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US Medicine · 2027 Entry

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine is a US MD program in Edinburg, TX that takes 2027-entry applications through AMCAS. Its published class profile lists a median MCAT of 510 (range 505–515), a median GPA of 3.92, a 1.2% acceptance rate and a class of 56. The school holds a traditional interview: October 2026–February 2027. Decisions for 2027 entry: March 30, 2027 (TMDSAS match).

Location
Edinburg, TX, United States
Established
2016
Interviews (2027 entry)
October 2026–February 2027
Decisions (2027 entry)
March 30, 2027 (TMDSAS match)
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University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) — Picture of the UTRGV Library

Photo: Alex Garrido · CC BY 3.0 · cropped

Photo: MrAlexGarrido · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Mig Esc · CC BY 3.0 · Photo: Alex Garrido · CC BY 3.0

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Full guide

How to get into University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) medicine

Step-by-step: entry requirements, MCAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.

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Interview guide

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Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

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Overview

About University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD)

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine was established in 2016. It is one of the newest MD programs in Texas. Its explicit mission is serving the South Texas border population. The school is in Edinburg. It trains physicians to address chronic disease, limited specialist access, and social determinants of health.

The region is one of the most economically challenged in the US. Students complete core rotations at UTRGV-affiliated clinical sites across the Valley, gaining exposure to a predominantly Hispanic patient population. The school participates in the TMDSAS application system, reserving the vast majority of seats for Texas residents.

What makes University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) different

UTRGV SOM was founded in 2016 to serve the medically underserved US–Mexico border region and ranks among the most diverse medical schools in the United States. The curriculum foregrounds community health, cultural humility, and Spanish-language communication. A strong focus on primary care and preventive medicine reflects the health needs of the Rio Grande Valley.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD curriculum integrating basic sciences with early clinical exposure in the Rio Grande Valley. Community health and cultural competency threads run through all four years. Students complete core clerkships at Valley Baptist Medical Center, UTRGV-affiliated clinics, and federally qualified health centers.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) research strengths

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) is strong in these research areas:

  • Border health and binational disease
  • Chronic disease prevention (diabetes, obesity)
  • Health disparities
  • Community-based participatory research
  • Infectious disease

How the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) interview runs

Format: Mandatory in-person group interview at the Edinburg campus, followed by two 30-minute individual Zoom interviews

UTRGV SOM, for entry year 2027, requires an in-person group interview at the Edinburg campus first. Skipping it withdraws your application. Two 30-minute individual interviews with Interview Committee members follow, held over Zoom.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) intake

Approximately 55–65 students per year.

Where University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) is

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine was founded in 2016 and is based in Edinburg, TX.

Programmes offered:

  • Primary Care
  • Community Health
  • Family Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Preventive Medicine
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Entry requirements

What you need to apply to University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD)

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) at a glance

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Medicine — 2027 entry at a glance
MCAT / GPA (medians)510 · 3.92 (MCAT range 505–515)
Acceptance rate1.2%
Class size56
In-state matriculants95%
Interview formatTraditional interview
IntakeApproximately 55–65 students per year
Decisions (2027 entry)March 30, 2027 (TMDSAS match)
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Medicine admissions profile — 2027 entry
Admission overviewBachelor's degree and MCAT required. Texas residency strongly preferred; applications submitted via TMDSAS. Competitive applicants demonstrate commitment to underserved and border-region communities. Spanish language proficiency is valued but not required. Strong science GPA and evidence of community engagement expected.
MCAT median510 (range 505–515)
GPA median3.92 overall / 3.65 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate1.2%
Class size56
In-state preferenceStrong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants95%
CASPerNot required
AAMC PREviewNot required
Holistic review emphasisMission fit, commitment to underserved border communities, cultural humility, and primary care orientation.
NotesChecked 2026-09-14 against the school's own published figures: Class of 2030 (entered 2026), 56 students. Not confirmed from the school's own pages: MCAT, GPA, science GPA, acceptance rate, in-state share. TMDSAS application; strong Texas resident preference.
Specialities offeredPrimary Care, Community Health, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine's published admissions data. Class profiles are republished each year — confirm which entering class these numbers describe before you rely on them.

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Interview

How University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) interviews applicants

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Medicine interview — 2027 entry
FormatMandatory in-person group interview at the Edinburg campus, followed by two 30-minute individual Zoom interviews
Interview window (2027 entry)October 2026–February 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)March 30, 2027 (TMDSAS match)
Post-interview chancesPost-interview acceptance estimated at 15–25%; mission-fit and Texas residency are significant factors in final selection.
Tutor insight
UTRGV SOM is explicitly mission-driven — interviewers look for genuine commitment to border-region and underserved community health, not just a Texas safety school. Prepare concrete examples of community engagement in medically underserved areas. Expect to show cross-cultural communication skills in both the in-person group interview and the two individual Zoom interviews; practice applying cultural humility frameworks. Knowledge of South Texas health challenges (high rates of diabetes, limited specialist access, lack of insurance coverage among border communities) will distinguish you in these discussions.
Practice

Practise for your University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank621 medicine questions inside

Interview questions matched to University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD)

Two questions from our US bank that match University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD)’s panel format. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

HardMMI · PanelQ1

Conscientious Objection on an OB/GYN Rotation

A fourth-year medical student on an OB/GYN rotation tells you she has a sincere religious objection to participating in any procedure related to abortion, including first-trimester medical management. Her clerkship director says all students must complete these rotations as core competencies. The student argues her conscience rights should be respected. You are asked as a resident to share your perspective.

What are the competing ethical frameworks here, and where do you stand?

Likely follow-up · What is the ACOG position on conscientious objection, and does it differ from the AAMC's position on clinical competency requirements?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
MediumPanelQ2

Why an Academic Medical Center

Physicians at this academic medical center are expected to balance patient care with teaching residents and students, and often with research. Some applicants would be happier in a pure community-practice setting. Why does training, and potentially building a career, in an academic environment appeal to you?

Likely follow-up · What draws you to teaching, and do you have any experience that suggests you would be good at it?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Open Prometheus for University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD)Free medicine interview question bank for University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) applicants →
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Sources

Where University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD)'s figures come from

Checked against University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine's own website on 14 September 2026: our record for the school was reconciled with what it publishes there. For most US schools that is class size and interview format only, so MCAT, GPA and acceptance-rate figures remain unconfirmed.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) — official course page →Entry requirements, interview format and deadlines published by the school itself. The primary source for everything on this page.University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) — published admissions data →The class profile and admissions statistics this record's MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures were taken from.University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) — published admissions data →The class profile and admissions statistics this record's MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures were taken from.University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) — published admissions data →The class profile and admissions statistics this record's MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures were taken from.
FAQ

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) — frequently asked questions

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (MD) matriculants have a median MCAT of 510. The middle range of matriculants is 505–515. US schools publish medians rather than cut-offs, and committees review holistically — the MCAT is weighed alongside GPA, clinical and research experience, letters of recommendation and secondary essays.

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