Admissions Process

Admission to the GSBS is granted by the dean, upon the recommendation of the admissions committee. Applicants considered for admission must be in good standing with the last school attended.

Even though the admission process encompasses a holistic review; there are three main criteria used to evaluate all applicants for admission:

• Academic records: All academic records may be considered.
• Test scores: Depending on the program either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, or the Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores.
• Individual profile: Profiles may include recommendations and/or information on the student’s research background, motivation, multilingual proficiency, undergraduate institution(s), presentations, portfolios, and the admission interview. The admission committee may also consider work experience, demonstrated commitment to a particular field or study, and community involvement.

All applicants should allow ample time for required support documents to be received and added to the application packages.

An application package consists of the following:

1. Online application
   1. All sections of the online application must be completed and submitted prior to the application closing date.
   2. Applications are reviewed by the GSBS office and the admissions committee.
   3. Offers are made in accordance with the committee’s recommendation and final approval by the dean.
   4. Any offer of admission made under falsified information will be immediately voided.

Any exceptions to these guidelines are made on a case-by-case basis with support of the admissions committee, and approval by the dean.

2. Official Test Scores

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores

1. To be considered for admission into the M.S. in Biomedical Sciences program, applicants should submit a GRE score report that is no more than five years old.
   1. Official MCAT scores may be used in lieu of GRE scores upon approval by the dean.
2. All test scores should be sent through the Educational Testing Service.
3. The GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code for the GSBS is 7452.
4. Photocopies or scanned copies of GRE scores will not be accepted.
   1. Information about the GRE may be obtained at gre.org.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores

1. To be considered for admission into the post-baccalaureate certificate program - medical track
   1. Applicants should submit a MCAT score report that is no more than five years old.
2. Applicant should designate the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso as recipient.
3. Applicants should provide the GSBS office their AAMC ID.
4. Photocopies or scanned copies will not be accepted.
   1. Information about the MCAT may be obtained at aamc.org.

Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores

5. To be considered for admission into the post-baccalaureate certificate program - dental track
   1. Applicants should submit DAT score report that is no more than five years old.
6. Applicant should enter the GSBS email address (GSBSEP@ttuhsc.edu) under the “Alternate Email Address Copies” and hit the “Add Email Address” button.
7. Applicants should provide the GSBS office their DENTPIN.
8. Photocopies or scanned copies will not be accepted.
   1. Information about the DAT may be obtained at ada.org.

4. Official transcripts
   1. Applicants should have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a foreign institution, which typically requires at least 120 U.S. equivalent credit hours.
   2. Applicants should submit an official transcript from each college or university attended.
   3. All degrees earned must appear on official transcripts.
      1. Any applicant whose current enrollment prevents them from submitting a final transcript should submit the most recent transcript reflecting all current coursework.
      2. Consideration for admission may be granted on the condition that a final official transcript will be provided no later than the first day of classes.
      3. Failure to submit a final official transcript before the first day of classes will result in the revocation of the acceptance offer.
   4. Applicants who attended an institution outside the U.S. must provide a course-by-course evaluation of all coursework taken at any degree-granting institution(s) recognized by the country’s government/governmental ministry.
      1.  Any applicant whose current enrollment prevents them from submitting a final transcript must submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation of all completed coursework.
      2. Consideration for admission may be granted on the condition that a final official course-by-course evaluation is provided no later than the first day of classes.
      3. Failure to submit a final official course-by-course evaluation before the first day of classes will result in the revocation of the acceptance offer.
      4. If the course-by-course evaluation states that an applicant has less than 120 U.S. equivalent credit hours and lacks the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, then the applicant has the option to seek an alternative evaluation from another TTUHSC El Paso approved evaluation company.
5. Letters of recommendation
   1. A minimum of two letters of recommendation are required.
   2. All letters of recommendation should be submitted either through the online application system or emailed to GSBSEP@ttuhsc.edu.
   3. Emailed letters should be sent directly from the recommender’s institutional or work email address.
   4. Letters of recommendation submitted by the applicant will not be accepted unless the original hard copy is submitted in a sealed envelope.
6. Essay
   1. All applicants must submit a written essay through the online application system stating the reason(s) for applying to the program(s).
7. Application fee
   1. A one-time, non-refundable application fee of $45 is required per application.
      1. Applicants that participated in the TTUHSC El Paso SABR program and wish to apply to one of our academic programs may be eligible for an application fee waiver at the discretion of the dean.
      2. Applicants that participated in the TTUHSC El Paso post-baccalaureate certificate program and wish to apply to the TTUHSC El Paso M.S. in Biomedical Sciences may be eligible for an application fee waiver at the discretion of the dean.
   2. Contact the GSBS office for further information.
8. In accordance with Texas Education Code §51.842, (b) “An applicant’s performance on a standardized test may not be used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process for a graduate or professional program as the sole criterion for consideration of the applicant or as the primary criterion to end consideration of the applicant.”