I was looking for a medical school where I’d be the most comfortable and the most supported in my learning. Not only did LSOM provide that for me by being a Texas school in a city close to home with what was clearly a strong, diverse, and supportive academic community, but I also was impressed by the very hands-on approach LSOM took to the education of future physicians (aided by the direct connection to University Hospital).

The Long SOM is the most inclusive campus I found. The San Antonio Refugee Health Clinic is a very special asset, which will let me heal my people. I will definitely stay here to raise my family.

The faculty and staff here create a support system for students and want them to succeed. The doctors that teach you are very compassionate people and will help you remember to treat the patient as a human being first rather than a medical diagnosis. The innovations in research, curriculum, service opportunities, and patient care are numerous and help make it a unique institution to be a part of.

For me, the Long SOM seemed very integrated into the community. I wanted my medical education to be centered around service to others, especially the most vulnerable in the community. I’ve found a network of friends and colleagues here that are some of the greatest and most inspiring people I’ve ever met. We lift each other up and really root for each others’ successes. That sense of community is important during medical school and also after you graduate.

I chose this school because of the reputation of excellent clinical training. When I told various doctors I was interviewing here, the unanimous feedback I received was that the LSOM made fantastic clinicians. I have to say, LSOM has lived up its reputation. I’ve gotten exposure to many fields of medicine, learned how to manage a diverse set of pathology, how to do various procedures, and have had the opportunity to scrub numerous surgical cases.

As an LGBT applicant, I felt immediately reassured that this school was going to be a safe space and also a place that encourages diversity, and this put the Long SOM at the top of my list!

The Long SOM has created such close ties with our community through our student + faculty run clinics, and our service projects, that I realize there are endless opportunities to join and help our city.

The cancer biology research program here is fantastic. We have world-class researchers literally from bench to bedside, from drug design to drug testing, mechanistic studies, and all the way to clinical studies. The program is also very collaborative and has great NIH funding records!

From the top down, our program leadership team is receptive to feedback and invested in the constant improvement of fellow education. The collaboration between faculty and fellows is incredible; for example, we have a WhatsApp group to share interesting cases in an informal setting to focus on educational topics. Fellowship training in the cardiology training program has and will continue to help prepare me for a successful career.

There are many opportunities for research, and to have projects both published and accepted at local, national and international conferences. My residency program’s spirit is not one of competition but one of motivating each other to be the best physicians and human beings possible. We help and support one another and have developed strong friendships both at work and outside the hospital.