Texas

MD and DO Medical Schools in Texas

Texas has more than 16 MD and DO programs — each with a distinct mission, student profile, and admissions philosophy. Here is what you need to know about every one of them, including the TMDSAS vs AMCAS distinction that catches most applicants off guard.

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TMDSAS vs. AMCAS: The Most Important Thing Texas Pre-Meds Need to Know

Texas public medical schools use the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) — a completely separate application system from AMCAS. If you are applying to UT Southwestern, UTHealth Houston, UT Health San Antonio, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, or TCOM, you must apply through TMDSAS. Baylor College of Medicine is the only Texas MD school that uses AMCAS.

TMDSAS opens May 1 each year. The most competitive applicants submit by June 1 — the earlier you submit, the better your chances. TMDSAS uses a different essay format than AMCAS, with separate prompts for each school. You will need to write school-specific essays in addition to your personal statement.

Texas residency is a hard requirement for most TMDSAS schools. Over 90% of seats at public Texas medical schools go to Texas residents. If you are not a Texas resident, your chances at public Texas schools are extremely limited — but Baylor and the DO programs are more open to out-of-state applicants.

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

The TMDSAS vs. AMCAS distinction is the single most important thing Texas pre-meds need to understand. I have worked with students who spent months perfecting their AMCAS application and then realized in April that they needed an entirely separate application for Texas public schools. Start both applications simultaneously. The essays are different, the deadlines are different, and the strategy is different.

All Texas MD and DO Programs

UT Southwestern Medical School

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Research-intensive, biomedical science, Dallas academic medicine

UT Southwestern is one of the most prestigious and competitive medical schools in the country. With five Nobel laureates on faculty, it is a research powerhouse. Texas residency is a significant factor for public TMDSAS schools. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

Baylor College of Medicine

MDAMCAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Research-intensive, Houston Medical Center, translational medicine

Baylor is the only private medical school in Texas and uses AMCAS rather than TMDSAS. Verify Baylor's current TMDSAS participation status for the cycle you are applying — participation has varied. Located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Clinical medicine, Houston community health, diverse patient population

McGovern Medical School is located within the Texas Medical Center and offers extensive clinical training access. Strong emphasis on serving Houston's diverse communities. Texas residency is a significant factor for TMDSAS schools. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Primary care, military medicine, South Texas community health

UT Health San Antonio has a strong military medicine connection given San Antonio's large military population. Significant focus on primary care and serving South Texas. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

Texas A&M College of Medicine

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Rural medicine, primary care, Texas community health

Texas A&M has an explicit rural medicine mission. Multiple regional campuses across Texas give students exposure to diverse practice settings. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Rural and underserved medicine, West Texas, primary care

Texas Tech operates two campuses — Lubbock and El Paso (Texas Tech Paul L. Foster School of Medicine). Both have strong rural medicine missions and serve West Texas communities. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

Texas Tech Paul L. Foster School of Medicine — El Paso

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Border health, underserved medicine, El Paso community

The El Paso campus of Texas Tech has a distinct focus on border health and serving the US-Mexico border region. Unique patient population and clinical training environment. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

UTHealth Tyler School of Medicine

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: East Texas community health, rural medicine, primary care

UTHealth Tyler is focused on addressing healthcare needs in East Texas. Smaller class size means more individualized attention. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

UT Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB)

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Clinical medicine, research, Gulf Coast community health

UTMB is one of the oldest medical schools in Texas with a strong clinical and research tradition. Located on Galveston Island with a distinctive training environment. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

Dell Medical School at UT Austin

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Health system redesign, value-based care, Austin community

Dell Medical School is one of the newest medical schools in the country, founded with an explicit mission to redesign health care delivery. Innovative curriculum and strong ties to the Austin health ecosystem. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Primary care, underserved Houston communities, workforce development

UH College of Medicine is a newer program with an explicit focus on training primary care physicians for underserved Houston communities. Review current class profiles and accreditation status through AAMC MSAR.

UT Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

MDTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: South Texas border health, underserved communities, primary care

UTRGV School of Medicine serves the Rio Grande Valley, one of the most medically underserved regions in the country. Strong mission alignment with border health and primary care. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

Texas Christian University Burnett School of Medicine

MDAMCAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AAMC MSAR

Mission Focus: Compassionate care, patient-centered medicine, Fort Worth community

TCU Burnett is a private medical school using AMCAS. Newer program with a focus on compassionate, patient-centered care. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR.

University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM)

DOTMDSAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AACOMAS

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AACOMAS

Mission Focus: Primary care, osteopathic philosophy, North Texas community health

TCOM is one of the few public DO programs in the country and uses TMDSAS. In-state tuition makes it an exceptional value for Texas residents. Strong primary care mission and osteopathic philosophy. Review current class profiles through AACOMAS.

Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

DOAACOMAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AACOMAS

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AACOMAS

Mission Focus: Primary care, osteopathic medicine, rural and underserved Texas

A newer DO program focused on training osteopathic physicians for underserved Texas communities. Review current class profiles and accreditation status through AACOMAS.

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

DOAACOMAS

Avg MCAT (matriculants)

See AACOMAS

Avg GPA (matriculants)

See AACOMAS

Mission Focus: Osteopathic medicine, San Antonio community, primary care

UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine is a private DO program in San Antonio. Review current class profiles and accreditation status through AACOMAS.

The Texas In-State Advantage — and Its Limits

Texas residents applying to public TMDSAS schools have a significant in-state advantage — public Texas medical schools prioritize Texas residents as part of their statewide workforce development missions. If you are a Texas resident with a competitive application, you should prioritize TMDSAS schools on your list.

In-state status is not a free pass. TMDSAS schools are highly competitive. Being a Texas resident gets you in the pool — it does not guarantee admission. Review current class profiles through AAMC MSAR to understand what competitive looks like for each program.

For out-of-state applicants, Baylor College of Medicine is the most accessible Texas program — it uses AMCAS and does not have the same in-state preference as public TMDSAS schools. Verify Baylor's current TMDSAS participation status for your application cycle. TCU Burnett School of Medicine also uses AMCAS and is open to out-of-state applicants.

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

I tell Texas pre-meds the same thing every cycle: apply to both TMDSAS and AMCAS schools. Use your Texas residency advantage for the public schools, but don't limit yourself to Texas. The strongest applications I've seen from Texas students apply to 15–20 schools total — a mix of TMDSAS schools and national AMCAS programs. That is the right strategy.

Note on Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico — not Texas. It is a common consideration for West Texas applicants given its proximity to the border region, but it is not a Texas medical school. It uses AACOMAS. If you are considering Burrell, research it as a New Mexico program with its own residency policies and admissions requirements.

Need Help Building Your Texas School List?

Navigating TMDSAS and AMCAS simultaneously — and knowing how to position yourself for each Texas program — is one of the highest-leverage decisions in your application cycle. Dr. Tomei can help.

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