Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

Requirements

The following are minimal academic requirements for all applicants to the MSTP. None of these requirements can be waived for any candidate, and failure to comply will result in withdrawal from consideration or rescission of acceptance on grounds of ineligibility. In addition, all accepted applicants must confirm that they are able to fulfill the Technical Standards described below.

All applicants for the 2025 entering class must take the MCATs after April 2021. For example, for applicants applying in 2024 (for the 2025 entering class)the oldest set of scores acceptable is April 2021. Only completed applications, including MCAT scores, will receive a preliminary review. MSTP applicants should keep in mind that all documentation must be received no later than December 1. We use a rolling admissions process, so the earlier you submit your completed application, the more likely you are to receive an interview.

Applicants should have completed at least three years of study toward a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada as well as the following course work for which letter grades are available (not Pass/Fail, unless college policy). Applicants who have earned baccalaureate degrees outside the U.S. or Canada are required to complete, prior to applying, at least one year of formal coursework in the sciences (about 30 credit hours for which letter grades are available) in a U.S.-chartered college or university whose grades can be reported and verified by AMCAS. COVID-19 Pass/Fail Grading: We recognize that some schools converted to Pass/Fail grading for the Spring 2020 semester. Do not worry if this occurred at your school. We recognize that this was beyond your control. We will not hold this against you.

 
 

Premedical Course Expectations

One year, preferably including laboratory instruction, of each of the following (AP or IB credit is accepted): 

  • Biological Sciences
  • General Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry or 1 semester of Organic Chemistry and 1 semester of Biochemistry*
  • Physics

*The semester of Biochemistry would not require a laboratory component. We encourage all applicants to have at least one semester of Biochemistry. Molecular Biology, would not be an acceptable alternative, although coursework in Molecular Biology is encouraged.

and one year each of (AP or IB credit is accepted):

  • College-Level Mathematics (Calculus is preferred, but Statistics and Computer Science are acceptable and encouraged)
  • English, Literature, Writing seminars (Canadian Grade 13 English satisfies the requirement)

Applicants who completed all of their pre-medical course requirements five years prior to the time of application must show evidence of participation in either academic or work experience in the biological sciences. Academic experience should include at least one course in a discipline such as cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, immunology or neuroscience. Work experience may include research in the biological or physical sciences or clinical investigation.

 
 

Research Experience

Successful applicants will have at least one year of laboratory, clinical or theoretical research experience during or following college. Successful applicants who have taken time off after college will most often have worked in a research setting following college. Most applicants will also have at least one summer research experience. These experiences may be in a single lab or in multiple labs.

 
 

Technical Standards for Admission, Retention, Promotion, and Graduation

All students accepted into the MSTP must be able to meet the Technical Standards established by the College of Medicine. After a decision is made to offer an acceptance to a given applicant, that candidate is required to certify his/her ability to meet the Einstein College of Medicine Technical Standards, but at this juncture (prior to matriculation) the candidate is required to indicate whether or not he/she is able to satisfy the Technical Standards without accommodation; or if the candidate asserts a disability, whether that disability necessitates provision of accommodation(s). In the latter case, the Office of Student Affairs directs the review of medical and other documentation as provided by and/or required of the candidate and Einstein College of Medicine must then determine if “reasonable accommodation” can be provided, and if so, acceptance and matriculation is approved. Formal applications for specific accommodations by matriculated students are encompassed within the by-laws of the Committee on Student Promotions and Professional Standards (CSPPS).