JSSOM Supplemental Application
Candidates will receive an email invitation from UTMB with instructions on how to complete the supplemental application once the TMDSAS application has been processed. No applicant will be invited for an interview without the submission of a completed
supplemental application (supplemental essay AND asynchronous video responses).
Deadline to submit the supplemental application is November 8, 2024.
Fee: $70
The CASPer Test - Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics
All applicants applying to the John Sealy School of Medicine at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston are required to complete both the CASPer and Duet assessments via the Altus Suite. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility. Applicants must only complete Casper and Duet from the Altus Suite to complete their application to the School of Medicine.
CASPer assesses non-cognitive and interpersonal skills as well as situational judgment. We believe these characteristics are essential for success in our program and complement the other tools we use for applicant screening. Duet is a pilot for UTMB and will not be used during the screening process. It assesses student-program value alignment. The implementation of CASPer and Duet further enhances fairness and objectivity in our selection process.
In order to take CASPer and Duet, you will be responsible for securing access to a computer with audio capabilities, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. CASPer can be taken practically anywhere that you can satisfy the aforementioned requirements. 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 https://takealtus.com/ to sign up for the School of 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. October 17, 2024 will be the last test accepted for the 2025 entry year. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your CASPer test, and you must select School of Medicine 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 https://takealtus.com/
Letters of Evaluation
Medical applicants are required to submit:
- One Health Professions Committee Packet OR
- Three individual letters of evaluation
Letter Requirements
All letters of evaluation must include the following criteria in order to be accepted. Any letters that do not meet these standards will be rejected.
- Be written on official letterhead (personal or professional letterhead is accepted)
- Include the evaluator's contact information (specifically a phone number and/or email address)
- Include the evaluator's signature
- Include the applicant's name
- Letter must be dated. The Admissions committees will take the date of the letter into consideration during review.
- Written in English
Security Clearance
On January 1, 2004, a new Joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) standard became effective requiring criminal background checks for security purposes on all employees, staff, and volunteers who supervise care, render treatment,
and provide services. The site governing this policy can be found at: UTMB IHOP Background Check Policy (PDF) | UTMB Policies and Procedures website.
This security clearance will be done through the TDCJ hospital.
Individual institutions have been given the responsibility for mandating this clearance for students. The UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine policy states that students who are assigned to clinical facilities that require criminal background checks for
security purposes must comply with and receive clearance from affiliated institutions in order to participate in clinically related activities. Therefore, in keeping with this policy, all students will be required to undergo a background check for
security clearance in order to matriculate into UTMB.
In
addition to the TDCJ security clearance, each accepted student must
undergo a drug screen and background check via CastleBranch 60 days
prior to matriculation.
Equal Opportunity Policy
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a Vietnam
era veteran in any of its policies, practices, and procedures. Also, The University of Texas does not discriminate on the basis of sexual or gender orientation. This includes, but is not limited to admissions, financial aid, educational
services, and access to facilities and services.
Essential Functions for students with Disabilities
The University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston (UTMB) complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (ADA), ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and federal state, and local
requirements regarding students with disabilities. Under these laws, no
otherwise qualified and competitive individual with a disability shall
be denied access to or participation in services, programs, and
activities of UTMB solely on the basis of disability.
UTMB is committed to providing equal
opportunity for students with disabilities. If you have documented
disability or would like to obtain information regarding services for
students with disabilities at UTMB, please contact the
Institutional ADA Officer.
For more information, please visit
https://www.utmb.edu/studentservices/services/students-with-disabilities