Factors Considered for Applicant Interview and Final Score

Applications to the University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio are screened for interview by the Selection Subcommittee of the Admissions Committee.  The basis for inviting an applicant for an interview includes the applicant’s academic performance represented by coursework grades, load, trends and degree of difficulty, and scores on the components of the Medical College Admissions Test.  In addition the review includes consideration of the non-academic qualifications listed below (listed in no particular order of preference or weight): 

• Bilingual language ability
• Race/ethnicity
• Educational attainment of the applicant’s family
• Hometown or county of residence that has been designated a medically under-served and/or health professions shortage area, especially South Texas
• Employment history, especially as it occurred simultaneously with under-graduate academic preparation
• Socio-economic history (educationally and/or economically disadvantaged)
• Positions of leadership held
• Public/community service or “volunteer” related activities
• “Volunteer” activities in health care related areas
• Prior experience in providing health care related services
• Extra-curricular activities
• Success in overcoming adverse personal, family, or “life” conditions/experiences
• Communication skills - as demonstrated in the essay and personal interview
• Commitment/desire to serve in a medically under-served region of the state following graduation
• Reference letters or recommendations
• Research accomplishments
• Applicant’s future goals
• Knowledge of, and preparation to enter, the profession of medicine gained through observing or volunteering in a medical practice or hospital setting
• Texas resident status, or permanent Texas resident alien *

The final scoring of the applicant takes into account the above academic and non-academic qualifications along with comments from personal interviews conducted by members of the Admissions Committee.

*It is the goal of UTSOMSA to accept only those students who are guaranteed to complete the full four years of the curriculum based on citizenship or permanent resident status. Therefore, only applicants who are permanent US residents or American citizens will be considered for interview and admission.