Application Process

All applicants to McGovern Medical School must complete the following:

A primary application

A secondary application

  • A McGovern Medical School Secondary Application is required of all applicants.
  • Candidates will receive an email invitation from our school containing the link and instructions to complete our secondary application after we have received their complete application from TMDSAS. Please allow for processing time by TMDSAS.

A CASPer Test score

  • All applicants applying to McGovern Medical School are required to complete an online assessment, Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer).
  • We do not require Duet or Snapshot.
  • CASPer is an online test which assesses non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program, and will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.
  • In order to take CASPer, you will be responsible for securing access to a laptop or desktop computer with webcam and audio capabilities. You will require the following for both account creation and taking the test:

– Government-issued photo ID
– Valid email address
– Working webcam
– Working microphone
– Reliable high-speed internet connection

Please go to takealtus.com to sign up for the Medicine test (CSP-10111 – U.S. Medicine), under your specific country (USA), and reserve a test using your TMDSAS ID and a piece of government-issued photo ID. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your CASPer test. The last test date accepted will be November 28, 2024. There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly; there may be updates to the test schedule.

You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times based on the admissions timeline and requirements. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your CASPer test, and you must enter your TMDSAS ID in CASPer and select McGovern Medical School for distribution before the posted Distribution Deadline. Likely, there will be no additional tests scheduled, but the most up to date information can be found by browsing the Test Dates and Times  on takealtus.com.

Please refer to the Applicant Communications KitFrequently Asked Questions or the Take Altus Contact Us webpage for questions about the test. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of your screen on the Takealtus.com website.

The CASPer test comprises 12 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of probing questions under a time contract. The test typically takes between 75-90 minutes to complete. Each response is graded by a different rater, giving a very robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to our program. No studying is required for CASPer, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure at takealtus.com and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test. We strongly urge you to take advantage of the 12-section practice test, which will not only immerse you in the test environment, but will also ensure you meet the technical requirements to access and complete the test.

CASPer test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.

Important Note: Secondary Application invitations, interview invitations, offer letters, and any other communications made to applicants from McGovern Medical School will be sent from our e-mail address ms.applytouth@uth.tmc.edu. Please make sure to mark this sender as safe and check your spam folder as well as your email inbox for correspondence.

*It is the goal of McGovern Medical School to accept only those students who are guaranteed to complete the full four years of the curriculum based on citizenship or permanent resident status. Therefore, only applicants who are permanent US residents or American citizens will be considered for interview and admission.

Application Review

McGovern Medical School carefully reviews applications by applying the concepts of the AAMC holistic review initiative. Holistic review is a flexible, individualized way of assessing an applicant’s capabilities by which balanced consideration is given to experiences, attributes, and academic metrics and, when considered in combination, how the individual might contribute value as a medical student and physician.

There is no discrimination on the basis of race, sex, creed, national origin, age, or disability.

Invitation to Interview

If selected, the invitation to interview will be sent to the e-mail address submitted in the TMDSAS application. It will include a link to the website where the applicant may schedule their preferred interview day (space availability is limited and filled on a first come first serve basis). Interviews are typically held between mid-late August and early-mid January.

Interview Day

Upon selecting their preferred interview date, students will receive detailed information about the interview day, which will include parking, the general schedule, overnight housing options offered and maps. Students should have a clear understanding of what will happen during the interview experience before they arrive and are expected to attend the entire interview day.

After the Interview

After the interview our Admissions Committee will complete a full review that involves a careful reading of the entire application by a member of the Admissions Committee. Each applicant will receive a ranking, relative to all other applicants based on their personal attributes, life experiences, academic preparation, contribution to the class, leadership, community service involvement, etc. The reviewer will then assign an overall ranking based on a summative impression of the application. The Admissions Selection Committee will utilize these rankings to determine which applicants will be offered an acceptance to our school.