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

[bailarun8]

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I am going on a mission trip to Honduras the first two weeks of July. One week will be medical and one will be non-medical. Would that be Healthcare Activities, Community Service, or Travel? And I'm not completely positive about what I'll be doing, so I'm not quite sure what to put for the description. Thanks!

 

[bailarun8]

Also, if you were in an organization like AMSA, did you list each service opportunity as a separate entity? For example, I helped with Adopt a Highway on probably 5 separate occasions, but should I really list it as September 2008-May 2010? It asks for hours per week, and I feel like that isn't really accurate because I didn't do it weekly. I guess I'm asking about this for all the other activities I have done several times but not on a continuous basis as well.

And what should I put as the end date for activities that I will continue, such as running? Should I just put my graduation month and year?

Did you put any extended travel under Extracurricular Activities & Leisure? I did a pre-med study abroad program in Europe last fall, and I have traveled to Malaysia twice to see family since graduating from high school.

 

[beckmancoulter]

How is everyone describing research experiences?

Also, does anyone else have absolutely nothing under leadership?

 

[sector9]

I am going on a mission trip to Honduras the first two weeks of July. One week will be medical and one will be non-medical. Would that be Healthcare Activities, Community Service, or Travel? And I'm not completely positive about what I'll be doing, so I'm not quite sure what to put for the description. Thanks!

... why wouldn't it go under "Planned Activities"😕

 

[Cinematographer]

Do you guys think it is advisable to use the first optional essay to describe why I withdrew my application from last year? I know TMDSAS gives you space elsewhere to talk about reapplying, but I felt I needed to add extra information that didn't fit in their ~500 character box for reapplicants.

 

[latrala2300]

How long did it take your (everyone who sees this, lol) transcript to show up as "received" in the status check?

Note that I'm not talking about verification

 

[BlackNOrange]

How long did it take your (everyone who sees this, lol) transcript to show up as "received" in the status check?

Note that I'm not talking about verification

Mine was mailed from Georgia on 5/23 and received on 6/6.

 

[bailarun8]

... why wouldn't it go under "Planned Activities"😕

It is under "Planned Activites." You have to further categorize it there as one of the things I listed in my other post (among other categories). It is currently listed as Healthcare Activity, but half of it won't be medical. Thoughts?

 

[Laplace]

Did anyone face any issues with MCAT score verification??? I sent mine in mid May and the status still says "NOT RECEIVED."

Yeah same thing happened to me, but I just resent it again from the MCAT THx system and it worked.

 

[sector9]

It is under "Planned Activites." You have to further categorize it there as one of the things I listed in my other post (among other categories). It is currently listed as Healthcare Activity, but half of it won't be medical. Thoughts?

Oh I see. I would probably just leave it as a healthcare activity and explain it in the box, but I guess you could split it into two activities (one healthcare and the other community service)

 

[Laplace]

Since we're limited to only 300 characters, how do they expect us to word our descriptions? Is something like this acceptable: "Helped to recruit students to the university, attended various recruiting events such as Scholars Day, Preview Fridays, and College fairs, served on student question-answer panels. Hours/week: 2 Hours total: 100 "?

Also, do most people cross-list all their activities to every applicable section and just copy-paste the same description again? Sorry if this has already been covered, I'm frantically rushing to get this done before I leave the country tomorrow.

 

[sector9]

Since we're limited to only 300 characters, how do they expect us to word our descriptions? Is something like this acceptable: "Helped to recruit students to the university, attended various recruiting events such as Scholars Day, Preview Fridays, and College fairs, served on student question-answer panels. Hours/week: 2 Hours total: 100 "?

Also, do most people cross-list all their activities to every applicable section and just copy-paste the same description again? Sorry if this has already been covered, I'm frantically rushing to get this done before I leave the country tomorrow.

Well hours per week and hours total are listed in the header info so you don't have to waste characters in the description box.
I used lots of lists with bullet points, using resume style wording
I cross listed everything but had different descriptions, highlighting how the activity fit into "leadership" or into "community service" or whatever

 

[browneyed girl]

So happy to have received an email from UNT for the Personal Portal Page info hope everything else goes smoothly...TMDSAS is so slowwwwwwww😴

 

[latrala2300]

In case anyone else is anxious about their transcript, mine was mailed from a few states away on June 1 and received today (June 9).

 

[Morzh]

So happy to have received an email from UNT for the Personal Portal Page info hope everything else goes smoothly...TMDSAS is so slowwwwwwww😴

I'm pretty sure as soon as your TMDSAS status says "Transmitted to schools" then that means they have sent them. The slowness in getting application acknowledgements from the individual schools is due to slowness on their part--remember most admissions committees don't even get assembled until sometime in mid July, so there's little rush to get everything up-to-date in the computers right now.

Although I too got my PIN from UNT today and it was exciting. 😀

 

[Laplace]

Well hours per week and hours total are listed in the header info so you don't have to waste characters in the description box.
I used lots of lists with bullet points, using resume style wording
I cross listed everything but had different descriptions, highlighting how the activity fit into "leadership" or into "community service" or whatever

Oh that was actually a leadership activity which is why the hours are there. How exactly do you create a list with bullet points in that? I'm guessing you just copy pasted from Word?

 

[Morzh]

Oh that was actually a leadership activity which is why the hours are there. How exactly do you create a list with bullet points in that? I'm guessing you just copy pasted from Word?

- I didn't literally use bullet points

- I was afraid the rich text formatting would get screwed up if I tried to copy/paste it

- So I just made "hypen points" like these

- Like the previous poster said, resume style language is great. No need for complete sentences--lose the pronouns, focus on action verbs. Instead of "I help disadvantaged youth participate in wholesome after school athletic activities. I enjoy this because I get to see them become more responsible and work harder in their school work." Say something like "Teach after school athletics to assist and encourage disadvantaged youth to develop life skills and live responsibly."

The first example contains about 13% action verbs. The second had over about 30% action verbs and says the same thing, but with less words. Use action verbs whenever possible to "show and not tell"--this saves characters but more importantly is more convincing to a reader.

 

[Cinematographer]

Anyone here use Interfolio for their TMDSAS app? How does the process work as far as forms, etc etc? Would like this info before I buy the one year subscription.

 

[citrusguy2010]

i used interfolio and worked fine. you just plug in your tmdsas and it should be fine. tmdsas got my stuff in like a week.

 

[latrala2300]

i used interfolio and worked fine. you just plug in your tmdsas and it should be fine. tmdsas got my stuff in like a week.

Would you still need to send TMDSAS evaluation forms? 😕

 

[phuddl]

Hey guys,

Hoping to submit my apps for verification in the next few days.

I have two questions. I tried to search for the answers, but my googlefu is weak.

1. Hometown. Do they mean where I am currently living, or where I grew up? Why does this even matter? I know in Arkansas they have to fill a quota for different parts of the state, but I didn't think that they do that in TX.

2. Leadership and job activities. I was an RA, so I feel like this overlaps into both categories. Should I use it in just one category, or use it in both with altered descriptions to fit the category?

 

[BMEN]

I'm pretty sure as soon as your TMDSAS status says "Transmitted to schools" then that means they have sent them. The slowness in getting application acknowledgements from the individual schools is due to slowness on their part--remember most admissions committees don't even get assembled until sometime in mid July, so there's little rush to get everything up-to-date in the computers right now.

Although I too got my PIN from UNT today and it was exciting. 😀

When did yall submit the UNT secondary? I still havent gotten an email except for the one you get after you submit the secondary..

 

[therunner12]

Hey guys,

Hoping to submit my apps for verification in the next few days.

I have two questions. I tried to search for the answers, but my googlefu is weak.

1. Hometown. Do they mean where I am currently living, or where I grew up? Why does this even matter? I know in Arkansas they have to fill a quota for different parts of the state, but I didn't think that they do that in TX.

2. Leadership and job activities. I was an RA, so I feel like this overlaps into both categories. Should I use it in just one category, or use it in both with altered descriptions to fit the category?

1. It's where you grew up and it doesn't matter.

2. Put it in both. It was encouraged my pre-med advisor to double dip as much as possible because a lot of times the adcoms won't look at your whole application.

CAUTION: This only applies to TMDSAS. You never double dip on AMCAS.

 

[phuddl]

1. It's where you grew up and it doesn't matter.

2. Put it in both. It was encouraged my pre-med advisor to double dip as much as possible because a lot of times the adcoms won't look at your whole application.

CAUTION: This only applies to TMDSAS. You never double dip on AMCAS.

This is exactly what I thought. Thanks!

 

[Morzh]

1. It's where you grew up and it doesn't matter.

2. Put it in both. It was encouraged my pre-med advisor to double dip as much as possible because a lot of times the adcoms won't look at your whole application.

CAUTION: This only applies to TMDSAS. You never double dip on AMCAS.

Not only can you get away with this on TMDSAS, but the instructions specifically encourage you to do so. I think they decided that they'd rather have an application with lots of entries, but which are limited to much shorter descriptions (brief, to-the-point) rather than go with the traditional AMCAS style of fewer overall entries but probably a lot more overall text.

 

[BMEN]

Hey Morzh when did you submit your UNT Secondary and Primary? Just curious since you got an email back. I was a UNTHSC employee last summer so I was able to log into my portal but nothing has really changed since my secondary. It still gives me the ability to do a new secondary(however the one i submitted is listed as complete).

 

[dawumyster]

For those of you that are applying for MD and DO, how do you enter your GPA if you retook a class and got a higher grade? I'm assuming that the GPA should be the exact same one that is on your transcript, but DOs take only the higher grade if the course was retaken.

 

[Morzh]

For those of you that are applying for MD and DO, how do you enter your GPA if you retook a class and got a higher grade? I'm assuming that the GPA should be the exact same one that is on your transcript, but DOs take only the higher grade if the course was retaken.

You don't "enter your GPA". You enter your classes and grades exactly as they appear on your transcript and TMDSAS calculates the GPA after verification. UNT does NOT do grade forgiveness like the AACOMAS DO schools do.

 

[Morzh]

Hey Morzh when did you submit your UNT Secondary and Primary? Just curious since you got an email back. I was a UNTHSC employee last summer so I was able to log into my portal but nothing has really changed since my secondary. It still gives me the ability to do a new secondary(however the one i submitted is listed as complete).

My primary was sent by TMDSAS on 5/12. My secondary was submitted on 5/20. I got the email giving me a PIN to setup my portal page on 6/9. The email was contingent on when my primary was processed by UNT ("TMDSAS has notified us that your primary application is being sent to our office.", not the secondary. It just so happened that I had also submitted my secondary but I would have still gotten the email even if I hadn't looked at the secondary yet.

The portal page is just the typical school page. Most of the links don't take me anywhere because they aren't applicable yet. The only applicable link is the "check your application status" one. Mine says complete and that it will be updated after match day next year.

 

[BMEN]

My primary was sent by TMDSAS on 5/12. My secondary was submitted on 5/20. I got the email giving me a PIN to setup my portal page on 6/9. The email was contingent on when my primary was processed by UNT ("TMDSAS has notified us that your primary application is being sent to our office.", not the secondary. It just so happened that I had also submitted my secondary but I would have still gotten the email even if I hadn't looked at the secondary yet.

The portal page is just the typical school page. Most of the links don't take me anywhere because they aren't applicable yet. The only applicable link is the "check your application status" one. Mine says complete and that it will be updated after match day next year.

Thanks man. My TMDSAS was processed 5/23 and sent the 27th so i guess ill be about two weeks behind then. Guess i just have a portal page the my.hsc.unt.edu site since i was an employee last year. Guess not having a to do list is nothing of concern now?

 

[Morzh]

Thanks man. My TMDSAS was processed 5/23 and sent the 27th so i guess ill be about two weeks behind then. Guess i just have a portal page the my.hsc.unt.edu site since i was an employee last year. Guess not having a to do list is nothing of concern now?

There is nothing on my to-do list since I already submitted the secondary. I think the to-do list is more for once you've got an interview/acceptance and have to schedule your interview or fill out financial aid information, etc.

 

[BMEN]

gotcha. great.

 

[citrusguy2010]

this has probably been asked already but i was wondering how we could update our tmdsas application with more amcas schools we applied to. i only indicated like a handful (maybe 6) AMCAS schools that i was going to apply to at my tmdsas submission time but now i've decided to add more schools. do you think that will count against me if i underreport? thanks!

 

[Morzh]

this has probably been asked already but i was wondering how we could update our tmdsas application with more amcas schools we applied to. i only indicated like a handful (maybe 6) AMCAS schools that i was going to apply to at my tmdsas submission time but now i've decided to add more schools. do you think that will count against me if i underreport? thanks!

It doesn't seem like you can, so from that I infer it's not something they really care about.

The application instructions use the verbiage "if you intend to apply" (my emphasis.

I honestly doubt whether or not the schools themselves will even see that part--I think it may be more for statistics and macro analysis after the fact.

 

[citrusguy2010]

Would you still need to send TMDSAS evaluation forms? 😕

i did not send use the TMDSAS eval forms

 

[phuddl]

So what exactly does TMDSAS mean by "Type of Activity" in the extracurricular section?

I took it to mean the title of the activity, like "EMergency Department Volunteer"

What do y'all think?

 

[tennischamp822]

Can anyone tell me how late is late for the Texas schools?

I am planning to take my MCAT on August 23rd, and I am not sure if that would be too late for me to apply this cycle.

 

[DrTroll]

Can anyone tell me how late is late for the Texas schools?

I am planning to take my MCAT on August 23rd, and I am not sure if that would be too late for me to apply this cycle.

The deadline for TMDSAS is September 30, and if you take the test on Aug. 23, the result won't come back till around Sep. 23. You'll cut real close to the deadline, and that's normally not good.

 

[hownowmauvecow]

Can anyone tell me how late is late for the Texas schools?

I am planning to take my MCAT on August 23rd, and I am not sure if that would be too late for me to apply this cycle.

Unless you have stellar stats it will definitely hinder your application to apply that late. Even if you have stellar stats you will probably be at an extreme disadvantage. Can you move up MCAT date? If not you may want to consider applying next cycle.

Unless you think you will be getting a 40+ on your MCAT. 🙄

Just my two cents...

 

[NickNaylor]

Can anyone tell me how late is late for the Texas schools?

I am planning to take my MCAT on August 23rd, and I am not sure if that would be too late for me to apply this cycle.

This is just an anecdote, but I knew someone that, like you, didn't take her MCAT until August. She was an otherwise strong applicant and only got two interviews after applying to all of the Texas schools. She was ultimately accepted, but she had a pretty low batting average for interviews considering the overall strength of her application.

You put yourself in a difficult position. Apply if you have the money and time, but I would definitely be getting a plan B in place.

 

[PHD To MD]

You guys are sure on the ball. I still haven't submitted my application yet. I am in the final touches though and will send tomorrow. Then I will work on secondaries. From reading the treads I don't know if I have a snow balls chance. I have to apply as an out of state applicant because I went to graduate school in Wisconsin. I grew up in Texas and went to HS and College there. Anyway, I am kind of nervous but all I can do is hope for the best. I re-took the MCAT and my 2nd scores will come out on the 28th. I feel so behind and it's still June. 😱

 

[DrTroll]

You guys are sure on the ball. I still haven't submitted my application yet. I am in the final touches though and will send tomorrow. Then I will work on secondaries. From reading the treads I don't know if I have a snow balls chance. I have to apply as an out of state applicant because I went to graduate school in Wisconsin. I grew up in Texas and went to HS and College there. Anyway, I am kind of nervous but all I can do is hope for the best. I re-took the MCAT and my 2nd scores will come out on the 28th. I feel so behind and it's still June. 😱

lol, seems like the gunners on this forum finally get to you

somebody said applying early is not quite accurate, it should be more like don't apply late. So you got nothing to worry about, hang in there

 

[PopeJoja]

Can some one help me assess what to do next?

This is where I am:

Found my SAT and ACT scores.... finally!
Took my mcat yesterday.... scores will be back mid july.
Finished everything I am responsible for on my application.
I have my LORs, but do I need to send them to TMDSAS before I can apply?

I just need to know when I should submit my check for processing.

Thanks for any help guys 🙂

 

[PopeJoja]

You guys are sure on the ball. I still haven't submitted my application yet. I am in the final touches though and will send tomorrow. Then I will work on secondaries. From reading the treads I don't know if I have a snow balls chance. I have to apply as an out of state applicant because I went to graduate school in Wisconsin. I grew up in Texas and went to HS and College there. Anyway, I am kind of nervous but all I can do is hope for the best. I re-took the MCAT and my 2nd scores will come out on the 28th. I feel so behind and it's still June. 😱

hahaha, I thought it was just me. I just took my mcat yesterday.

Seeing that people finished their secondaries weeks ago, I feel like such a pessimistic premed.

 

[latrala2300]

Can some one help me assess what to do next?

This is where I am:

Found my SAT and ACT scores.... finally!
Took my mcat yesterday.... scores will be back mid july.
Finished everything I am responsible for on my application.
I have my LORs, but do I need to send them to TMDSAS before I can apply?

I just need to know when I should submit my check for processing.

Thanks for any help guys 🙂

Submit your app! Don't wait for your scores (unless you think they're poor).

Mail in your check ASAP for processing. It'll take about a week after they get them, and they won't review your app untnil they do.

You don't need to submit your LORs for your application to be verified, but you should get them in ASAP because schools won't consider your application complete without them.

I hope this helps,

 

[Morzh]

hahaha, I thought it was just me. I just took my mcat yesterday.

Seeing that people finished their secondaries weeks ago, I feel like such a pessimistic premed.

Don't worry, it is still fairly early in the game. Just remember that TMDSAS "early" is NOT equal to AMCAS "early". Deadline is sooner, many of the schools interview sooner, and interviews very rarely extend into 2012. By the time Winter semester has started everyone is getting read for the match (2/1), after which it is all over (except for waitlists).

Most Texas schools will formally convene their admissions committees in early/mid July and begin extending interviews for August and September shortly after. Also remember that it can take TMDSAS 3-4 weeks to verify your transcripts and send your app to school once things really heat up. So don't think submitting on July 1 means schools will be looking at you by July 15. Between verification, waiting for LORs, finishing secondaries, etc. Aug 1 is probably more realistic.

It's definitely not "late" yet, but I would really try to submit in the next week or two, not three or four weeks.

 

[BMEN]

^pretty much. If i can remember correctly, TCOM started interviewing in late july last year

 

[PHD To MD]

Submitted my app today! Sent check express overnight, should be there tomorrow at 12pm. Does it really take a week for them to process your check. Maybe I should have sent a postal money order. Anyway i will save at least 2 days by sending it overnight. Now I just need to send in my secondaries. I have 1 lor that hasn't been marked received though. I was told it was sent fed ex on Tuesday last week

 

[beckmancoulter]

Is there any point in finishing secondaries before verification? I mailed in my check last week and I don't think I'll be verified for at least 2 weeks. THanks

 

[FuturaDocta]

I just submitted my 145 washingtons. Just wondering if I should finish my secondaries before my primary app is verified. thanks!