FGSBS - Admissions Process

Applicants are considered for admission upon the recommendation of the admissions committee. Applicants considered for admission must be in good standing with all the previous schools attended.Only students who have submitted completed applications will be considered for admission. The FGSBS office conducts a preliminary application review to determine which applications are completed, forwards them to the admissions committee for review, and arranges all the admissions interviews. 

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 of interest, the FGSBS office considers 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 FGSBS admission interview. The FGSBS admission committee may also consider work experience, demonstrated commitment to a particular field or study, and community involvement.

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.”

All applicants should allow ample time for required application documents to be received and reviewed by the FGSBS admissions office.

A complete application 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 FGSBS office and the admissions committee.
   3. Offers are made in accordance with the committee’s recommendation.
   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 the dean’s approval.

2. Official test scores considered for admission

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores

1. To be considered for 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.
2. All test scores should be sent through the Educational Testing Service.
3. The GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code for the FGSBS 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 the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program - Medical School 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 FGSBS office with 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 the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program - Dental School Track
   1. Applicants should submit DAT score report that is no more than five years old.
6. Applicant should enter the FGSBS email address (GSBSEP@ttuhsc.edu) under the “Alternate Email Address Copies” and hit the “Add Email Address” button.
7. Applicants should provide the FGSBS office with 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. Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation.
   2. All letters of recommendation should be submitted either through the online application system or emailed to GSBSEP@ttuhsc.edu. 
   3. The FGSBS will not accept letters of recommendation sent out from personal emails. The recommender should use a work email address. 
   4. Letters of recommendation submitted by the applicant will not be accepted unless it is the original letter inside a sealed envelope. 

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

4. Essay
   1. All applicants must submit a written essay through the online application system stating the reason(s) for applying to the program(s).
5. 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.
      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.

Contact the FGSBS office for further information.