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Requirements for Admission

Applicants must have or be in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree. UT Southwestern’s Graduate School has no minimum GPA.

A complete application will include:

  • Finalized and submitted online application

  • Unofficial transcripts from each institution attended, even if a degree was not granted

  • Three letters of recommendation

  • Language proficiency test scores for international applicants only

International students whose native language is not English must submit language proficiency exam scores. We accept the following test scores – TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, and Duolingo. Language proficiency exam scores may be waived under limited circumstances. 

Admission is granted for the fall semester only. Applicants must submit the online application by Dec. 1. There is a 10-day grace period allowed for receipt of all supporting materials. Further application information, including a link to the online application, is available on the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences website.

When evaluating applicants, the Admissions Committee will consider:

  • Academic performance in college as reflected in the grade-point average;

  • Recommendations from appropriate professors and/or mentors;

  • Scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test (required for Clinical Psychology; optional for Biomedical Engineering; not considered for other programs);

  • The applicant's personal statement and the motivation indicated therein; and 

  • Experiences in clinical and/or scientific research activities where appropriate for the program sought.  

 

The Division of Basic Science also considers the following:

  • Ability to communicate in English;

  • Personal qualities (e.g., extra-curricular activities, motivation, grit, resiliency, tenacity, integrity, maturity, and leadership);

  • The rigor of the undergraduate curriculum and its appropriateness as preparation for study in the graduate program sought;

  • Responsibilities as an undergraduate student such as employment; involvement in community activities; commitment to a particular field of study; socioeconomic background; and first generation in their family to graduate from college.  

 

The Division of Clinical Science also considers the following:

  • Personal suitability for a career in clinical psychology as evidenced by ability to relate to others, warmth, empathy, and a deep interest in psychological processes;

  • Personal qualities (e.g., extracurricular activities, motivation, grit, resiliency, tenacity, integrity, maturity, and leadership); and

  • Multilingual proficiency; responsibilities as an undergraduate student such as employment; region of residence; involvement in community activities; commitment to a particular field of study; from a medically underserved geographic area; socioeconomic background; and first generation in their family to graduate from college.  

Under special circumstances, appropriately qualified students may be admitted with advanced standing in one of the Division’s programs without taking the first-year core curriculum; for example, a student with equivalent coursework and research experience gained at another institution.

Students enrolled in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at UT Southwestern typically are admitted to advanced standing in one of the programs based on satisfactory completion of the first two years of the Medical School curriculum and completion of the MSTP research rotations.