M3D PhD Program

Application

THE APPLICATION PORTAL FOR AUTUMN 2025 ENROLLMENT OPENS:

Thursday, August 1st, 2024

APPLICATION DUE DATE:

Sunday, December 1, 2024, 11:59pm PST

 

The M3D Ph.D. Program trains students to use advances in basic sciences to solve problems relevant to human disease; and to use insights from human disease to processes to solve fundamental biological problems. Three core courses focus on mechanism of disease, the impact of basic science on medicine, and human genetics, providing a rigorous intellectual foundation. Each student participates in Chief of Medicine rounds and in a mentored clinical rotation in the broad area of human genetics or in a more focused area relevant to the student’s thesis research. Students also choose electives reflecting their own interests from the deep and varied menu offered by UW basic science and engineering departments. Thesis research is supervised by two mentors, one a basic scientist and the other a clinician scientist. Students complement their experimental work with exposure to relevant problems in the clinic. The M3D Program is designed for students to complete Ph.D. training in five years, ready to take the next step in careers in academia, biotech, the pharmaceutical industry, education, publishing and public policy.

We encourage all applicants to learn more about the M3D PhD program by reviewing the research interests of our faculty and students. In addition, to learn more about graduate studies at UW, please see our self-guided, online resource (U501) and the BioPHilmD YouTube channel. Please feel free to reach out to us at m3d@uw.edu with any questions.

 

Applying to the M3D PhD Program

Applications to the M3D PhD program are reviewed holistically. Multiple members of the Admissions Committee review every application, with attention given to the following impressions from your application materials (personal statement, resume/CV, letters of reference, and academic record). Your personal statement should provide context for the items listed on your resume/CV, for example, research preparation & potential, fit to the research interests of the M3D PhD program, long-term goals, and academic preparation.

The UW M3D PhD program no longer requires GRE scores, and they will not be considered if they are sent.

Application Instructions

Create an application online through the University of Washington Graduate School website.

  • Select “Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease – PhD” from the menu of departments and programs. The interdisciplinary M3D program is based in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
  • Complete all the sections of the application
  • Upload unofficial transcripts
  • Upload CV or Resume
  • Upload Statement of Purpose
    • There are no prompts set by the M3D PhD program – A Statement of Purpose should reflect upon your prior education, research, and life experiences that have influenced you to pursue a PhD in biomedical research. For example: Why do you want to complete a PhD and why do you want to accomplish that work here? What research are you interested in for your PhD? How and with whom do you see the opportunity to complete that research in the UW M3D PhD program?
    • Please format your writing as follows — Times New Roman, 12pt font, 1.5 pt spacing
  • 3 Letters of Reference: The application system (SLATE) will ask you to identify those who will be submitting letters on your behalf and provide their email addresses. The application system will contact them automatically with instructions about how to submit their letters. Be sure you contact them first to confirm that they are willing and able to provide a recommendation.
  • Identify five (5) M3D Faculty whose research you are interested in or aligns with your own
  1. Submit application online through the University of Washington Graduate School website.
  2. Pay the application fee online using a Mastercard or Visa debit/credit card. Please see the Graduate School Application Information page for current information on fee waivers. Please note that the Graduate School, not the M3D program, assesses fee waivers. The M3D program, therefore, cannot approve fee waivers–all requests must be made directly to the Graduate School. — NOTE: The only individuals who do not qualify based on immigration/residency status are those on F or J visas. This is due to federal requirements tied to eligibility for these visas. All other applicants, including other visa holders and undocumented immigrants, are encouraged to apply. UW Graduate School Application Policy
  3. For non-native English speakers, English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Please see Graduate School Policy 3.2: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements for accepted demonstrations of proficiency and submission instructions. Certified TOEFL Score Report must be submitted directly by ETS. The UW Institution Code is 4854. If a department code is required, please use 99.
  4. All materials must be received by December 1, 2024.
  5. Top candidates will be invited to visit the M3D PhD Program and interview with our faculty.
  6. The first round of admissions decisions will be made in late February or early March 2025

The Molecular Medicine and Mechanism of Disease (M3D) Ph.D. Program is committed to recruiting diverse participants, including students with a broad spectrum of scientific interests, students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, students with physical or mental impairments that limit any major life activity, and students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Addition information about resources for student applicants with disabilities is available on the Disability Resource Services (DRS) website: http://depts.washington.edu/uwdrs

 

Diversity Resources for UW Graduate Applicants

Resources for Student Applicants with Physical or Mental Impairments

  • UW Disability Resources for Students (DRS) is dedicated to ensuring access and inclusion for all students with disabilities on the Seattle campus enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, professional, Evening Degree and Access programs for over 38 years
  • Disabilities Services Office (DSO) offers resources and services for UW staff, faculty and campus visitors with physical and mental impairments.
  • Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology (DO-IT) (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment.
  • The Access Technology Center (ATC) serves users with disabilities, allowing full use of campus computing resources. ATC staff provides accessibility consultations and instructs users in accessible hardware and software basics.
  • Title IX/ADA Coordinator Office Program provides University-wide compliance support to facilitate equal opportunity and ensure compliance with relevant University policies and local, state, and federal laws.