*~*~*~*Official TMDSAS Questions Thread 2011-2012*~*~*~*

[mtbtx]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I submitted a few days ago and they received my check today and now my status is "TMDSAS processing". Transcripts were received last week.

At this stage in the game how long will the processing take?

Once it is complete when do schools start sending out secondary applications? Or am I suppose to make an account on their websites and do the secondary myself?

The only thing I'm still waiting on is my letter writers to finish up so my school can send the packet. Will I be on hold until this is done too, or can secondaries be sent without LORs? Just out of curiosity, would any school interview (I know the season doesn't start until August) without LORS?

Most of these questions have been answered. Look above. You can start the secondaries whenever you want, but you won't be able to submit until after you are processed through TMDSAS.

 

[MilkIsGood]

so for the planned activities section, do i just repeat the continuing activities that i wrote down in the other sections?

 

[mtbtx]

so for the planned activities section, do i just repeat the continuing activities that i wrote down in the other sections?

Yep... It'd be a good idea to include things you may or may not do as well. You obviously don't want to include things that are unrealistic though. Also, make sure you add something for the summer of 2012. Most people skip this and it comes up as big gap on your chronological calender.

 

[MilkIsGood]

Yep... It'd be a good idea to include things you may or may not do as well. You obviously don't want to include things that are unrealistic though. Also, make sure you add something for the summer of 2012. Most people skip this and it comes up as big gap on your chronological calender.

so do i put the start date as the date from the past for the start of the summer for the continuing activities. im guessing there will be a lot of repeating stuff on the chronology

also, if i did one of my ecs since high school, should i change the start date to the start of college? im not sure how the chronological calender thing works.

 

[mtbtx]

so do i put the start date as the date from the past for the start of the summer for the continuing activities. im guessing there will be a lot of repeating stuff on the chronology

also, if i did one of my ecs since high school, should i change the start date to the start of college? im not sure how the chronological calender thing works.

I'll use myself as an example. I volunteered at a food bank throughout my college career. I put it in volunteering from start of volunteering date to present date. Then, in the planned activities section I put my next planned visit to the food bank through the end of summer before matriculation. If you have activities that are less frequent, then fill them out accordingly. You enter an activity for all dates that you might perform it and then guestimate the hours you plan on committing.

It says in the instructions that you enter activities starting the day you graduated highschool. However, I worked as a lifeguard starting as a Junior in highschool through that summer. I included all dates so that it was apparent that I had held the job for a long period of time. The thing to keep in mind is that adcoms get a digital printout of all of this information, nobody will penalize you/keep you out of medical school if some things are cross referenced or whatever. Just use your common sense.

 

[Morzh]

Anyone started working on secondaries yet? I've got UNTHSC and TAMU almost done. I really like how they let you create an account and begin working on it without having to wait for a formal email giving you a password.

 

[Fox800]

Anyone started working on secondaries yet? I've got UNTHSC and TAMU almost done. I really like how they let you create an account and begin working on it without having to wait for a formal email giving you a password.

I finished UTSW's yesterday, almost done with TTUHSC Lubbock, probably going to finish that one by tomorrow. Barely scratched UNTHSC and haven't started on TAMU yet.

EDIT: Yay, my Health Professions Committee packet made it to TMDSAS today! 😀
Now if my spring 2011 transcript and my 4/29 MCAT score could hurry up, I'd be even happier

 

[FutureMD23]

I submitted my MCAT scores to TMDSAS and it now says they have been received on the TMDSAS app. My question is this - is there any place on the actual app that shows your scores like it does on AMCAS or does it only say "date received?"

 

[MilkIsGood]

I submitted my MCAT scores to TMDSAS and it now says they have been received on the TMDSAS app. My question is this - is there any place on the actual app that shows your scores like it does on AMCAS or does it only say "date received?"

where do you see that it has been received? do you have the submit tmdsas first?

 

[sector9]

What are you guys writing about for the "unique experience" essay prompt? It says not to talk about stuff that has been presented previously, but I feel like that's really limiting since I entered everything for the past 6 years of my life in the "employment and activities" section. Can I expand and talk about experiences from one of my activities as long as that experience itself is not mentioned in the short 300-character description?

where do you see that it has been received? do you have the submit tmdsas first?

Also, this is on the status page of TMDSAS. It should have a date received if they received your MCAT. You don't have to submit first. But you do have to go through AAMC to release your MCAT scores, and that can take a few days, if you haven't done that already.

 

[ieightkate]

What are you guys writing about for the "unique experience" essay prompt? It says not to talk about stuff that has been presented previously, but I feel like that's really limiting since I entered everything for the past 6 years of my life in the "employment and activities" section. Can I expand and talk about experiences from one of my activities as long as that experience itself is not mentioned in the short 300-character description?

I think that they mean "Don't keep writing about something you already beat to death in your personal statement." If you want to elaborate more on an extracurricular activity that was really unique or impacted you in a big way, I don't think they will penalize you. I chose to write about my study abroad experience, which was already "documented" in the Schools Attended section, and no one seemed to be bothered by it.

 

[MilkIsGood]

I think that they mean "Don't keep writing about something you already beat to death in your personal statement." If you want to elaborate more on an extracurricular activity that was really unique or impacted you in a big way, I don't think they will penalize you. I chose to write about my study abroad experience, which was already "documented" in the Schools Attended section, and no one seemed to be bothered by it.

for studying abroad, you have to send a copy of the foreign transcript right? thats what the lady who picks up their phone told me.

 

[ieightkate]

for studying abroad, you have to send a copy of the foreign transcript right? thats what the lady who picks up their phone told me.

I didn't have to, but that's probably because I did an exchange, so my study abroad classes were on my home university transcript as if I had taken them at that university, except with and indication that I had taken them abroad (i.e. Class Names and Numbers from actual classes at my university). It's probably different for different programs.

 

[umadeviv5]

Please can any body explain me the convertion for Texas schools?. My school grades are Numeric and Tx is in alphabetic.

 

[LRAccord624]

Please can any body explain me the convertion for Texas schools?. My school grades are Numeric and Tx is in alphabetic.

A=4.0
B=3.0
C=2.0
D=1.0

😕

 

[jsndom]

Has anyone left out info regarding class rank/size and SAT? i'm having trouble tracking down this information!

 

[TXKnight]

Please can any body explain me the convertion for Texas schools?. My school grades are Numeric and Tx is in alphabetic.

Not sure if this is what you mean but it may go something like:
9-10 = A
8-8.9 = B
7-7.9 = C
6-6.9 = D
5.9 or less = F

 

[jsndom]

One more question guys: Under leisure time activities, would it be ok to group activities like kayaking, camping, traveling? Are these even worth mentioning? (I do participate in these frequently...)

 

[ilostmytail]

You should include all of this under your leadership position in the student organization. I also had to do this, and I think it looks way better all packaged together. I agree with the above poster, don’t try to pad your experiences, it will look desperate.

Those things aren't really community service. If, as part of your club leadership, you spent significant time participating in service projects you organized, then you could put those projects down as service as well as leadership. But meetings and the logistical management of a club is not community service.

Sure you could put it, and probably get away with it because TMDSAS specifically asks us to list things multiple times if they meet the criteria for multiple sections and you can almost always rationalize all day long about how it somehow meets criteria for service, but you run the risk of looking foolish and/or like your excessively padding your resume when your application is read by real people.

Thanks for the clarification! I know some people that are doing that and my advisor said it was okay, but it didn't sound right to me. Now I know for sure!

 

[FutureMD23]

One more question guys: Under leisure time activities, would it be ok to group activities like kayaking, camping, traveling? Are these even worth mentioning? (I do participate in these frequently...)

I put hobby-type stuff like that too because it does say "leisure time activities." I don't know what else they could be looking for/expecting...It's not like I do stem cell research as a leisure activity or stuff like that. I say put them!

 

[jsndom]

I put hobby-type stuff like that too because it does say "leisure time activities." I don't know what else they could be looking for/expecting...It's not like I do stem cell research as a leisure activity or stuff like that. I say put them!

OK good, will do 🙂 and good luck!!

 

[QAnn1988]

I just submitted the secondary for Texas A&M...did anyone else end up with one block of text for each response?! 😱

 

[texasheavyw8]

Hello everyone! My primary TMDSAS application has been processed and submitted to all eight schools. This is my third time applying in Texas. My stats are science gpa 3.8, overall gpa 3.4, mcat 27. I am currently on the waitlist in El Paso. Scheduled to retake the mcat at the end of this month. I have some research experience, decent community service, some healthcare experience. Need to start on my secondary apps soon, but I might wait until after the mcat.

 

[thomasfx10]

Hey Everyone, it looks like the GPA's do not show up until AFTER you submit your application.

Was anyone surprised (either positive or negative) after seeing their final results?

I sure hope I do not typo on my grades!

 

[therunner12]

Just submitted my primary. On to the secondaries.

 

[cher25]

Has anyone left out info regarding class rank/size and SAT? i'm having trouble tracking down this information!

I did not include this information in my application. I e-mailed TMDSAS and told them that I attempted, but could not retrieve this information. They e-mailed me back telling me that I could leave it out since the effort was made. I still received multiple TX interviews and acceptances despite the fact that this info was not included in my app. Just make sure you e-mail includes the reason why you can't provide the info.

 

[texasheavyw8]

Hey Everyone, it looks like the GPA's do not show up until AFTER you submit your application.

Was anyone surprised (either positive or negative) after seeing their final results?

I sure hope I do not typo on my grades!

My TMDSAS overall gpa (3.4) was lower than my university gpa (3.6). I was a little surprised. It won't help my application, but what can you do.

 

[texasheavyw8]

Just submitted my primary. On to the secondaries.

Me too, good luck. At least we are getting it done early🙂

 

[Morzh]

I'm just about done with my secondaries, too, but I've been thinking and I really don't see the advantage to being done early.

I mean of course getting verified in May helps because apparently it takes like a month come June and July, but I'm talking about the secondaries.

Does anyone know when real people at the schools actually start looking at our apps and making decisions about interviews? If they don't even assemble the admissions committee until, say, sometime in July, is there any advantage to being verified and submitting secondaries in May vs being verified in May and submitting secondaries in late June?

I'll still be all done by the end of the week, but its mostly so I can have enough time to finalize my AMCAS application before June 1st.

 

[kdh1988]

does anyone know how long it takes for TMDSAS to receive LORs? Interfolio send them electonically, right?? I don't know why it's taking so long for TMDSAS to mark them as received!

 

[frescoengano]

does anyone know how long it takes for TMDSAS to receive LORs? Interfolio send them electonically, right?? I don't know why it's taking so long for TMDSAS to mark them as received!

took me 1 day...

 

[Fox800]

TMDSAS is really dragging with transcripts now compared to when they opened. I'm glad I got most of my stuff in early, just waiting on my spring grades to be processed.

 

[kdh1988]

took me 1 day...

When did Interfolio send yours? Also, if they are sent from Interfolio, is it a Committee Packet? Thanks!

 

[Techmed07]

Hey guys does paid summer internships go under employment.

 

[MilkIsGood]

got to rewrite my personal statement. great, wont be able to submit anytime soon

 

[Morzh]

got to rewrite my personal statement. great, wont be able to submit anytime soon

Why? Didn't know about the 5000 limit? If you plan on applying DO, know that they have a 4500 character limit.

 

[frescoengano]

When did Interfolio send yours? Also, if they are sent from Interfolio, is it a Committee Packet? Thanks!

um...i send them ~ 1 1/2 weeks ago as individual letters. Did you make sure you put your TMDSAS ID into your account?

 

[kdh1988]

um...i send them ~ 1 1/2 weeks ago as individual letters. Did you make sure you put your TMDSAS ID into your account?

yeah i did...hmm but i sent it as a committee packet from my school. i dont know if that messed it up since it was three individual letters.

 

[frescoengano]

question about the month end / year end:

under leadership:

i have a position that i assume will end in august 2012... 😀 (so i put that it goes from february 2010 to august 2012 under college leadership)


do i also have to put this in 'planned activities' as well for june 2011 - august 12? or is this just repetitive....

 

[sector9]

question about the month end / year end:

under leadership:

i have a position that i assume will end in august 2012... 😀 (so i put that it goes from february 2010 to august 2012 under college leadership)


do i also have to put this in 'planned activities' as well for june 2011 - august 12? or is this just repetitive....

No, you already indicated it was planned by putting the end date as august 2012. Planned activities are for things you haven't started yet

 

[jsndom]

I did not include this information in my application. I e-mailed TMDSAS and told them that I attempted, but could not retrieve this information. They e-mailed me back telling me that I could leave it out since the effort was made. I still received multiple TX interviews and acceptances despite the fact that this info was not included in my app. Just make sure you e-mail includes the reason why you can't provide the info.

So I ended up tracking down my hs registrar and getting the info from her 🙂 Thanks for the heads up though!

Also, how long did it take for TMDSAS to receive MCAT score(s)? I released them early last week and the status says "complete' on the MCAT page, however the status indicates "NOT RECEIVED" on the TMDSAS status page.

 

[MilkIsGood]

i still havent gotten my transcripts or my application sent. when is the latest date to still be considered early? mid june? i hear it takes about a month to get verified if submitted then

 

[addo]

i still havent gotten my transcripts or my application sent. when is the latest date to still be considered early? mid june? i hear it takes about a month to get verified if submitted then

thats about right... last year i submitted the first week of june and was verified exactly a month later. Im pretty sure thats considered early because i got invited to like the first interview sessions at most schools, despite the fact that my lors didnt get in until mid july.

id say that if you get verified and get everything in by early august, youre still early.

 

[BuffNerd]

Hey all,

does anyone know if the 3500 character limit on the Texas A&M secondary includes spaces or not? I can't find this info and the boxes you enter your essays in don't seem to cut off the essay at the appropriate length.

Thanks!

 

[Cinematographer]

Quick, burning question:

I withdrew my application last year before even applying to the TX schools that I would like to go due to getting a low MCAT score. The application was essentially verified, but I only selected ONE school so that the application could be submitted.

So, will TMDSAS report me as a reapplicant to all schools, or just the one that received my primary last year? I now AMCAS only indicates you are a reapplicant to schools tha received your app previously.

 

[Fox800]

If you're asking if you'd categorize your entire application as a reapplicant, I'd say yes. Doesn't matter if you submitted it to one school, five, or all nine.

 

[Fox800]

Hey all,

does anyone know if the 3500 character limit on the Texas A&M secondary includes spaces or not? I can't find this info and the boxes you enter your essays in don't seem to cut off the essay at the appropriate length.

Thanks!

If it doesn't cut it off, then I wouldn't worry about it. Save it and see what happens. If it shows up like it should, you're good to go.

 

[b-real]

Quick, burning question:

I withdrew my application last year before even applying to the TX schools that I would like to go due to getting a low MCAT score. The application was essentially verified, but I only selected ONE school so that the application could be submitted.

So, will TMDSAS report me as a reapplicant to all schools, or just the one that received my primary last year? I now AMCAS only indicates you are a reapplicant to schools tha received your app previously.

If your application was processed and sent to that one school, you are a reapplicant. It doesn't matter if you withdrew from the school later on.

 

[spudtess]

Hello Addo,
Based on what I read on your experiences, you got the early interviews on texas schools as you applied early.My application TMDSAS was already verified and sent out to all schools on may/17.However I will take my MCAT only on july/6 and therefore will be completed when my score is back on August/09. Would I still get early interviews from Texas schools ? I am mostly interested in Texas schools and want to have the maximum chances.I try to take the june/16 MCAT but right now,there is no seat available !🙁 What do you think ?

thats about right... last year i submitted the first week of june and was verified exactly a month later. Im pretty sure thats considered early because i got invited to like the first interview sessions at most schools, despite the fact that my lors didnt get in until mid july.

id say that if you get verified and get everything in by early august, youre still early.

 

[Fox800]

UTSW, TTU, and TAMU secondaries done, now on to TCOM!