Frequently Asked Questions

According to the AAMC, Medical students must possess a broad range of competencies to successfully learn and develop in medical school and become effective physicians. The premed competency model includes professional, thinking and reasoning, and science competencies, and serves as a roadmap for students as they prepare to succeed in medical school. 

The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine is looking for students who are invested in improving the health of East Texas. We are seeking students who are community focused and service oriented with an interest in primary care and preventive health. Selected students will embody the values of the School of Medicine: Community, Perseverance, Respect, Excellence, Service and Creativity. UT Tyler School of Medicine welcomes and supports all applicants, including those with disabilities. We are committed to ensuring accessibility and accommodations for all students and our university has a dedicated office for disability support. We encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.

East Texas Counties

Anderson	Lamar	Upshur
Angelina	Leon	Van Zandt
Bowie	Madison	Wood
Camp	Marion
Cass	Morris
Cherokee	Nacogdoches
Delta	Newton
Franklin	Panola
Freestone	Polk
Gregg	Rains
Harrison	Red River
Henderson	Rusk
Hopkins	Sabine
Houston	San Agustine
Jasper	Shelby
Lamar	Smith
Leon	Titus
Madison	Trinity
Marion	Tyler

 

East Texas Adjacent Counties

Brazos	McLennan
Falls	Montgomery
Fannin	Navarro
Grimes	Robertson
Hardin	Rockwall
Hunt	San Jacinto
Kaufman	Walker
Liberty	Waller
Limestone

 

Students interested in applying to The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine will do so on the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS) website.

For our secondary application we require each applicant to review and answer the following essay prompts:

1. Please indicate (select one) your connection to East Texas as outlined in our county map and explain below:

• I have direct ties to the East Texas region (born, graduated high school, community college, undergraduate, etc.)

• I have indirect ties to the East Texas Region (family members, in-laws, visited East Texas frequently, attended summer camp in East Texas, etc.)

• I have ties to a rural region with similar characteristics to the East Texas region (size, demographics, health disparities, etc.)

• I do not have ties to the East Texas region; however, I’m interested in practicing in this area after graduation.

• I do not have ties to the East Texas region but am still interested in attending the UT Tyler School of Medicine.

Please explain.

2. Review our mission & vision. Why are you interested in applying to UT Tyler’s School of Medicine?

3. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result (Examples may include: moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity; or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome).

4.Optional question(highly recommend): Please use this space to share with the committee any additional information that may help us evaluate your candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere in the application.

Per TMDSAS, important dates for the current application cycle are listed below. You can view all TMDSAS important dates here.

• Wednesday, May 1, 2024: TMDSAS application becomes available at 8 a.m. CST
• Wednesday, May 15, 2024: TMDSAS application submission opens at 8 a.m. CST
• Friday, November 1, 2024: Submission deadline for Primary Application.
  • All sections of the Primary Application must be complete and the application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CST.
• Thursday, November 14, 2024: Casper Situational Judgment Test (SJT) and Duet must be completed
• Friday, November 15, 2024:
  • Submission deadline for Secondary Application.
  • Submission deadline for Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

Until the school recieves full LCME accreditation, we will not be reviewing requests for transfer students. The School of Medicine is expected to undergo review for full accreditation in 2027, and will then implement a Transfer Student Policy.

A complete application consists of the following:

• Primary Application
• Secondary Application
• Letters of Reference (3 Minimum / 4 Maximum)
• Casper/Duet scores

The Admissions Committee will only be able to review the components in your complete application. Additional documents such as letters of interest, letters of intent, and application updates will not be accepted for review.

You can check the status of your application at any time in the application portal.

In order for your application to go through our holistic review process for interview consideration, you must have a complete application.

A complete application consists of the following:

• Primary Application
• Secondary Application
• Letters of Reference (3 Minimum / 4 Maximum)
• Casper/Duet Scores (Processing time for Casper results to be posted to your application portal is approximately 2 weeks)

Once we receive all these items, you will receive an email confirming your application is complete. If you have not received a confirmation email but believe you have submitted all the required documents, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Once a completed application has been submitted, an evaluation will be conducted for interview consideration. This will include a review of the primary application, supplemental application, letters of recommendation, CASPER/DUET scores, and satisfaction of prerequisite courses. Candidates chosen for an interview will receive an interview invitation via email and will be able to select from available dates. All interviews for the 2024-2025 cycle will be conducted in person. Interview day will involve two distinct interview types: 

Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMIs)- According to the AAMC, MMIs are designed to measure competencies like oral communication, social and nonverbal skills, and teamwork that are important indicators of how an applicant will interact with patients and colleagues as physicians.

Group Activity- Healthcare is a collaborative profession. Therefore, candidates will be asked to work together to complete a challenge and will be evaluated on their communication, teamwork, problem solving and resiliency skills.

At this time, VA benefits are not available for medical students. Once the SOM becomes fully accredited by the LCME, the UT Tyler Military and Veterans Success Center will submit a request for approval. Military-affiliated students may be eligible to receive other types of financial aid (loans, scholarships, etc.)

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Consideration may also be given to applicants who will gain U.S. Permanent Residency status by the time of medical school enrollment.

If you are currently working to obtain U.S. Permanent Residency status, please send an email to the Office of Admissions. Official documentation confirming your residency status will be required prior to matriculation.