Vaqueros MD Early Assurance Program
UTRGV School of Medicine (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)
Program overview
High-achieving South Texas high school juniors/seniors interested in a direct path to UTRGV School of Medicine; top 5% of high school class and 90th percentile SAT/ACT preferred.
Eligibility
Attend and graduate from a South Texas high school, or attend/graduate from an online high school, home school, or boarding school outside South Texas while residing in South Texas; enter UTRGV as an incoming first-year student; be accepted and enrolled in Vaqueros MD through the Honors College within any major; submit letters of recommendation from high school teachers, counselors, or administrators; complete interviews with UTRGV and SOM faculty/staff; demonstrate maturity, motivation, leadership, character, and achievement through recommendation letters, personal written statement, video essay, and interviews; SAT math & critical reading or ACT including science score at or above 90th percentile in one sitting; rank in top 5% of high school graduating class; minimum 3.8 GPA on 4.0 scale and 3.75 or higher cumulative science GPA. For medical school phase: MCAT minimum at or above 60th percentile, overall GPA minimum 3.2, science GPA minimum 3.5, all grades C or above, no felony convictions. · Must reside in the South Texas Region (permanent/home address): Webb, Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy, Kenedy, Brooks, Jim Hogg, Kleberg, San Patricio, Aransas, and Nueces counties.
Key details
- Organization
- UTRGV School of Medicine (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)
- Type
- Early Assurance Program (EAP) / Pre-Medicine Program
- Location
- UTRGV, South Texas / Rio Grande Valley; residency in specified South Texas counties required
- Format
- in-person
- Eligible grades
- High school seniors, High school juniors with advanced standing
- Application deadline
- March 1, 2027, at 11:59 pm (page also states March 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm in another section)
- Cost
- Undergraduate costs: FAFSA/TASFA available; UTRGV Tuition Advantage may cover tuition and mandatory fees for family AGI of $125,000 or less. UTRGV School of Medicine tuition and fees per year as of 2024-2025: $21,532 in-state, $34,632 out-of-state; SOM scholarships based on available funds.
- Time commitment
- Full undergraduate degree; conditional medical school seat; program begins Fall 2026 per About section, with timeline also referencing a 2027 cohort.
- Application status
- Timeline listed; current status not stated. Page lists conflicting cycles: opens October 1, 2026 and closes March 1, 2027; another section says October 1, 2025 to March 1, 2026.
How to apply
Apply on the program's own site. Details here were read from that page and can change — confirm them there before applying.