2025-2026 UT Tyler

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

wysdoc

Plain-spoken Texan
Administrator
Volunteer Staff
Lifetime Donor
7+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Messages
15,762
Reaction score
25,639
2025-2026 UT Tyler Secondary Essay Prompts: (notice they list WORD count not character count)

1. Our mission is to improve the quality of life and reduce health disparities in our rural East Texas region. Please indicate (select one) your connection to East Texas as outlined in our county map and explain below:

a) I have direct ties to the East Texas region (born, graduated high school, community college, undergraduate, etc.)
b) I have indirect ties to the East Texas Region (family members, in-laws, visited East Texas frequently, attended summer camp in East Texas, etc.)
c) I have ties to a rural region with similar characteristics to the East Texas region (size, demographics, health disparities, etc.)
d) I do not have ties to the East Texas region; however, I’m interested in practicing in this area after graduation.
e) I do not have ties to the East Texas region but am still interested in attending the UT Tyler School of Medicine.

Explain. (250 words)

2. Are you a reapplicant? Yes/No

3. Are you a reapplicant to UT Tyler SOM? Yes/No
What have you done between the last application cycle to make your application stronger? (no limit)

4. Mission Statement: The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine was founded to address the shortage of physicians and lack of access to healthcare in East Texas, with the singular goal of improving the quality of life and health in our region.

The mission of the UT Tyler SOM is fourfold:
Community: Embed the School of Medicine within East Texas, focusing on communication, responsiveness, inclusion, and community. The School of Medicine in East Texas, and everything we do will be in partnership with our communities.
Education: Recruit, support and develop a representative healthcare and research workforce from East Texas, focused on reducing health disparities in East Texas.
Research: Develop an array of biomedical, clinical, preventive, translational and population-based research programs focused on understanding and eliminating health disparities in East Texas.
Clinical: Expand access to top-quality healthcare in the local communities of East Texas by developing and implementing innovative healthcare systems and leveraging existing infrastructure and programs.

(after reading the 4 mission points)
Why are you interested in applying to UT Tyler’s SOM? (500 words)


5. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result. Examples may include: moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity; or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. (500 words)

6. Optional question (highly recommend): Please use this space to share with the committee any additional information that may help us evaluate your candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere in the application. (500 words)

7. Did you participate in a UT Tyler SOM Pathway Program? Yes/No



Good luck to all applying!

Interview Feedback:
 
Last edited:
IS secondary received today! @wysdoc

1. Our mission is to improve the quality of life and reduce health disparities in our rural East Texas region. Please indicate (select one) your connection to East Texas as outlined in our county map and explain below:

a) I have direct ties to the East Texas region (born, graduated high school, community college, undergraduate, etc.)
b) I have indirect ties to the East Texas Region (family members, in-laws, visited East Texas frequently, attended summer camp in East Texas, etc.)
c) I have ties to a rural region with similar characteristics to the East Texas region (size, demographics, health disparities, etc.)
d) I do not have ties to the East Texas region; however, I’m interested in practicing in this area after graduation.
e) I do not have ties to the East Texas region but am still interested in attending the UT Tyler School of Medicine.

Explain. (250 words)

2. Are you a reapplicant? Yes/No
3. Are you a reapplicant to UT Tyler SOM? Yes/No
What have you done between the last application cycle to make your application stronger? (no limit)

4. Mission Statement: The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine was founded to address the shortage of physicians and lack of access to healthcare in East Texas, with the singular goal of improving the quality of life and health in our region.

The mission of the UT Tyler SOM is fourfold:

Community: Embed the School of Medicine within East Texas, focusing on communication, responsiveness, inclusion, and community. The School of Medicine in East Texas, and everything we do will be in partnership with our communities.

Education: Recruit, support and develop a representative healthcare and research workforce from East Texas, focused on reducing health disparities in East Texas.

Research: Develop an array of biomedical, clinical, preventive, translational and population-based research programs focused on understanding and eliminating health disparities in East Texas.

Clinical: Expand access to top-quality healthcare in the local communities of East Texas by developing and implementing innovative healthcare systems and leveraging existing infrastructure and programs.
Why are you interested in applying to UT Tyler’s SOM? (500 words)


5. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Please include how you got through the experience and what you learned about yourself as a result. Examples may include: moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity; or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. (500 words)

6. Optional question (highly recommend): Please use this space to share with the committee any additional information that may help us evaluate your candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere in the application. (500 words)

7. Did you participate in a UT Tyler SOM Pathway Program? Yes/No
 
I noticed that they ask re-applicants the same question asked on the primary application. Should we be sure to write a new response on the secondary and tailor it more to UT Tyler's mission?
 
I noticed that they ask re-applicants the same question asked on the primary application. Should we be sure to write a new response on the secondary and tailor it more to UT Tyler's mission?
I didn’t, I copied and pasted it.
 
for question 1 my answer is I do not have ties to the East Texas region but am still interested in attending the UT Tyler School of Medicine. would i just end there or do i have to explain more why i want to go to UT tyler because question 4 is essentially the same in asking why us?
 
for question 1 my answer is I do not have ties to the East Texas region but am still interested in attending the UT Tyler School of Medicine. would i just end there or do i have to explain more why i want to go to UT tyler because question 4 is essentially the same in asking why us?
answer no (choice "e") and do your "why UT Tyler" in question 4
 
Last edited:
If I have volunteered in an East Texas region consistently over the past year but do not live there would this be considered indirect or direct ties?
 
is this lower yield if you're not from east texas? got a secondary, i live in dallas, have lived in harris and houston county before though.
 
is this lower yield if you're not from east texas? got a secondary, i live in dallas, have lived in harris and houston county before though.
It definitely is considering their mission but at my interview about 50% of the other applicants were from Dallas / Houston. Genuine & demonstrated interest in rural medicine can help align you with the mission.

Harris county is not considered East Texas, but Houston county is. Keep in mind that the county and the city are VERY different, so be careful when indicating ties to the region.
 
for UT Tyler interviews, they have a list of dates and they are all middle of the week. With work, I think I will be unable to attend the open house the night before – will this negatively impact my interview in any way? Also, does anyone know how prematch heavy they are? I may need to push interviewe to november 20 which is the third to last date and am unsure if this is going to significantly decrease my odds of an acceptance.
 
for UT Tyler interviews, they have a list of dates and they are all middle of the week. With work, I think I will be unable to attend the open house the night before – will this negatively impact my interview in any way? Also, does anyone know how prematch heavy they are? I may need to push interviewe to november 20 which is the third to last date and am unsure if this is going to significantly decrease my odds of an acceptance.
Open house the night before is just a chance to calm your nerves & get ready for the interview.

But, keep your eyes on the prize! Is your goal to get into medical school, or to have perfect attendance at your current job?
 
My secondary was submitted and my application considered complete on 6/18 and I got the interview on 7/2
 
Thank God! Interview invite received.
Submitted Secondary on 7/6/2025, Interview invite 7/9/2025
 
I am a current MS1 here and I will say not all of our class is from East TX. We even have one from Maryland. However, most of the class is from East Texas or has connections to it. So long as you show a desire to improve health care in East Texas, that’s what matters most to our school.
 
When did y'all get your secondaries? Did you have to wait for primary verification? I just submitted TMDSAS yesterday. I've prewritten, hoping to get my secondary submitted ASAP :3
 
When did y'all get your secondaries? Did you have to wait for primary verification? I just submitted TMDSAS yesterday. I've prewritten, hoping to get my secondary submitted ASAP :3
Yup, once ur primary is verified it will be sent to the schools who will then send you secondaries. Tyler sends fairly quick, like within a day-a week!
 
Top