From an accelerated preclinical curriculum to opportunities to tap into the vast expertise across The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Med is a leading-edge place to learn medicine.
In a Q&A, Dell Med’s admissions and student affairs deans explain what sets future Dell Med doctors apart — and why the person you are matters just as much as, if not more, than the grades you earn.
Left to right: Steve Abrams and Travis Crook.
Dell Medical School receives over 6,000 applications to its M.D. program each year, with 50 applicants ultimately forming each class of first-year students who embody the school’s mission to revolutionize how people get and stay healthy.
But Steve Abrams, M.D., interim assistant dean of admissions, and Travis Crook, M.D., associate dean of student affairs, don’t look at admissions as a numbers game. Seeking to demystify the admissions process, Abrams and Crook share their thoughts on what aspiring physicians should know about applying to Dell Med.
Q&A
Texas is home to a number of excellent medical schools. What should applicants know about Dell Med that makes it a leading-edge place to learn and train?
Travis Crook: Dell Med was founded around the question of what medical education could be, not just what it should be, so we’re always looking at how we can push the envelope around how students learn.
We give students the fundamentals they need through an accelerated first-year curriculum, which traditionally takes two years at many schools, and then really focus on how they apply knowledge to move forward. The first year is entirely pass/fail and rooted in the concept of competency-based medical education, which serves them for the rest of their careers.
Our third year offers students an incredibly unique opportunity to expand their education and become well-rounded physicians who can better serve their communities — all without spending more time in school. By being part of a world-class research university, students can tap into the breadth of expertise across campus and earn a secondary degree that aligns with the kind of physician they want to be. Whether a student wants to understand business operations, engineer novel devices or shape public policy, our third-year curriculum is designed to accommodate cross-training and individual interests.
On top of that, our small class size fosters incredible connections between both students and faculty, and what you get is an education that feels personalized around your skill sets and what you want to achieve.
Dell Med has a bold vision to define the future of health. When you think about the kind of student who can grow and meet that challenge, what are you looking for?
Steve Abrams: Strong academics are important, but we’re not just looking at who has the highest grades, the best MCAT scores or the most research hours.
We’re looking for evidence of leadership and innovation. That can be anything from research on artificial intelligence applications in health care to designing novel solutions to help underserved people find resources they need.
Dell Med is interested in students who understand challenges in the health care system and show evidence of working with populations that need interventions. We want to see applicants reach beyond themselves and the community they came from and provide service or education for all kinds of populations.
As Dell Med anchors a new integrated academic health system in Austin, what role do you see students playing in that developing work?
Crook: This doesn’t happen often. New medical schools form, but very rarely do you have a medical school transform into a medical center at a flagship research university.
The heart of the medical center will be the patients we serve, but we’re also building it with our learners in mind.
Dell Med’s curriculum is heavily influenced by student feedback and what they ultimately want to learn. And now they have an environment that is openly seeking the input of educators and learners. In the years ahead, there will be an incredible crosstalk where students shape how the medical center looks, operates and thinks.
What are some common misconceptions you hear about the application and admissions process?
Abrams: The number one misconception I hear about is that we care about the difference between a 3.95 GPA vs. a 3.90. Or that there are magical numbers we’re looking for. Good grades are important, but we’re not looking for perfection.
A person can have perfect scores but not be a good fit for us. We read every application front to back, and we care about everything that goes in there: what you say in your essays, the experiences you have … we want to see the person you are and why you want to get into medicine.
We want a person’s application and essays to show us their authentic selves and their authentic backgrounds.
Crook: I see people struggle with the essay prompt that asks applicants to speak about their passion for medicine. We often read about people’s accomplishments, their virtues and their experiences in health care. Those things are important, but they don’t always tell us about a person’s fundamental desire to practice medicine and serve as a physician.
Abrams: Applicants should also know that we operate completely within the TMDSAS system, and that’s where we get our information. We honor the system the way it’s meant to run. If someone sends letters of intent, personal statements or anything of that sort in the pre-match period, we don’t look at it.
A student gets accepted at Dell Med: What happens next, and how can they prepare for life as a Dell Med student?
Crook: By the time you’ve been accepted at Dell Med, you’ve already proven that you belong here. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, relax a little and try to take a vacation.
To help with the transition into medical school, I encourage students to not think of information as a means to do well on a test but as learning concepts that can be applied in the real world.
The other thing I recommend is to get comfortable with a growth mindset and leaning into mistakes. We want our students to make mistakes. We know we’re going to ask them to do things they don’t know how to do because we want to see, calibrate and help them learn to get there.
Abrams: The best advice I can give is to get your personal life in order as much as you can. Learn where the grocery stores and restaurants are. Plan your finances. Work on your friendships and relationships. These things don’t disappear when medical school starts.
Crook: Absolutely. Know that you’re never alone at Dell Med. Whether you’re struggling with finances or going through difficult personal situations, we have resources to support all our students. Asking for help is a sign of great insight and judgment.
What else should applicants know about Dell Med’s admissions process?
Abrams: We accept applicants during the pre-match period, we accept applicants during the match period, and we accept applicants off the waitlist. And we’ve done all three every year, so be patient. I know it’s hard, but be patient.
Crook: On the financial aid side of things, our scholarships go out later than many institutions, and that’s intentional. When we offer a scholarship, it’s for the full four-year commitment, and we stand by that. Like Dr. Abrams said, be patient.
The last thing we want applicants to know is to just contact us if you ever have any questions. Whether that’s at the apply@dellmed.utexas.edu address or by emailing me or Dr. Abrams directly. We’re happy to talk to prospective students, and we always enjoy that.