Compare pathway-level preparation, not a universal eligibility checklist. Every school sets its own requirements; confirm them using the official links.
| Profession | Entrance exam | Apply through | School | Letters | Residency | Boards | Interviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral physicians and surgeons | |||||||
MD | MCAT | AMCAS | 4 years | 3 to 4, or a committee packet: 2 science professors, non-science professor | Required, 3 to 7 years by specialty | USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK | October to February; Virtual MMI, panel or traditional |
DO | MCAT | AACOMAS | 4 years | 3 to 4: 2 science professors, practising do physician | Required, 3 to 7 years by specialty | COMLEX-USA Level 1, COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE | October to February; Virtual MMI, panel or traditional |
MD-PhD | MCAT | AMCAS MD-PhD | 7 to 8 years | 3 to 5: primary research pi or thesis adviser, 2 science professors | Required, 3 to 7 years, often with protected research time | USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, PhD defence before the clinical years | November to January; Clinical interviews plus research meetings with prospective PIs |
DPM | MCAT | AACPMAS | 4 years | 3: practising dpm, science professor, pre-health adviser or academic faculty member | Required, 3 years | APMLE Part I after year 2, APMLE Part II in year 4 | January; Back-to-back 15 to 20 minute interviews with many programs over three days at CRIP |
OD | OAT | OptomCAS | 4 years | 3: practising optometrist, science professor, pre-health adviser or academic faculty member | Optional, 1 year | NBEO Part I (year 3), NBEO Part II (year 4), NBEO Part III clinical skills | November to February; In-person campus visit or virtual panel or MMI |
| Doctoral dental and pharmacy | |||||||
DMD / DDS | DAT | ADEA AADSAS | 4 years | 3 to 4: 2 science professors, practising dentist | Optional, 1 year general practice, or 2 to 6 years for a specialty; optional unless you specialise | INBDE during dental school, Regional or state clinical licensure exam, Specialty boards after a specialty program | September to February; In-person campus visit with clinical or bench evaluation and faculty panel |
PharmD | Usually none | PharmCAS | 3 to 4 years | 3: pharmacist, science professor, academic or employment supervisor | Optional, 1 to 2 years | NAPLEX, MPJE or the state law exam | December to February; Virtual or hybrid, with a 10 to 15 minute clinical case or journal club presentation |
| Advanced practice and allied health | |||||||
PA-C | GRE or PA-CAT | CASPA | 2 to 2.5 years | 3: pa, md or do, science professor, clinical supervisor | Optional, 1 year | PANCE (NCCPA) after graduation, State licensure | Rolling, November to April; In-person panel and shadowing |
DPT | GRE | PTCAS | 3 years | 3: licensed physical therapist, science professor, academic adviser | Optional, 1 year | NPTE (FSBPT), State licensure | November to February; In-person practical exam and group discussion |
Doctoral physicians and surgeons
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Physician-scientist (MD-PhD, MSTP)
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Doctor of Optometry
Doctoral dental and pharmacy
Dentistry
Doctor of Pharmacy
Advanced practice and allied health
Physician Assistant
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Years count professional school after a bachelor's degree. Letters, hours and exams are what programs commonly ask for; each program publishes its own, linked from every guide.