Congratulations! You’ve been accepted to the MD./Ph.D Program! Here are the next steps. Detailed instructions will be provided in your acceptance letter.
Revisit
The South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (STX-MSTP) hosts a "Second Look" revisit in April that allows candidates a closer look at the institution and San Antonio. The Second Look itinerary changes year to year, but always includes one-on-one meetings with potential research faculty mentors, socializing with current students, and tours of the city. The STX-MSTP pays for all costs associated with travel and lodging for this trip. An in-person Second Look Visit is dependent on local guidlines and restrictions surrounding COVID-19.
AMCAS
Our school has adopted the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School webtool into our admission policies and processes for the current admissions cycle for the MD/PhD Program. Accepted applicants are required to indicate "Plan to Enroll" to our program in the AMCAS Choose Your Medical School webtool on or before April 30th. Given that our STX MSTP orientation is June 1st, applicants must select the Commit to Enroll option on or before May 11th by 9:00 am CST.
Matriculation
Prior to the program start date, the program will advise you through selecting a mentor for your summer research rotation. We begin our program on or around June 1st each year. The first day will be a New Student Orientation with your STX-MSTP cohort. On this day, we will set you up with administrative necessities (stipend, insurance, student ID, etc.) and familiarize you with the program handbook of processes and procedures). The following day, you will begin a seven-week research rotation. This leads up to the medical school White Coat Ceremony and class start date in late July. The average time for completion in this program is 7-8 years. Medical school will always be a complete four-year training, however, there is flexibility within the graduate training depending on several factors, such as mentor/committee support, the quality and quantity of research experience you enter the program with, as well as personal drive and motivation.
Financial Support
The STX-MSTP will cover mandatory expenses throughout the duration of the program, including eight years of tuition and fees, a stipend of no less than $30,000/year, health insurance, as well as certain exam fees such as USMLE STEP 1 and 2. We also provide support for discretionary expenses on a case-by-case basis, such as expenses associated with conference travel, poster printing, and exam study materials.
Integrated Curriculum
As an NIH-designated MSTP, we have higher expectations for our students than other M.D./Ph.D. programs may set for their students. This includes expected participation in events and activities that may not be required of a standard medical student or graduate student. We believe that each event plays a key role in enriching your education and training as an exemplar physician-scientist.