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

[Morzh]

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To the last two posters: yes, submit them as soon as you can. Some of the schools (lookin' at you, A&M) can take a looong time--like several weeks--to "process" your secondary and secondary fee. Might as well get them started on that ASAP. Your "to-do list" is not sequential... you can turn in primary, LORs, secondary, fees, MCAT whenever you want and in whatever order you want. You won't be looked at until it's all done.

 

[hownowmauvecow]

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

You don't have to but if you have time now you may want to get them out of the way so that you have more time to sit back and relax. Additionally if you applied to out of state schools that have not yet sent out their secondaries you may want to finish your Texas secondaries (even if your primary is not verified) before all of the other ones start coming in.

 

[FuturaDocta]

About LORs. After I send my premed committee letter and one from my supervisor at work, I should have the requirement for LORs, right? Though, I plan on receiving one from a doctor I am about to shadow, can I still submit that after everything has been processed? thanks

 

[frescoengano]

Does the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L Foster School of Medicine at El Paso have a secondary?

I just did the Texas Tech Lubbock secondary and noticed on the Merlin site that it had an option to create an application for the Foster School of Medicine

 

[MilkIsGood]

no secondary for el paso

 

[nysw]

I'm an MD/PhD applicant and on both AMCAS and TMDSAS, I've had to answer the prompt 'Why MD/PhD and motivations."

Texas Tech's secondary asks "

(Optional) If you are a dual degree applicant (MD/MBA, MD/PhD, JD/MD); please describe your motivation (in 500 words or less) to obtain a dual degree and any other pertinent information. (e.g. research interests, steps taken to prepare yourself)"

Okay to copy paste or should I write a new one that pretty much says the same thing..? 😕


​

 

[docbrill]

Does anybody know if TMDSAS gives transcript exemptions from foreign universities?? I completed 140 credits here in my undergraduate institution, however, I also have an additional 30 credits transferred from a foreign university. I tried obtaining a transcript from there, but they have "misplaced it," so I will be unable to get one.

Has anybody received a transcript waiver? Do I need to fill out a form, or have the school send them a letter explaining why they don't have my transcript? Please let me know because I want to submit my application tonight. Thanks!

 

[MilkIsGood]

you need to send foreign transcript. it can be a photocopy though

 

[Carter Mayes]

I'm a great applicant with an average MCAT, therefore, I am applying to ALL Texas schools (I'm a texas resident) and low tier out of state schools (low mcat reqs...like LSU, South Alabama, South Carolina, etc.)

I know Texas schools like Texas applicants. So would disclosing my out of
state schools to TMDSAS be detrimental?

Also, will they think poorly of me because I am applying only to low tier schools?

Also, will they catch me if i dont disclose the schools??

 

[BMEN]

I'm a great applicant with an average MCAT, therefore, I am applying to ALL Texas schools (I'm a texas resident) and low tier out of state schools (low mcat reqs...like LSU, South Alabama, South Carolina, etc.)

I know Texas schools like Texas applicants. So would disclosing my out of
state schools to TMDSAS be detrimental?

Also, will they think poorly of me because I am applying only to low tier schools?

Also, will they catch me if i dont disclose the schools??

One step at a time buddy

Check those schools out of state(OOS) acceptance. LSU is notorious for low Oos acceptance, so check the others

No not detrimental.

No, a pursuit of medicine is still a pursuit of medicine.

Its more for their records i think. When i submitted my TMDSAS i only had 1 oos school. Now i have 15 others, so i couldn't update them.

 

[Carter Mayes]

BMEN - Thanks a lot, sure helps. About LSU...I understand they have high rejections but I'm applying because they're close to home.

So for someone in my boat, what med schools should I look at that have not so low OOS acceptance rates? It seems that most private schools accept only excellent OOS applicants and public schools reserve seats only for their students...🙁

 

[Carter Mayes]

**public schools reserve seats for only that state's residents

 

[BMEN]

Honestly the best chance to find out is either look in the MSAR or ask around in the "What are my chances" sub forum.

LSU is expanding their OOS a little

 

[Lovebox]

So submitting secondaries around this time...is that considered late?

 

[BMEN]

Not necessarily. If you can submit them before july(when most schools start reviewing apps) you are still in good shape. only schools that actually reviewed apps and secondaries already was TCOM

 

[Lovebox]

good shape = early or average? thanks!

 

[BMEN]

Good shape as in the with the applications being reviewed starting in July.

 

[PHD To MD]

Waiting to get verified is killing me. I submitted 6-20-11 and they got my check 6-22-11 and it said processing 6-23-11. I hope this doesn't drag on until August.

 

[Laplace]

I know it's recommended to do the optional essays but what if they suck in comparison to the personal statement? The only thing keeping me from submitting my application is these optional essays. In this case is it better to just not do them?

 

[Whatyousay]

I know it's recommended to do the optional essays but what if they suck in comparison to the personal statement? The only thing keeping me from submitting my application is these optional essays. In this case is it better to just not do them?

I don't understand. Why don't you write your essays so they don't suck? 😕

These options are a way to provide Texas schools with a better picture of you as a candidate. You're trying to advertise yourself as a qualified candidate - think of these essays as free ad space.

 

[sector9]

I know it's recommended to do the optional essays but what if they suck in comparison to the personal statement? The only thing keeping me from submitting my application is these optional essays. In this case is it better to just not do them?

And keep in mind that half of the Texas schools don't have a secondary at all, so this is all that they're going to get from you

I would say that you should probably do at least one of them, if not both

 

[NickNaylor]

I didn't do one of them. If you legitimately have no good response to either essay, I think it would be better to leave them blank rather than try and force a response. That said, you should try and find something to write about, and it should be of decent quality.

 

[Laplace]

I didn't do one of them. If you legitimately have no good response to either essay, I think it would be better to leave them blank rather than try and force a response. That said, you should try and find something to write about, and it should be of decent quality.

Was it the diversity/personal characteristics one that you answered??

 

[BMEN]

The personal char one is implied required. its best to do it. the unique experience is the one that is "truly" optional. i still did it, since some texas schools dont have secondaries

 

[FutureMD23]

I don't know if anyone has had any experiences similar to this, but here's the situation:

I now have a new "planned activity," or rather a continuation of an already ongoing activity that I did not know at the time of filling out TMDSAS I would be continuing. I was offered a spot to continue research for the next two semesters after this summer research internship is over and I figured it would be beneficial to my application...but I cannot edit it now that I have submitted. Is there any solutions to this? Or even email schools about it? Or just forget about it? Just thought I would throw out this situation and see what some of you thought.

 

[BMEN]

you could try emailing schools and be like can i add stuff? Some schools say yes, some no

 

[txlover]

Has anyone recently had LORs or Transcripts received and how long did it take for the status to change from the date they were mailed? I've been waiting two weeks now, but it only took 10 days in early June. 🙁

 

[paul411]

I don't know if anyone has had any experiences similar to this, but here's the situation:

I now have a new "planned activity," or rather a continuation of an already ongoing activity that I did not know at the time of filling out TMDSAS I would be continuing. I was offered a spot to continue research for the next two semesters after this summer research internship is over and I figured it would be beneficial to my application...but I cannot edit it now that I have submitted. Is there any solutions to this? Or even email schools about it? Or just forget about it? Just thought I would throw out this situation and see what some of you thought.

Doesn't sound like too major an edit; just talk about it when it comes up on interviews. If you don't get an interview at a school you'd like, include this in an update letter to that school.

 

[paul411]

I know it's recommended to do the optional essays but what if they suck in comparison to the personal statement? The only thing keeping me from submitting my application is these optional essays. In this case is it better to just not do them?

Definitely do the personal characteristics/diversity essay. More advertising space for you.

 

[scooter08]

Is the Planned Activities form only for activities which have not already been listed? In the other sections, the things I plan on continuing next year, I just list as so. Do I have to enter them again?!

 

[iamahippo]

Is the Planned Activities form only for activities which have not already been listed? In the other sections, the things I plan on continuing next year, I just list as so. Do I have to enter them again?!

I, too, would like to know this. (unless it's somewhere earlier in the thread.. time to go look)

 

[BMEN]

I, too, would like to know this. (unless it's somewhere earlier in the thread.. time to go look)

I think its for unlisted things. So lets say you start a new volunteering job, you list it. For the continuing activities, you'll just put in the expected end date in the section it belongs.

 

[Laplace]

I know "late" for TMDSAS is much earlier than "late" for AMCAS but as long as I submit by the end of this week, will I still have almost as good a chance as people who submitted early? I'm starting to get really nervous because my app keeps being pushed back due to trivial things.

 

[BMEN]

I know "late" for TMDSAS is much earlier than "late" for AMCAS but as long as I submit by the end of this week, will I still have almost as good a chance as people who submitted early? I'm starting to get really nervous because my app keeps being pushed back due to trivial things.

Not late late. But a little late. Most schools have started reviewing already so at this point. Still some people submitted in late july, august and made it in last year. So do it asap i guess

 

[Laplace]

Sent. How long does it usually take them to receive the check (or process the recieved check) if you live in Texas? Is it as long as the transcripts or is it fairly instant once they receive it?

 

[BMEN]

Sent. How long does it usually take them to receive the check (or process the recieved check) if you live in Texas? Is it as long as the transcripts or is it fairly instant once they receive it?

it took them 3 days to get my payment.

 

[ilostmytail]

I updated some residency documents and info after my app was submitted but before it was transmitted. My info was actually updated by a staff from TMDSAS after I emailed her. Will my primary application include this updated residency information or should I call each schools individually?

 

[BMEN]

I updated some residency documents and info after my app was submitted but before it was transmitted. My info was actually updated by a staff from TMDSAS after I emailed her. Will my primary application include this updated residency information or should I call each schools individually?

Ideally, TMDSAS should do everything. However, sometimes there are issues with schools receiving stuff. From your situation it seems like everything was taken care of

 

[TheTruckGuy]

I think it's been said multiple times already, but just to reiterate: If you have not submitted your primary and secondary apps by this point, you are wrong!

 

[texthrow]

What is the bare minimum that TMDSAS needs in order for you application to be transmitted to the schools? Does anybody know? Thanks

 

[texthrow]

anyone??

 

[noshie]

What is the bare minimum that TMDSAS needs in order for you application to be transmitted to the schools? Does anybody know? Thanks

Application, transcripts and fee... The LORs can be submitted even after they process your application and send it to the schools. MCAT score can wait too, but I would strongly advise against waiting to submit the MCAT scores if you can help it. But, just because this is the bare min for TMDSAS to process and send out your app doesn't mean the schools will even look at your app until they get everything and you are complete...

 

[alienwares]

Sooo, I had some issues with a duplicate AAMC account that I thought I fixed a few months ago. It turns out the accounts were never merged... so I *just* had my MCAT scores marked as transmitted via TMDSAS today.

How long is it going to be before TX schools recieve that MCAT score? (Is my application cycle in trouble?) Thanks!

 

[nmskyle]

Hi guys, I applied last year to all the schools except UNT HSC because I was to stupid to research the option myself and listened to other people's opinions about osteopaths. I applied very late last year and didn't finish multiple applications, though I did pay the ten extra dollars each primary sent to these. Since I didn't complete a few schools secondaries last year do I list them as applied to last year since i really didn't apply to them fully. I really only applied to the schools that don't require a secondary. This is the last thing I gotta figure out before turning in the app. Thanks

 

[noshie]

Hi guys, I applied last year to all the schools except UNT HSC because I was to stupid to research the option myself and listened to other people's opinions about osteopaths. I applied very late last year and didn't finish multiple applications, though I did pay the ten extra dollars each primary sent to these. Since I didn't complete a few schools secondaries last year do I list them as applied to last year since i really didn't apply to them fully. I really only applied to the schools that don't require a secondary. This is the last thing I gotta figure out before turning in the app. Thanks

I would just make it easy and say you applied to all of them... It probably won't matter, but then you could say you are a reapplicant, which I feel is favorable depending on how you spin it.

 

[ProbablySo]

.

 

[TheTruckGuy]

What is the bare minimum that TMDSAS needs in order for you application to be transmitted to the schools? Does anybody know? Thanks

When I spoke with folks at UT Houston about my application, it sounded as though they would wait until they got the whole package before reviewing your application. So like noshie said, TMDSAS might transmit it, but that doesn't mean the school will review it.

 

[Lovebox]

If I have taken coursework since I have submitted...how do I update TMDSAS? Also, will it cause me to have to be re-verified? Does this slow down my application (like my place in line to be reviewed by schools who already have my app?)?

 

[BMEN]

If I have taken coursework since I have submitted...how do I update TMDSAS? Also, will it cause me to have to be re-verified? Does this slow down my application (like my place in line to be reviewed by schools who already have my app?)?

Did you indicate it on future course work in TMDSAS?

 

[DrTroll]

Does anybody know how long it takes for TMDSAS to mark LOR as received? Thanks!