Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs

MD/MBA Program

Overview

The dual degree MD/MBA program is designed for students interested in integrating the study of medicine with training in managerial, financial, and technical expertise in the health care field. The majority of students who matriculate in the MD/MBA program enroll in the Health Care Management major at Wharton, but other majors are also available. Matriculation into the MD/MBA program obligates the student to follow all regulations and policies of the Medical School and of the Wharton School.

The rest of this site includes the following sections:

• Information Gathering
• Advising
• Curriculum & Program Structure
• Financial Information
• Admissions
• Contacts
• Frequently Asked Questions

Information Gathering

The first step of the process is to gather information regarding the MD/MBA dual degree. Interested students have several resources:

• Wharton MBA website (http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/index.cfm) – the Master of Business Administration program website provides detailed information on the program and application process.
• Wharton Health Care Management website (http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mbaresource/curriculum/hcmg/) – this website provides more specific information on the Health Care Management major at Wharton. For detailed information on the students and curriculum of the Health Care Management Program, visit http://hc.wharton.upenn.edu
• "Visit Wharton" webpage (http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/visit-wharton.cfm) - this webpage provides information on MBA information sessions, visiting classes, etc. These are good resources if you have questions about the MBA program in general, financial aid, admissions process, etc.
• MD/MBA Information Session – every fall the Combined Degree office holds an MD/MBA Information Session for medical students. Email announcements are sent out to students prior to the event.
• Amy Nothelfer – students are encouraged to contact Amy, Coordinator of MD-Masters Programs, at nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu to discuss their interest in a Masters program.
• MD/MBA Student Directory – students are encouraged to stop by the Combined Degree Office to pick up a copy of the MD/MBA Student Directory, which provides information on the current MD/MBA students. Current students are a great resource of information on the program.
• SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid – As soon as a student is considering the pursuit of an integrated dual degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised.

Advising

Students who are interested in applying to the MD/MBA program are encouraged to meet with Helene Weinberg in the SOM Registrar’s Office to discuss their study plan (as it relates to their MD degree) as well as a staff member in the SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to discuss financial issues.

MD-MBA applicants are encouraged to seek assistance from the School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs (OSA) during the application process. The OSA will help Penn Med students by providing general advice on the application process and feedback on essay drafts. To learn more about how the OSA can assist with the MD-MBA application, please contact Barbara Wagner, Director of Student Affairs, at wagnerb@mail.med.upenn.edu.

Curriculum & Program Structure

Program Requirements:

The MBA degree is composed of 19 credit units:

• 15 credits at Wharton
• 4 transfer credits from Penn School of Medicine

Required Course Units:               19

For information on the curriculum of the MBA program, visit the Wharton MBA website: http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/academics/curriculum/index.cfm. Here you will find information on the curriculum structure, majors, electives, and other program information.

MD/MBA Degree Completion Time:               5 years

MD/MBA Study Plan:

The 5 year curriculum for the combined MD/MBA program is listed below as follows:

Year	Curriculum	Student Pays	School Receiving Financial Aid	School Processing Tuition	Maximum Stafford Eligibility (2009-10)
1	MD	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine	$40,500
2	MD	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine	$40,500
3	MD	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine	$40,500
4	Wharton	Wharton Tuition	Wharton	Wharton	$33,000
5 Fall	Wharton #	Wharton Tuition	Wharton	Wharton	$16,500
5 Spring	MD #	MD Tuition	Medicine	Medicine	$20,250

# = these semesters are interchangeable but this is the recommended sequence. Students need to notify each School in the spring so they are billed correctly. They also need to apply to both schools if financial aid is needed.

1. Students spend 7 semesters, and 2 summers enrolled in MD coursework.
2. Students spend 3 semesters including one summer enrolled in MBA coursework/internship. This plan assumes that all Wharton courses are taken during the terms when the students are paying Wharton tuition. Some students may opt to take a MBA course, before applying to Wharton, so they have a better understanding of what the program entails. The course:
• can't be one of the core requirements
• won't fulfill any degree requirements (should the student be accepted at a later date)
• can be taken on a pass/fail basis

Curriculum 2000 Scholarly Pursuit requirement is met by earning the MBA degree.

Financial Information (2009-10)

As soon as a student is considering the pursuit of an integrated joint degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised.  Students should contact Jean Fox at the School of Medicine Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.  She is available to help explain program costs, the financial aid process, funding options and how to apply for financial aid.  When paying medical school tuition and registered as a medical student, an individual can retain his/her School of Medicine Scholarship and has a Stafford eligibility of $40,500.  When a student is registered as a full time MBA student, he/she is not eligible for School of Medicine Scholarship and has a Stafford eligibility of $33,000.  In accordance with federal regulations, all sources of aid (loan, scholarships, fellowships,) cannot exceed the student budget.

Tuition will be billed each semester based on course registration and program requirements. Financial aid is available only from the school charging tuition. It is the student’s responsibility to file all of the financial aid applications and documents required to the school in which he or she is enrolled. Students may not receive financial aid from both schools during the same semester. The student is limited to the policies and federal regulations surrounding each school’s educational program. Specific costs are determined annually and are available from the Office of Financial Aid.

Admissions

Selection Criteria:

Admission to the program is competitive and not all medical students who apply are accepted. Candidates seeking admission are evaluated based on academic and personal accomplishments, emphasizing demonstrated leadership, managerial potential, motivation and capacity to pursue a rigorous management graduate program. Professional development, diversity of background and outside interests, depth of self-appraisal and commitment are especially valued.

Application Timetable:

Students are encouraged to apply for the combined degree MD/MBA program after admission and matriculation in medical school. An MD/MBA Information Session is scheduled each fall for current medical students who are interested in the MD/MBA program as well as other opportunities at Wharton. Advising is also available through the Combined Degree Office and Wharton to assist students in considering their career interests and plans.

A very small number of students apply simultaneously to the MD and the MBA program. The two admissions processes operate independently and acceptance to one School has no particular influence on acceptability to the other School. Application and acceptance timetables differ significantly and no extension of time will be granted beyond May 15 to accept an offer of admission from the School of Medicine.

Application Process:

Students who wish to enroll in the MD/MBA program must take the GMAT exam and must submit an application directly to the Wharton School for the MBA program. Please see the Wharton Admissions website for further information.

Application deadline:               see the Wharton Admissions website
There are three different Rounds in which students may apply to Wharton. However students should apply in Round 1 or Round 2. Applying in Round 3 is not recommended.

In addition to submitting an MBA application to Wharton, Penn Med students must also submit a Master's Program Registration Form to Amy Nothelfer (nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu) in the Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office (104 Stemmler Hall).

Disclaimer

The MD/MBA program guidelines are continuously updated and are subject to change based on university or program recommendations and policy requirements.

Contacts

Wharton
For Health Care Management only
June Kinney
Associate Director
MBA Program in Health Care Management
The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
204 Colonial Penn Center
3641 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6218
kinneyj@wharton.upenn.edu
215-898-6861

MBA Admissions & Financial Aid Office
The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
420 John M. Huntsman Hall
3730 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6340
mba.admissions@wharton.upenn.edu
215-898-6183
see the website to arrange an interview http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba

School of Medicine
Amy Nothelfer, LSW
Coordinator for MD-Masters Programs
Suite 100 Annex (Room 104) Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6087
nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu
215-746-2359

Helene Weinberg
Registrar, SOM
Suite 100 Stemmler Hall
215-898-4646
hweinber@mail.med.upenn.edu

Jean Fox
Financial Aid Officer
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, SOM
Suite 100 Stemmler
jmfox@mail.med.upenn.edu
215-898-9118

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

1. Is there an advantage to applying in 2nd year versus 3rd year of med school?
Students are welcome to apply 2nd or 3rd year of med school. However, students who apply 2nd year (and are not accepted) receive feedback on their applications. Many students have found this feedback to make a difference in their applications being accepted 3rd year.

2. Is there an advantage to applying Round 1 versus Round 2 or Round 3?
Applying Round 1 or Round 2 is relatively the same. However, Round 3 is considerably more competitive. If you intend to apply 2nd year in Round 3, you may want to consider applying Round 1 in your 3rd year instead.

3. When should I take the GMAT?
There is no recommended time to take the GMAT. Some students study and take the GMAT during the summer after their 1st year of med school. Other students study and take it over a winter break. It is up to the student to determine when the best time is.

4. How many students apply each year? How many of those students are accepted?
Each year roughly 4-8 med students apply for the MD/MBA program. Acceptance rates vary depending on if the students are applying in their 2nd or 3rd year.

Program

1. When do I start the MBA program if I am accepted in my 2nd year of med school?
All MD/MBA students start their MBA program after their 3rd year of med school. If you are accepted in your 2nd year, you will automatically be deferred upon request.

2. Any advice on choosing to finish the program in the Fall versus the Spring semester of the last year?
Students may take their final semester of Business School courses either in the Fall or Spring of their 5th year. Most students elect to take the final Business School semester in the Spring, so they have time in the Fall to submit their residency applications and go on interviews. However, residency interviews usually continue through January and sometimes early February, so you will need to contact your Wharton instructors, if you know you will miss class due to an interview.

Wharton

1. What is the course workload like at Wharton?
The course workload is comparable to other graduate programs. The first year may be somewhat heavy due to taking the required Business courses in addition to the Health Care Management courses. However, MD/MBA students have found the workload to be manageable overall.

2. Does Wharton offer scholarships to MD/MBA students?
Wharton does not have scholarships specifically for Penn Med students. However, med students are eligible to apply for Wharton’s grants and scholarships. Please note that Wharton has a different financial aid process than Penn Med, so you will want to contact Wharton’s Financial Aid office to learn more about their process.

MBA

1. What can MD/MBAs do with their degree after residency?
MD/MBAs have gone into a broad range of career paths such as owner of a clinical practice, director in a hospital, consultant in the business world, healthcare policy researcher, etc. The business skills you learn at Wharton are transferable in many fields and positions.