Want to know how to get into the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center? This is the blog post you’re looking for. In this increasingly competitive admissions landscape, you need information and strategies to prepare and submit an application that will get you one of those coveted acceptance letters. This blog discusses everything you need to know about UT Southwestern’s admission requirements, process, and statistics, among many other things that will help you make your medical school application stand out. So, keep reading to find out how to get into one of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center's MD programs.
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Mission Statement
“The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center's mission is to prepare health professionals of the highest quality to meet the needs of the health care system in Texas through interdisciplinary education and promotion of comprehensive health care.”
Available Programs
In addition to their already rigorous MD program, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School also offers the following dual degrees that are worth noting:
MD/MBA
If you are interested in the business side of healthcare, then this dual degree is an excellent option for you. The program combines UT Southwestern's MD curriculum (which we talk about a little more in the next section) with the school’s MBA curriculum, allowing you to get both degrees in a much shorter time frame.
Students interested in this program have to apply to the medical school first, and then in their second year, they can apply to the MBA program. Students can choose to pause their MD degree between their second and third year to complete the MBA, or they can work with an advisor to create a custom plan that allows them to pursue both degrees simultaneously. When combined, this program can take approximately five years to complete, but of course, that depends on each student.
MD/MPH
This dual degree allows students to get an MD and a Master of Public Health Dual Degree simultaneously. Students interested in this dual-degree program must apply to UT Southwestern and UT Health, and they must be accepted to both programs at the same time in order to start. If you’re accepted into UT Southwestern Medical School, you can waive the GRE requirement for the Master of Public Health Program.
This program also takes about five years to complete, and it opens a lot of doors for students who are interested in healthcare policy and administration. Past students have worked with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., and the Office of Research on Women’s Health. Students have also worked with local organizations like Food As Medicine and the Texas Medical Association’s Fight to Eliminate Maternal Mortality.
MD/ Ph.D. - Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
This dual-degree program is similar to one that is offered by the University of Washington School of Medicine, and both of them are not for the faint of heart. It is not only very rigorous and demanding, but admission to it is incredibly selective. Only 10 to 12 students are admitted to the program each year.
Wondering if you can get into med school with a low GPA? Check this out:
The degree takes 7-8 years to complete, but at the end of it, you’re awarded an M.D. and a Ph.D. instead of an M.D. and a master’s degree. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Medical Scientist Training Program is designed to adequately prepare students to become physician-scientists. Students complete the first two years of the MD program before switching to graduate school and completing their Ph.D. training, and finally, they go back to medical school and finish there.
During the Ph.D. portion of this program, students get to participate choose a dissertation lab and mentor, attend weekly “Works-in-Progress” seminars, where they conduct research, and work with other Ph.D. candidates to study the techniques and strategies needed to excel as a physician-scientist.
Academic Curriculum
The UT Southwestern Medical Center offers a four-year curriculum based on departmental and interdisciplinary teaching that was recently revamped. The new curriculum is supposed to expand students' individualized learning pathways and provide them with more opportunities for active learning and specialized faculty mentorship, thus, building on the institution's commitment to treat each student as a unique member of the school's learning community.
This curriculum has three phases: Pre-Clerkship (18 months), Clerkship (18 months), and post-Clerkship (12 months). The curriculum is driven by the overarching view that each medical student should be intellectually and personally challenged to be the best physician possible. This vision is based on a core curriculum that provides myriad opportunities for students to grow in diverse areas and have novel career opportunities that excite and inspire.
Application Timeline
Admissions Statistics & Eligibility
Medical school acceptance rates are notoriously competitive, and the acceptance rate at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is no exception to this rule. The school's overall acceptance rate is 3.5%. And in addition to being competitive, it is highly selective. There is no official MCAT score cut-off or GPA requirement, but the school does expect applicants to have a solid academic background. The average GPA of the latest entering class was 3.88, and the average MCAT score was 516.
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center welcomes Domestic (both in-state and out-of-state applicants), International students (including Canadian residents), and DACA-eligible citizens. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) applicants must have completed at least 90 semester hours of course work in an accredited institution in the United States or Canada before applying.
That being said, UT Southwestern heavily favors in-state applicants like most medical schools in Texas. Even though eleven nations are represented in the latest class of matriculants, 90% of that class is from Texas. Furthermore, the acceptance rate for out-of-state candidates was 1.32%, while that of in-state applicants was 4.31%.
Recommended Courses
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center does not prefer a specific degree for undergrad. The current class has students who majored in various fields, including scientific ones like biochemistry and microbiology, but also other subject areas like mathematics, anthropology, and finance. However, regardless of your degree, you need to have a strong foundation in science to study in medical school. This is why UT Southwestern requires students to have completed the medical school prerequisites at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.
You can find more information on the educational requirements for medical schools in Texas on the TMDSAS website, but to give you some idea of what to expect, here is the list of courses required by the University of Texas SW medical school:
- Biology – 14 semester credit hours
- Biochemistry – 3 semester credit hours
- Chemistry – 12 semester credit hours
- English – 6 semester credit hours
- Mathematics – 3 semester credit hours
- Physics – 8 semester credit hours
Selection Factors
The MD program at UT Southwestern is a competitive medical program that is highly sought-after by both in and out-of-state applicants. The school uses a holistic admissions process, and it believes that a student's grades are not definitive of their potential to become a great physician. That said, the admissions committee needs to ensure that admitted students are prepared to handle the rigorous nature of the medical school curriculum, and students' GPA and standardized test scores are the best measuring tool they have. This is why even though the school does not ask for a specific MCAT score or GPA, we recommend that applicants strive to achieve an MCAT score equivalent to or higher than 516 and a GPA of 3.88 or higher, as these are the current class average.
While it is possible to get into medical school with a low GPA, it is very difficult to do. This is especially true for your science GPA, as the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center pays close attention to your performance in the required courses. So if you got a subpar grade in any of the pre-requisite or recommended courses, you may want to retake them or take a similar class to show that you understand the course material.
In addition to your academic performance, you also want to show the admissions committee that you have extracurricular experiences that have prepared you for medical school and beyond. Shadowing is a highly recommended pre-med experience for UT Southwestern medical center applicants, along with research, volunteering, and clinical experience. We recommend looking for experiences that allow you to gain and showcase multiple skills simultaneously. For example, if you are looking for research experience, try searching for clinical research opportunities for pre-med students specifically so that you can also get some clinical experience.
Still not sure how rolling admissions work? This infographic can help:
As mentioned earlier, UT Southwestern has a holistic admissions process, meaning that your suitability for the program depends on a lot more than a good MCAT score, good grades, and the list of activities you include in the TMDSAS activities section. The admissions team will also be assessing your communication skills, thirst for knowledge, and other factors of this nature. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the AAMC's list of 15 Core Competencies for entering medical students and ensuring that these skills are reflected in your various application components.
Our essays and letters of recommendation are the application components that allow you to really showcase these skills.
We highly recommend that you give yourself at least eight weeks to work on your personal statement. You want to make sure that it is not only compelling but that it shows rather than tells the admissions committee that you possess the traits that they are looking for. We suggest picking three or four of the competencies in question and talking about experiences that helped you strengthen those traits or that showed you that you have those qualities.
Utilize your medical school personal statement and other essays like the TMDSAS optional essay to highlight your experiences, how they have reaffirmed your commitment to medicine, and how they have prepared you for medical school. Give yourself the time to learn how to write a medical school letter of intent and other medical school secondary essays.
Interview Formats
The University of Texas SW Medical School starts sending out interview invitations in mid-July, and the interviews take place from August through early January. These invitations are typically sent by email to the candidates. If you receive one of them, it means that your application is moving further along in the process, but it does not mean guaranteed admission. Your performance during your medical school interview plays a big role in the school's final decision, so don't underestimate this step of the admissions process.
The format of the interviews at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is subject to change, so we recommend keeping an eye on the school website to find out what will be expected from you on interview day. In the past, interviews have been conducted virtually, typically on Saturdays. After a virtual Medical School Overview presentation by an Associate Dean and a virtual campus tour video, each candidate is interviewed by two different faculty members in two 25-minute sessions.
Please keep in mind that just because your medical school interview will be virtual does not mean that you need to prepare any less or stop worrying about what to wear to your medical school interview. You must show up for your video interview looking professional and being prepared. A couple of weeks before the interview, you should test your equipment and find a quiet space with a non-distracting background to use on interview day. You should also prepare your answers to common medical school interview questions and prepare a few questions to ask your interviewer.
Tuition and Debt
It is worth noting that the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is one of the cheapest medical schools in the US. While $22,651 is not exactly a small amount, it is relatively low considering the average medical school tuition in the US and Canada.
Funding Opportunities
While attending medical school for free is not exactly an option for most students, 72% of the students at UT Southwestern Medical Center receive some form of financial aid from the school. Their office of financial aid administers scholarships, grants, and federal and institutional student loans for Medical School. Students are only eligible for financial assistance once they are accepted for admission into their chosen program. To apply, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is made available by the federal government every year in October, and UT Southwestern does not require any parental information.
In addition to the financial aid provided by the school, students can apply for private scholarships from foundations, religious or community organizations, etc. If you're unsure how to find and apply for these opportunities, you may want to reach out to a medical school application tutor for guidance. They can help you find different funding opportunities that can help reduce the cost of medical school.
Check out this video for more info on TMDSAS:
Acceptance and Waitlist Information
As mentioned earlier, UT southwestern uses a rolling admissions process. In other words, it is best to submit your application as early as possible to maximize your chances of admission. Candidates who are called for interviews should expect to hear back from the school shortly after. They will either be offered acceptance right away or placed on the medical school waitlist.
Interviewed applicants who are waitlisted will receive an email from the admissions office outlining the procedures that they must follow. The admissions committee then makes waitlist offers as seats are available.
Contact information
Phone: (214) 648-5617
Mailing address:
UT Southwestern Medical School
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75390-7208 USA
FAQs
1. How hard is it to get into the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center?
We won't sugar-coat it, it is hard. On average, only 3 out of every 100 applicants actually matriculate. It is especially for Out of state applicants who can only make up 10% of each class. So, if this is the school you want to attend, you will need a stellar application.
2. How competitive is admission to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center for out-of-state applicants?
It is very competitive. The acceptance rate for out of state applicants is only 1.32%.
3. How expensive is the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center?
It is relatively affordable. The yearly cost of tuition for in-state students is just under $25 000 and the school offers financial aid.
4. What GPA do I need to get into the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center?
There is no official minimum GPA requirement, but we recommend at least a 3.88 if you want to be a competitive applicant.
5. Does the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center use AMCAS or TMDSAS?
Students must apply through TMDSAS.
6. What is TMDSAS?
TMDSAS stands for the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service. It is essentially a Texan version of the AMCAS, allowing students to apply to various medical schools in the province simultaneously.
7. How important is the TMDSAS personal statement?
Your medical school personal statement should not be underestimated, no matter which application service you are using. This essay plays a big role in your medical school application, so make sure you are taking the time to write one that is compelling.
8. Does the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center conduct interviews?
Yes, it does. Applicants should prepare for a virtual interview. Invitations for these are sent out on a rolling basis between August and January.
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1 Comments
Clara
Thanks for this! Do you have similar info for other Texas Med schools?
Reply