Pre-Medical Studies

A CAREER as a PHYSICIAN 

A physician is a healthcare provider that prevents, diagnoses and treats many physical and mental healthcare conditions. They can provide emergency care, perform surgery, create treatment plans, conduct research, take histories, prescribe medication, and promote health wellness. There are multiple common specialties and other areas such as forensic pathologists, medical examiners, and medical scientists. There are several different branches in medicine: Allopathic Medicine (M.D.), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.), and Naturopathic Medicine (D.N.M.). 

EDUCATION LEVEL: GRADUATE, Doctorate (M.D., D.O., D.P.M., D.N.M.)

Average Timeline: 4-5 years undergraduate, 4 years medical school, 3-7 years of residency depending on specialty 

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THE JOURNEY OF A PRE-MED STUDENT

  • Planning to pursue a career as a physician can be an overwhelming process. This is why it is very important to become familiar with that process early on and be aware of the different resources available. This page includes numerous resources in preparing for and understanding how to reach your career goals!

SIMPLIFIED GENERAL TIMELINE

  • Learn about the process and become familiar with application services and their resources (TMDSAS, AMCAS, AACOMAS, etc. - info on this page)
    • PRO TIP: Start budgeting EARLY for costs (applications, tests, travel, etc.)
  • Start researching different programs and expectations- know the difference between MD, DO, MD/PhD, DO/PhD, DPM DNM; JAMP Program
  • Complete required courses with major courses (maintain high GPA & utilize academic help resources when needed)
  • While completing degree, pursue healthcare, community service, and non-clinical experiences to show your interests, motivation, and personal characteristics
    •  PRO TIP: Continually improve time management skills. It helps when you have multiple responsibilities and due dates!
  • Build relationships with faculty, staff, health professionals, and other professionals. They can be great mentors and potential letter of recommendation writers
    • Consider applying to HPAC for a committee letter of recommendation in the months prior to medical school application cycles
  • Continually prepare for the MCAT (admissions test) while taking classes and over the summers
  • Take MCAT and apply in the same year when prepared (typically junior or senior year) 
  • Submit secondary applications, CASPer test (if needed), and other school specific requirements 

***All pre-med students should read: ANATOMY OF AN APPLICANT and the FAQ PAGE

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CHARACTERISTICS of a COMPETITIVE PRE-MED STUDENT 

*NOTE: These are just recommendations & documented averages. Each student's path is different! Holistic review takes several factors into account. IT IS NOT A CHECKBOX!!!

  • AVG HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCES: >100 hours with different patient populations & settings
  • AVG COMMUNITY SERVICE: >200 hours

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START LEARNING BY CONNECTING VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

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FAQ's, RESOURCES, and INFO to KNOW

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RESOURCES FOR NON-TRADITIONAL/POST BACC & INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:

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GET INVOLVED: UTA PRE-MED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

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SPECIAL PROGRAMS

  • JOINT ADMISSION MEDICAL PROGRAM (JAMP)
    • JAMP is a special program created by the Texas Legislature to support and encourage highly qualified, economically disadvantaged Texas resident students pursuing a medical education. One of the many benefits to this wonderful program is the opportunity for guaranteed acceptance to one of the Texas medical schools.
  • PRE-MEDICAL PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM
    • This program allows UTA students with a medically related interest an opportunity to shadow a healthcare professional from Arlington Memorial Hospital or LivingSprings Clinic while getting course credit through the paired academic course for one semester. The academic component includes weekly discussion on healthcare topics that are important to understand for the field of healthcare. This program is currently only offered in the Fall semester. 
  • UT HEALTH SHPEP
    • The SUMMER HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION PROGRAM (SHPEP) is a free, six-week career-enrichment program for college freshman and sophomore students, interested in a career within the health professions. Visit the website for additional information. Applications for 2021 will be available November 1st!
  • PARKLAND HOSPITAL OBSERVATION PROGRAM
    • The experience is designed to increase career awareness, fulfill education/application requirement and help model behavior through example. Eligibility and additional information can be found on the website.

 Visit the Special Programs Page for more opportunities.

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REQUIRED & RECOMMENDED COURSES - PREREQUISITES

The prerequisites below are the typical requirements for all public Texas medical schools based on TMDSAS. Each medical school may vary in their requirements but below are common requirements:

  • Courses must be for SCIENCE majors (NOT nursing, kinesiology exercise science, or allied health fields) 
  • Courses must be at the undergraduate level and completed at an accredited US or Canadian institution 
  • Most medical schools require at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate coursework including prereqs be completed at an accredited US or Canadian institution
  • Prerequisite courses must be completed with a 'C' or better (AP/CLEP is accepted by most medical programs in Texas, however, additional upper levels are recommended to show competency in the subject)
  • Most medical programs have no expiration date; however, recent course work in the sciences is preferred and highly recommended.
  • Accepted students typically exceed the minimum requirements, take 14+ hours in upper-level sciences (3000-4000 level), and have science GPA's > 3.5
  • For questions about major choice, read the first section of the FAQ Page. 
  • Non-Traditional/Post Bacc Students should also visit this page

COMMON PREREQUISITES*

(*It is the student's responsibility to verify with each medical school's admissions website for changes)

REQUIRED HOURS

 ACCEPTED UTA Course Codes

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

minimum 14 semester hours (12 hours of lecture & 2 hours of formal lab) for traditional science majors. (Nursing, Kinesiology, and any other allied health course DOES NOT SATISFY required courses)

**Note: Competitive candidates typically take more than 14 hours in Biology

These courses are NOT ACCEPTED:

BIOL 2457 & 2458 - Anatomy and Physiology I and II

BIOL 2460 - Nursing Microbiology

BIOL 3303 - Drugs and Behavior

BIOL 3320 - Biology of Texas

BIOL 3324 - Human Ecology of Food 

BIOL 3316 - Astrobiology

Any BIOL TA, CO-OP, Seminar, Preceptorship, or Research courses 

BIOL 1441 - Cell and Molecular Biology

BIOL 1442 - Evolution and Ecology

BIOL 2444 - Microbiology

BIOL 3315 - Genetics

BIOL 3442 - Human Physiology

BIOL 3446 - Human Anatomy

BIOL 3301 - Cell Physiology

BIOL 3312 - Immunobiology

BIOL 4312 - Intro to Virology

BIOL 4311 - Histology

BIOL 3322 - Brain and Behavior

***Note: Additional Biology courses may count towards this requirement

GENERAL CHEMISTRY

8 semester hours General Chemistry, including the corresponding lab (6 hours of lecture & 2 hours of lab) for traditional science majors.(Nursing, Kinesiology, and any other allied health course DOES NOT SATISFY prerequisite)

These courses are NOT ACCEPTED:

CHEM 1400 - Intro to Chemical Principles

CHEM 1451 - Chemistry for Health Sciences

 

CHEM 1441 - General Chemistry I OR CHEM 1341/1181 - General Chemistry I (for CHEM majors)

CHEM 1442 -General Chemistry II OR CHEM 1342/1182 - General Chemistry II (for CHEM majors)

***Note: CHEM 1465 (for ENG majors) can count towards 4 hours and CHEM 1188/9 can count towards lab credit IF lecture completed with C or better. 

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

8 semester hours of Organic Chemistry, including the corresponding laboratory experience. (6 hours of lecture & 2 hours of lab)

CHEM 2321 - Organic Chemistry I & CHEM 2181 - Organic Chemistry I Lab

CHEM 2322 - Organic Chemistry II & CHEM 2182 - Organic Chemistry II Lab

CHEM 2283 & 2284 - Synthesis & Analysis Lab (acceptable for labs only)

BIOCHEMISTRY

3 semester hours of Biochemistry

Note: Cannot be an Intro level course (1000/2000 level)

 

 

CHEM 4311 - Biochemistry I

PHYSICS

8 semester hours of Physics, including lab (6 hours of lecture & 2 hours of lab)

PHYS 1441 - General College Physics I OR PHYS 1443 - General Technical Physics II

PHYS 1442 - General College Physics II OR PHYS 1444 - General Technical Physics II

ENGLISH

6 semester hours of writing intensive college English

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric & Composition I

ENGL 1302 - Rhetoric& Composition II

ENGL 2338 - Technical Writing 

STATISTICS

3 semester hours of Statistics

NOTE: Additional courses may satisfy this requirement

MATH 1308 - Elementary Statistics

BIOL 2300 - Biostatistics

PSYC 2300 - Statistics in Psychology

PSYC 2443 - Research and Design I

IE 3301 - Engineering Probability

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SUGGESTIONS for HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCES

While GPA and MCAT scores are important, competitive applicants are well-rounded with hundreds of hours of healthcare experiences. This typically includes shadowing, volunteering, and working in a healthcare setting with direct patient interaction. Research is also beneficial. However, a well-rounded student should also include non-healthcare related activities! Choose extracurricular activities that interest you. Below are some health-related recommendations for pre-med students. Visit the Special Programs page for more opportunities.

  • RN or CNA
  • Military Medic
  • EMT or Paramedic
  • Medical Assistant (MA)
  • Phlebotomist
  • ER, EKG, or Patient Care Technician
  • Community Service in healthcare settings (see section below)
  • Undergraduate Research (see section below)
  • Shadowing other Healthcare Professionals

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SUGGESTIONS for RESEARCH & VOLUNTEERING

A well-rounded student should consider non-healthcare related activities! Choose extracurricular activities that interest you. Visit the Special Programs, Volunteering, and Research Opportunities Page for specific resources.

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RESEARCHING PROGRAMS - ADMISSIONS

TEXAS MEDICAL SCHOOLS 

***Guide for ALL Texas Medical Schools - Shemmassian Consulting

FIND MEDICAL SCHOOLS OUTSIDE of TEXAS

MAKING A SCHOOL LIST

  • Make sure you align with the Mission and Values of schools, which should be supported by your experiences/activities
  • Consider entering class profiles and averages 
  • Take into account cost, available student resources, and financial assistance
  • Understand the curriculum structure and expectations
  • Be OBJECTIVE and REALISTIC
  • Be prepared to move outside the DFW area
  • Applying to 15-20 schools is the average

NON-U.S. MEDICAL SCHOOLS

There are reputable non-U.S. schools that may be a great option, especially for international students. Reputable schools are fully accredited, have clinical rotations in the United States, prepare their students for the USMLE, provide resources to assist students, and have a history of positive residency placement rates. As with any school, it is the student's responsibility to do extensive research. International Schools that receive: Federal Student Aid.

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WHEN TO APPLY

The Texas (TMDSAS) application cycle opens the first week of May and closes at the end of October to start medical school the NEXT year. This is a competitive, yearlong process; therefore, it is important to apply only when you are a prepared and competitive candidate. Students that would like to start medical school right after undergrad should plan to apply at the end of junior year. However, it is becoming more common for students to wait to apply until senior year of after. Medical schools are primarily concerned with if a student is prepared to be successful on the path to becoming a physician. Regardless of when you apply, all students should become familiar with the application service(s) used to apply to medical schools early. 

"Over the years, it has become increasingly common for students to take time between completing their undergraduate education and matriculating to medical school. According to the AAMC 2023 Matriculating Student Questionnaire, over two-thirds (73.2%) of matriculants reported that a year or more had passed since graduating from college [emphasis added]. This number has been steadily increasing; in 2020, it was 66.3%, in 2021, it was 68.5%, and in 2022, it was 71.1%" (AAMC, 2024).

Wondering if you are ready to apply? Check out the Application Process Section of the FAQ Page and the AAMC Demonstrating Competencies Page! 

OVERALL and SCIENCE GPA CALCULATORS: 

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HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATION SERVICES

PRIMARY APPLICATION CYCLE DATES (2025-2026)

  • TMDSAS: 5/1/2025 - 10/1/2025***
    • 5/15/24: Submissions start
    • ***8/1/25: Deadline for Early Decision Programs
    • ***8/29/25: Deadline for Veterinary Applicants
    • 10/1/25: Early Decision Program Decision announced
    • 10/15/24: Offers of acceptance begin
    • 10/15/25: Deadline for letters 
    • 1/30/26: Deadline for ranking of school preference for TMDSAS MATCH
    • 2/13/26: TMDSAS MATCH DAY! 
    • ***3/27/26: Deadline for Podiatry Applicants 
    • 4/30/26: Medical applicants with multiple offers must make a decision and withdraw from other programs
  • AMCAS: 5/1/2025 - Deadlines vary per school
    • 5/27/25: Submissions start
    • 6/27/25: Transmission to schools start 
    • ***8/1/25: Deadline for Early Decision Programs
  • AACOMAS: 5/5/2025 - Deadlines vary per school  

APPLICATION TIMELINES & GUIDES 

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ADDITIONAL APPLICATION COMPONENTS

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MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TEST (MCAT)

  • SCORE: 472-528 in 4 sections (max 132/section)
  • SECTIONS: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (59), Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological of Living Systems (59), Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (59), Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (53)
  • LENGTH: 7.5 hours (6.25 hours of content)
  • AVG COMPETITIVE SCORE: >509
  • EXPIRATION: 5 years (Max 3 attempts/year; 4 in 2 consecutive years; 7 lifetime)
  • WHAT COURSES SHOULD I COMPLETE BEFORE TAKING THE MCAT?
    • Minimum: Intro Bio I and II, General and Organic Chemistry I & II, Biochemistry, Physics I & II
    • Recommended: Genetics, Human Physiology, Biochemistry II, Statistics

Additional statistics can be found at http://tmdsas.com/Resources/ApplicationStats.html 

MCAT GUIDES & TIPS

MedSchool Coach FREE Resources

MCAT PREP: Note- these are just suggestions and not "one fit all" options

  • UTA Science Learning Center resources for borrowing (LS Room 106):
    • AAMC Official Guide (2)
    • Princeton Review Books
    • Kaplan Review Books 
    • Sterling Test Prep - MCAT-PREP.com

 

  • SUGGESTED READINGS FOR CARS SECTION (courtesy of The Princeton Review):

    (1) Theory of Literature by Rene Welleck and Austin Warren (1955) 

    (2) The Burden of the Past and the English Poet by Walter Jackson Bate (1991)

    (3) The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell (1949)

    (4) The Story of Civilization by Will Durant (1935)

    (5) Schooling and the Struggle Public Life: Critical Pedagogy in the Modern Age by Henry A. Giroux

    (6) Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson (1980)

    (7) Meaning in the Visual Arts by Erwin Panofsky (1955)

    (8) The Western Intellectual Tradition by Jacob Bronowski (1962)

    (9) A Susan Sontag Reader by Susan Sontag (1983)

    (10) How to Think Straight About Psychology by Keith Stanovich (2009) 

  • RECOMMENDATIONS for CHALLANGING CARS PASSAGES:

    (1) The Republic by Plato

    (2) Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche

    (3) Walden by Henry David Thoreau

    (4) The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon 

    (5) Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittenstein

    (6) Thus Spake Zarathustra by Nietzsche 

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ACUITY Insights: CASPer, Duet, Snapshot (formerly ALTUS Assessments) & PREview

Some programs also require the CASPer test or full Altus Assessments, an assessment of an applicant's personal qualities. These tests are taken during the application cycle and valid for 1 year. More information can be found on the CASPer Website.

The following Texas Schools currently require just the CASPer or full Acuity Assessments:

  • Baylor College of Medicine
  • Texas A&M University College of Medicine
  • Texas Tech University HSC School of Medicine
  • Texas Tech University HSC, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
  • The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
  • Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio
  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
  • UT Health, Houston: McGovern Medical School
  • Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • UT Tyler School of Medicine

Some programs outside of Texas require the AAMC PREview exam, a professional readiness exam that assesses an applicant's pre-professional behavior across 8 core competencies. More information can be found on the AAMC PREview website. 

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Letters of Recommendation, Personal Statements/Essays, Interviewing

For detailed information & resources on these topics, visit this PAGE.