Application Procedure

Admission to the Medical Scientist Program (MSP) can be made through one application process. This is initiated through the American Medical College Applications Service (AMCAS). To apply to the MSP you should designate The Ohio State University on the electronic AMCAS application, and select Combined Medical Degree/Ph.D. Later you will receive an e-mail from the College of Medicine directing you to the web-based secondary application which also serves as your application to the MSP and to graduate school.

In addition to the above you must also submit the following:

• Transcripts
  -You must submit at least two original sets of transcripts from each college or university attended listing all courses and grades in which you were previously enrolled. One set must be sent to OSU Graduate Admissions (see address below), and the other(s) to the graduate program(s) to which you apply.

Application deadlines
AMCAS applications will be accepted starting June 1st until November 1st of the year prior to anticipated matriculation. No applications are accepted by AMCAS after November 1st. The Ohio State University secondary application forms are due 30 days after receipt. As the final deadline for the OSU fellowship competition is in January, early application is strongly encouraged.

Admission credentials are:
1. Completed AMCAS application.
2. The College of Medicine and Public Health secondary application form.
3. At least four letters of recommendation. Two should address the applicant’s research experience and potential. Two others should be from teachers or professors who have taught and graded the applicant. All of these should be sent to the OSU College of Medicine Office of Admissions. A Graduate Reference Form must accompany each of these letters of recommendation in order to be considered for a University Fellowship. In addition to these four letters, some graduate programs require additional letters. Check the requirements for each specific graduate program to which you apply.
4. To be nominated for a University Fellowship, an official transcript from each college or university attended listing all courses and grades must be received by the office of the nominating graduate program no later than January 15.
5. Other forms and materials as required by the College or University Admissions Offices.


Evaluation Process and Interview Dates

The Medical Scientist Program Admissions Committee will conduct a preliminary evaluation of the candidate’s application materials in accordance with competitive admission standards. Applicants selected by this committee for an interview will be contacted by the MSP office, and an interview arranged for one of the following interview sessions for 2008-09: January 15-17 and January 29-31. During this visitation day the applicant will meet with MD/PhD students and representatives of the admissions committees from the medical school, MSP, and the graduate program of choice, usually either the Integrated Biomedical Science Graduate Program (IBGP), Biomedical Engineering (BME) or Neuroscience (NGSP). The Medical Scientist Program and the admissions office of the college and the university will notify candidates selected for admission. Candidates holding acceptances to other schools are expected to make a choice promptly, in fairness to other applicants. Those holding multiple acceptances should make a decision by April 15th.

Evaluation Criteria
Admission to the MSP requires an undergraduate degree that demonstrates competence in courses related to one of the following three areas: (1) Natural Sciences (biology, chemistry and biological chemistry); (2) Biomedical Engineering; or (3) Biomedical Informatics. Applicants who intend to apply to the Integrated Biomedical Science Graduate Program (IBGP) should have had courses that include most of the following: general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, general biology physiology, genetics, physics, and calculus. The MSP and the IBGP will accept results of MCATs in lieu of the GRE for admission to the MSP, but some graduate programs may still require the GRE. An earned cumulative grade-point average (GPA) equivalent to at least 3.0 out of 4.0 in all previous undergraduate college-level course work is required by the OSU Graduate School, but considerably higher scores will be required to gain admission to the MSP. Students should apply to be admitted for the summer quarter, but exceptions can be made.

A student is selected based on:
1. Previous academic record;
2. Research experience;
3. Biographical statement that explains why the applicant wants to pursue a combined MD/PhD;
4. Four letters of recommendation, at least two of which should address the applicants previous research experience and potential for a research career;
5. MCAT scores;
6. Personal interviews.
Although all of these criteria are taken into account, particular emphasis is placed on research experience.

As is expected of all applicants to the College of Medicine and Public Health, these individuals must possess the personal attributes of self-motivation, compassion, integrity, and interpersonal skills as well as the intellectual, physical, and emotional capacities to master the medical curriculum. Candidates must possess high ethical standards, especially honesty and concern for others. Candidates must be free of substance abuse, addictions, and violent behaviors, and must possess the skills required to practice direct patient care.

Medical Scientist Program Contacts
Interested students should contact members of the MSP faculty, Ashley Bertran, Program Coordinator, or the Program Director, Allan J. Yates, MD, PhD, at any time for discussions of the various research and study programs and opportunities. Application materials for graduate school may be obtained on-line at http://gradapply.osu.edu/.

The Medical Scientist Program
1190 Graves Hall, 333 West 10th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210-1238
Phone: (614) 292-7790
Fax: (614) 292-6226

Office of Graduate Admissions
310 Lincoln Tower
1800 Cannon Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Telephone: (614)-292-9444

OSU College of Medicine Office of Admissions
209 Meiling Hall
370 West 9th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Telephone (614)-292-5674

Integrated Biomedical Science Graduate Program
Admission to the Integrated Biomedical Science Graduate Program (IBGP) requires an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences that demonstrates competence in the areas of biology, chemistry, and biological chemistry. Applicants should have had courses that include most of the following: general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, general biology, physiology, genetics, physics, and calculus. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is desirable, but MCAT results can substitute for these. Information on the GRE can be obtained online at: www.gre.org. An earned cumulative grade-point average (GPA) equivalent to at least 3.0 out of 4.0 in all previous undergraduate college-level course work, or 3.3 in all graduate course work is required.

Students should apply to be admitted for the summer quarter, but exceptions can be made. Students are selected based on their previous academic record, a biographical statement, three letters of recommendation (those submitted to the College of Medicine Office of Admissions are acceptable), GRE and/or MCAT scores, and a personal interview. Previous research experience is given a high priority by the admissions committee. In exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the program’s graduate studies committee, the interview may be conducted by telephone, but all of the interview will be in English. Foreign students are required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. As the final deadline for the OSU fellowship competition is in January, early application is encouraged. A special effort is made to recruit minority students and women. As a policy, the graduate program will only admit students who have guaranteed funding for at least the first year of study. This funding could be from the Integrated Biomedical Science Graduate Program, Graduate Advisors, or individually arranged support, such as from a home government of an international applicant. Support for subsequent years is the responsibility of the student’s Dissertation Advisor. Application materials for the graduate program may be obtained from the Office of Admissions, The Ohio State University, 3rd Floor Lincoln Tower, 1800 Cannon Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210 or apply online at http://gradapply.osu.edu/.

Integrated Biomedical Science Graduate Program

Christine Kerr
Room 1190 Graves Hall
333 West 10th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Telephone 614-292-0857
FAX: 614-292-6226
email: christine.kerr@osumc.edu

Biomedical Engineering
Admission to The Ohio State University Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program is based on several factors. These include:

1. An earned baccalaureate or professional degree from an accredited college or university by the expected date of entry into the program. Students who have not completed a Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline will be expected to take the courses necessary to acquire an appropriate engineering background. This requirement generally increases the time needed for the student to obtain a degree..

2. A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative point-hour ratio or GPA (on the 4.0 scale as used at this university) in all previous undergraduate work. Although this is the minimum for consideration by the BMEGSC (whose approval is necessary for admission into the program), prospective students should be aware that the average GPA of admitted students is 3.5.

3. A minimum of 3.0 cumulative point-hour ratio or GPA (on the 4.0 scale as used at this university) in all previous graduate work. As above, this is the GPA required for an applicant to be considered for admission. Applicants for the PhD program are expected to have earned a higher cumulative point-hour ratio than is expected of applicants for the MS degree.

4. A minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This requirement applies to applicants from countries where the first language is not English, unless a degree has been earned in an English-speaking country.

5. The general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required.

6. Research ability must be demonstrated by applicants for the PhD program as evidenced by a Master's thesis/project or published work. The requirement may be waived for students whose undergraduate records are exceptional; such students are accepted directly into the PhD program.

Previously enrolled students who have not been enrolled in the Graduate School for more than two years must submit a petition to the BMEGSC for permission to re-enroll in the program. Each case will be judged on its individual merit.

For information on study at the Ohio State Biomedical Engineering Center, please contact the Graduate Studies Secretary at senitko.1@osu.edu.

Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program

Melanie Senitko
Graduate Studies Office
260 Bevis Hall
1080 Carmack Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-7152
email: senitko.1@osu.edu

Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program

Keri Bantz
Graduate Studies Office
4072 Graves Hall
333 West 10th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
email: keri.bantz@osumc.edu