Career choices of graduates from Washington university’s medical scientist training program

The Medical Scientist Training Program at Washington University has been in existence for 21 years; by 1990, 148 students had completed the program leading to the combined M.D./Ph.D. degree. Of these graduates, most (95%) chose to enter residency programs rather than postdoctoral fellowships. Of the 72 who had completed their residencies or postdoctoral training by 1990, the vast majority (89%) reported that they were returning to academic institutions or the National Institutes of Health. Those in academic institutions were primarily in clinical departments, with medicine being the first choice. Most said they were devoting much of their time to basic research. These graduates were progressing rapidly into tenured positions and appear to have been well funded.