M.D. with 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.

Program Requirements

Requirements for achieving the distinction are designed to ensure objective evaluation of merit for the distinction.

  • Minimum “High Pass” GPA during medical school
  • 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 (this new requirement begins with the Class of 2026)
  • Complete and submit an intent to apply form– due September 1 of MS4 year
  • Present a research poster no later than December 1 of MS4 year
  • Document at least 250 hours of research activity during medical school (may include work completed during breaks and as research elective hours)
  • Produce and submit to the review committee a capstone presentation and reflective summary in January of MS 4 year

Required Student Documents

The student is responsible for submitting the following by September 1 of MS4:

The student is responsible for submitting the following by December 1 of MS4:

  • Intent to Apply Form– due Sept 1 of MS4 (template)
  • 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)
  • Capstone Presentation and Reflective Summary slides (template)
    • 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.

Required Mentor Documents

The mentor is responsible for completing the following, but the student is responsible for submitting:

  • Signed Letter of Support- template
  • Signed Mentoring plan- template

It is the student’s responsibility to upload required mentor documents.

Application

Students are to submit all required documents in SurveyMonkey Apply. Be sure to click “Mark as Complete” and “Submit” when appropriate to ensure your application is pushed to the next stage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are the GPA requirements?
    1. Must maintain at least a “High Pass” GPA during medical school (equivalent to a 3.5 GPA)
  2. Who can be a research mentor?
    1. Your mentor must be faculty member at UTHSCSA
  3. What courses are required?
    1. At least one Medical Student Research Elective (INTD 4210, 4211, or 4212).
    2. Elective 5059 requirement is being waved for 2026 class.
  4. What research experience is required?
    1. At least 250 hours of documented research activity during medical school.
    2. A poster presentation at the LSOM Research Symposium or an external research conference.
    3. A Capstone Presentation and Reflective Summary submitted to and presented before the Student Research Committee.
  5. What is the application timeline?
    1. September 1 of MS4: Complete the Basic Information form and upload your Intent to Apply form. Be sure to click submit. Upon receiving an “application submitted” verification page, click “Go To My Application” to complete the Application Information form.
    2. December 1 of MS4: Deadline to submit full packet, including:
      1. Project Description,
      2. Signed Hours Log,
      3. Mentoring Plan
      4. Capstone Presentation and Reflective Summary (Capstone Presentations take place in January of MS4 and final decisions are released in early Spring)
  6. Where can I get a template for the required forms?
    1.  Intent to Apply- form
    2. Mentor Plan- form
    3. Hours Log- form
    4. Project Description- template
    5. Capstone Presentation and reflective summary- template
  7. Who should I contact with questions?
    1. Direct all questions to the LSOM Office for Research at SOMResearch@uthscsa.edu or Jenn Maldonado at maldonadoj8@uthscsa.edu.

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