Office of Admissions
Frequently Asked Questions |
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When should I start applying to medical schools?
Most applicants apply to medical school during the summer before their senior year in college. Some applicants have already graduated. The rule to remember is that applicants must apply one year before expected matriculation. Application season begins May 1.
What else is important besides good grades?
Although there is no set formula for medical school admission success, in addition to good grades, a competitive MCAT score and health care exposures/experiences are among other factors considered to be beneficial.
What is the application timeline?
Annually between May 1 and October 1. The earlier you can submit your application within that time frame, the better.
What is TMDSAS?
The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) is the main application processing service for all medical schools in Texas with the exception of Baylor College of Medicine. You must visit this website and fill out their application in order to be considered for an interview at Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso. Their web address is http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas.
When is the interviewing season?
Interviews for the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine begin in early August and end in late December, just before Christmas.
Who should write letters of evaluation on my behalf?
Letters from a physician or faculty professor at your educational institutions are preferred. Other health care professionals can be used, as long as your desire for medicine can be described by those individuals. It is important to make sure that the individuals or committee submitting letters on your behalf know you and your desire for pursuing medicine. Visit the TMDSAS (main application) website at http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas to find out more.
To whom do I submit my letters of evaluation?
Letters of evaluation are submitted through TMDSAS. You must let the service know who will be submitting your formal letters of evaluation. They will come from either a Health Professions Advisory Committee at your school or from two independent sources from the faculty or community.
Where do I send my transcripts?
When applying, have your college or university submit transcripts to TMDSAS on your behalf when you initially apply, and every time there is an update with your courses and/or GPA.
If you are accepted to Paul L. Foster Medical School (PLFSOM), a final version of your transcripts must be submitted to the TTUHSC Office of the Registrar before your first class day.
My GPA/MCAT is not so competitive, do I have a chance?
YES! Grades are important when applying to medical school, but they are not everything. If your grades are not as competitive as TMDSAS 2007 applicant averages (GPA: 3.5; MCAT: 27.1), it is beneficial to have strong healthcare exposure, solid letters of evaluation, and an upward grade trend to name a few other factors. There is no single factor that will result in an invitation to interview or exclusion thereof.
I'm an "older" student, can I still go to medical school?
There is no age limitation for applying to medical school. Many people attending medical school have already had a prior career.
Is a research background required or preferred for applicants to the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine?
Research is not required for medical school nor is research considered as healthcare exposure in any way. If you do have research experience, it is important that you are familiar with every detail of your project, including its protocol. Interview questions often arise from listed research experience.
Should I call about my alternate list status?
No. It can do nothing to improve your chances of being selected from the alternate list by calling to ask about your placement on the list or reminding admissions officers about your qualifications. If you are placed on the alternate list, you will be promptly notified. If you are selected from the alternate list, you will also be promptly notified.
Who do I contact concerning my immunization records after notice of acceptance?
Please contact the Office of Student Affairs:
Phone: (915) 545-6600
Fax: (915) 545-6548
Address: 4800 Alberta
El Paso, TX 79905
What if I don't get accepted the first time I apply?
For applicants not accepted it is important to remain active during the time between applications and improve those areas of your application that may be weak. Although all applicants are different, some people choose to take post-baccalaureate courses, and/or re-take the MCAT. Applicants are encouraged to contact admissions officers at the various medical schools to discover the areas that need improvement immediately after the admissions season ends in January. Reapplication to medical school is not held against applicants to Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, however the new application should demonstrate improvement in any areas of weakness.
When should I take the MCAT?
Applicants to Paul L. Foster School of Medicine are encouraged to take the MCAT no later than the spring of their junior year of college. Please refer to the AAMC MCAT exam website for more information on scheduling and release dates.
http://www.aamc.org./students/mcat/start.htm
Do I need a degree to be accepted to the medical school?
The answer is essentially yes. Although all of the documentation concerning admissions will indicate that only 90 hours of coursework is required, such applicants would have to be extremely exceptional students. An example would be a student with virtually perfect exam scores and grades and an unparalleled healthcare exposure. This is a very, very rare occurrence.
I'm not a science major, is that OK?
Yes. Most people applying to medical school are biology, biochemistry, microbiology or chemistry majors, but being a science major is definitely not a requirement. If an applicant is a non-science major, then extra upper-division science courses are recommended.
Does the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine accept AP credit?
Yes.
How many people will the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine interview?
We anticipate to interview upwards of 500 applicants.
How many people apply to TMDSAS?
There were 4,083 applicants in 2007.
Is ethnicity used in the application process?
A goal of the institution is to recruit a diverse medical class exhibiting the personal experiences and the qualities promising academic success, and to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population.
How long has a medical school been in El Paso?
The Texas Tech School of Medicine was established in 1969 for the West Texas region and El Paso has hosted a regional campus since 1973. The El Paso campus has provided clinical training for a large portion of Texas Tech's School of Medicine for well over 30 years. The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at El Paso is a new full four year medical school that will have its first freshman class start in August 2009.
What is the address to the medical school's admissions office?
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
4800 Alberta
El Paso, Texas 79905
What is the educational program like?
The school's educational program is an integrated curriculum that is permeated with clinical presentations assigned to organ-system based courses. Clinical presentations are the ways in which a patient presents to a physician. Students will learn anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and other basic science concepts and content needed to understand specific clinical presentations at the time that the presentation is being addressed. This approach enhances knowledge comprehension and has been shown to improve retention of the basic sciences and to promote the acquisition of diagnostic reasoning skills that are more like those of the expert practicing physician. Because of our geographic location, during the clinical science years students will participate in a unique and rich variety of clinical patient-care learning experiences that include not only traditional medicine, but also international, bi-national, bicultural, and border health medicine.
What is the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP)?
The Joint Admission Medical Program is a long-term premedical academy for high school students who have the desire to become physicians. Students enter the program as college sophomores and participate in 3 major summer internships at various medical schools in Texas. If these pre-medical enrichment course requirements are met and a GPA of 3.25 is maintained, then the JAMP student is guaranteed admission into one of the medical school in Texas. The qualifications include the applicant's qualification for a Pell Grant, and the completion of 27 hours of undergraduate coursework in the freshman year. JAMP is a state sanctioned and supported program, and is participated in by every major public and private college and university in Texas. This program allows for students to receive special mentoring by JAMP Faculty Directors. At this time the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine does not have legislative authority to participate in JAMP.
Will a graduate degree enhance my chances of admission?
In general, emphasis is placed on undergraduate performance in science courses rather than graduate courses. Rejected applicants are not encouraged to obtain a graduate degree for the purpose of enhancing their chances of admission unless the program leads toward an alternative career goal.
What will I be asked in my interviews?
Each interviewer has his/her own distinctive interview style. However, most will be interested in determining your maturity, motivation for the study of medicine, problem-solving skills, ability to relate to people, and ability to express your ideas in an organized manner. Most interviewers also expect you to know something about current social, economic, and ethical issues in medicine, specifically as they relate to Texas.
What influence will my financial status have on my chances of admission?
Financial status by itself is not a consideration in selecting students. In conjunction with other factors on the TMDSAS application it may help determine a level of disadvantaged status which may be considered in the admissions process.
Is there a required ratio of out-of-state to in-state students accepted?
Yes, the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine is a state institution and is required to admit an entering class of 90% Texas residents.
If I am a foreign national, can I be considered for admission to the medical school?
Foreign nationals must be permanent residents of the United States and qualify for Texas residency to receive consideration for admission.