Commitment to Research
What is a Distinction in Research?
The distinction acknowledges medical students who demonstrate a dedicated commitment to enriching their medical education with independent research while maintaining high academic standards during medical school. Students are strongly encouraged to consider applying for the distinction as the distinction may support a competitive residence application. Decisions will be made in the early Spring of your MS4 year by the Student Research Committee.
NOTE: The requirements of the MD with Distinction in Research have been updated as of July 2022.
Requirements for achieving the distinction are designed to ensure objective evaluation of merit for the distinction.
- Minimum “High Pass” GPA during medical school (equivalent to a 3.5 GPA)
- Research mentor must be a UTHSCSA faculty member
- Complete at least one Medical Student Research Elective course (INTD 4210, 4211, or 4212)
- Complete ELEC 5059: Introduction to Research Study Design course (only available during MS1 or MS2 year)
- This new requirement will go into effect beginning with the class of 2022
- Submit an Intent to Apply form to document mentoring plan
- Present a research poster at the Office for Research Research Symposium only held in the Spring Semesters or at an external research conference
- Document at least 250 hours of research activity during medical school
- Produce and present to the Student Research Committee a capstone presentation and reflective summary
- All requirements must be completed and submitted by December 1 of MS4
The student is responsible for submitting the following by September 1 of MS4:
- Intent to Apply form (template provided here)
The student is responsible for submitting the following by December 1 of MS4:
- Intent to Apply Form– due Sept 1 of MS4
- Project description, 1 page detailing the project, how the distinction will benefit the student, and the role the student has played in the research project
- Signed Hours Log (template provided here)
- Capstone Presentation and Reflective Summary slides (presentation template provided here)
- The student will present their Capstone Presentation and Reflective Summary to the Student Research Committee in January of MS4
After the committee reviews all projects, capstone presentations are complete, and GPAs are confirmed, the committee will determine the students who have achieved the distinction. Decisions will be provided in the early Spring of your MS4 year.
Students are to submit all required documents in SurveyMonkey Apply.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 recipients of the
MD with a Distinction in Research.
