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UT Southwestern MD Program: Admissions Guide 2026-2027

UT Southwestern MD admissions guide: TMDSAS application, Casper and MCAT requirements, virtual interviews, prerequisites, class profile, curriculum, and tuition.

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University of Texas SouthwesternMDDallas, Texas, United States2026-2027 cycle

UT Southwestern Medical School offers a four-year MD program in Dallas. MD applicants apply through TMDSAS and must submit an MCAT score and complete Casper. The school reviews applicants holistically and interviews invited candidates virtually.

Program
Allopathic Medicine (MD)
Credential
MD
Location
Dallas, Texas, United States
Casper
Required
Next deadline
October 1, 2026 (TMDSAS primary application)
Interview
One-on-one interviews
Seats
239 standard class size
Length
Four years

Casper Requirement for University of Texas Southwestern MD

University of Texas Southwestern MD requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.

Languages
English
Applicant ID to enter
AAMC Number or AMCAS ID; TMDSAS Number
Score distribution deadline
November 1, 2026

Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.

Casper is required. Take it by the school's stated last-test deadline, and have scores delivered before an invited interview and distributed by the score distribution deadline. Check Acuity Insights for available sittings.

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.

Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.

University of Texas Southwestern MD Application Deadlines 2026-2027

Apply through
TMDSAS
Applications open
2026-05-01 (application available); submissions opened 2026-05-15
Application fee
$235 TMDSAS application fee
WhatWhen
TMDSAS primary applicationOctober 1, 2026upcoming
Supporting documents to TMDSASOctober 15, 2026upcoming
UT Southwestern secondary applicationNovember 1, 2026upcoming
Casper score distribution deadlineNovember 1, 2026upcoming

All MD applicants apply through TMDSAS. AMCAS is used for UT Southwestern's separate MD/PhD application.

University of Texas Southwestern MD Admissions Statistics

Period: Class of 2030

  • Seats / class size: 239 standard class size
  • Average GPA: 3.93
  • Average test score: MCAT 517

UT Southwestern reports these class-profile averages; it does not report an acceptance rate on this profile.

Eligibility Requirements for University of Texas Southwestern MD

Degree / credits

At least 90 undergraduate semester credit hours; required courses must be completed before enrollment.

Residency

Texas residents and nonresidents apply through TMDSAS.

Citizenship

Only U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are considered for interview and admission.

Admission pathways

  • Non-traditional applicants: The program evaluates non-traditional students favorably, including those over 30 with strong local ties such as long-term Dallas residency. Diverse backgrounds are welcomed.
  • Fee Assistance Program (FAP): The program accepts Fee Assistance Program (FAP) participants.

Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution. Foreign and graduate coursework does not satisfy the prerequisites.

Other requirements

  • Letters of evaluation: Submit three individual letters or evaluation forms, with one optional fourth; alternatively, submit a health professions committee letter or packet, with one optional additional letter.

Selection Factors University of Texas Southwestern Considers

Prerequisites

CourseRequirement
Biology14 semester credit hours, including laboratory experience
Biochemistry3 semester credit hours
General chemistry4 semester credit hours, including laboratory experience
Organic chemistry8 semester credit hours, including laboratory experience
English6 semester credit hours
Mathematics3 semester credit hours of calculus or statistics
Physics8 semester credit hours, including lab

GPA

How it is calculated

UT Southwestern considers GPA as part of holistic review and does not set a minimum GPA.

Minimum
No minimum GPA

The class profile reports an average GPA of 3.93. UT Southwestern uses holistic review and does not set a minimum GPA.

Admissions tests

  • MCAT (required): For fall 2027 entry, the MCAT must have been taken between January 2022 and September 2026. UT Southwestern has no minimum MCAT score; review may wait until a current score arrives.

Experience and volunteer hours

Recommended.

Genuine extracurricular involvement is emphasized. Matriculants often exceed national averages in research experience. Highlight activities you enjoy.

Supplementary application

After primary submission, complete UT Southwestern's secondary with essays on motivation, experiences, and fit. TMDSAS personal statement (5000 characters) and two application essays set the stage. Finalize essays highlighting authentic experiences.

How applicants are ranked

A faculty admissions committee reviews applicants holistically, considering coursework rigor, GPA, MCAT, recommendations, experiences, personal qualities, socioeconomic background, employment, English communication, and motivation. Interview invitations do not guarantee admission; offers begin during the TMDSAS pre-match period and continue through the match and rolling admissions.

Interview Format at University of Texas Southwestern

Format: One-on-one interviews

Invited applicants have two back-to-back, standard-format interviews with UT Southwestern faculty, conducted virtually.

Who is invited
Applicants invited by email after admissions review
When
August through early December

Practice under timed, realistic conditions with Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator.

Prepare for Casper and Your Interview

Access Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank with 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert-crafted responses, AI Interview Simulator with realistic practice conditions, and personalized mentorship from current medical students, all on one web-based platform.

Start Practicing Free

Curriculum at University of Texas Southwestern MD

Program length
Four years
Structure

18 months of preclinical phases followed by clinical rotations. Integrates departmental courses with interdisciplinary blocks on biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social-behavioral sciences.

Campuses
Dallas

The curriculum is dynamic and responds to the changing requirements for medical education. All students master core competencies through active learning, simulations, and clerkships at affiliated sites like Parkland Hospital. Longitudinal threads emphasize research, with opportunities in cutting-edge labs; over 90% of students engage in scholarly projects by graduation. Heavy research integration at Dallas teaching hospitals.

Campus and facilities

Situated in Dallas's medical district, the campus features modern labs, simulation centers, and libraries. Clinical training occurs at top hospitals, providing diverse patient exposure. Students rate the environment highly for collaboration and resources, fostering a supportive culture where faculty prioritize retention and success. Campus life balances rigorous academics with wellness initiatives, including fitness centers and student lounges. Non-traditional students with local roots, such as long-term Dallas residents, often cite community ties as an edge.

Tuition and Funding at University of Texas Southwestern

  • Texas resident, first-year tuition and mandatory fees, 2026-2027: $25,436
  • Nonresident, first-year tuition and mandatory fees, 2026-2027: $38,536

These are the latest posted first-year rates; rates for the following entry year are not posted here.

University of Texas Southwestern's Mission and Values

Emphasis on academic rigor, research, genuine extracurricular involvement, and a competency-based, interdisciplinary curriculum.

The curriculum in the Medical School at UT Southwestern is dynamic and responds to the changing requirements for medical education.

What Applicants Are Saying

Students report the campus earns high marks for facilities and supportiveness. Alumni note the school's commitment to student success: "The school goes above and beyond to try to keep students from failing." Matriculants advise: "I would recommend experiences that you enjoy, not experiences that you think will get you into a school." Students rate the environment highly for collaboration and resources.

Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.

How to Prepare Your University of Texas Southwestern MD Application

  1. Complete the required coursework, plan your MCAT, and take Casper in time for scores to reach the school before an invited interview and the distribution deadline.
  2. Confirm eligibility and request three individual evaluations or a health professions committee letter or packet; review the optional additional-letter rules.
  3. Practice Casper with ethical and interpersonal scenarios; Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank offers timed practice.
  4. Tailor secondaries to UT Southwestern and highlight authentic experiences.
  5. Apply through TMDSAS, regardless of Texas residency.

More About University of Texas Southwestern MD

Application IDs

Use AAMC Number or AMCAS ID and TMDSAS Number as applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Texas Southwestern MD

Does UT Southwestern require Casper?

Yes, Casper is required, with scores distributed by the program's distribution deadline.

What is the average GPA and MCAT for UT Southwestern MD?

The class profile reports an average GPA of 3.93 and average MCAT of 517. There is no minimum GPA or MCAT score.

What is the UT Southwestern interview format?

Invited applicants complete two back-to-back, standard-format virtual interviews with faculty.

Is UT Southwestern MD competitive for non-traditional applicants?

UT Southwestern considers applicants' experiences and personal qualities as part of holistic review.

What are UT Southwestern MD tuition costs?

Posted first-year tuition and mandatory fees are $25,436 for Texas residents and $38,536 for nonresidents.

Can international students apply to UT Southwestern MD?

Only U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are considered for interview and admission.

How many seats does UT Southwestern MD offer?

UT Southwestern lists a standard class size of 239 in its class profile.

What makes UT Southwestern MD curriculum unique?

Dynamic four-year structure with an 18-month preclinical phase, interdisciplinary blocks, and research opportunities at Dallas teaching hospitals.

Sources

Last updated: September 26, 2026