University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD)
Dallas, TX, US
Dallas, TX, US•Est. 1943
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD) Medical School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, based in Dallas, is a flagship public research university medical school ranked consistently among the top tier of US programmes. Founded in 1943, UTSW trains physicians and physician-scientists across MD, MD-PhD, and combined-degree tracks. Its affiliated hospitals — including UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital — provide exposure to high-acuity, high-diversity patient populations. The school participates in the TMDSAS system and reserves the large majority of seats for Texas residents.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Applied via TMDSAS; Texas residency strongly preferred. Strong research background highly valued — UTSW actively recruits future physician-scientists. Secondary application required. MD-PhD applicants should contact the MSTP programme separately.
MCAT median
517 (range 511–522)
GPA median
3.86 overall / 3.83 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
4.0%
Class size
230
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants
90%
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Research potential, academic excellence, clinical exposure, and leadership in scientific or community settings.
Notes
Estimates from public AAMC FACTS / TMDSAS class-profile data; verify current cycle. TMDSAS application; strong Texas resident preference.
How University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional one-on-one or panel interviews (in-person or virtual)
Interview window
September–February
Decision date
March 30 (TMDSAS match)
Post-interview chances
Post-interview acceptance estimated at 20–35%; research experience and Texas residency are significant selection factors.
What to expect at a University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD) interview
UT Southwestern conducts traditional one-on-one interviews, typically two sessions with faculty, clinicians, or senior students. Each session runs approximately 30 minutes; the full interview day includes campus tours, information sessions, and lunch with current students. Interviewers review the application in advance and ask both behavioural and situational questions. The day emphasises research potential alongside clinical motivation.
What makes University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD) different
UT Southwestern boasts one of the highest Nobel laureate concentrations of any US medical school and is among the most research-intensive institutions in the country. The school has a strong MD-PhD programme (MSTP) funded by the NIH. Dallas's large and diverse metropolitan healthcare system provides exceptional clinical training breadth. Tuition is among the lowest for a research-intensive school owing to Texas public funding.
Tutor insight
UTSW values research potential extremely highly — applicants without substantive lab or scholarly experience will face a significant disadvantage even if clinical credentials are strong. Prepare a clear narrative of each research project, including methods, findings, and your specific intellectual contributions. Parkland Memorial Hospital provides exposure to one of the country's largest safety-net hospital systems; demonstrate an understanding of health disparities in your personal statement. TMDSAS requires applicants to understand the match process and rank orders carefully.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
595 medicine questions inside
Interview questions matched to University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Hard·Panel · MMIQ1
Service Orientation: Gun Violence as a Public Health Crisis
Gun violence kills approximately 45,000 Americans per year and is the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the United States. Some physicians argue that this is a public health crisis requiring physician engagement -- including universal screening and counselling. Others argue that physicians should stay out of a politically charged policy debate. How do you think about the physician's role in addressing gun violence, and what specific actions are within the scope of medicine?
Likely follow-up · What is the Dickey Amendment, and how has it historically limited gun violence research funding at the NIH and CDC?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Medium·PanelQ2
AAMC Core Competency: Resilience and Adaptive Expertise
During your gap year you were deeply involved in a longitudinal research project that was abruptly terminated when the principal investigator lost funding. Months of your work were never published and the project was archived. How did you respond to that setback, and what did it teach you about resilience, uncertainty, and the nature of scientific progress?
Likely follow-up · How do you anticipate managing the uncertainty and setbacks inherent in clinical medicine, where not all patients recover and not all diagnoses are clear?
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University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. Applied via TMDSAS; Texas residency strongly preferred. Strong research background highly valued — UTSW actively recruits future physician-scientists. Secondary application required. MD-PhD applicants should contact the MSTP programme separately.
Traditional one-on-one or panel interviews (in-person or virtual). UT Southwestern conducts traditional one-on-one interviews, typically two sessions with faculty, clinicians, or senior students. Each session runs approximately 30 minutes; the full interview day includes campus tours, information sessions, and lunch with current students. Interviewers review the application in advance and ask both behavioural and situational questions. The day emphasises research potential alongside clinical motivation.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (MD) typically interviews in September–February.
Decisions are released March 30 (TMDSAS match).
UT Southwestern boasts one of the highest Nobel laureate concentrations of any US medical school and is among the most research-intensive institutions in the country. The school has a strong MD-PhD programme (MSTP) funded by the NIH. Dallas's large and diverse metropolitan healthcare system provides exceptional clinical training breadth. Tuition is among the lowest for a research-intensive school owing to Texas public funding.
