This page provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Penn DDCRF Program. If you have questions about the Doris Duke CRF program in general, please refer to the 2009-2010 CRF Fellow Handbook located on the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s CRF website.
Does Penn accept applications from osteopathic medical students?
Yes.
Does Penn accept applications from MD-PhD students?
Yes, as long as the research is outside the student's PhD thesis.
If I am applying to both the Penn domestic and international programs, do I have to submit separate applications?
No. On the Common Application, you will indicate which program(s) you are applying to. The application materials are the same for both Penn programs.
If I am applying to multiple CRF schools and have a potential mentor and project at Penn, what should I write in my personal statement?
In the personal statement on the Common Application, applicants are encouraged to be as specific as possible when describing potential research interests and projects. If you are applying to multiple CRF schools and have a potential mentor and project at Penn, then you may describe the potential mentor and project in greater detail (limit one page) on the required list of potential faculty research mentors.
In addition to the two letters of support required for the Common Application, we welcome and encourage you to send us up to 2 additional letters of support. These letters must be mailed by you or your reference on official, signed letterhead in a sealed envelope OR emailed by your reference on official, signed letterhead. The letters must be received by January 6, 2010 to be included in your application.
May references mail their letters directly to Penn?
Yes.
May references email their letters of support?
Yes. However, the letter of support must be on official, signed letterhead (e.g. Word or pdf document). Email the letter to Amy Nothelfer (nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu).
May letters of support come from faculty who are not at my home institution?
Yes. In the past, applicants have submitted letters of support from faculty, who are not at their home institution (e.g. faculty from their undergraduate institution).
May letters of support come from residents?
Yes, although we do not encourage it. In some cases, fellows may provide letters, especially if you worked together on a research project, but a resident's evaluation of clinical performance is not as valuable as a faculty member's evaluation.
Is there a required salutation to be used in the letters of support?
No. The reference may use any salutation he/she deems appropriate.
What if I did not need to take the MCATs?
If you were accepted into a BA-MD or other program that did not require you to take the MCATs, please read the instructions on the online Doris Duke Common Application Form in order to properly complete your online application.
Is your deadline a "received by" or "postmarked" deadline?
Your application materials must be received by the deadline. To ensure that your materials get to our office by the deadline, we recommend:
- If mailing via United States Postal Service, get tracking and delivery confirmation. When mailing materials through the USPS, please consider that it can take up to 3 days for the mail to get through the University of Pennsylvania mail system to Stemmler Hall.
- If mailing just before the deadline, use a service that guarantees delivery (e.g. FedEx, DHL, UPS, USPS over-night express mail).
Where can I get information about Penn faculty in order to select the required list of 2-5 potential faculty research mentors?
Go to our Mentor page. There you will find several web links to learn more about faculty who conduct clinical research at Penn School of Medicine.
Do I need to contact the faculty prior to naming them on the list?
No. The list is merely informational; it is not binding.
But I would like to contact the faculty to learn more about possible research projects?
You are welcome to contact faculty to discuss potential research projects. However, applicants are not required to have an identified mentor and project in order to apply.
Is the Doris Duke Clinical Research Program only for students who have research experience already?
No. Anyone can apply. The DDCRF is meant to provide an emersion experience for a student to help decide if he/she would like to do research during their medical career. Prior research experience is NOT a prerequisite.
Updated November 4, 2009