Make a Gift

MD/PHD ADMISSION

SELECTION CRITERIA

How We Evaluate Future Physicians/Scientists

Selection criteria include academic credentials; personal traits; career objectives; and the individual’s ability to make a positive contribution to society, the profession, the discipline, and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

What We Look For

Our Admission Committee evaluates each application through a comprehensive, individualized review.

  • Undergraduate and graduate academic performance, including GPA, rigor of undergraduate study, university attended, and academic major
  • MCAT scores
  • Extracurricular activities, including community service, leadership roles, honors and awards, employment, research experience, and unique accomplishments
  • Capacity to contribute diversity to the educational environment
  • Demonstrated commitment to and motivation for a future career in medicine
  • Personal statement describing the applicant’s individual, educational, and social backgrounds, and response to unique challenges
  • Character traits, including honesty, integrity, leadership, teamwork, empathy, maturity, emotional stability, creativity, ability to communicate with others, and self-direction
  • Perseverance through adversity
  • Motivation for the MD/PhD dual degree program
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) is used to support decision-making during the admission process

It is in the best interest of the community, as well as the educational environment at the Zucker School of Medicine, for the Admission Committee to select a class whose members represent a broad range of experiences, backgrounds, and interests.

This may include, but is not limited to:

  • Interest in working with underserved populations of patients
  • Interest in different medical specialties
  • Socioeconomic background
  • Educational background
  • Professional background
  • Geographic background
  • Status as first-generation college student
  • Age
  • Gender
A man in a suit speaks at the front of a classroom while students listen and take notes on laptops.

Technical Standards

For additional information about the Zucker School of Medicine’s technical standards, please see our 

Technical Standards Non-Academic Standards for PhD Students
A doctor in blue scrubs smiles while talking to two women at his office desk. An open book lies on the table, and framed photos hang on the wall in the background.
WE’RE HERE
TO HELP
TO GUIDE
TO SUPPORT

Have general questions about admission? Our team is here for you at every step.

Contact