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Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine

Application Process

Overview

On this page you will find a summary of our application processes as well as some additional information that might be helpful. Click one of the links below to jump to one of these specific topics or scroll to view them in turn.

  1. Standard Application Process
  2. Early Decision Application Process
  3. Additional Information

Standard Application Process

Application Process

  1. Primary Application

    Interested students must submit an application via the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS), the centralized processing service for participating Texas medical schools.  Applications for admission are accepted according to the TMDSAS timeline.

    The TMDSAS application includes, but is not limited to, such materials as:

    • Post-secondary academic work (refer to TMDSAS for guidance on submission of transcripts)
    • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores
    • Personal essays
    • A minimum of three (3) Letters of Recommendation
    • Activities and experiences

    Only applications submitted via TMDSAS will be accepted. Any application materials submitted to the College of Medicine Admissions Office outside of the TMDSAS application process will not be accepted or considered.  Instructions on the application process can be found on the TMDSAS website. 

    Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine does not participate in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

     

  2. Secondary Application

    Qualified applicants will receive an email invitation to submit a secondary application. The email will contain a link to the submission portal along with instructions and additional information. There is a 14-day deadline from the time-date stamp on the invitation email to return the secondary application. The cost of the secondary application is $60. Fee waivers are available for qualified applicants and instructions will be provided in the invitation.

    Applications will be reviewed for alignment with the College of Medicine mission. 

    Applicants are advised to regularly check their spam folders/filters during application season so that they do not overlook any important, expected communications from institutions of interest, or miss any deadlines. The College of Medicine Admissions Office does not make exceptions for missed deadlines.

     

    Applicant Attributes:
    Our admissions team seeks applicants whose activities and reflections demonstrate: a commitment to service and to community engagement; a history of performing effectively in team settings; cultural and academic humility; capacity for academic excellence and innovative problem solving; and evidence of maturity, conscientiousness, and resiliency. Because there are many more qualified applicants than available seats, applicants who successfully demonstrate an inclination to pursue careers in primary care will be prioritized.

     

  3. Interview

    Qualified applicants will be selected to interview, as a final stage in the application process. Interviews will begin in September. All offers will be made according to the TMDSAS Spring 2026 timeline.

    Upon receiving an invitation to interview, applicants will have 30 days to schedule their interview time with the Admissions Office.  

 

Early Decision Application

Why apply through an Early Decision Program?

Early decision is a chance to apply and have a decision made on an application early in the admissions cycle.

Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine applicants should consider applying early decision if they have a competitive application and their personal and professional career goals align with the mission of college.  Early decision applications are subject to the same holistic review criteria as applications in the general application process.

Early Decision applicants are prohibited from applying to any other US medical school until they receive a decision on their Early Decision application.

 

See the TMDSAS website for important dates and deadlines for Early Decision Programs and more details about the process: TMDSAS Early Decision Programs

When applying Early Decision, applicants should indicate in the [Select Schools] section that they are applying to the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine through the restricted Early Decision Programs.

An applicant who is offered admission to the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine through Early Decision is required to attend. Applicants must obtain a formal release from the Admissions Office in order to be eligible to apply to other schools.

 

Not accepted through Early Decision? What’s next?

If not accepted to the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine through Early Decision, once the applicant receives formal notification of the admissions decision, applications will be moved to the general applicant pool and they are eligible for consideration by other medical schools.

 

Want to know more?

The College of Medicine will be hosting virtual information sessions at 12:00 – 1:00 on both April 11 and April 25. Email the admissions team at uhcomoa@central.uh.edu for an invitation.

Additional Information

Criminal Background Checks:
The Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine requires that newly admitted applicants to the M.D. program, complete and successfully pass a Criminal Background Check (CBC) prior to matriculation. Offers of admission are contingent upon the outcome of the CBC, which will be reviewed by the Fertitta College of Medicine Admissions Office.

Immunization Requirements:
Please view the Fertitta College of Medicine Student Handbook for details.

Transfer Students:
Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine will not consider transfer requests at this time.

College Tours:
Live tours are available as part of the application process for vetted applicants only and are not available on a walk-in basis. A tour video is available to view online.