*~*~*~*Official TMDSAS Questions Thread 2012-2013*~*~*~*

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anyone have experience with how long TMDSAS takes to receive letters through Virtual Eval after they're sent? it's only been two days, but AMCAS confirmed receipt almost immediately.
 
espagueti said:
anyone have experience with how long TMDSAS takes to receive letters through Virtual Eval after they're sent? it's only been two days, but AMCAS confirmed receipt almost immediately.
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TMDSAS received my letter right on the same day it was sent
 
I applied for the 2010 cycle for MD/PhD programs ONLY, but didn't get in. Since then, I have had some clinical experiences and other life experiences that have convinced me that I really want to be an MD.

For AMCAS purposes, I am a reapplicant at all of the schools I previously applied to MD/PhD. I called every school and they said that in my situation, I would be a reapplicant.

I don't know what to put on the TMDSAS. My gut says I should list all the schools. I'm a little confused, mostly because last time I didn't go through the TMDSAS at all, even though I applied to UT Houston and UT Southwestern (through AMCAS).
 
Things may have changed in the last two years but how did you apply to UT-Houston by AMCAS? Were they an AMCAS school then?
 
cloverpie said:
Things may have changed in the last two years but how did you apply to UT-Houston by AMCAS? Were they an AMCAS school then?
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No, I think it was for an MD/PhD program. If you want to apply to any MD/PhD program in texas schools, you have to use AMCAS.
 
Hi, for high school test scores on TMDSAS, I only remember my Math/Verbal score from the SAT from 2007, but I already added my ACT scores, which were still up online. I don't remember much about the SAT information needed to call in and request old scores for 15 bucks, so is it OK to either: Not put my SAT scores down or just estimate my Writing score from way back when. I'm about 60% sure what I think it is is right.
 
Furballer said:
Hi, for high school test scores on TMDSAS, I only remember my Math/Verbal score from the SAT from 2007, but I already added my ACT scores, which were still up online. I don't remember much about the SAT information needed to call in and request old scores for 15 bucks, so is it OK to either: Not put my SAT scores down or just estimate my Writing score from way back when. I'm about 60% sure what I think it is is right.
Click to expand...

Are your scores not on your college transcript? Mine were.

armybound said:
was there a writing score on the SAT?

oh yeah, I'm so old we didn't have a writing section.
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:laugh: Same here. When I put the date, that section disappeared.
 
Hey, I'm planning on sending my application out by the end of this week. Is this considered late now?
 
I still don't know who my LOR writers will be, as I'm waiting to hear from some people. Is it okay to submit anyhow? Can I changer it later if necessary?
 
Is it a good idea to make one of the optional essays into a "Why Texas" essay if you're not from Texas? Looking at the secondaries, there's not really any other essays that ask this question but I feel like it might be important to adcom if I'm oos.

Obviously though, the prompt doesn't exactly ask this.. I was thinking of making the "Unique Experiences" into experiences I had with Texas that make me like the state & schools.
 
UrshumMurshum said:
Hey, I'm planning on sending my application out by the end of this week. Is this considered late now?
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I don't think so. TMDSAS opened for submission on 5/31. I think that past mid-July, you're no longer early. Past August, you're late. Please feel free to correct me if anyone else knows otherwise. Good luck, guys!
 
bear09 said:
Is it a good idea to make one of the optional essays into a "Why Texas" essay if you're not from Texas? Looking at the secondaries, there's not really any other essays that ask this question but I feel like it might be important to adcom if I'm oos.

Obviously though, the prompt doesn't exactly ask this.. I was thinking of making the "Unique Experiences" into experiences I had with Texas that make me like the state & schools.
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If you think you can make a compelling argument as to why you want to be in Texas, I'd recommend doing so.
 
cloverpie said:
I don't think so. TMDSAS opened for submission on 5/31. I think that past mid-July, you're no longer early. Past August, you're late. Please feel free to correct me if anyone else knows otherwise. Good luck, guys!
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I thought TMDSAS opened for submission on may 1st?
 
Sorry, I meant transmission to schools happened on 5/31. My understanding is that you could submit anytime before then. By that token, I'm late (submitting tomorrow).
 
cloverpie said:
Sorry, I meant transmission to schools happened on 5/31. My understanding is that you could submit anytime before then. By that token, I'm late (submitting tomorrow).
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You're fine, I'm not submitting for another 2 weeks
 
Furballer said:
Hi, for high school test scores on TMDSAS, I only remember my Math/Verbal score from the SAT from 2007, but I already added my ACT scores, which were still up online. I don't remember much about the SAT information needed to call in and request old scores for 15 bucks, so is it OK to either: Not put my SAT scores down or just estimate my Writing score from way back when. I'm about 60% sure what I think it is is right.
Click to expand...

Same thing happened to me on TMDSAS last year except the other way around--I couldn't remember my ACT scores and it cost money to get them "out of storage" so I said to hell with it and left that part blank. I also didn't put my GRE scores on my AMCAS by accident. Neither AMCAS nor TMDSAS verifies these scores anyway so I doubt it's much of a factor at all. I certainly was never asked about these scores or lack thereof at any interviews.
 
imymemine said:
Same thing happened to me on TMDSAS last year except the other way around--I couldn't remember my ACT scores and it cost money to get them "out of storage" so I said to hell with it and left that part blank. I also didn't put my GRE scores on my AMCAS by accident. Neither AMCAS nor TMDSAS verifies these scores anyway so I doubt it's much of a factor at all. I certainly was never asked about these scores or lack thereof at any interviews.
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I was worried about this until my mom found a printout of my scores on a crumpled up piece of paper in a random file cabinet in her closet. Anyway, does anyone know why they even bother asking for SAT/ACT scores? Seems like really nonessential information. I can't imagine it greatly affecting a school's view of you one way or the other.
 
BlueLabel said:
I was worried about this until my mom found a printout of my scores on a crumpled up piece of paper in a random file cabinet in her closet. Anyway, does anyone know why they even bother asking for SAT/ACT scores? Seems like really nonessential information. I can't imagine it greatly affecting a school's view of you one way or the other.
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I guess just another major standardized test for them to consider your performance on. I doubt it has much significance.
 
craftyconqueror said:
No problem. And no, the request method doesn't matter to them; it's just what gets generated for you to send. I actually didn't use the eval forms at all since I am also submitting AMCAS and didn't want to make my writers do both. So I put "print" but never actually printed them off. They seem to still be matching fine.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

So you were able to add more than one placeholder? I have several LORs, would love to add a couple of them, but can only seem to add one extra letter. Is that correct or am I missing something?

Thanks in advance.
 
BUMP!

Do we need to have AAMC send MCAT scores over before we submit or can we do it later? I have a retake on Friday and didn't want to send my scores until they new one comes in since they want look at the application anyway.

Do we need to add our LOE Recommenders before submitting or can we wait on that? I know who 2 of my recommenders are, but I'm not sure about my 2nd science letter writer.

Thanks.
 
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Deutsch Arzt said:
So you were able to add more than one placeholder? I have several LORs, would love to add a couple of them, but can only seem to add one extra letter. Is that correct or am I missing something?

Thanks in advance.
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You can only add 1 extra, so in total you can have 3 placeholders at most.
 
So the date TMDSAS has for processing applications is those received on June 20. Does that mean you'll be verified if you submitted on the 20th or is that when they start to verify you and it's going to take longer?

The reason I ask is because I'm trying to estimate how long it'll take to verify my primary.
 
I have a question about the photo we must upload.. The app states that the photo should provide a clear view of your face.

I traveled to India to implement an intervention program for women, and took many pictures with the women there. The picture does provide a clear view of my face and I thought maybe it would give a warm touch to the picture if I were surrounded by the native Bengali women.

Thoughts?
 
DforDoctor said:
I have a question about the photo we must upload.. The app states that the photo should provide a clear view of your face.

I traveled to India to implement an intervention program for women, and took many pictures with the women there. The picture does provide a clear view of my face and I thought maybe it would give a warm touch to the picture if I were surrounded by the native Bengali women.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

No.
 
Sorry if this has been asked before but I can't find the answer to it. Does TMDSAS require you to explain your activities (e.g., paragraph or bullet style).

Also, is there a TMDSAS application on MS Word or PDF I can print out and preview? I have an actual application from AMCAS that someone posted as an example but not TMDSAS and seeing the actual application would help me a ton. Thanks all.
 
kpb said:
Sorry if this has been asked before but I can't find the answer to it. Does TMDSAS require you to explain your activities (e.g., paragraph or bullet style).

Also, is there a TMDSAS application on MS Word or PDF I can print out and preview? I have an actual application from AMCAS that someone posted as an example but not TMDSAS and seeing the actual application would help me a ton. Thanks all.
Click to expand...

yes, you can and should explain your activities.
 
Are my questions stupid the reason why no one will answer them for me? I am applying to all three applicaton services and it seems like they all have different requirements, so I am trying to make sure I am doing it correctly.
 
kpb said:
Sorry if this has been asked before but I can't find the answer to it. Does TMDSAS require you to explain your activities (e.g., paragraph or bullet style).

Also, is there a TMDSAS application on MS Word or PDF I can print out and preview? I have an actual application from AMCAS that someone posted as an example but not TMDSAS and seeing the actual application would help me a ton. Thanks all.
Click to expand...

They give you like 300 characters to use, so there's not much you can say except the bare minimum.

Not that I have come across. Would let you see mine, but has private information.
 
aspiringdoc09 said:
BUMP!

Do we need to have AAMC send MCAT scores over before we submit or can we do it later? I have a retake on Friday and didn't want to send my scores until they new one comes in since they want look at the application anyway.

Do we need to add our LOE Recommenders before submitting or can we wait on that? I know who 2 of my recommenders are, but I'm not sure about my 2nd science letter writer.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

you can submit without your scores but they might not consider you complete until they have them

I don't know the answer to your second question. I'm sure the TMDSAS website answers that somewhere
 
aspiringdoc09 said:
Do we need to add our LOE Recommenders before submitting or can we wait on that? I know who 2 of my recommenders are, but I'm not sure about my 2nd science letter writer.
Click to expand...

You can't change the LOR section yourself after submitting. You can email TMDSAS to add a third letter (from experience).

Ditto on reading through directions. Either this or AMCAS (or both) says that if you change recommenders after the schools have gotten your app, you have to contact each school individually to explain why the original won't be sending the letter.
 
craftyconqueror said:
You can't change the LOR section yourself after submitting. You can email TMDSAS to add a third letter (from experience).

Ditto on reading through directions. Either this or AMCAS (or both) says that if you change recommenders after the schools have gotten your app, you have to contact each school individually to explain why the original won't be sending the letter.
Click to expand...

I know on AMCAS you can always add recommenders but I was unsure if I could do that in TMDSAS. I didn't know who I was using. Thanks.
 
Is there one place that has links to all TX schools with secondaries? UTSW mentioned completing a secondary in their application time line on the website, but I didn't see any link to one.
 
If I am applying OOS, is it too late to send my application in this week, or is it still worth a shot? I'm only applying to UT-Houston and UT-Dallas (and Baylor, but that's AMCAS)
 
Does TMDSAS have a limit on how many entries we can list? I know it's 15 on AMCAS.

Also, how many entries is average for TMDSAS applications? If you can share how many we put down, that'd be great too.
 
I just submitted my Application a few days ago
my mcat scores don't come out until the end of the month though



I was wondering, does an honors thesis class count as other science?

also when do Texas schools start sending out their secondaries ?


and one last question, is it smart to only apply to texas schools?
 
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kpb said:
Does TMDSAS have a limit on how many entries we can list?
Click to expand...

No limit. I think it would be hard to find an average with varying ages and backgrounds.

rorogena88 said:
1. when do Texas schools start sending out their secondaries ?
2. is it smart to only apply to texas schools?
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1. They don't. Use the link Atlas provided to get started on them.

2. If I had strong stats, I would. AMCAS is crazy expensive, but I applied to 20-ish more school since my chances aren't awesome.
 
I still have not decided whether or not to apply to amcas, partly because of the cost. I'm not even sure ow to go about narrowing the schools down once I've found ones that I have a chance. My stats aren't great and so far I've only applied in Texas.
 
TXLS11 said:
I still have not decided whether or not to apply to amcas, partly because of the cost. I'm not even sure ow to go about narrowing the schools down once I've found ones that I have a chance. My stats aren't great and so far I've only applied in Texas.
Click to expand...

same here!!


I don't have much money to apply out of state and I don't even think I can afford going out of state (flying to a diff state for the interview,etc..) so I only applied to Texas schools

my UHPO adviser told me that Texas has some of the lowest stats and 90% of their students have to be Texas Residence so he said if I have a chance any where then it would be Texas and it would be a waste of money to apply any where else
 
Okay, this is my last question before I finally submit.

I have 5 different LORs in addition to my committee letter (per AMCAS schools), and am having trouble deciding which letter to add as my extra for TMDSAS. To add perspective, although I've done a lot of research, I eventually want to bring my research skills to an underserved area, whether inner-city or rural, to study important problems endemic to those populations. In other words, my lab stuff doesn't really add to that goal, but my public health stuff does. Which letter do you guys think would be best to add:

(1) My strongest letter, from my lab PI, commending my research skills and saying some pretty amazing stuff.
(2) A letter from the medical director of the clinic for the uninsured at which I've volunteered for several years.
(3) A letter from my current position as a public health Research Coordinator written by my PI, with whom I've published one first-author manuscript so far.
(4) A letter from my previous position as a public health Research Assistant II written by my PI, with whom I've published four coauthored manuscripts so far.
(5) A letter from a current mentor in neurosurgery with whom I've worked the longest, have presented a national first author oral presentation and am currently submitting a first author paper.

I know I am so very fortunate to have these at my disposal, and I'm not trying to brag. I just have no freaking clue which one I should submit. And my advisor isn't helping. She's just like "They're all good, just pick one." But I was allowed to read #1 and know it's awesome, even though it doesn't quite apply to my ultimate goals...:bang:

Thanks in advance and good luck to all.
 
Just to double check, should I add scholarships based on merit (not at all on financial need) to the list in academic recognition?
 
Someone asked earlier, but not one replied to this question.

For the LORs, I am planning to use interfolio to send to TMDSAS.

Is the TMDSAS evulation form, that you have to download and print out required?
If it is required, how am I suppose to send that, along with the Interfolio "electronic copy"?

Do I have the recommender fill that out and send it via USPS - by the physical copy?

If you don't include it, the TMDSAS says they will assume your LOR is no confidental and you didn't waive your rights....etc.

Help Please.
WHAT is the ANSWER?

😕😱
 
Someone asked earlier, but not one replied to this question.

For the LORs, I am planning to use interfolio to send to TMDSAS.

Is the TMDSAS evulation form, that you have to download and print out required?
If it is required, how am I suppose to send that, along with the Interfolio "electronic copy"?

Do I have the recommender fill that out and send it via USPS - by the physical copy?

If you don't include it, the TMDSAS says they will assume your LOR is no confidental and you didn't waive your rights....etc.

Help Please.
WHAT is the ANSWER?

😕😱
Click to expand...

No, all you need to do is send each letter individually (each in its own delivery) to TMDSAS. The evaluation form is not needed for interfolio letters.
 
Deutsch Arzt said:
Okay, this is my last question before I finally submit.

I have 5 different LORs in addition to my committee letter (per AMCAS schools), and am having trouble deciding which letter to add as my extra for TMDSAS. To add perspective, although I've done a lot of research, I eventually want to bring my research skills to an underserved area, whether inner-city or rural, to study important problems endemic to those populations. In other words, my lab stuff doesn't really add to that goal, but my public health stuff does. Which letter do you guys think would be best to add:

(1) My strongest letter, from my lab PI, commending my research skills and saying some pretty amazing stuff.
(2) A letter from the medical director of the clinic for the uninsured at which I've volunteered for several years.
(3) A letter from my current position as a public health Research Coordinator written by my PI, with whom I've published one first-author manuscript so far.
(4) A letter from my previous position as a public health Research Assistant II written by my PI, with whom I've published four coauthored manuscripts so far.
(5) A letter from a current mentor in neurosurgery with whom I've worked the longest, have presented a national first author oral presentation and am currently submitting a first author paper.

I know I am so very fortunate to have these at my disposal, and I'm not trying to brag. I just have no freaking clue which one I should submit. And my advisor isn't helping. She's just like "They're all good, just pick one." But I was allowed to read #1 and know it's awesome, even though it doesn't quite apply to my ultimate goals...:bang:

Thanks in advance and good luck to all.
Click to expand...

No one has any input? 🙁
 
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