Medical students oppose bill requiring letter grades and changes to admissions rules, warn of residency and workforce impacts

Dozens of medical students, recent graduates and medical‑school representatives told the Committee on Education K–16 they oppose House Bill 52 94, a measure that would require Texas medical schools to grade required coursework on a traditional A–F scale and to consider standardized test scores (such as the MCAT) in admissions decisions.

Medical students told the committee the pass/fail components used at many schools reduce unhealthy competition, preserve student mental health and encourage the teamwork required in clinical care. Philip Swigon, a Texas medical student, told senators that pass/fail “reduces unnecessary stress and unhealthy competition, encourages collaboration, and allows students to focus on truly…