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Physician-Scientist DevelopmentIn-Press Preview Open Access | 10.1172/jci.insight.198778

Dual‑Degree Pathways in the Residency Match: A Comparative Analysis of Application Behaviors and Outcomes

Daniel C. Brock,1 Deborah D. Rupert,1 Toni Darville,2 Caroline S. Jansen,1 Elias M. Wisdom,1 and Cynthia Y. Tang1

1American Physician Scientists Association, Boxborough, United States of America

2Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States of America

Find articles by Brock, D. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1American Physician Scientists Association, Boxborough, United States of America

2Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States of America

Find articles by Rupert, D. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1American Physician Scientists Association, Boxborough, United States of America

2Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States of America

Find articles by Darville, T. in: PubMed | Google Scholar |

1American Physician Scientists Association, Boxborough, United States of America

2Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States of America

Find articles by Jansen, C. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1American Physician Scientists Association, Boxborough, United States of America

2Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States of America

Find articles by Wisdom, E. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

1American Physician Scientists Association, Boxborough, United States of America

2Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States of America

Find articles by Tang, C. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Published February 19, 2026 - More info

JCI Insight. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.198778.
Copyright © 2026, Brock et al. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Published February 19, 2026 - Version history
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Abstract

Dual-degree medical students pursue additional training to prepare for careers in research, public health, and administration, but how these experiences influence residency application behaviors and outcomes are poorly understood. We analyzed 36,298 residency applicants from the TexasSTAR database spanning 2017-2023 to compare application, interview, and match patterns among single-degree MD applicants and those with MD-PhD, MD-MPH, MD-MBA, or MD-MSc degrees. Despite differences in academic metrics, application strategies, and interview rates, match rates were similar across degree groups. MD-PhD students applied to fewer programs but had the highest interview offer-to-application rate and matched at more prestigious programs based on Doximity rankings. Beyond traditional application metrics such as board scores, research productivity, grades, and honor society membership, strategies including away rotations, geographic preferencing, and program signaling were associated with increased interview offers and match success among all applicants but were less influential for dual-degree applicants. These findings suggest dual-degree applicants require specialized advising and evaluation.

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