The UTRGV School of Medicine interview format

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine uses two interview methods. Its interview process page says that "for the entry year 2027, there will be two different interviewing methods. An in-person group interview will be conducted first, followed by two interviews via Zoom on a set date." The group interview is a half-day on campus in Edinburg with presentations on financial aid, curriculum and the Rio Grande Valley. The Zoom part is two 30-minute interviews with the Interview Committee. "Applicants who do not attend the in-person group interview will have their applications withdrawn from consideration."

The AAMC's MSAR report for the 2027 class gives the same two-part structure and says invitations were sent in July 2026.

Item	What UTRGV and the AAMC say
Step 1	In-person group interview, half day, Edinburg, usually Fridays and occasionally Saturdays (required)
Step 2	Two 30-minute online interviews by Zoom; you pick the date, not the time, and the office tries to schedule both in the morning or both in the afternoon
Season	August through January
What the group interview involves	Not published beyond the presentations
Application route	TMDSAS only; primary due October 1; secondary by invitation only
Scale	About 55 students admitted; roughly 450 to 500 applicants invited to interview each year
Casper or PREview	Not mentioned on the interview, requirements or FAQ pages

Requirements the school publishes

The requirements page lists minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and science GPA of 3.2, though applicants below minimums go to a special evaluation sub-committee, and says "MCAT scores below 495 will not be considered for admission." It calls shadowing "very valuable," asks for at least three evaluations or a health professions advisory packet, and says the MCAT is valid for three years. The FAQ says no more than 10% of an admitted class may be non-Texas residents, that international applicants are not admitted, and that pre-match offers go out October 15 to December 31 under TMDSAS rules.

What the school says it is about

UTRGV describes a mission to "transform the health of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond" through five pillars: innovative education, research and discoveries, patient-centered care, serving the community, and sustainability and entrepreneurship. It publishes no interview rubric, so the mission is the best clue to what the Interview Committee wants.

How to prepare for the UTRGV interview

Treat the group interview as part of the interview. The school does not say how it is scored, so be a good colleague from the first minute.
Plan the two Zoom interviews as separate conversations. Prepare a core story and different supporting examples.
Know the Rio Grande Valley. Language, border-region health needs and workforce gaps are fair topics.
Be ready to explain shadowing. The school says it values it; have one or two clinical observations that changed your view.
Choose your date carefully. You choose the date but not the time, so avoid days when you cannot be fully focused morning or afternoon.

UTRGV practice questions (written by us, not the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)

UTRGV does not publish its interview questions. We wrote these around its mission and format. Keep each answer to about two minutes.

Why do you want to be a physician?
Why UTRGV and why the Rio Grande Valley?
What health challenges do you see in border communities?
Tell me about your shadowing experience and what it taught you.
Describe a time you worked with people from a different culture or language group.
Tell me about a time you contributed to a team without being the leader.
Describe a time you faced a major obstacle and what you did.
How would you communicate with a patient who speaks little English?
What does service to a community mean to you?
What are you most excited and most worried about in medical school?

For a wider set, see our practice questions with answers guide and our MMI practice and preparation guide.

A drill for a group interview plus two Zoom interviews

Run a group conversation with three or four people on one health topic and ask them to rate how well you included others.
Then run two separate 30-minute video interviews on the same day with different partners.
In the second, vary the examples while keeping your core story.
Record the Valley answer and cut it to 90 seconds.
Check your Zoom setup, framing and sound in advance.

If you don't have a practice partner, Confetto's AI mock interviews ask follow-up questions based on what you actually said and give rubric-based feedback afterward. The question bank has over 500 questions, and you can start with a 7-day free trial.

UTRGV interview FAQ

Is the UTRGV interview an MMI?

No. It is a required in-person group interview followed by two 30-minute Zoom interviews.

Is the group interview required?

Yes. The school says applicants who do not attend will be withdrawn from consideration.

Can I choose the time of the Zoom interviews?

No. You choose the date only; the office tries to schedule both in the morning or afternoon.

How do I apply?

Through TMDSAS; applications and supporting documents are not accepted directly.

How many applicants are interviewed?

The FAQ says roughly 450 to 500 a year, for about 55 seats.

Applying to other Texas schools too? See our guides to the University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine and University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine interviews, or our medical school interview prep page.

Sources: UTRGV interview process, requirements, admissions FAQ, SOM admissions, AAMC MSAR interview procedures (2027).

Confetto isn't affiliated with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Everything here about the school comes from its public admissions pages and the AAMC MSAR report, checked in October 2026. Formats can change between cycles, so go by your invitation email.