I guess the UTSW students are back to being busy again 😅
That we are! lol
Let me go through each of your questions one-at-a-time. I'm sure most of these have been answered elsewhere on this thread at some point by one of us students so seek those out if you want additional perspectives.
Do you know of any active changes they are trying to implement in the pre-clinical years to have a stronger Step 1 prep? Will they transition to NBME exams? Will their exams/learning objectives be more relevant to Step 1 vs testing on "low yield fluff"? Will they allow more efficient studying time and remove unnecessary mandatory sessions?
Biggest change I’ve seen is course directors handpicking UWorld questions that align with our blocks—heme did this really well, pulm is doing it too. Honestly though, I don’t think we
need a full STEP 1 overhaul. UTSW covers UWorld, gives 6 weeks dedicated, and the summer before M2 is pretty free—even with research.
No, we’re not switching to NBME exams anytime soon, but they
are trimming a lot of fluff, especially first semester (though opinions vary). Mandatory sessions like TBLs/CBLs are here to stay—usually useful, though the timing can be hit-or-miss. Most lectures are now online and pre-recorded, which has made it way easier to stay ahead or study more efficiently. At the end of the day, it's still a sprint. Some of this stuff matters less than you’d think once you're in it.
Is the pre-clinical curriculum integrated, systems-based, case-based, or lecture-heavy?
First semester (PC1) is pretty lecture-heavy and a bit scattershot—it’s meant to clear out the foundational “distraction” courses like anatomy, biochem, micro, etc. They’re all important long term, but it makes PC1 feel less integrated. Starting in PC2 and PC3, the curriculum becomes more systems-based, with some case-based learning depending on the course director. So yeah—initially lecture-heavy, then more organized into organ blocks (but still really lecture heavy; they've got to present the material to you somehow lol).
How many hours do you guys study per day on average? Do you ever have relaxing weekends?
I’ve said this elsewhere in the thread, but it bears repeating:
med school will take whatever you’re willing to give it. It’s up to you to draw the line somewhere beyond just passing. We are a P/F curriculum. That boundary looks different for everyone, but most of us eventually find a rhythm.
On average, people study a solid amount—maybe 4–8 hours a day depending on the block, deadlines, and personal style—but what really matters is
how you study, not just how long. And yes, most of us carve out time for weekends. If you find yourself unable to build in downtime, I’d genuinely recommend reaching out to our academic support team. They’re fantastic at helping people reprioritize and get unstuck. Anecdotally, just about everyone I know has found a routine that works and they're doing well, a bit stressed sometimes, but well.
Are you required to be on campus every single day? I heard classes are online, but there are a lot of other mandatory meetings/strive sessions/labs/quizzes, etc? Not saying, I wouldn't be interested in attending in person. I live in DFW area, about 35 mins without traffic from UTSW, but could be 50-75 minutes easily with the rush hour/downtown traffic. So was wondering if I can stay home to study some days instead. (NOT a big deal tho! I can drive easily everyday)
You can expect to be on campus about 4 days a week during the first semester. That drops to more like 2–3 days in the second and third. I study on campus a lot by choice, but I totally get where you’re coming from.
That said, being in person is a big part of the culture here. A lot of the clinical skills stuff, group learning sessions, and labs are scheduled in a way that can make your days feel pretty packed. So while lectures are mostly online now, the rest of your schedule still pulls you in pretty regularly.
Do we get hands on clinical experience early?
Yup. You’ll see your first standardized patient within the first couple weeks. Not long after, you go as a small group to see a real patient, and by the end of first semester, you’re doing full visit write-ups at Parkland or Clements—history, physical (with an MS4 mentor), differential, treatment plan, and presenting it to your small group.
You’ll also get hands-on with phlebotomy pretty early. MS1s are cycled through Parkland and have to successfully draw blood from a set number of patients (don’t remember the exact number). There's also a ton of opportunities you can seek out on your own. I've been volunteering at our free clinic giving vaccines to kids for school, personally and it's been a very cool experience.
Are there mentorship programs/personalized advising? Like are you able to get in touch with any of the UTSW's residency faculty - to build connection, make a good first impression, get letter of recommendation, and have a strong chance in landing a residency spot in UTSW?
Yeah, definitely. You get assigned to a small group of 5–6 students with a physician mentor and 2–3 MS4s who rotate in. We meet once a week—usually Wednesday or Thursday afternoons—and it’s a chill but consistent way to build mentorship, get feedback, and work on clinical skills.
You’re also paired with one of the Deans of Student Affairs who you’ll meet with throughout med school to talk through specialty interests, how to build your app, and eventually how to approach residency stuff.
Cold emailing is also surprisingly effective—at least it has been for me and my friends. A lot of faculty and residents are open to having you shadow or just chat, and those connections can definitely turn into letters or longer-term mentorship if you take the initiative.
Do we have high quality simulation labs, standardized patients, cadaver labs, clinical sims labs, and other resources?
yes. yes. yes. yes. the resources here are all you could hope for as a training medical student.
Are we taught ultrasound techniques and interpreting different imaging studies at a competent level?
Yeah, it’s woven into pretty much every block. You’ll get lecture-based training on ultrasound, X-rays, CTs, etc., and you're expected to learn the basics of interpreting them as part of the preclinical curriculum. It's not super hands-on early on, but the exposure is consistent and definitely builds a solid foundation.
What else can you do on UTSW's campus? What other amenities or activities are there?
There’s actually a good amount going on. We’ve got a student rec center with basketball, volleyball, tennis, indoor track, and a solid weight room. Parking’s easy—garage is a short walk from campus—and there are shuttle services between school and the hospitals.
You also have access to basically every academic/research building on campus, which makes it easy to find quiet or scenic study spots (some with skyline views if that’s your thing). And yeah—free food is a regular thing thanks to all the interest group lunches, specialty talks, etc.
Where do people study? Are there private quiet rooms with big white boards?
Kind of touched on this already, but yeah—besides those other spots, most people study in the library or student lounges. There are whiteboards everywhere, so you’re covered. The quiet section of the library has around 15 private rooms with tables and full whiteboards, ~30 private study cubicles, and a bunch of tables by the windows if you’re into natural light. In the early spring and late fall, a lot of people head out to the plaza to study—it’s a nice change of pace when the weather’s good.
What's the student classroom vibe like - collaborative or cutthroat? My previous post.
The atmosphere at UTSW is serious, but (clearing the air here again) it's definitely not cutthroat. People here are excited to be part of this community and are very supportive. While we know how to enjoy ourselves, if you're looking for a laid-back, "chill" medical school vibe, UTSW probably isn't the best fit.
That said, being part of a community of hardworking individuals is incredibly motivating—you naturally rise to that level of commitment. It's a place where you’re pushed, but it's all for the benefit of your development and your future patients.
I can’t personally speak to the experiences at Long or McGovern, as I don’t attend those schools. If you’re considering them, I’d suggest reaching out to current students there to get their perspectives and then comparing that to what you hear from us at UTSW.
How are the professors at teaching concepts? I read it's an average 5-6/10 from above, is this accurate?
There are definitely some great teachers and some that don’t hit as well—it’s a mix, like pretty much any med school. That said, you’re not stuck with just the lectures. There are “tutoring slides” made by upperclassmen that break down high-yield, testable material for each block. They’re not a replacement for lectures, but they’re a super helpful supplement—especially if a particular lecturer isn’t your style.
Does UTSW give out merit based scholarships/full ride to some accepted students? If so, how many do they give out?
Can't speak to this, try reaching out to our financial aid office and asking them. They're very friendly and helpful.
What other critiques do you guys have of UTSW?
Honestly, I’m happy here and genuinely grateful for the opportunity. I don’t really have major complaints.
That said, like anywhere, there are small things that can get frustrating—first semester can feel kind of scattered, especially before the organ blocks start. Some mandatory sessions don’t always feel super high-yield, even though they usually have some value if you lean in. And yeah, being in Dallas, traffic can definitely suck depending on where you're coming from. But overall, the clinical exposure, the resources, and just how much support is available really outweigh the minor stuff. Most of us settle in and figure out what works pretty quickly.
What are all the things you like about UTSW?
What I love about UTSW is that stuff just kind of falls in your lap. I’ll be sitting there studying and get an email out of nowhere for a clinical experience or shadowing opportunity that someone took the time to organize just for us med students. It makes it feel like you’re being set up to succeed from day one.
Also, the patient population here is incredible. I’ve talked to so many people whose lives were completely changed by this place—they’re practically glowing when they talk about what UTSW has done for them. It’s humbling and honestly a powerful reminder of why we’re doing this.
Research-wise, it’s everywhere. If you’re even remotely interested, it won’t take long to find a mentor or project. People are willing to help if you just show some initiative. The hospital system is huge and integrated, so you get early, real exposure to high-level medicine across Parkland, Clements, Children’s, and the VA.
Could you guys share some accepted stats of non-traditional applicants with unique backgrounds (their journey, clinical experience, gpa, mcat, 30+ year olds, etc)? I am a hopeful non-trad that lives in DFW haha. If I get into UTSW, I will cry!!
Sorry, wish I could help you with this but aside from the MSAR and the UTSW web-page, there's not much else I'm able to provide information-wise. I know students who got MCATs of 520ish and others that were in the upper 500s.
Southwestern does show love to nontrads though so they'll definitely give you a good look. Best of luck!
