applying TMDSAS out of state with no Texas connection?

[deleted555445]

I'm thinking about applying to TMDSAS as a CA resident simply because its cheap, you can get it done a month earlier (doesn't conflict much with AMCAS timeline), and I like some of the schools. However, I have literally never been to Texas. I understand only 10% of each schools' class is OOS, and I'm fine with that. But is that 10% mostly people who have previously lived in Texas, went to school there, or have family there? Or are they truly naïve OOSers, like me? I'm just wondering if its worth the time to fill out a whole separate application if they're going to take a look at my history and family and assume I don't want to practice in Texas. I'm military and have a decently high MCAT if that adds any value.

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[clumsy.md]

Military helps and high MCAT is a must if you're applying as an OOS. Based on what I've seen from OOS students being accepted to TX schools, you'll need to have a high GPA/MCAT as a baseline. With that said, most TX schools are looking to produce physicians who are going to remain in TX. If you're to show you have an interest in practicing in TX, you may have some hope. Personally, I would do it if your MCAT is 515+. The tuition at any of the schools down here can't be beaten.

 

[pablopizza]

If you have the money go for it. Their OOS acceptances without connections have higher stats, so depends on what decently high MCAT means. Being military is also a good EC that can help. It's unlikely, but if you have the money go for it.

 

[KnightDoc]

I'm thinking about applying to TMDSAS as a CA resident simply because its cheap, you can get it done a month earlier (doesn't conflict much with AMCAS timeline), and I like some of the schools. However, I have literally never been to Texas. I understand only 10% of each schools' class is OOS, and I'm fine with that. But is that 10% mostly people who have previously lived in Texas, went to school there, or have family there? Or are they truly naïve OOSers, like me? I'm just wondering if its worth the time to fill out a whole separate application if they're going to take a look at my history and family and assume I don't want to practice in Texas. I'm military and have a decently high MCAT if that adds any value.

As others have said, if you have the time, money and desire, feel free to take a shot, but your likelihood of success is pretty small. They know their tuition is attractive, and they have no interest in having people come in for that while taking a seat away from someone who is likely to stay after graduation. And that is not someone who has literally never been to Texas, even though you might end up loving it and might actually end up wanting to stay. They are not going to assume you don't want to practice in Texas. They are merely going to go with other candidates who have stronger indicia than nothing that they are likely to stay.

Military is great, and all schools highly value it for the leadership and service it connotes, but without an established connection to the state, it probably won't get you anywhere here. I'm not an adcom, but I'd bet, as you apparently suspect, that the VAST majority of the 10% (or 7%, using @gonnif's stats) OOS are people who do not meet the TMDSAS definition of IS but still have significant ties to the state.

 

[deleted555445]

Lets clarify this. All Texas medical schools are either state schools or receive large state subsidies as in the case of Baylor. By law schools must matriculate 90% Texas residents. In order to do this, historically they matriculate only 7- 8% OOS. Residency decisions are made at the TMDSAS level and the schools get your application already showing instate or out of state. Some schools note in the admissions process that ties to Texas for OOS is a factor . Also note that while 24% of applicants were OOS, only 7% matriculated. Within the OOS pool that is 121 of 1476 or 8%

https://www.txhes.com/_resources/docs/stats/ey19/MedStats-EY19.pdf
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Thanks, I understand the chances are low, but with some schools having a 3-5% OOS acceptance rate (per USNWR data), it didn't seem like a bad idea for an extra $200 to open up my options to ~5 extra schools. I guess I was mostly concerned whether there was an informal understanding that those 3-5% OOSers were strongly tied to Texas, and the true acceptance rate for someone with no ties was more like 1-2%.

 

[KnightDoc]

Thanks, I understand the chances are low, but with some schools having a 3-5% OOS acceptance rate (per USNWR data), it didn't seem like a bad idea for an extra $200 to open up my options to ~5 extra schools. I guess I was mostly concerned whether there was an informal understanding that those 3-5% OOSers were strongly tied to Texas, and the true acceptance rate for someone with no ties was more like 1-2%.

I think it's probably the latter, but @wysdoc is the expert on all things Texas, so I'd defer to her on this!

 

[wysdoc]

Thanks, I understand the chances are low, but with some schools having a 3-5% OOS acceptance rate (per USNWR data), it didn't seem like a bad idea for an extra $200 to open up my options to ~5 extra schools. I guess I was mostly concerned whether there was an informal understanding that those 3-5% OOSers were strongly tied to Texas, and the true acceptance rate for someone with no ties was more like 1-2%.

Acceptance rate for OOS is about 8%. Acceptance rate for IS is about 33%.
I think OOS applicants are hesitant to apply because they know 90% of each class has to be Texans.

Other than the schools whose mission statement says they are looking for folks who want to live and practice in the area (like U of Houston in Conroe and SHSU DO school) there is no expectation that an OOS applicant would have ties to Texas.

Those accepted are usually in the top tier of applicants stats-wise or are applying MD/PhD.

 

[deleted555445]

Acceptance rate for OOS is about 8%. Acceptance rate for IS is about 33%.
I think OOS applicants are hesitant to apply because they know 90% of each class has to be Texans.

Other than the schools whose mission statement says they are looking for folks who want to live and practice in the area (like U of Houston in Conroe and SHSU DO school) there is no expectation that an OOS applicant would have ties to Texas.

Those accepted are usually in the top tier of applicants stats-wise or are applying MD/PhD.

This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks! With such a low cost per school, I might roll the dice and see if I can't luck out on one of the big metro-area schools.

Given Texan culture, do you think the military angle plays a little better there? Or is it about the same as most schools?

 

[wysdoc]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks! With such a low cost per school, I might roll the dice and see if I can't luck out on one of the big metro-area schools.

Given Texan culture, do you think the military angle plays a little better there? Or is it about the same as most schools?

I think it is an extra asset for you. Texas A&M especially has military medicine as one of their missions, and San Antonio (Long School of Medicine) is the home of Joint Base San Antonio, with several military branches and their dependents in residence. San Antonio metropolitan area has a population of over 2.5 million.

 

[deleted555445]

I think it is an extra asset for you. Texas A&M especially has military medicine as one of their missions, and San Antonio (Long School of Medicine) is the home of Joint Base San Antonio, with several military branches and their dependents in residence. San Antonio metropolitan area has a population of over 2.5 million.

This is great, thanks for sharing your Texas knowledge!

 

[northdakotas]

I'm an OOS student and I got accepted to a TMDSAS school with no ties whatsoever to TX, so that's my n=1 success story! Out of my 9 II this cycle, 3 actually came from TX schools (which I did NOT expect at all). I can say out of the OOS people in my accepted group chat, several of them seem in a similar boat to me with not knowing the city/state very well. I am probably going to matriculate at this school because, as you probably know, many schools give OOS students a 1k scholarship so they can get in-state tuition, which is an absolute steal. High GPA and MCAT are definitely important, and I do think the military will only be a benefit to you. It's so cheap to apply through TMDSAS and I have no regrets at all. I say go for it!

 

[KnightDoc]

I'm an OOS student and I got accepted to a TMDSAS school with no ties whatsoever to TX, so that's my n=1 success story! Out of my 9 II this cycle, 3 actually came from TX schools (which I did NOT expect at all). I can say out of the OOS people in my accepted group chat, several of them seem in a similar boat to me with not knowing the city/state very well. I am probably going to matriculate at this school because, as you probably know, many schools give OOS students a 1k scholarship so they can get in-state tuition, which is an absolute steal. High GPA and MCAT are definitely important, and I do think the military will only be a benefit to you. It's so cheap to apply through TMDSAS and I have no regrets at all. I say go for it!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

How does that work with the scholarship? I am shocked that they would actually go out of their way to help us out while reducing their tuition revenue!!!!

Most other state schools actually use OOS students to bolster their tuition revenue.