The Foster School of Medicine offers an MD program in El Paso. Applicants apply through TMDSAS and complete a separate school secondary application. Casper is required before interview consideration. The school reviews applicants holistically, and entering-class averages are not admission thresholds.
- Program
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine MD
- Credential
- MD
- Location
- El Paso, Texas, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- October 1, 2026 (TMDSAS application deadline)
- Seats
- 130
Casper Requirement for Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Allopathic Medicine
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Allopathic Medicine requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- TMDSAS Number
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper is required for interview consideration. Release the score to Texas Tech Health El Paso; results are valid for one admissions cycle, so previous-cycle test-takers must retake it.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Allopathic Medicine Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- TMDSAS
- Applications open
- 2026-05-01: TMDSAS application available; 2026-05-15: submission opens.
- Application fee
- $235 TMDSAS primary application; $100 nonrefundable Foster School of Medicine secondary application.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| TMDSAS application deadline | October 1, 2026upcoming |
| Letters of evaluation target date (TMDSAS accepts later letters; schools decide whether to accept them) | October 15, 2026upcoming |
| Foster School of Medicine secondary application deadline (5 p.m. MST) | December 1, 2026upcoming |
| TMDSAS match school-preference ranking deadline (5 p.m. CST) | January 29, 2027upcoming |
Complete a separate secondary application after receiving the school's email invitation. TMDSAS does not grant application fee waivers.
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Allopathic Medicine Admissions Statistics
Period: Entry Year 2025
- Seats / class size: 130
- Applicants: 4,814
- Interviewed: 656
- Average GPA: 3.84
- Average test score: MCAT 509
- Matriculant average science GPA (BCPM): 3.81
- Texas-resident matriculants: 119
- Non-Texas-resident matriculants: 11
These figures indicate a moderately competitive profile; strategic applicants target these benchmarks or higher to align with holistic review practices.
Eligibility Requirements for Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Allopathic Medicine
- Degree / credits
At least 90 semester hours, including prerequisites, at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university; a baccalaureate degree or equivalent is required before matriculation.
- Citizenship
U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident
Review full prerequisite details on the official admissions page.
Other requirements
- Technical standards: Admitted students sign an acknowledgment that they can meet the program's technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Pre-matriculation steps: Accepted applicants must complete the documentation and health, background-check, insurance, physical-examination and training steps communicated by Admissions.
Selection Factors Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Biology | required 12 semester hours plus 2 semester hours of laboratory |
| Biochemistry | required 3 semester hours; may count toward biology or general chemistry |
| General chemistry | required 8 semester hours including laboratories |
| Organic chemistry | required 8 semester hours including laboratories |
| Physics | required 8 semester hours including laboratories |
| Statistics | required 3 semester hours |
| English | required 6 semester hours |
| Prerequisite grades | required C or better in every prerequisite course, or AP credit |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Overall GPA and BCPM science GPA
- Competitive
- Matriculants averaged 3.84 overall and 3.81 science (BCPM); these are not admission thresholds.
The entering-class averages are descriptive; meeting or exceeding them does not guarantee admission.
Admissions tests
- MCAT (required): The school evaluates the best score from the past five years. Matriculants averaged 509; this is not a minimum score.
Supplementary application
Complete the separate Foster School of Medicine secondary application after its email invitation. Submit required materials, including letters of evaluation and test scores, by the applicable deadlines.
How applicants are ranked
Completed TMDSAS and secondary applications are reviewed for academic preparation, coursework, test scores, experiences, service, leadership, statements and letters. Selected applicants are invited to interview; the Admissions Committee then considers the complete file and interview information for decisions.
Interview Format at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso
Interview invitations include instructions from the Office of Admissions.
- Who is invited
- Selected applicants following review of completed application materials and receipt of a Casper score.
- When
- Invitations and dates vary by application cycle.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Allopathic Medicine
- Structure
Pre-clerkship and clinical phases
- Campuses
- Medical Center of the Americas
Pre-clerkship features four core courses: Scientific Principles of Medicine (SPM), Medical Skills, Society, Community, and the Individual, plus a 10-week foundational block covering anatomy, histology, embryology, cell biology, and medical imaging. SPM organizes around 70+ clinical presentations to build diagnostic reasoning from basic sciences to organ systems. Clinical phases emphasize hands-on rotations at affiliated sites like the Medical Center of the Americas.
Campus and facilities
Located at the Medical Center of the Americas in El Paso, Texas, with access to modern facilities including the Office of Medical Education in Rm. 210. Proximity to Texas Tech undergraduate programs—right across the street—eases the premed-to-med transition for local applicants. Clinical training occurs in a border-region setting, exposing students to diverse patient populations.
Tuition and Funding at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso
- Estimated Texas-resident state and institutional tuition and fees: $21,483.80
- Estimated non-Texas-resident state and institutional tuition and fees: $36,434.80
Estimates are subject to change; confirm current amounts before making financial decisions.
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report gaining proficiency in diagnosing complaints through integrated basic science knowledge. Matriculated students describe a collaborative environment where diagnostic skills develop through targeted coursework. Premeds benefit from the medical school's adjacent location, fostering early connections. Many leverage resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN) and advice from current students to build confidence. The program culture stresses community integration, aligning with El Paso's unique demographic.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Allopathic Medicine Application
- Confirm your degree plan, eligibility and every prerequisite course.
- Submit the TMDSAS application and complete the separate school secondary application.
- Take the required MCAT and book Casper early enough for the school to receive your score before interview consideration.
- Prepare to discuss your experiences, service, leadership and reasons for pursuing medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Allopathic Medicine
What is the average GPA for Foster School of Medicine matriculants?
Matriculants averaged 3.84 overall and 3.81 science (BCPM). These are not admission cutoffs.
Is Casper required?
Yes. The school must receive your Casper score before interview consideration.
What is the average MCAT?
Matriculants averaged 509; the school evaluates your best score from the past five years.
How many students enter the MD program?
The entering class had 130 matriculants: 119 Texas residents and 11 non-Texas residents.
Where can I find Casper test dates?
Check Acuity Insights for available current-cycle sittings and allow time for your score to reach the school before interview consideration.
Does TMDSAS waive the application fee?
No. TMDSAS charges a $235 application fee and does not grant fee waivers. The Foster School of Medicine secondary application has a separate $100 fee.
What is the curriculum structure at Paul L. Foster School of Medicine?
Pre-clerkship includes SPM around 70 clinical presentations, a 10-week anatomy block, Medical Skills, and community courses.
Where is Texas Tech HSC El Paso MD located?
The campus sits at the Medical Center of the Americas in El Paso, Texas, with clinical sites in the region.
Sources
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Admissions Process
- Class Profile
- Tuition, Fees, and Projected Expenses
- TMDSAS Deadlines & Important Dates
- TMDSAS About the Application
- Acuity Insights Test Date & School Information
Last updated: September 26, 2026