There were 216 applicants in 2016, the most recent year for which the university shared data with the public. This meant that there were 45 places in each class. It took 249 hours on average to shadow someone, 549 hours on average to do community service, and 3049 hours on average to sit down with a patient. The average overall GPA was 3. 45. Applicants must additionally complete a CASPer suite test. This includes CASPer, Snapshot, and Duet. The CASPer test should be prepared for in advance. Additionally, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3. 0, and must satisfy requirements for prerequisite courses.
The admissions committee looks at a lot of things, such as how well you did in school, how much and what kind of hands-on care experience you have, your service and leadership experience, your great people skills, the enthusiasm shown in your letters of recommendation, and your mature and insightful essay as part of your application.
Interviewing at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience. As a premier academic health center in South Texas, UT Health San Antonio offers exceptional education, research, and clinical care opportunities. Competition for admission is high, so being prepared with thoughtful responses to common interview questions is key to standing out from other applicants
In this comprehensive guide, we provide an inside look at 7 of the most frequently asked interview questions at UT Health San Antonio across various programs like medicine, dentistry, nursing, and more We provide tips and sample responses to help you craft winning answers that highlight your skills, experience, and fit for this prestigious institution.
1. If you like helping people, why not just be a social worker?
This question aims to understand your motivation for pursuing a clinical healthcare career specifically, rather than adjacent helping professions. Interviewers want to gauge your commitment to medicine and working directly with patients.
Tips:
- Express your passion for healthcare and working hands-on to diagnose and treat patients. Convey why clinical practice appeals more than social work.
- Give specific examples of positive experiences shadowing physicians or volunteering in healthcare that affirmed your career path.
- Discuss how you envision using your medical expertise to make a difference in patients’ health and wellbeing.
Sample Response: As a volunteer at a free medical clinic, I discovered my calling to provide underserved patients with compassionate, hands-on medical care. While I have great respect for the social work profession, my interactions with patients and physicians showed me that I wanted to be in the exam room working side-by-side with patients. I was drawn to the complexity of diagnosing conditions and developing treatment plans to provide both medical and emotional support. My goal is to combine my scientific knowledge and interpersonal skills to have a direct impact on improving health outcomes. UT Health San Antonio’s focus on humanistic medicine in an underserved community aligns perfectly with my passion for delivering empathetic patient-centered care.
2. How do you handle stress?
Healthcare careers come with substantial stress, so interviewers want to know your stress management strategies. They are assessing your self-awareness, resilience, and commitment to maintaining work-life balance.
Tips:
- Demonstrate self-awareness by sharing your positive and negative stress responses.
- Emphasize healthy stress management strategies like exercise, meditation, connecting with loved ones.
- Discuss setting boundaries and taking time for recharging outside of work.
- Convey your ability to thrive and focus under pressure by channeling stress productively.
Sample Response: I recognize that I can become both mentally and physically drained when stress builds over time. When I feel stressed, I make an extra effort to carve out time every day for exercise and reflection, which helps me clear my mind and re-center. I also make sure to set aside time on the weekends to unwind and recharge with family and friends. Having open conversations with my support system keeps my stress levels manageable. Finally, when faced with high-pressure situations, I use stress productively to remain focused on the task at hand while keeping emotions in check. I channel any nervous energy into thoroughly gathering information, sharpening my concentration, and tapping into my training. My balanced approach will enable me to manage the demands of medical school and patient care while maintaining personal wellness.
3. What is your weak point?
This classic question tests your self-awareness and ability to showcase growth and improvement. Interviewers want to see that you can honestly evaluate yourself and actively work on self-improvement.
Tips:
- Share a past genuine weakness related to knowledge, skills or personality traits.
- Demonstrate self-reflection by explaining steps taken to acknowledge and improve on this weakness.
- Focus on strengths gained through the process of addressing your weakness.
Sample Response: Public speaking has always been a weak point of mine due to some natural shyness and lack of experience. In the past, I would grow very nervous about presentations, which caused me to stumble over words and rush through material. However, I knew that strong communication skills would be vital as a physician, so I challenged myself to improve. I took every opportunity to present in classes and at my research assistant job. With each experience, I became more comfortable. I also got feedback from professors and colleagues on areas to refine, which helped me to slow down, project confidence, and clearly convey key points. While I still get some nerves, I’m now able to successfully transform that energy into an engaging presentation. Conquering this weakness has taught me the value of moving outside my comfort zone and seeking opportunities for growth.
4. What is your best trait?
With this inquiry, interviewers want to learn what you consider your standout quality among your skills, values and attributes. Your answer provides insight into how you perceive your strengths and what you bring to the table.
Tips:
- Choose a strength that relates directly to the program or profession.
- Provide a specific example illustrating this trait in action.
- Discuss how you plan to leverage this trait as a student and future professional.
Sample Response: My best trait is my problem-solving ability. I’m a naturally curious person who excels at analyzing all angles of a problem to arrive at creative solutions. For example, as a research assistant in a biomechanics lab, I troubleshot issues with sensor systems by systematically testing each component until I pinpointed the faulty parts. My critical thinking skills enabled me to devise a novel solution that prevented future issues. As a medical student and physician, I will rely on my knack for problem-solving to accurately diagnose complex conditions and develop optimal individualized treatment plans. I’m confident my penchant for creative problem-solving will enable me to thrive at UT Health San Antonio and positively impact patient lives.
5. What is one thing that surprised you when you were shadowing?
This question gauges your understanding of the realities of working in healthcare based on your shadowing experiences. Interviewers are looking for memorable reflections that show you have an accurate picture of the profession.
Tips:
- Pick an intriguing observation that left an impression, whether positive or challenging.
- Discuss how this expanded your perspective on healthcare delivery.
- Share how you will apply these lessons as a student and future clinician.
Sample Response: I was pleasantly surprised by the meaningful relationships physicians formed with patients during my time shadowing in a family medicine clinic. I observed one encounter where the physician comforted a distraught patient by sitting with her after delivering a difficult diagnosis. This human connection in the midst of crisis demonstrated the physicians’ compassion and how integral trust is in healthcare. Witnessing these poignant patient interactions was a moving reminder of how special the physician-patient relationship can be. This experience reinforced my commitment to treating patients with empathy and dedicating time to build rapport, understand their perspectives, and provide comfort – not just medical care. These lessons will stay with me as I begin caring for patients myself.
6. What kind of books do you read?
This question provides interviewers insight into your interests and learning habits. They want to get a sense of your intellectual curiosity beyond textbooks.
Tips:
- Share 1-2 fiction/non-fiction books you recently enjoyed that reveal unique interests or knowledge.
- Discuss what drew you to those books and what key lessons or insights you gained.
- Convey your genuine enthusiasm for learning and expanding your worldview through reading.
Sample Response: As an economics major, I relish books that provide an inside look at business strategy and economic theory like Phil Knight’s Shoe Dog and Steven Levitt’s Freakonomics. I’m drawn to their gripping stories that illustrate how economic forces shape the world in expected and unexpected ways. Recently, I also read Behind the Beautiful Forevers, which opened my eyes to the stark economic and healthcare disparities faced by those living in urban poverty in India. I seek out these thought-provoking books to diversify my perspectives beyond textbooks. Whether reading for pleasure or intellectual curiosity, I always underline key passages and concepts that stick with me. My love of reading is a calming yet energizing outlet that enriches my life and studies. I look forward to learning from the diverse collection of experiences and insights my classmates will bring to UT Health San Antonio.
7. How do you envision contributing to our mission?
This question allows you to demonstrate your fit with UT Health San Antonio by aligning your goals with the university’s core mission and values. It’s your chance to show you’ve done your research about what makes their program unique.
Tips:
- Reflect on their mission statement and spotlight elements that resonate with your interests and aspirations.
- Provide examples of how you embody their values of diversity, humanism, and professionalism.
- Share specific ways you hope to contribute as a student and future alum.
Sample Response: UT Health San Antonio’s mission to leverage education, research and clinical care to serve the needs of San Antonio’s diverse community deeply aligns with my personal and professional ambitions. I’m committed to honing my skills as a culturally competent, compassionate physician to provide excellent care and improve outcomes for all patients. Your interprofessional STEER curriculum exemplifies this goal of developing
Interview Format for Physician Assistant Studies at University of Texas San Antonio
In-person interviews with about 180 potential students are held on campus from August to November. The interviews start with a meet and greet the night before, followed by an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), which the school describes as “10 seven-minute mini-interviews on a range of topics.” “You will also have the chance to talk to current students, tour the campus, and meet them,” that person said.
You must have completed your application by September 1st. Interviews happen from September to January, and the Admissions Committee makes its final choice between January and February. Classes begin in May.
Interview tips for a virtual medical school interview
FAQ
How much does UT Health San Antonio pay?
Why should we hire you?
How do I prepare for a health interview?
How do I get a job at UT Health San Antonio?
Click HERE to login to the internal jobs portal. UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. My company has a lot of open positions! If you are interested, click this link. If you apply to a job, you will be treated as a referral from me.
How do I make an appointment at UT Health San Antonio?
Call us at 210-358-8255 to request an appointment with a specialist or for more information. Access pregnancy and birth care from well-known, expert obstetricians and gynecologists thanks to our partnership with UT Health San Antonio doctors.
What services are available at UT Health San Antonio?
Cancer genetics and high-risk breast cancer screenings are also available through our partnership with UT Health San Antonio. If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, we share your test results and images in real-time with your entire breast health team through the most advanced electronic medical record system in the San Antonio area.
Why should you choose UT Health San Antonio?
Access pregnancy and birth care from well-known, expert obstetricians and gynecologists thanks to our partnership with UT Health San Antonio doctors. Our nurses have Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
