FAQs

What type of research training is supported by the program?
Students are able to perform their research within any of the graduate groups at Penn. Most work with faculty in one of the Biomedical Graduate Groups.

How do I choose a thesis laboratory?
Students choose a thesis lab based on research rotations performed with faculty within their graduate group. Rotations are usually performed during the summers of the first two to three years of the program. Advising is provided for finding a thesis laboratory, but considerable information on potential thesis laboratories can be found from the graduate group web sites.

Is funding available for VMD-PhD students?
Students admitted into the program are provided with Veterinary School and Graduate School tuition and fees, student health insurance, and a graduate level stipend.

How long does the program take to complete?
The program usually takes 7-8 years to complete. The most variable time period is the PhD thesis research phase. We are committed to providing students with training that is completed in as short of a period as possible. However, we do not believe that an abbreviated PhD thesis training period best prepares our students for the future.

What are the areas of PhD study in the program?
Most students perform their research in one of the Biomedical Graduate Groups:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (62 faculty)
• Cell and Molecular Biology:
• Cell Biology and Physiology (51 faculty)
• Cell Growth and Cancer (46 faculty)
• Developmental Biology (35 faculty)
• Gene Therapy and Vaccines (25 faculty)
• Genetics and Gene Regulation (53 faculty)
• Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology (61 faculty)
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics (60 faculty)
• Genomics and Computational Biology (50 faculty)
• Immunology (81 faculty)
• Neuroscience (89 faculty)
• Pharmacology (67 faculty)
• Biology (31 faculty)
• Bioengineering (52 faculty)

For additional information on the type of research performed by the faculty in these groups go to: http://www.med.upenn.edu/bgs/

Do graduates continue to do clinical work?
Many graduates continue to perform clinical medicine in conjunction with their research programs.

What are some of the career opportunities post-graduation?
Graduates of the program are qualified for a huge diversity of career opportunities. These opportunities include employment at Academic Institutions, within the Biotechnology or the Pharmaceutical Industries, at Government Health and Science Agencies, within the fields of Public Health and Emerging Diseases, in the area of Regulatory Medicine, in Contract Research, in Military Service, in Clinical Research, and in Clinical Practice. The wealth of opportunities is endless.

How do I apply?
To apply to the VMD-PhD program, two applications are needed: the Combined Degree program application, and the Vet School application. The combined degree application is due November 15 of each year for admission the following Fall. It can be submitted on-line at our web site, or from the Vet School application page. The Vet School application is due October 1 of each year for admission the following Fall.

What are the criteria for admission?
The criteria that go into admissions considerations for the VMD-PhD program are:

1. Undergraduate GPA: There are no cut-offs, but obviously the higher the better. Average GPA of recent matriculates is 3.7 (range 3.3 to 4.0)
2. GRE scores: Again, there are no cut-offs, but the higher the better. Average verbal and quantitative GREs of recent matriculates are 640 and 730, respectively (range 500-760 and 570-800).
3. Research experience: It is imperative to have considerable research experience. Students usually have multiple, in-depth research experiences.
4. Letters of recommendation: The most important letters are from those who have seen your research skills up close.
5. Interviews: During interviews, applicants meet with Penn faculty and discuss their past experiences and future goals. Applicants also meet with current students in the program.
6. Goodness of fit: Can the program deliver the training to achieve your goals?

What sort of research experience is needed for admission?
Most students have multiple in-depth research experiences.

How competitive is the admissions process?
The process is highly competitive. Currently 10-15% of applicants are offered admission.

Are foreign applicants eligible for the program?
Yes.

Can I apply to the VMD-PhD program after admission to Vet School?
Yes, students can apply after enrollment at the School of Veterinary Medicine, or after enrollment in one of Penn’s Biomedical Graduate Groups.

Where do I find out about faculty research interests?
Go to http://med.upenn.edu/bgs/.

How is the curriculum organized in the VMD-PhD program?
VMD and PhD studies are interwoven throughout the program. Students perform their veterinary training at the School of Veterinary Medicine, and their PhD training usually in one of the 9 Biomedical Graduate Groups. Students typically begin with the core basic science veterinary curriculum in the first 2-2.5 years. This provides a solid foundation in medically-relevant biomedical science. Over the next year, students generally complete their PhD coursework in the Graduate Group of their choice. Students are able to join any graduate group within the University giving them them over 500 thesis laboratories to choose from. During the first 2-3 years, students perform laboratory rotations with faculty in their graduate group to identify the laboratory and thesis mentor for their PhD thesis research. Students then perform full time thesis research until their project is completed. This generally takes about 3 years. A clinical connections program is in place to enable students to maintain their clinical skills during thesis research years. The program concludes with veterinary clinical requirements and students receive VMD and PhD degrees concurrently.

Sample Curriculum

• Year 1: Full time Vet School curriculum, 1-2 graduate courses, first laboratory rotation
• Year 2: Full time Vet School curriculum, 1-2 graduate courses, second laboratory rotation
• Year 3: Complete Vet Core courses, Complete Graduate courses, Preliminary Examination, Third Laboratory Rotation
• Year 4 and beyond: Thesis research, Clinical connections program, Retreats, Seminars
• Final Year: Defend PhD thesis, Clinical Rotations, Graduate

Can I apply separately to PhD programs at Penn?
Yes, students can apply separately to the Penn graduate programs. However, admission separately to the Vet School and separately to a Penn Graduate Group does not constitute admission into the combined degree program.