My son started college as a chemical engineering major at The University of Texas
at Austin. During his freshman year he realized he didn’t want to enter this field.
He decided to become a Pharmacist.
To learn more about this career he got his pharmtech certificate and started working
at Walgreens, joined the Pharmacy Club, and began to volunteer at Dell Children’s.
He also was an officer in a film club and led an online book club.
While working at Walgreens a Pharmacist he respected advised him not to go into pharmacy
due to an overabundance of pharmacists and changes happening in the industry. He took
the PCAT anyway and received a perfect score, giving him confidence to try for med
school.
He quit Walgreens, became a medical scribe at an orthopedic office, and continued
to volunteer. He took the MCAT at the end of his 3rd year and also graduated due to
having used 38 AP credits. A gap year made it easier to travel to interviews as well
as continued to scribe.
Getting in was a long shot due to his small amount of research and having decided
so late to become a doctor, but his 528 MCAT and 4.0 GPA got him many interviews,
including Washington University in St Louis and Columbia. After being wait-listed
everywhere he matched at UTHSC.
He accepted and they gave him several scholarships so he will graduate with very little
debt. It turned out to be the best place for him.
About the author: The Parents of TX Pre-Meds is a group of parents with college students who dream of becoming doctor in the TX system. Our purpose is to help each other by sharing valuable insight for other parents through the process of reaching their medical school dreams. www.facebook.com/groups/txpremedparents
On September 8, 2026, the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) launched the 2026 Accepted Applicant Experience Survey, inviting accepted applicants to provide feedback regarding their experiences from application to admission.
JAMP is entering a new chapter of leadership while staying true to its mission of creating opportunities for talented Texas students pursuing medicine. This year’s Council transition celebrates longtime leaders, welcomes new voices, and brings the story full circle as a former JAMP Scholar steps into the role of Chair-Elect.
JAMP is expanding its support for scholars with two new initiatives designed to meet needs both inside and outside the classroom. An emergency fund will help scholars facing unexpected financial challenges, while new research funding will create more opportunities for students to explore their interests, gain experience, and prepare for their future in medicine.
