Frequently Asked Questions

The STX-MSTP interviews 90-100 students with a goal of forming a cohort EIGHT students each year. 

Applicants who are interested in both the M.D. and the dual-degree M.D./Ph.D. Program (MSTP) at UT Health San Antonio will need to complete two separate applications for each program. The MSTP utilizes the AMCAS system for its application and the M.D. program uses TMDSAS for its application. There are no secondary applications for either program at this time. It should be noted that the expectations for the MSTP acceptance are not only higher in terms of MCAT and GPA, but are significantly different with an added emphasis on the applicant's research experience for the MSTP application. 

The application deadline for the MSTP is on November 1st of the year preceding enrollment. Acceptance decisions are made known to applicants in early January after all interviews are complete. For most programs in the Graduate School, the final application deadline is by April 15th for August enrollment. However, each program has small differences. Check out the Graduate School’s suggestions for prospective students for more information.

While the Long School of Medicine must provide a preference for in-state residents to matriculate at least 90% Texas residents, our MSTP does not abide by this rule; the MSTP does not consider the state of residency for admission purposes and aims to recruit from a diverse national pool of applicants. 

Here are the score ranges for applicants interviewed during the 2021 application cycle: 

2023 cycle	cGPA	ScGPA	MCAT
Range	3.04 - 4.0	2.88 - 4.0	506 - 528
Average	3.82	3.79	516.5

Through a holistic review process, a team of executive STX-MSTP leadership reviews all applications, assessing for academic readiness and rigorous research experience among several other characteristics.

If you are not invited for an interview, we are unable to consider you for acceptance into the MSTP. This will not affect interviews to the M.D. program; you may still receive an interview from and be admitted to the Long School of Medicine independently. This process is entirely through the Long School of Medicine and is no longer related to your M.D./Ph.D. application. If you are still interested in pursuing a career as a physician-scientist, the Long School of Medicine offers an MD with a Distinction in Research degree. This opportunity is ideal for students who wish to continue their pursuit of research during medical school. 

At this time, all interviews are conducted VIRTUALLY. Therefore, our program does not cover travel costs for interviewees. We cover all travel costs associated with revisit for accepted applicants. 

International applications are accepted and reviewed by the STX-MSTP. Applications are reviewed holistically. Applicants should apply with extraordinary qualifications to be considered for acceptance, due to severe funding limitations for international students. 

We begin our program around June 1st each year. The first day will consist of a "New Student Orientation" for MSTP students in which we will set you up with administrative necessities (stipend, insurance, student ID, etc.), as well as an introduction to our institutional policy and program handbook. The following Monday, you will begin a seven-week lab rotation until the White Coat Ceremony commencing the beginning of medical school in late July. 

While some students enter the program knowing the faculty PI with whom they want to rotate, choosing a lab mentor for rotation may not always be an easy decision. The MSTP Director and Associate Program Directors will provide guidance based on your research interests. 

The average time to degree is 7.9 years. Medical school will always be a full four-year training, however, there is flexibility within graduate training depending on several factors, such as mentor/committee support, the quality and quantity of research experience you enter the program with, as well as personal drive and motivation. 

Through a combination of funding sources, the STX-MSTP and faculty PIs will cover all mandatory expenses throughout the duration of the program, including eight years of tuition and fees, a stipend of no less than $35,000/year, health insurance, as well as certain exam fees such as STEP 1 and 2. We also provide support for discretionary expenses on a case-by-case basis, such as expenses associated with conference travel, poster printing, and exam study materials. Additionally, free meals are frequently provided at program seminars and workshops.  

Currently, we accept internal applications on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our program for more information. 

As an NIH-designated Medical Scientist Training Program, we have higher expectations for our students. This includes expected attendance in various seminars and enrichment activities. Additionally, each student is required to submit an NIH F-30 individual fellowship award during their graduate years and submit at least one first-author publication. We believe in an integrated curriculum that enhances the MSTP student training as a future leader and physician-scientist.