You have questions, and we have answers. Start by exploring information on how to apply and then see common inquiries below.
Still have questions? Contact the Dell Med admissions team at apply@dellmed.utexas.edu or 512-495-5150.
Yes, you will be given multiple opportunities the day of the interview to visit with current students. There will also be a student-led virtual social the evening before each interview day.
Is the MCAT required for consideration this year?The Admissions Committee will continue to require the MCAT exam as a prerequisite for consideration of admissions. The MCAT is only one factor utilized by the committee when considering a candidate’s content mastery of the scientific building blocks needed to be successful in the first-year curriculum.
For candidates who may have had a rocky start or for nontraditional students who may have come to medicine as a second career, the MCAT provides another avenue for demonstrating competencies in the basic sciences. Often these candidates would not be considered without the ability to demonstrate content mastery through the standardized exam.
The Association of American Medical Colleges has assured participating medical schools that the adjustments made to the administration of the exam have been effective and that it has confidence in its ability to keep test-takers safe. See the message from the AAMC on its website regarding its efforts to adapt the administration of the MCAT to the current public health concerns and its efforts to ensure the health of test-takers and proctors.
Will the Admissions Committee consider pass/fail and/or online courses?The admissions team understands that the pandemic interrupted many students’ academic progress including changing how the curriculum is delivered and graded. The Admissions Committee will consider the entire arch of candidates’ academic career when considering their academic preparation for medical school.
As long as the affected science prerequisite courses meet the institution’s designation as “For Science Majors,” the admissions team will consider courses that have had the grade schema changed from a letter grade to a “satisfactory” or pass/fail as meeting the prerequisite.
How will the Admissions Committee consider my activities if they were interrupted by COVID-19?The Admissions Committee is aware that this is a unique time for those pursuing medicine. The team believes this may be the case for many applicants and will continue to practice flexibility when considering activities that were adversely impacted by the pandemic.
The committee will look at the totality of an applicant’s activities over the full arch of their journey to medicine when considering the impact the pandemic has had on their ability to sustain engagement. With that said, there are ways to stay busy learning about medicine and serving during this time. Find ways to be resilient, help others, think outside the box and be creative and innovative!