Life Sciences Building, Room 206
501 S. Nedderman Drive
Box 19047
Arlington, TX 76019
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: GRAD-Doctorate (M.D., D.O., D.P.M., D.N.M.)
Note: 4 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)
- 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)
- Pursue healthcare, community service, and non-clinical experiences to show your interests, motivation, and personal characteristics
- Build relationships with faculty, staff, health professionals, and other professionals as they are potential letter of recommendation writers
- Consider applying to HPAC for a committee letter of recommendation in the months prior to applying to medical school
- 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!!!!
- GPA: 3.7-3.9 and/or positive GPA trend, especially in the sciences
- MCAT: >511
- AVG HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCES: >100 hours
- AVG COMMUNITY SERVICE: >200 hours
- PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: communication, interpersonal skills, professionalism, maturity, problem-solving, empathy, intrapersonal skills, and cultural competency
- Should be shown through experiences
- READ AAMC's CORE COMPETNECIES for Medical School Students
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START LEARNING BY CONNECTING
- ALLOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES (M.D.) - AAMC
- PUBLIC TEXAS MEDICAL (M.D. & D.O.), DENTAL, and VET SCHOOLS - TMDSAS
- OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES (D.O.) - AACOM
- NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES (D.N.M.) - AANMC
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FAQ's, RESOURCES, and INFO to KNOW
- Start with the FAQ page
- How to choose the "best" premed major
- M.D. vs. D.O.
- MedSchool HQ
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RESOURCES FOR NON-TRADITIONAL/POST BACC & INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:
- TMDSAS - Non-Traditional Applicants
- Non-Traditional Applicant Blog
- Non-Traditional and Post-Bacc Applicants at UTA
- AAMC International Applicant Page
- Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) - check "International" under Accepts Applicants
- F-1 Doctors
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GET INVOLVED: UTA PRE-MED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
- Global Medical Training (GMT)
- Meeting bi-weekly on Wednesdays 12-1p starting Feb 1st, location TBD
- Mavericks for Medical Humanities (MMH)
- Important club links can be found on Linktree (@med.humanitiesUTA)
- Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (SNMA-MAPS)
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Link to the 2022-2023 MAPS Membership Form. Shirts are included with your membership! (additional $5 for long sleeves).
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Don't forget to join our GroupMe, Instagram (@uta.maps), and TikTok (@uta.maps)!
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- Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association (Pre-SOMA)
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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 be paired with a physician mentor from Arlington Memorial Hospital or John Peter Smith Hospital for one semester through a competitive application process. In addition, the program also requires an academic component in which students participate in weekly journal clubs with their peers and a faculty member.
- 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.
- STUDENTS ENGAGED in ROUNDING and VOLUNTEERING PROGRAM (SERV)
- The SERV Program is a two-semester long volunteering and shadowing program at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. 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. It is the students’ responsibility to check admissions requirements for each specific school. Prerequisite requirements must be for science majors completed with a C or better (most schools DO NOT accept a C minus). Most have no expiration date, however, recent course work is preferred. Accepted students typically exceed the minimum requirements and have 20+ hours in upper level sciences. Non-Traditional/Post Bacc Students should also visit this page.
See TMDSAS Approved Course List (Note: This is not an inclusive list and each medical school may have different requirements)
See the AAMC Pre-medical coursework chart for ALL MEDICAL PROGRAMS (Note: students should verify with the schools admissions website)
REQUIRED HOURS |
ACCEPTED UTA Course Codes | |
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 |
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 (currently not offered at UTA) BIOL 3322 - Brain and Behavior ***Note: Additional Biology courses may count towards this requirement |
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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) |
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 |
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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) |
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3 semester hours of Biochemistry |
CHEM 4311 - Biochemistry I |
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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 |
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6 semester hours of writing intensive college English |
ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric & Composition I ENGL 1302 - Rhetoric& Composition II |
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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, working in a healthcare setting with direct patient interaction, and research. However, a well-rounded student should also include non-healthcare related activities! Choose extracurricular activities that interest you. Below are some recommendations for pre-med students. Visit the Special Programs page for more opportunities.
- Shadowing M.D.s and D.O.s (2-3 different specialties recommended along with other healthcare professionals!)
- VIDEO- HOW and WHY to SHADOW
- Scribing
- RN or CNA
- Hospice Volunteering
- Military Medic
- EMT or Paramedic
- Medical Assistant
- Phlebotomist
- ER, EKG, or Patient Care Technician
- Community Service (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
- UT Southwestern Medical School - Dallas
- Texas A&M Health Science Center - College Station
- UT Medical Branch School of Medicine (UTMB)- Galveston
- McGovern Medical School- UT Health Houston
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - Lubbock
- UT Health San Antonio - Long School of Medicine
- UNT Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine - Fort Worth
- UT Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
- Texas Tech Health Sciences Center at El Paso - Foster School of Medicine
- UT Austin Dell Medical School
- Sam Houston State University - College of Osteopathic Medicine - Conroe
- University of Houston - College of Medicine
- UT Tyler School of Medicine (NEW!!!)
- Baylor College of Medicine - Houston (Private - TMDSAS)
- TCU Burnett School of Medicine - Fort Worth (Private - AMCAS)
- University of Incarnate Word of Osteopathic Medicine - San Antonio (Private- AACOMAS)
- UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine (TMDSAS)
MEDICAL SCHOOLS OUTSIDE of TEXAS
NON-U.S. MEDICAL SCHOOLS
There are reputable non-U.S. schools that may be a great option, especially for non-traditional and 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.
- St. George's University
- American University of the Caribbean
- Ross University
- Trinity School of Medicine
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HOW & 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.
OVERALL and SCIENCE GPA CALCULATORS:
- Med School HQ
- CASPA Calculator - downloadable Excel sheet for ALL pre-health students
- UTA GPA Calculator
APPLICATION SERVICES
- TMDSAS - Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service
- All Public Texas M.D. & D.O. Programs, and Baylor
- COST: $200 (all TMDSAS schools)
- TMDSAS Application Handbook
- TMDSAS WORKSHOPS - Application, panels, etc.
- TMDSAS APPLY MAGAZINE
- TMDSAS Podcast
- TMDSAS Important Dates/TIMELINE
- TMDSAS Statistics
- Secondary Applications
- AMCAS - American Medical College Application Service
- All Allopathic (M.D.) Programs including TCU
- Participating Schools and Deadlines
- COST: $170 (one school; $43 per additional school)
- Fee Assistance Program
- AMCAS Applicant Guide
- AMCAS FAQ
- AMCAS Guidance on Grading and Transcript Notations
- AACOMAS - American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service
- All Osteopathic (D.O.) Programs except for UNT and Sam Houston
- COST: $198 (one school; $50 per additional school)
- Fee Assistance Waiver
- AACOMAS Application Instructions
- Application Deadlines
- Admission Expectations
APPLICATION CYCLE DATES
- TMDSAS - 5/1/2023 - 11/1/2023 (2022 TIMELINE) (SUBMISSIONS START - 5/15/2023)
- ***Note: TENTATIVE Deadline EST 9/14/2023 for Veterinary Applicants
- AMCAS - 5/2/2023 -Deadlines vary per school (SUBMISSIONS START - 5/30/2023; TRANSMISSIONS START - 6/30/2023)
- AACOMAS - 5/4/2023 - Deadlines vary per school
- Friday, August 1st, 2023 (TBD) - Early Decision Deadline
- Friday, October 13th, 2023 (TBD) - Medical schools begin offers
- TBD - Dental schools begin offers
- TBD - 2023-24 TMDSAS Match preferences deadline
- TBD - 2023-24 TMDSAS MATCH DAY!
APPLICATION TIMELINES & GUIDES
- AAMC Timeline for Applying to Medical School
- "Ideal" Medical School Application Timeline - Shemmassian Academic Consulting
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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)
- VISIT: What's on the MCAT?
- LENGTH: 7.5 hours (6.25 hours of content)
- AVG COMPETITIVE SCORE: >509
- COST: $320 (Fee Assistance Program Cost: $130; Typically opens in February of each year)
- IDEAL time to TAKE: Jan-May of application year when prepared! (Offered 30 days a year in Jan-Sept: 2023 MCAT Test and Registration Dates)
- EXPIRATION: 5 years (Max 3 attempts/year; 4 in 2 consecutive years; 7 lifetime)
- REGISTRATION: AAMC MCAT Website
- READ the MCAT FAQ
- READ: Should I retake the MCAT?
- 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
- How hard is the MCAT? - Shemmassian Consulting
- Strategies to improve your MCAT Timing - Shemmassian Consulting
MedSchool Coach FREE Resources
- UTA Med School Coach
- College Planning Guides: Freshman Year & Sophomore Year
- MCAT 100 Tips
- Complete Guide to Becoming a Physician
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
- AAMC Free Resources & Planning Tools
- Best MCAP Prep Books and other resources - Shemmassian Academic Consulting
- ANKI Decks - make your own or search for MCAT decks
- FREE MCAT Self Prep
- FREE Khan Academy online MCAT prep
- FREE Resources by Prospective Doctor
- Free MCAT Resources - Chegg
- Berkeley Review
- Princeton Review MCAT prep
- Kaplan MCAT prep
- Examkrackers Free Study Guide
- Blueprint - Free Resources
- altius MCAT prep
- UWorld prep
- MCAT-Prep
- Jack Westin | The Home for MCAT Preparation and Courses - recommended for CARS
- Sketchy - visual learning MCAT prep
- 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)
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To learn how to navigate the most challenging passages in the CARS section, consider reading:
(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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ALTUS Assessments (CASPer, Snapshot, Duet) & 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.
- TEST PREP for CASPer
- How to Prepare for the CASPer Test - Shemmassian Academic Consulting
- ALTUS Suite for Medical School
- COST: ~$85 for 8 schools; $15/additional program
- Fee Assistance available if eligible for other fee assistance programs
The following Texas Schools currently require just the CASPer or full Altus Assessments:
- 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
- McGovern Medical School
- Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Baylor College 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.