AMCAS vs. TMDSAS Personal Statement

[BrnEyes]

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This issue has been partially addressed in a few different threads, but I am still curious as to what others think. If you are applying both AMCAS and TMDSAS, did you use the same PS for both (while also meeting TMDSAS' shorter requirement)?

TMDSAS seems to ask for some different things than the more general, open-ended AMCAS. Here are the questions for TMDSAS:

"Use the space provided below to explain your motivation to seek a career in MEDICINE. Discuss your philosophy of the medical profession and indicate your goals relevant to the profession. "
​

There are also two additional essays, even for those not considering M.D./Ph.D., but they are shorter and more specific. So, what do you think? Would the AMCAS PS fit just fine for the questions above?

Thanks.

 

[rowerlauren]

I used a completely different PS that I wrote specifically to answer the question ask in TMDSAS.
1. If your AMCAS PS answers the question explicitly then go with that.
2. I used the other two essays to try to show myself off. Budge Mabry at TMDSAS suggested they were more "optional" than actually optional.

 

[JackInTheBox]

I used a similar essay for both, but TMDSAS got an earlier draft because of the earlier due date. Also, TMDSAS looks like it was programmed by a 12 year old back in 1995. The text entry boxes have line limits and character limits for each line, so I had to do a lot of careful editing to make sure nothing got cut off.

 

[BrnEyes]

I used a completely different PS that I wrote specifically to answer the question ask in TMDSAS.
1. If your AMCAS PS answers the question explicitly then go with that.
2. I used the other two essays to try to show myself off. Budge Mabry at TMDSAS suggested they were more "optional" than actually optional.

Sorry for being dense, I just want to make sure I understand you correctly. By "optional", do you mean it is strongly advised to also answer the two additional essays, or that they don't get much consideration?

Thanks.

 

[rowerlauren]

Meaning that it is strongly advised to answer them. That doesn't mean that you should make something up, just try to find some thing in you that you bring to the table.

 

[BrnEyes]

rowerlauren,

My intention was to ask TMDSAS, but you may already know the answer: are we supposed to include activities we listed in the Personal Biography section (w/ appropriate dates, etc.) in the Chronology of Activities section following it? In their example, they have jobs included in the CoA, which I would think were also included in the Personal Biography section. If work is meant to be included in the Chronology of Activities, what about volunteer work, awards, etc.? They even have "Took MCAT" as an example on the TMDSAS website...any suggestions?


Thanks.

 

[rowerlauren]

You can PM me any further questions... but yes. You need to put your activities listed on the previous page on the chronology. It's really redundant and annoying, but what can you say? TMDSAS is a bit dated in technology.

 

[BrnEyes]

...but what can you say? TMDSAS is a bit dated in technology.

Yes, I'm beginning to see that. 🙄 Based on a friend's advice, I started doing my CoA in a spreadsheet--just in case I forget something and have to shift everything one down...

 

[TheRealMD]

Write for TMDSAS. Copy to AMCAS. Don't need to change a word in between. In fact, I think your AMCAS PS will be better that way since it has an actual direction. The AMCAS prompt leaves much to be desired (and that's where you get these weird personal statements that make you often go "WTF were you thinking?" when you read them)

 

[BrnEyes]

Write for TMDSAS. Copy to AMCAS. Don't need to change a word in between. In fact, I think your AMCAS PS will be better that way since it has an actual direction. The AMCAS prompt leaves much to be desired (and that's where you get these weird personal statements that make you often go "WTF were you thinking?" when you read them)

While I understand where you're coming from, the themes presented in the TMDSAS prompt are implied for the AMCAS as I see it. If the AAMC was looking for more direction, it wouldn't be too difficult to narrow down the prompt. I guess it just depends on what you think a PS ought to be. It being the primary demonstration of not only who you are as a person, but also how well you can write, I think it is important to allow applicants some freedom in how they approach it. Regardless, I already have the AMCAS PS written and submitted, so there's not much I can do to change it 🙂.


Thanks for your advice.

 

[futuredrcrawfor]

I used the same for both- and then in the TMDSAS I used one of the special essay spaces to write a short essay on my Texas heritage since I am unfortunantly OOS.

 

[armybound]

I used the same PS for both.