information, visit our Web site at http://medschool.mc.vanderbilt.edu/
mls/index.php
Master of Science Degree in Medical Physics
Medical Physics is an applied branch of physics devoted to the application
of concepts and methods from physics to the diagnosis and treatment
of human disease. Medical physicists are concerned with three primary
areas of activity: clinical service and consultation, research and
development, and teaching. Clinically, medical physicists are called
upon to contribute scientific advice and resources to solve physical
problems arising in radiological medical physics. Medical physics
research typically involves the development of new instrumentation
and technology, the development of new medical diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures, and tests using existing technologies. Historically, this
type of activity has been primarily in radiological imaging and radiation
oncology, but now has a growing breadth of involvement throughout
medicine. Many medical physicists not only provide clinical service,
but also have faculty appointments at universities and colleges and
are responsible for teaching future medical physicists, resident physicians,
medical students, and hospital technical staff.
Vanderbilt University offers the Master of Science degree in Medical
Physics with specialty in Radiological Medical Physics This interdisciplinary
program is administered through the Departments of Radiation Oncology
and Radiology and Radiological Sciences in the School of Medicine,
and involves faculty and courses from the Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Department
of Radiation Oncology, College of Arts and Science, Department of
Physics and Astronomy, Department of Mathematics, and School of Engineering:
Biomedical Engineering.
For more information, visit our Web site at www.vanderbilt.edu/msmp/
Visiting
Medical Students
Visiting
student status may be afforded students from medical schools accredited
by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or from a limited number
of foreign schools with which Vanderbilt maintains exchange programs.
Visiting students from osteopathic medical schools must request an
application from the department in which they wish to do course work
(if class space is available) and gain departmental approval before
being considered by the Office of Student Records.
Visiting students are permitted registration for course work in the
medical school (if class space is available) with approval of the
appropriate department and with concurrence of the course instructor
and the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Visiting students must
present evidence of adequate professional liability coverage and health
insurance coverage and pay a registration fee when registering for
course work. Completed applications must be received in the Office
of Student Records at least eight weeks before the start date of the
course. Upon arrival at Vanderbilt School of Medicine, all visiting
students are required to take part in an orientation, including a
Bloodborne Pathogen Training Session. Since visiting students have
no status for credit as Vanderbilt medical students, they are not
issued credit from Vanderbilt for their experience, nor do they establish
a medical-school-based record at Vanderbilt. The normal opportunities
and prerogatives of regularly enrolled medical students are not available
to visiting students. The visiting student is subject to all regulations
of the University as well as to any special regulations relating to
visiting student status as determined by the department, the course
instructor, or the Dean or the Dean’s deputy.
