Texas Tech University
  

 

School of Medicine 

 

Undergraduate to Medical School Initiative (UMSI)

What is it?

  • The Honors College of Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine offer an exhilarating, competitive undergraduate medical school program designed for motivated, academically talented students interested in pursuing an M.D. degree in Texas. Medical School is one of the most difficult graduate programs to attain, so TTUHSC designed an initiative that would guarantee admission for a selection of driven, academic undergraduates.
  • UMSI is not an accelerated 6-year, 7-year, or other type of fast-track program to medical school.
  • After meeting the special medical school requirements and deadlines set by this joint program, a select group of entering freshmen are guaranteed admission to medical school at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine after completion of a Bachelor's Degree at TTU. Combined with undergraduate coursework and medical school, the student is looking at 8 years of study.

Information for Applicants

  • Primary Qualifications
    • Texas residents
    • U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
    • Classified as an incoming freshman (transfer students are ineligible)  
    • Must achieve a minimum score of 33 ACT or 1450 ACT. SAT exams consider math and critical reading sections only. 
      • ACT and SAT "Superscores" will be accpeted. 
    • Requirements after Acceptance
      • Upper Division Biology will require the following courses to be taken: Cell Biology w/lab, Microbiology w/lab, Anatomy & Physiology and Genetics
    • Maintaining UMSI Qualifications
      • All UMSU Students must maintain a 3.85 overall GPA
      • Additionally, UMSI Students must maintain a 3.8 science GPA
      • Students must show evidence of 300 hours of continued related health care and community engagement each year of the program.

Applications

  • NOTE: Certain documents submitted to TTU and to the Honors College will be reviewed by the TTUHSC School of Medicine in their review of UMSI applications.
  • Application Timeline
    • July & August -Applications to Texas Tech and to the Honors College opens
    • October 1st - UMSI Application opens
    • December 1st - Deadline for UMSI application and all supporting documents (see applications section for details). Application closes at 11:59 PM central time.
    • End of January - Interview invitations sent out to UMSI applicants via email. 
    • February or March - Interviews with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.
    • April - UMSI results announced by the TTUHSC School of Medicine via email. 

Interviewing

  • After the above applications have been submitted, admissions officers at the TTUHSC School of Medicine will carefully review and choose a select group of qualified individuals who appear to have the credentials and values that align with the school of medicine. The selected group will be invited for personal interviews with the UMSI selection committee.
  • Interviews with the School of Medicine are held in the months of February and March. Interview decisions are communicated before then. Applicants not selected for interviews will receive a notification around this time frame as well.
  • Students that have submitted their application after the deadline will not be considered for an interviews
  • Qualities searched for in an interview
    • The ability to balance academics with extracurricular and work activities. Superior grades coincide with knowledge and interests outside of an academic context.
    • Quality service to patients is an element of health care that TTUHSC values above all else. Applicants who demonstrate empathy and caring behavior are preferred.
    • Applicants who already have some experience in a health care field.
    • Prior to the interview, applicants should possess knowledge of the health care system and awareness of its current changes.
    • Interpersonal skills are vital for a career in health care. Applicants capable of demonstrating the ability to interact well with patients and peers are preferred. 

UMSI Requirements

  • UMSI students are welcome to pursue a major of their choice, so long as they complete the following prerequisite courses:

Course

TTU Course Number

Hours

General Biology or Zoo (with labs)

BIOL 1403
BIOL 1404

8

Upper Division Biological Sciences

 

9

Biochemistry

CHEM 3310/CHEM3311

3

General Chemistry (with labs)

CHEM 1307/CHEM 1107
CHEM 1308/CHEM 1108

8

Organic Chemistry (with labs)

CHEM 3305/CHEM3105
CHEM 3306/CHEM3106

8

Physics (with labs)

PHYS 1403
PHYS 1404

8

English

ENGL 1301
ENGL 1302

6

Statistics Offered by Math Department

MATH 2300

3

TOTAL

 

53
  • Recommended upper-division courses (3000 or 4000 level courses) include: Microbiology with lab, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Parasitology, Anatomy and Physiology. (Please review updates for upcoming application 2026 cycle as this will change)
  • Courses for non-science majors or for health career majors (nursing, pharmacy, allied health sciences, etc.) will NOT satisfy the required coursework. All required coursework must be applicable towards a traditional science degree.
  • Note: A limited number of Advanced Placement (AP) or dual credit courses may also be accepted by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine for coursework only in English.
  • All prerequisite courses require graded work. All AP and/or dual credit for prerequisite courses must be replaced with a higher level course.
  • Prerequisites for UMSI are specific to the program and are different than general admission requirements.
  • Before Matriculating into TTUHSC School of Medicine
    • UMSI participants are required to apply through the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (https://www.tmdsas.com/) between May 1st and October 1st the year prior to matriculation to TTUHSC School of Medicine. We ask that participants complete this by July 1 to assist with processing times.

After Acceptance

  • MAINTIANING UMSI REQUIREMENTS:
  • Students must take ALL required coursework and prerequisites at TTU, or at a study-abroad affiliated TTU program (with the exception of specific courses and prerequisites). 
  • GPA requirements:
    • All UMSI students must maintain a 3.85 overall GPA (Please review updates for upcoming application 2026 cycle as this will change)
    • Additionally, UMSI students must maintain a 3.8 science GPA
  • A grade of "B" or higher must be earned in all graded prerequisite courses
  • Matriculation occurs four years from acceptance into the UMSI program and is dependent on completion of an undergraduate degree and completion of program requirements.
  • Students must be in good standing in the Honors College (including regular involvement in Honors extracurricular activities)
  • Meet all requirements of the Program Guidelines
  • It is important to be in good academic and non-academic standing
  • Students must show evidence of 300 hours of continued related health care and volunteerism or service-based activities. These activities are due by August 31 of each year.  Fourth year UMSI students must submit hours by July. 
    • Healthcare/Volunteer Activity Log
    • Note that TTUHSC School of Medicine registration begins in June and we encourage all matriculating participants to complete and submit their hours in May to avoid any holds.
    • Hours will be saved in an institutional cloud service and should be organized by year and type (Filename example: [Academic Year - Activity Type].pdf)
  • NOTE: Criminal background checks will be completed on all students matriculating to TTUHSC School of Medicine.
  • If a student desires to change their academic major or degree plan, they must meet and be granted approval by the TTU Honors College and complete the Pre Approval form and submit it to TTUHSC School of Medicine Office of Admissions.

Helpful Links and Program Details

  • HELPFUL LINKS: 
  • PROGRAM DETAILS: 
    • Students must apply and be admitted to Texas Tech University and the Honors College as entering Freshmen before the application process for UMSI is complete.
    • Students accepted into the UMSI program must complete the Honors College requirements as well. The completion of coursework, activities, and events in the Honors College are a condition of matriculation to TTUHSC School of Medicine.
    • UMSI students spend four years as an undergraduate at Texas Tech University, which gives them the opportunity to demonstrate significant evidence of health-related activities in a hospital or clinical setting, which is a medical school requirement for students within the program.
    • Study abroad programs must be taken with an affiliated Texas Tech University institution or program, and the grades must appear on your Texas Tech University transcript.
    • By waiving the MCAT requirement and guaranteeing medical school admission, UMSI gives students the opportunity to have a varied undergraduate experience, including taking on internships or studying abroad.
      • Participants who decide to take the MCAT, for any reason, must notify the School of Medicine Office of Admissions and must withdraw their acceptance to TTUHSC School of Medicine and are no longer eligible to participate in the UMSI program. 

Contact Information

  • TTUHSC School of Medicine, Office of Admissions 
  • Texas Tech University, Office of Undergraduate Admissions


Apply to UMSI Today!

Early Acceptance Program (EAP)

 

What is it?

  • The Early Acceptance Program (EAP) offers an exciting opportunity to select Honors College students by allowing them to waive the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and to apply early to the TTUHSC School of Medicine (SOM), typically in the junior year. Successful EAP applicants are notified of their acceptance to the SOM in February of their 3rd year of undergraduate Honors studies and complete their baccalaureate degrees prior to admission to the SOM.
  • The objectives of the EAP pathway are: to attract academically talented high school students to these selected participating colleges/universities and later to the medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine; to provide an exciting incentive to the gifted students interested in medicine; and to encourage students to broaden their educational experience before they enroll in their professional studies. The waiver of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) should allow more time to include coursework in the humanities, mathematics, business, languages, or in other areas, which make for well-rounded professionals.
  • EAP is designed for outstanding high school graduates who have a strong interest in pursuing a career in medicine. It has the possibility of enabling a student to be interviewed during his/her third year of undergraduate education and to receive notification of admission by the end of that academic year. It would also include the waiver of the MCAT. Students who are interested in pursuing early selection and waiver of the MCAT must meet the EAP criteria.
  • This is not an accelerated program. Therefore, the School of Medicine reserves the right to deny acceptance through this program to students who may contemplate early graduation.

Applications

  • Application Opens | May 1 (of an eligible TTU Honors student’s 2nd year of undergraduate studies)
  • Application Deadline | October 1 (of an eligible TTU Honors student’s 3rd year of undergraduate studies)
  • Primary Qualifications
    • Texas residents
    • U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
    • Classified as an incoming freshman (transfer students are ineligible)
    • Earned a composite score of 1360 on the SAT (Verbal and math portions only), or a 30 on the ACT upon matriculation from high school (composite score must be earned in one test administration)
  • *** NEW Requirements for Application Cycle 2027 ***
    • The following updates will be in effect to those that apply in May 2027:
      • Requirements to Apply
        • Must achieve a minimum score of 33 ACT or 1450 SAT. SAT exams consider math and critical reading sections only.
        • SAT or ACT "Superscores" will be accepted.
      • Requirements after Acceptance
        • 9 upper division biology credits will be required
        • Upper Division Biology will require the following courses to be taken: Cell Biology w/lab, Microbiology w/lab, Anatomy & Physiology and Genetics
      • Maintaining EAP Qualifications
        • All EAP students must maintain a 3.85 overall GPA
        • Additionally, EAP students must maintain a 3.8 science GPA
        • Students must show evidence of 300 hours of continued related health care and community engagement each year of the program. 
  • Step 1:
    • TMDSAS Application
    • *The MCAT requirement is waived for all Early Acceptance Program applicants.
  • Step 2:
    • After submitting your TMDSAS application, you will receive an email from the TTUHSC School of Medicine with a link to log in and fill the secondary application. You can find the secondary application questions here.
    • Timeline:
      • May 1 - TMDSAS application opens
      • June 1 - First applications transmitted to schools
      • October 1 - Submission deadline for TMDSAS application
      • October 15 - Letters of recommendation should be posted by this date
      • November 1 - Submission deadline for the secondary application
      • December - School of Medicine Interview decisions and rejections given.*
      • December-January - Medicine Interviews for Early Acceptance Program applicants.
      • February-April - Admission decisions given*
    • * All EAP applicants receive an email notification with their decision to the email address on their TMDSAS application.
  •  Pre-Med Prerequisite Coursework for the TTUHSC School of Medicine:

Course

Hours

General Biology or Zoology

6

Biology Labs

2

Upper Division Biology

6

General Chemistry

6

General Chemistry labs

2

Organic Chemistry

6

Organic Chemistry labs

2

Physics

6

Physics labs

2

English

6

Statistics

3

Total

47

After Acceptance

  • Volunteer Hours
    • *NEW* Requirements for Application Cycle 2027
      • Volunteer Hours will be changing to 300 hours per academic year.
      • Research will not count towards the required hours.
    • Volunteer, shadowing, and research hours are earned by the academic year: September 1st through August 31st. Hours earned before September 1st of a student's First-year student year (i.e., the summer between graduating high school and attending college) do not count.
    • The TTUHSC School of Medicine prefers the majority of volunteer/shadowing hours be conducted in a health-care setting. As well, no more than 20% of the hours should be dedicated to research activity.
    • Students should keep track of their volunteer hours and be prepared to provide them on TMDSAS application.
    • Students admitted to EAP will be required to continue maintaining 100 hours of volunteering/shadowing annually and will submit this update directly to the SOM Admissions Office.
    • Note that TTUHSC School of Medicine registration begins in June and we encourage all matriculating participants to complete and submit their hours in May to avoid any holds.  Hours will be saved in an institutional cloud service and should be organized by year and type.
    • Filename example: [Academic Year - Activity Type].pdf
  • Grade Commitment
    • All EAP students admitted to the Texas Tech University HSC School of Medicine must maintain a GPA minimum as stated in their EAP contract.
    • In order to verify their grades and keep their acceptance current, final transcripts must be submitted at the end of every semester.
    • After graduation in May, submission of final transcripts MUST be sent to TTUHSC School of Medicine and TMDSAS for final verification of grades and eligibility in the summer before matriculation to medical school.
    • After transcripts are submitted and verified by TMDSAS, if the cumulative and/or science GPA falls below the requirement stated in their contract, the medical school will review the student's ability to raise and maintain his or her GPA and Early Acceptance seat.
  • The MCAT
    • If granted acceptance, a student MUST NOT take the MCAT. If they choose to do so, their Early Acceptance seat will be rescinded at the discretion of the School of Medicine Office of Admissions.

Helpful Links

Contact Information

  • TTUHSC School of Medicine, Office of Admissions 
    • Assistant Director of Outreach and Programs 


Apply to EAP Today!


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