The program Facilitated Admissions for South Texas Scholars (FASTS) allows students with academic excellence and a demonstrated interest in medicine to receive early acceptance to the University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio.
The program is a partnership with the following universities:
It is expected that participants will complete their undergraduate degree in biology or chemistry at one of the schools listed above prior to medical school matriculation.
The FASTS program provides conditional acceptance to the School of Medicine as early as the junior year upon completion of the undergraduate prerequisites at one of the partnering universities. The program provides a rigourous academic preparation for medical school and provides students with academic enrichment and clinical experiences provided through the Summer Premedical Academy at the School of Medicine, as well as MCAT preparation.
Applicants who are high school seniors will be considered based on high school academic achievement, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation and an interview. The program with St. Mary's University accepts students as college freshmen. The application deadline is February 2, 2009. Applications are available through the UTHSCSA website at: http://som.uthscsa.edu/Admissions/documents/FASTSapplication07.doc.
Following completion of the application, a committee consisting of faculty/staff from the partnering undergraduate schools and the School of Medicine will select students for an interview. Interviews will be conducted in Laredo, Edinburg and San Antonio during the spring to determine if the applicant possesses the academic abilities and personal qualities that predict success as a medical student and physician. The decision to accept a student to FASTS will be made solely by the Admissions Committee of the School of Medicine. The student must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident and a Texas resident.
Successful completion of the program requires participants to complete a Bachelor's Degree at a partnering university with an ovreall GPA and science GPA of at least 3.25. AP coursework will NOT be considered in fulfillment of science requirements. In the spring of their junior year, qualified participants who meet the premedical courswork requirements will take the MCAT and those who obtain a ratio of science GPA/MCAT of 3.25/27, 3.5/25, 3.75/23 or better will be eligible for acceptance to medical school following an interview. Participants must satisfy all requirements of the TMDSAS application process including a letter of recommendation from the Pre-Professional Health Advisory Committee at their undergraduate school, have a record of ethical behavior while a pre-medical student and demonstrate a continuing commitment to study medicine.
While the coursework is typically completed within a four-year period, an exceptional student may request from the Associate Dean of Admissions, to apply after three years.
Advanced students who do not enter during their freshman year who satisfy both academic and non-academic requirements may apply to the FASTS program using the same application process and February 1st deadline.
Belinda Chapa
Director of Admissions and Special Programs
School of Medicine
chapab@uthscsa.edu