Barry PhilipsTexas is home to some of the most established and rapidly developing medical schools in the United States. Students interested in becoming physicians can choose from 16 medical schools and medical programs, offering both Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees.
Texas medical schools are located in major cities including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, Galveston, El Paso, Lubbock, Tyler, Edinburg and Conroe.
One important feature of medical school admissions in Texas is the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS). Most public medical schools in Texas use TMDSAS for their first-year admissions. Some private institutions, however, use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) or the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS).
This guide covers the medical schools in Texas, their locations, degree types and general admission requirements.
Top Medical Schools In Texas
1. Baylor College of Medicine
Location: Houston
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
Baylor College of Medicine is one of the best-known medical schools in Texas and is located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston.
Applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent undergraduate preparation, completion of prerequisite coursework, an MCAT score, letters of evaluation, essays and relevant experiences.
Baylor also requires applicants to complete the CASPer situational judgment test as part of the admissions process. TMDSAS identifies CASPer as a requirement for Baylor applicants seeking consideration for an interview.
International applicants should pay particular attention to eligibility rules because Baylor’s standard MD admissions policies have restrictions concerning applicants who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents.
2. John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB
Location: Galveston
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
The John Sealy School of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch is located in Galveston and has a long history of medical education.
Applicants generally need appropriate undergraduate preparation, prerequisite coursework, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, personal essays and experiences demonstrating preparation for medicine.
The school requires applicants to complete the CASPer assessment. TMDSAS states that successful completion of CASPer is mandatory for maintaining admission eligibility at the school.
3. Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio
Location: San Antonio
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
The Long School of Medicine is part of UT Health San Antonio and provides medical education in one of the largest cities in Texas.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate academic preparation, including the required prerequisite courses and MCAT performance. The admissions process also considers experiences, personal qualities and suitability for the medical profession.
Long School of Medicine requires CASPer for applicants who are interviewed.
4. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
Location: Houston
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
McGovern Medical School is located within Houston’s extensive medical and healthcare environment.
Applicants generally need the appropriate undergraduate education, prerequisite courses, MCAT results, letters of recommendation, personal essays and meaningful extracurricular or healthcare experiences.
McGovern requires a CASPer score for applicants to be considered for an interview.
5. Texas A&M University School of Medicine
Location: Texas
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
Texas A&M University School of Medicine is another major Texas medical school and offers medical education connected with Texas A&M University’s broader health sciences system.
Applicants should complete the required undergraduate preparation and prerequisite courses before matriculation. A competitive MCAT score, GPA, strong experiences and evidence of commitment to medicine are also important parts of the application.
Texas A&M is among the Texas medical schools that require CASPer according to TMDSAS’s current application guidance.
6. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
Location: Lubbock
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Lubbock provides medical training with a particular connection to the healthcare needs of West Texas.
Applicants need the required undergraduate preparation and prerequisite coursework and must submit the appropriate standardized test information and supporting application materials.
The school requires CASPer as part of its admissions process. Texas Tech also has specific policies concerning the proportion of non-Texas residents it can accept.
7. Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Location: El Paso
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is located in El Paso and is part of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Applicants must have completed the appropriate undergraduate curriculum and earned a bachelor’s degree or equivalent before matriculation. According to current AAMC information, applicants must complete at least 90 semester hours, including prerequisite courses, at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.
The school also requires the CASPer test. Current admissions information indicates that applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
8. Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine at the University of Houston
Location: Houston
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
The Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine is the medical school of the University of Houston.
Applicants should expect to demonstrate academic readiness through their undergraduate education, prerequisite courses and MCAT performance. The school also considers applicants’ experiences, personal qualities and connection to its mission.
The school participates in TMDSAS, and applicants should carefully review the current application cycle’s prerequisite and admissions requirements before applying.
9. Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
Dell Medical School is located in Austin and is part of The University of Texas at Austin.
Its admissions process considers more than academic statistics. The school states that it evaluates qualities such as mission contribution, personal attributes, life experiences and academic ability.
Applicants must use TMDSAS. Dell’s first review focuses substantially on overall GPA and science GPA, while the full application review incorporates additional application materials.
10. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Location: Edinburg
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine serves the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas.
Applicants generally need the required undergraduate preparation, prerequisite courses, MCAT results, letters of evaluation and other application materials.
UTRGV also has an Early Decision Program specifically for residents of the Rio Grande Valley, making residency an important consideration for applicants interested in that option.
11. UT Southwestern Medical School
Location: Dallas
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
UT Southwestern Medical School is based in Dallas and is one of the major academic medical institutions in Texas.
Applicants need appropriate undergraduate preparation, prerequisite coursework and MCAT scores, along with letters, essays and relevant experiences.
UT Southwestern requires applicants to complete CASPer, with the score required to be reported by the applicant’s interview date.
12. University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Location: Fort Worth
Degree: DO
Application: TMDSAS
The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, commonly known as TCOM, is located in Fort Worth and awards the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
Applicants should expect requirements involving undergraduate education, prerequisite coursework, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, essays and healthcare-related experiences.
TCOM uses TMDSAS and also requires a separate secondary application. Unlike several Texas medical schools, TMDSAS currently lists TCOM among the schools that do not require CASPer.
13. Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Location: Conroe
Degree: DO
Application: TMDSAS
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is located in Conroe, Texas.
As a DO medical school, the curriculum prepares students to become osteopathic physicians. Applicants should meet the school’s academic prerequisites and submit MCAT scores, letters, essays and other required application materials.
The school requires the CASPer assessment as part of the application process.
14. University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
Location: Tyler
Degree: MD
Application: TMDSAS
The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine is one of the newer medical schools in Texas.
Applicants need to satisfy the school’s academic and application requirements, including the appropriate undergraduate preparation and required standardized testing.
UT Tyler currently requires applicants to complete CASPer.
Because this is a relatively new medical school, applicants should pay particular attention to the latest admissions information for their intended entry year.
15. Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU
Location: Fort Worth
Degree: MD
Application: AMCAS
The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University is a private medical school in Fort Worth.
Unlike most of the public Texas medical schools, TCU’s medical school uses the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) rather than TMDSAS.
Applicants should prepare a complete undergraduate academic record, MCAT results, letters of recommendation, essays, extracurricular experiences and other materials required by the school.
16. University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Location: San Antonio
Degree: DO
Application: AACOMAS
The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine is located in San Antonio and awards the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
Unlike the Texas DO schools that participate in TMDSAS, UIWSOM uses the AACOMAS application system.
Applicants should expect undergraduate prerequisite requirements, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, essays, healthcare exposure and other evidence demonstrating readiness for osteopathic medical education.
General Academic Requirements for Medical School in Texas
Although each school establishes its own admissions policies, applicants should prepare for several common requirements.
Bachelor’s Degree or Undergraduate Preparation
Most medical schools expect applicants to complete a bachelor’s degree or the specified undergraduate preparation before matriculation.
Students should carefully complete prerequisite subjects such as biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, along with other coursework required by the individual school.
MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test is an important part of the admissions process for medical schools in Texas.
A strong MCAT score can demonstrate readiness for the scientific and reasoning demands of medical school, although schools consider the MCAT alongside other aspects of an applicant’s profile.
GPA
Applicants should maintain a competitive overall GPA and science GPA.
Some schools place considerable emphasis on academic performance during their initial application screening. For example, Dell Medical School states that its first review relies primarily on overall GPA and science GPA as calculated by TMDSAS.
Clinical Experience
Healthcare exposure can help applicants demonstrate that they understand the medical profession.
Experiences can include volunteering in hospitals, shadowing physicians, working in healthcare settings or participating in community health activities.
Research Experience
Research is particularly useful for applicants interested in academic medicine, biomedical science or physician-scientist careers.
However, the importance of research varies among medical schools, so applicants should consider each school’s mission when developing their experience portfolio.
Community Service
Community involvement is another important part of many medical school applications.
Applicants can demonstrate service through volunteering, community development, public health projects, mentoring and other activities that show a commitment to helping others.
Letters of Recommendation
Medical schools commonly require letters of evaluation or recommendation.
Applicants should identify potential recommenders early and check each school’s specific requirements because the number and type of letters accepted can vary.
Personal Statement and Essays
Applicants should be prepared to explain why they want to study medicine and how their experiences have prepared them for a medical career.
Secondary applications may contain additional school-specific essays.
Interviews
Applicants who pass the initial stages of the admissions process may be invited to an interview.
Interviews allow medical schools to assess communication skills, motivation, interpersonal qualities and alignment with the institution’s mission.
TMDSAS Requirements for Texas Medical Schools
The Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service is particularly important for students applying to public medical schools in Texas.
TMDSAS serves as the centralized application system for participating Texas public medical schools.
An applicant may select multiple participating medical schools within the same TMDSAS application. However, applicants should carefully research each institution because requirements, secondary applications, testing requirements and residency policies can differ.
Texas residents also need to pay close attention to the state’s residency rules. Some Texas medical schools have specific policies governing the proportion of non-Texas residents admitted.
International Students and Medical Schools in Texas
International applicants should investigate eligibility before spending time and money on applications.
Not every Texas medical school treats international applicants in the same way. Current TMDSAS guidance identifies several Texas medical schools that only consider applicants who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents for their standard medical admissions processes.
Therefore, an international student should never assume that meeting the academic requirements automatically makes them eligible to apply.
TMDSAS vs AMCAS vs AACOMAS
| Application Service | Main Use in Texas | Example |
|---|---|---|
| TMDSAS | Most participating Texas medical schools | UT Southwestern |
| AMCAS | Some medical schools/programs | TCU School of Medicine |
| AACOMAS | Osteopathic medical schools outside TMDSAS | UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine |
Understanding the correct application service is essential. Using the wrong application system can result in an applicant missing an institution’s admissions process.
Comparison Table: Medical Schools in Texas
| Medical School | Location | Degree | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine | Houston | MD | TMDSAS |
| John Sealy School of Medicine | Galveston | MD | TMDSAS |
| Long School of Medicine | San Antonio | MD | TMDSAS |
| McGovern Medical School | Houston | MD | TMDSAS |
| Texas A&M School of Medicine | Texas | MD | TMDSAS |
| Texas Tech School of Medicine | Lubbock | MD | TMDSAS |
| Paul L. Foster School of Medicine | El Paso | MD | TMDSAS |
| Fertitta Family College of Medicine | Houston | MD | TMDSAS |
| Dell Medical School | Austin | MD | TMDSAS |
| UT Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine | Edinburg | MD | TMDSAS |
| UT Southwestern Medical School | Dallas | MD | TMDSAS |
| Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine | Fort Worth | DO | TMDSAS |
| Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine | Conroe | DO | TMDSAS |
| UT Tyler School of Medicine | Tyler | MD | TMDSAS |
| TCU School of Medicine | Fort Worth | MD | AMCAS |
| UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine | San Antonio | DO | AACOMAS |
The current TMDSAS application guide lists the participating Texas medical schools and identifies the application system used for them.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Medical School in Texas
Applicants should begin preparing well before the application deadline.
First, build a strong academic record. Medical school is academically demanding, so your GPA and science coursework should demonstrate that you can handle challenging material.
Second, prepare seriously for the MCAT. Give yourself sufficient time to study and take practice examinations before the official test.
Third, gain meaningful healthcare exposure. Medical schools want applicants who understand what a career in medicine involves.
Fourth, develop a strong service record. Volunteering and community involvement can demonstrate empathy, leadership and a willingness to contribute to society.
Fifth, research individual schools carefully. Texas medical schools do not all have identical missions or application requirements.
Finally, begin the application early. TMDSAS applications involve transcripts, evaluations, essays and other materials, and some schools require additional assessments such as CASPer.
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Conclusion
Texas offers a diverse selection of medical education opportunities, with 16 medical schools and medical programs currently available across the state. These include traditional MD programs and DO programs, giving prospective physicians several pathways into medical education.
The most important requirements generally include strong undergraduate preparation, prerequisite coursework, MCAT performance, letters of recommendation, meaningful experiences, essays and interviews. However, individual requirements differ considerably.
Applicants should also understand the application system they need to use. Most participating Texas public medical schools use TMDSAS, while TCU School of Medicine uses AMCAS and UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine uses AACOMAS.
Because admissions policies can change from one application cycle to another, prospective students should always verify the latest requirements for their chosen medical schools before submitting an application.