Texas STAR

The residency match has become increasingly competitive in recent years, and the lack of transparency in the application process causes many students to struggle in deciding which residency programs they should apply to. Texas STAR, the first of its kind, is a nationwide survey and online tool administered by the UT Southwestern Medical School to help medical school deans, advisers, and fourth-year medical students navigate the match process more effectively.

Dr. Angela Mihalic, Dean of Medical Students and Associate Dean for Student Affairs, leads the Texas STAR initiative.

Texas STAR acts as an information clearinghouse for participating medical schools that complete the annual survey.

• Recently matched fourth-year medical students provide real data about:
• Their own application components
• Board exam scores
• Quartiles
• Membership in honorary societies
• Publications
• Volunteer experiences, etc.
• Programs they applied to
• Which programs they received interview offers to, and which they did not
• Ultimately which program they successfully matched with

Future students can then use this data to better target their applications to programs they are more likely to receive interviews and ultimately match with, reducing unnecessary applications, fees, time, and interviews.

This collaboration between medical schools across the country is directly addressing the mystery within the residency application process, and the schools involved are taking a stand to achieve a healthier match climate nationwide.

Who can use Texas STAR?

Medical School Student Affairs Deans

Once a medical school student affairs dean agrees to participate and their students complete the survey, he or she will receive access to the Excel database of school specific information, the national dataset, and access to the Texas STAR online dashboard. Deans will then be able to provide access to advisers and students who wish to use the dashboard.

Medical School Advisers and Senior Medical Students

If your school participates in Texas STAR, you must request access to the Texas STAR online dashboard from your dean. You will receive an email with an invitation link once your access is approved.

If your school doesn’t participate, ask your dean to join the collaboration.

What information can I find on Texas STAR?

• School specific data for your institution
• Shared privately with your school only
• U.S. composite data by GSA region and by state
• Only if more than one school in your state participates
• Excludes information related to the student responders’ medical school

Where and how can I access the online dashboard?

Home screen of the Texas STAR online dashboard.

Deans and users with approved access at participating schools can access the online dashboard and view the FAQs below.

• Texas STAR online dashboard
• FAQs about logging in and gaining access to Texas STAR
• Texas STAR dashboard guide

Which schools are participating in 2020?

For the 2020 Texas STAR, 115 medical schools participated representing 15,783 medical students. 7,265 medical students completed the survey for a response rate of 46%.

The 2020 Texas STAR database includes 3 years’ worth of data:

• 2018 - 4,802 responses of 10,431 students in 78 medical schools (46% response rate)
• 2019 - 6,127 responses of 15,404 students in 108 medical schools (40.8% response rate)
• 2020 - 7,265 responses of 15,783 students in 115 medical schools (46% response rate)

OVERALL: 18,194 students contributed to the database to assist the Class of 2021 during this especially trying application season due to COVID-19.

Still need help?

Didn't find the answer to your question? We’re here to help. After you check out our FAQs, feel free to email us with questions, comments, or other feedback. TexasSTAR@utsouthwestern.edu