*~*~*~*Official TMDSAS Questions Thread 2013-2014*~*~*~*

[NCKSD]

TMDSAS... it says to list minor traffic violations. In the FAQ, it says it includes speeding tickets, illegal turns etc.

For your convenience, I have copied the paragraph below..


What are "minor traffic violations"?
Minor traffic violations are those offenses not subject to a jail sentence. Types of “minor traffic violations” include speeding, failure to wear a seat belt, illegal parking, failure to stop, driving with an expired or invalid driver license that has not been suspended or revoked, and disobeying traffic lights signs or signals.

Examples of violations of law not considered “minor traffic violations” are: driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving under the influence (DUI), driving while license is suspended (DWLS), failure to appear (FTA), reckless driving, open container, and assault with a motor vehicle. These types of violations must be reported on your application.

FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS
You will indicate whether you are currently under charge or have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or have you ever received a felony or misdemeanor deferred adjudication.

You need NOT disclose information about any of the following:

you were arrested but not charged
you were arrested and charged, but the charges were dropped
you were arrested and charged, but found not guilty by a judge or jury
you were arrested and found guilty by a judge or jury, but the conviction was overturned on appeal
you received an executive pardon
a juvenile or criminal record that has been sealed or expunged. Failure to disclose information that is not in fact expunged or sealed may result in the applicant being denied admission
minor traffic violations

http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/medical/section_Overview.html

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[MorganaMD]

Sorry to rehash on this topic again but: I run a small charity with my wife. I've done it for a year so far and I'm obviously putting it on my application. We plan on continuing it indefinitely. So I already put it under my medical volunteering section and mentioned in the description that we plan to continue this charity but what you are saying is that I should also put it in again under future activities?

Based on what the TMDSAS lady told me, yes you should list it again under planned activities. She said to treat each section as a stand alone section. So like an interviewer could just look at the planned activities section and know what you are going to be participating in currently/in the future.

 

[premed2000]

Hope someone can help answer some of my questions:

1) Do you need to put an activity in the "planned activities" if you already indicated that you already set a future end date during other current activities section? Say I have a tutoring position that started last year and will continue til the June of 2014. And i've indicated that in the leadership section. Do I still have to put this in "planned activities" section?

2) Where do you put publications? Under research experiences? Do you just paste the citation into the description?

3) If I have a recurring volunteer experience that happens every winter break for the past 4 winter breaks, should I separate them into four entries or just clump them into one entry? If I clump them into one entry, do I just put down the dates for one and the total hours for one? Or do I put down total hours over 4 winters for cumulative?

Thanks

 

[gunner1]

How detailed should our description be when we list our activities. After all, we only have a 300 character limit which include spaces.

 

[NCKSD]

Hope someone can help answer some of my questions:

1) Do you need to put an activity in the "planned activities" if you already indicated that you already set a future end date during other current activities section? Say I have a tutoring position that started last year and will continue til the June of 2014. And i've indicated that in the leadership section. Do I still have to put this in "planned activities" section?

2) Where do you put publications? Under research experiences? Do you just paste the citation into the description?

3) If I have a recurring volunteer experience that happens every winter break for the past 4 winter breaks, should I separate them into four entries or just clump them into one entry? If I clump them into one entry, do I just put down the dates for one and the total hours for one? Or do I put down total hours over 4 winters for cumulative?

Thanks

1) Apparently so.

2) You could just put the citation but if you can fit in a short description about what you did I would include that.

3) You could do either, I would probably put it in one, combine the hours, and mention how this was done every winter break as well as information about it (if you can fit it).

 

[NCKSD]

How detailed should our description be when we list our activities. After all, we only have a 300 character limit which include spaces.

As detailed as you can make it. If you can sum up what the activity was, why you did it, and how it plays in to you being a better doctor because of it, youve done a good job.

 

[premed2000]

1) Apparently so.

2) You could just put the citation but if you can fit in a short description about what you did I would include that.

3) You could do either, I would probably put it in one, combine the hours, and mention how this was done every winter break as well as information about it (if you can fit it).

Thanks!

I am thinking the answer to this question will be no...but if there's a significant non-medical volunteer experience I did back in High School for 4 years, is it worth or can I include it on my application?

 

[3bamboo]

Thanks!

I am thinking the answer to this question will be no...but if there's a significant non-medical volunteer experience I did back in High School for 4 years, is it worth or can I include it on my application?

I don't think it includes activities that occurred before your freshman year. Maybe bring it up in a "why do you want to be a doctor" secondary or interview

 

[DrHugs]

Hey guys! I am looking for some advice. I have a few questions about letters.

First, on the application you can submit 3 letters, but it says that the third is not encouraged. But it seems that most people I have read about in this thread are submitting 3. Any thoughts on 2 letters vs. 3 letters?

Second, I am having difficulty choosing letters. TMDSAS recommends 2 science professors. I have 5 lettersoptions. Here is my rank of letters (1 being my first choice and 5 the last choice).

1. Peace Corps supervisor
2. cell bio prof (science)
3. sociology professor
4. biostats professor (science)
5. peer sex ed supervisor/coordinator/professor at university

So in my top 3 there would be only 1 science. If it is necessary that I have 2 science then I would choose #1, #2, #4.

And this is assuming that 3 letters are better than two. Which letters would you guys choose?

 

[trs88]

Has this happened to anyone else? I requested two transcripts to be sent to TMDSAS on may 1st. They received my university transcript on may 6th. My junior college printed and mailed out their transcript on May 2nd. TMdsas has not received my junior college transcript. I called both institutions and neither was able to offer any advice on what to do next. Junior college said they sent it, the address was correct. TMDSAS says they have not received it.

Should I wait to see if it shows up in Austin today. If it doesn't, return to my junior college and request the transcript be mailed to myself. Then include the form TMDSAS needs into a larger envelope and overnight it there myself?

thanks guys

 

[NCKSD]

Has this happened to anyone else? I requested two transcripts to be sent to TMDSAS on may 1st. They received my university transcript on may 6th. My junior college printed and mailed out their transcript on May 2nd. TMdsas has not received my junior college transcript. I called both institutions and neither was able to offer any advice on what to do next. Junior college said they sent it, the address was correct. TMDSAS says they have not received it.

Should I wait to see if it shows up in Austin today. If it doesn't, return to my junior college and request the transcript be mailed to myself. Then include the form TMDSAS needs into a larger envelope and overnight it there myself?

thanks guys

edit: Removed post due to incorrect information, thanks trs88.

 

[premed2000]

Did most people here write the optional essays? I wonder if it'll put you at a disadvantage if you don't write at least one of them.

 

[trs88]

TMDSAS/AMCAS will not accept transcripts that weren't mailed by the institution, even if you never opened the envelope. The best thing you can do is ask them to send another transcript.

Are you sure? This is listed on their official page. TMDSAS will accept a transcript sent by an applicant as long as it is in the official sealed envelope from the Registrar. While TMDSAS will accept transcripts that are not attached to a TMDSAS Transcript Request Form, TMDSAS is not responsible for transcripts that cannot be matched to your application due to the absence of a TMDSAS Transcript Request Form. You are strongly encouraged to utilize these forms. Be sure to inform the registrars that this form should be attached to the transcript when it is sent to TMDSAS.

 

[NCKSD]

Are you sure? This is listed on their official page. TMDSAS will accept a transcript sent by an applicant as long as it is in the official sealed envelope from the Registrar. While TMDSAS will accept transcripts that are not attached to a TMDSAS Transcript Request Form, TMDSAS is not responsible for transcripts that cannot be matched to your application due to the absence of a TMDSAS Transcript Request Form. You are strongly encouraged to utilize these forms. Be sure to inform the registrars that this form should be attached to the transcript when it is sent to TMDSAS.

Well looks like I was told wrong, I sincerely apologize for my mistake. Thanks for correcting me. 😳

 

[trs88]

Oh no need, we both have the correct information now. So it's all good 😀

 

[Back12]

My school has plus/minus grades. For TMDSAS applicaiton purposes, the plusses/minuses are dropped to calculate the GPA. This would be to my advantage since I have a number of A-s. How does the ADCOM view these minus grades? Would they weight them equally as the As and A+s?

 

[trs88]

I wanted to make new post instead of an edit in case someone in the future has this second part affect them in the future.

TMDSAS received my other transcript this morning. YAY. The interesting part is that next to the "date received" is the box that lists the semester and year for the transcript. For example, my university transcript says "Fall 2011". The other transcript has no semester and year listed next to it, it's blank. So I called TMDSAS to get their opinion, and I was told not to worry about it at all. The only thing important was the date and time that they received it - that was listed.

 

[runningdude]

I am currently helping my PI finish up data and we will be working on a publication. I do not have any other publications to include on my application.

Should I mention I am currently working on a publication?

 

[premed2000]

I wanted to make new post instead of an edit in case someone in the future has this second part affect them in the future.

TMDSAS received my other transcript this morning. YAY. The interesting part is that next to the "date received" is the box that lists the semester and year for the transcript. For example, my university transcript says "Fall 2011". The other transcript has no semester and year listed next to it, it's blank. So I called TMDSAS to get their opinion, and I was told not to worry about it at all. The only thing important was the date and time that they received it - that was listed.

When did you mail out your transcript?

 

[SCX1]

Would being a master swim coach be considered a leadership role?

 

[oxnanaxo]

Has this happened to anyone else? I requested two transcripts to be sent to TMDSAS on may 1st. They received my university transcript on may 6th. My junior college printed and mailed out their transcript on May 2nd. TMdsas has not received my junior college transcript. I called both institutions and neither was able to offer any advice on what to do next. Junior college said they sent it, the address was correct. TMDSAS says they have not received it.

Should I wait to see if it shows up in Austin today. If it doesn't, return to my junior college and request the transcript be mailed to myself. Then include the form TMDSAS needs into a larger envelope and overnight it there myself?

thanks guys

It took mine a little longer than 2 weeks for TMDSAS to post "received" on their website. I guess even though the letter must have physically arrived much earlier, it took them awhile to actually process it. Maybe wait a few more days then resend? If you feel anxious, I guess you can resent it right away just for a piece of mind.

Edit: Oops! Sorry didn't see the new post that it was received! Sorry. I'll leave the post anyway for others to see that this is pretty common.

 

[oxnanaxo]

Would being a master swim coach be considered a leadership role?

If you coached others (like a group of people), that has to be leadership? But if it was one-on-one like a tutoring, I'd say no..

 

[miss chievous]

When it says "healthcare activity name," does that mean I put "volunteer" or "Roadside Physical Therapy" (the place where I volunteered).

 

[whatbout2morrow]

When it says "healthcare activity name," does that mean I put "volunteer" or "Roadside Physical Therapy" (the place where I volunteered).

I'd combine the two ; "Roadside Physical Therapy Volunteer"

 

[miss chievous]

I'd combine the two ; "Roadside Physical Therapy Volunteer"

Okay thank you! 🙂

 

[oxnanaxo]

Hello! I hope y'all are dealing this LONG application process well! 🙂

I have two questions:

1) Senior Honors Thesis - I'm including this in research section (although it's kind of taking classes since I get credits) and I'm wondering what I should put down for number of hours? I got 3 credits (so 1 in Fall semester 2 in Spring semester, so 4 and 8 class credit hours) but obviously, I worked A LOT longer hours. Do I just estimate how much time I put in? What did you guys do?

2) Deceased sibling - I read from don't put her in to write her in and say ## for age or what her age would be if she was alive. She was my only sibling and obviously had a big influence in my life and so I kind of feel wrong to leave her out. But for the purpose of application I should leave her out and keep the personal feelings aside??

 

[runningdude]

Hello! I hope y'all are dealing this LONG application process well! 🙂

I have two questions:

1) Senior Honors Thesis - I'm including this in research section (although it's kind of taking classes since I get credits) and I'm wondering what I should put down for number of hours? I got 3 credits (so 1 in Fall semester 2 in Spring semester, so 4 and 8 class credit hours) but obviously, I worked A LOT longer hours. Do I just estimate how much time I put in? What did you guys do?

2) Deceased sibling - I read from don't put her in to write her in and say ## for age or what her age would be if she was alive. She was my only sibling and obviously had a big influence in my life and so I kind of feel wrong to leave her out. But for the purpose of application I should leave her out and keep the personal feelings aside??

This is completely my opinion about question #2 but if I was in your situation I would add her to my application.

 

[oxnanaxo]

This is completely my opinion about question #2 but if I was in your situation I would add her to my application.

Thanks for the reply 🙂 To lesson the confusion (since there is no way I can indicate deceased in the application and age in number form is required in app), I think I'll probably leave it out.

 

[oxnanaxo]

Listing shadowing experience

So I am going to list them as a lot have suggested here, in a list under one activity, but I was wondering what y'all are putting down as number of hours per week? I guessing it won't matter too much since I can put down total hours.. but was just wondering.

Thanks!

Edit: oops realized can't fit everything in 300 characters. I guess I'll break them into chunks.

 

[premed2000]

1) Should Publications be listed under "Academic Recognition" or "research" ? If I put it under research, what do I put for the hours?

2) For the photo, did most people upload a professional, ID/Passport style photo (with a plain background)? Or is it okay to upload photos with professional attire but with like a background (e.g. the outdoors, indoors, etc.)

 

[trs88]

1) Should Publications be listed under "Academic Recognition" or "research" ? If I put it under research, what do I put for the hours?

2) For the photo, did most people upload a professional, ID/Passport style photo (with a plain background)? Or is it okay to upload photos with professional attire but with like a background (e.g. the outdoors, indoors, etc.)

I can't help you with #1, but for #2, I slipped a suit jacket on, made sure my face and hair looked nice, stood in front of a white-ish wall with good lighting (inside my home) and had a camera with a self timer. Then I cropped the photo to just a good area of my face and a bit of my shoulders.

 

[premed2000]

I can't help you with #1, but for #2, I slipped a suit jacket on, made sure my face and hair looked nice, stood in front of a white-ish wall with good lighting (inside my home) and had a camera with a self timer. Then I cropped the photo to just a good area of my face and a bit of my shoulders.

Thanks for the response trs88. Anyone who can chime in on my question 1?

 

[MorganaMD]

Thanks for the response trs88. Anyone who can chime in on my question 1?

I put multiple publications under 1 entry for research with 0 for the hours. The 300 chars wasn't enough for full citations so I abbreviated with which author I was, the journal, and the year published (called the TMDSAS and the lady mentioned this would be fine)

 

[premed2000]

I put multiple publications under 1 entry for research with 0 for the hours. The 300 chars wasn't enough for full citations so I abbreviated with which author I was, the journal, and the year published (called the TMDSAS and the lady mentioned this would be fine)

Did you put it under research? It didn't let me put 0 as the hours though. It has to be 1 hr or greater?

 

[MorganaMD]

Did you put it under research? It didn't let me put 0 as the hours though. It has to be 1 hr or greater?

Yes I put under "research activities" and put 1 for hours (sorry got mixed up with AMCAS which lets you put 0 for the hours 😛 )

 

[wickywubio]

AP/CLEP credit is accepted only if the school granting the credit lists
the specific course(s) and number of units granted per course on an official transcript. Lump sum credit is not accepted

In other words, if it doesn't say: counts as Stats 101 or something then you leave it out. If you want to get credit for it then you must send an official letter from your school's registrar saying they counted it as Stats 101

Should I enter it if I received a specific type of credit? For example, my transcript indicates that due to my AP scores I've received 10 quarter hours of physical sciences credit, but it isn't for any specific course - it just says "10000-level physical science", so should I enter this in there as well or is it not course-specific enough and considered lump sum credit? In fact I think according to my school, since I ended up taking physics here, I have forgone this credit....but either way it's still on my transcript, so I don't understand how that works either.

Thanks!

 

[mizim]

Okay, so I know the format has changed, with regards to the TMDSAS (no additional forms needed). I am going to be getting my letter writers to send in their letters within the next couple of days. I am using the electronic mail service provided by both TMDSAS and AAMC.

I was wondering if they need to include our AAMC and TMDSAS ID numbers in their letters, even if they are being sent electronically to these application services? I don't exactly know what kind of instructions my letter writers will receive. Did you guys tell them to include you ID number after the first time your name is mentioned in the letter. For example, Johnny Apple (TMDSAS:XXXXX)? Or not? Please let me know. Thanks.

 

[sundoll]

Sorry if this has been asked elsewhere - didn't come up in a search. Has anyone entered their CPR certification (or other certs/training like it) on the TMDSAS app? No place for it, but I was thinking somewhere in volunteer or extracurricular activities...

 

[premed2000]

If by now, I haven't submitted my TMDSAS application yet, I am not running late right? I am planning on submitting near the end of May.

When does TMDSAS transfer applications to med schools? How long does it usually take for them to verify our application? I am not too familiar with TMDSAS's timeline because I am not from Texas.

 

[lovemango]

If by now, I haven't submitted my TMDSAS application yet, I am not running late right? I am planning on submitting near the end of May.

When does TMDSAS transfer applications to med schools? How long does it usually take for them to verify our application? I am not too familiar with TMDSAS's timeline because I am not from Texas.

Definitely still early. Last year, I submitted mine on 6/12 (was waiting on MCAT score since I took it in May) and my app was transmitted to the schools on 7/3 - I ended up with 7 interviews in Texas and was eventually accepted to all 7 🙂 The later in the cycle that you submit your application, the longer it takes to transmit to the schools. I got confirmation emails from most of the schools about 1-2 weeks later. You can check my MDApps for precise dates.

P.S. Just curious if you have any ties to Texas? Getting into Texas schools is hard (but doable) if you're OOS since all the public schools are required by law to reserve 90% of the seats for in-state residents.

 

[PistolPete123]

Has anyone else submitted? I submitted a week ago and I am getting the feeling I did it way too early...I got out of school very early and felt my application looked strong. I'm probably being insane but does anyone think they'll view you negatively for submitting too early? (assuming your application isn't rushed or weak haha)

 

[docelh]

AMCAS/TMDSAS Transcription Question & Answer: For others who may find this answer useful.

I verified the following situation with both AMCAS and TMDSAS by telephone.

Situation: You registered at the local community college (or state U), but you never signed up for a course. Thus, you did not attempt coursework.

My situation: I registered at the local community college after I received my bachelors. I was intending on taking non-credit coursework there, but I never actually enrolled for any courses. The school has a record that I was there, but there is no record of any coursework attempted or completed by me.

1) Do you need to report the school on AMCAS/TMDSAS online app?

2) Do you need to have a transcript sent to AMCAS/TMDSAS?

Answer to both questions is NO.

The issue is not whether you registered a college. The issue is whether you enrolled in a course at the college.

 

[MorganaMD]

I have a quick question about a LOR "Relationship" designation. One of my letter writers is both the Chair of my Graduate Program and has instructed me as a Professor in my course work. Does it matter which "Relationship" designation I list him under? I'm assuming he will mention both relationships in the letter but I guess my worry is that schools will use this designation to determine if their specific LOR requirements are fulfilled. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[whatbout2morrow]

I have a quick question about a LOR "Relationship" designation. One of my letter writers is both the Chair of my Graduate Program and has instructed me as a Professor in my course work. Does it matter which "Relationship" designation I list him under? I'm assuming he will mention both relationships in the letter but I guess my worry is that schools will use this designation to determine if their specific LOR requirements are fulfilled. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

The only solid requirements seem to be either one committee letter/two science professor letters. If you have that taken care of, it wouldn't matter, this letter writer would be considered an additional letter. But if you don't have it taken care of, I would designate him as a professor just to avoid any confusion of whether or not you have the required letters.

 

[premed2000]

If one of my letter writer is my former professor, laboratory supervisor, and my current research PI, which one do I designate his relationship to me? He started as my professor three years ago, and then I started working in his lab.

 

[Wipeout416]

Has anyone else submitted? I submitted a week ago and I am getting the feeling I did it way too early...I got out of school very early and felt my application looked strong. I'm probably being insane but does anyone think they'll view you negatively for submitting too early? (assuming your application isn't rushed or weak haha)

earlier the better!

 

[SCX1]

After I typed up all my activities, I created the chronology of activities. It is all correct, but the description was cut off due to 50 characters limit. Do we need to fix this in the chronology of activities itself or is this ok?

 

[SCX1]

After I typed up all my activities, I created the chronology of activities. It is all correct, but the description was cut off due to 50 characters limit. Do we need to fix this in the chronology of activities itself or is this ok?

I called them and they said to leave it truncated in case anyone is wondering.

 

[LaughingMan]

Alrighty--so one of my letter writers created individual letters for each school.

I was hoping to submit them all, and then have TMDSAS forward the specific letters to each school.

Is this not possible? All of the letters are currently in Interfolio.

Can I truly only submit 3 letters?

Any idea? I was under the assumption we could submit many letters, but only send 2 + 1 to the actual school.

 

[PescadoAmor]

Alrighty--so one of my letter writers created individual letters for each school.

I was hoping to submit them all, and then have TMDSAS forward the specific letters to each school.

Is this not possible? All of the letters are currently in Interfolio.

Can I truly only submit 3 letters?

Any idea? I was under the assumption we could submit many letters, but only send 2 + 1 to the actual school.

3 only.