*~*~*~*Official TMDSAS Questions Thread 2021-2022*~*~*~*

[wysdoc]

Some interview info I collected from the MSAR and school websites:

UTSW: IIs begin “in July”
Long: “interviews begin” August 20
Dell: IIs begin “last week of July”
McGovern: IIs begin “early August”
UTMB: first interview date is August 11
TAMU: first interview date is August 5
TTUHSC Lubbock: first interview date is August 6
TTUHSC El Paso: IIs begin “early July” lol
UH: IIs begin “August 1”

We shall see how it plays out this year!
Some schools may start interviews that early, but their earliest interviews might also be only for JAMP, ED, or other special populations.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[zdm2022]

Another school joins the II period, I saw someone yesterday get an invite for TAMU interview. I have no idea of their metrics/submission dates.

 

[nuocmami]

Hi everyone.. I submitted my primaries and they’ve already been approved, so now I have been working on secondaries. I’m also taking the mcat but had to push it to mid-late august, because I was unexpectedly dealing with health issues that put me out for 3 weeks. ( Considering it’s still covid times, and writing about this situation in my app, should I still try to apply especially since I submitted my app already?
Any input would be appreciated..

 

[zdm2022]

Hi everyone.. I submitted my primaries and they’ve already been approved, so now I have been working on secondaries. I’m also taking the mcat but had to push it to mid-late august, because I was unexpectedly dealing with health issues that put me out for 3 weeks. ( Considering it’s still covid times, and writing about this situation in my app, should I still try to apply especially since I submitted my app already?
Any input would be appreciated..

Okay, so I'm not an expert, and this is my first app cycle, so please don't let me be the only one who gives you feedback on this.

I used a lot of google searches, MSAR data, etc. to plan my timeline, and what I gleaned was that sending in secondaries (which to be finalized, need that MCAT score) after mid Aug. significantly hurts your chances of getting in (but, idk how this changes based on the quality of app, essays, etc). However, we as TX residents have match day (idk if that happens out of state in AMCAS). Therefore, because it's a flat fee to send primaries everywhere in TX, budget-wise, chance-wise, I'd say applying strictly TX is your best option. It allows the most amount of "chances" with the lowest prices. Because of the match process and rolling admissions, those chances are most favorable (in my own opinion).

Here are the links that helped in planning my timeline:

Best Medical School Application Timeline (2025-2026)

Learn the ideal premedical and medical school application timelines for AMCAS, TMDSAS, and AACOMAS (2024/2025).

mededits.com

Important Dates and Deadlines for the 2021-2022 AMCAS, AACOMAS, TMDSAS, and CASPer

With new deadlines announced recently, we’ve highlighted the crucial dates to submit your 2021-2022 AMCAS, AACOMAS, TMDSAS, and CASPer so that you survive the application gauntlet.

www.savvypremed.com

 

[zdm2022]

Soo, if we see II's given out for people who submitted way after us, is now a good time to panic? I submitted my secondaries to two schools over a month ago, and there are people who submitted within the past week getting invites.

 

[TheGranolaKing]

Soo, if we see II's given out for people who submitted way after us, is now a good time to panic? I submitted my secondaries to two schools over a month ago, and there are people who submitted within the past week getting invites.

if you’re referring to UTSW, they extend auto-IIs above a certain stats threshold which is why people who submitted recently are getting IIs before us

 

[zdm2022]

if you’re referring to UTSW, they extend auto-IIs above a certain stats threshold which is why people who submitted recently are getting IIs before us

UTSW and UTH so far confirmed to extend to recent applicants, I'm guessing that means UTH did the same?

 

[wysdoc]

Soo, if we see II's given out for people who submitted way after us, is now a good time to panic? I submitted my secondaries to two schools over a month ago, and there are people who submitted within the past week getting invites.

To put it in perspective, @zdm2022, last year UTSW sent out interview invitations on 12 different days,
and McGovern on 15 different days, from the beginning through December.

This is only the first of many chances for an interview.

 

[zdm2022]

To put it in perspective, @zdm2022, last year UTSW sent out interview invitations on 12 different days,
and McGovern on 15 different days, from the beginning through December.

This is only the first of many chances for an interview.

So essentially, we can expect something to the tune of ~once every week, week and a half, a flood of invites go out from these schools?

 

[wysdoc]

So essentially, we can expect something to the tune of ~once every week, week and a half, a flood of invites go out from these schools?

Well maybe once every 2 weeks for the schools who invite often, and once every 4-6 weeks for those who make a bigger bunch of invitations after a committee meeting or such.
Not a flood, a trickle

 

[zdm2022]

Good afternoon everyone! Congrats to those who have gotten II's at this point. For us who haven't, I'm sure we've still got a looooooong way to go.

For those who got II's, if you don't want to personalize your stats by telling us directly on a forum (because, someone's gonna ask you), there is this tool on Reddit to track when schools are giving out II's and what stats, etc. they're giving them out to (helps us know if they're going by MCAT & GPA, or if they've started reading apps more in-depth)

If you feel like filling that out in lieu of telling us directly:

 

[acrossoceans]

@wysdoc Will it been considered very bad if 3 recommendation letters are dated before May 1, 2020? I tried to get in touch with these letter writers for an updated letter of rec, but have not been able to reach them. Their letters from last cycle are the ones I am considering submitting now. I did not apply last cycle, but was planning to and had the letters sent to my advisor last year. I am submitting them as an HPE Committee Packet for this year. Please let me know!

 

[wysdoc]

@wysdoc Will it been considered very bad if 3 recommendation letters are dated before May 1, 2020? I tried to get in touch with these letter writers for an updated letter of rec, but have not been able to reach them. Their letters from last cycle are the ones I am considering submitting now. I did not apply last cycle, but was planning to and had the letters sent to my advisor last year. I am submitting them as an HPE Committee Packet for this year. Please let me know!

from the handbook:

• Admissions committees will take the date of the letter into consideration during
  review, with a strong preference for letters written after May 1, 2020.

I understand that you have not been able to reach them to get the date changed.
Perhaps the HPE committee can comment that the letters have been held securely by them for the past year and are being sent out in connection with your application now.
You can also message TMDSAS on your application portal and tell them these letters are what you have to work with, see if they say it's okay.

 

[Bash_2022]

Is it normal to have not even 1 II yet? Was complete in mid June. 3.94,513

 

[wysdoc]

Is it normal to have not even 1 II yet? Was complete in mid June. 3.94,513

Yes, most schools have only just begun their interview invitations for the year.
4 Texas MD schools have sent out invitations on only 1 date, 5 on more than one date, and 3 none at all so far.
The 2 DO schools using the TMDSAS app have also started inviting.

I'm keeping a running list of TX schools & which days they sent out invitations over here: #2
I hope it will lessen your worry and not increase it

 

[hotlinebling0729]

Hope I'm not too too late, my last letter came in and I'm finally complete.

 

[wysdoc]

Hope I'm not too too late, my last letter came in and I'm finally complete.

You should be just fine - the TX schools will read your app to decide on secondaries even if some letters are pending, and might read the letters around the time of an interview or even after your interview.

 

[Bored_Conscious]

When should I start getting concerned about not having received any II's? Radio-silence is killing me. I'm trying to be patient at least until end of September.

 

[wysdoc]

When should I start getting concerned about not having received any II's? Radio-silence is killing me. I'm trying to be patient at least until end of September.

or October. I'm posting any interview invitation days I hear of over here: #2

3 TX schools haven't sent any regular IIs yet, and the rest are just starting on interview invitations that will go on through December or even January.
The waiting part is really hard, but don't let it throw you off.

 

[Bored_Conscious]

or October. I'm posting any interview invitation days I hear of over here: #2

3 TX schools haven't sent any regular IIs yet, and the rest are just starting on interview invitations that will go on through December or even January.
The waiting part is really hard, but don't let it throw you off.

I appreciate the response. Another question came up.
I will be applying for citizenship soon. Will I have to update my schools that I am a citizen? I am currently a green card holder. I assumed it made no difference so I didn't think there was any point in updating.

 

[wysdoc]

I appreciate the response. Another question came up.
I will be applying for citizenship soon. Will I have to update my schools that I am a citizen? I am currently a green card holder. I assumed it made no difference so I didn't think there was any point in updating.

Green card holder/ permanent resident will be considered same as a citizen for your med school applications, you won't be classified as an international applicant. When your citizenship is official/final you can update then, even if it happens some time after you start med school.

 

[mlaurel380]

Are there any TMDSAS schools that are reinventor friendly for a Texas resident? The matriculant data doesn’t give me much hope.

 

[wysdoc]

Are there any TMDSAS schools that are reinventor friendly for a Texas resident? The matriculant data doesn’t give me much hope.

I would say there are a good number of reapplicants and nontrads accepted. I don’t know if you are a reapplicant but as long as you have improved your application from the previous one you have a chance

 

[chicandtoughness]

Weird question. I took a course nearly a decade ago through UT Austin's Extension program when I was visiting home for the summer. Me being the irresponsible young lady that I was, ended up "dropping" the course (by letting the prof know I wasn't going to attend anymore) and didn't go through the proper avenues to actually drop the course through the registrar. Oops. There's an F for that course on my UT Austin transcript that I didn't know about until today.

I ended up taking 2 more courses at UT Austin (as a visiting student) that I got A's in.

When I look at my UT Austin transcript, it shows that the F was received, but the F does not play any factor in calculating my GPA - the GPA on my UT Austin transcript is a 4.0. UT Austin recorded that class as a 0 credit hour class, so it has no "weight" in my GPA. In effect, it's as if UT Austin treated it as a W but it was recorded as an F.

How will TMDSAS calculate this? Is it worth it to speak to UT Austin and see if I can get it officially changed to a W in their system?

 

[wysdoc]

Weird question. I took a course nearly a decade ago through UT Austin's Extension program when I was visiting home for the summer. Me being the irresponsible young lady that I was, ended up "dropping" the course (by letting the prof know I wasn't going to attend anymore) and didn't go through the proper avenues to actually drop the course through the registrar. Oops. There's an F for that course on my UT Austin transcript that I didn't know about until today.

I ended up taking 2 more courses at UT Austin (as a visiting student) that I got A's in.

When I look at my UT Austin transcript, it shows that the F was received, but the F does not play any factor in calculating my GPA - the GPA on my UT Austin transcript is a 4.0. UT Austin recorded that class as a 0 credit hour class, so it has no "weight" in my GPA. In effect, it's as if UT Austin treated it as a W but it was recorded as an F.

How will TMDSAS calculate this? Is it worth it to speak to UT Austin and see if I can get it officially changed to a W in their system?

If it's on your transcript TMDSAS will included it in the calculation, to my knowledge.
You can also see if UT Austin will allow you to change that F to a retroactive withdrawal. A letter to the registrar with your student ID number, and the explanation you have given here with the request to change it to a W, will be enough.

 

[aks1468]

Hello everyone, hope y'all are doing well. I recently added a physician I have been working with as my fourth recommender for my TMDSAS application. I already had three recommenders prior and my application was under review for all of the TMDSAS schools. I received one interview invite before I had added the recommender, but nothing since. I was just wondering if I can still receive an invite with an outstanding fourth letter or will that recommender have to finish her letter before I am considering under review again? Thank you in advance!

 

[wysdoc]

Hello everyone, hope y'all are doing well. I recently added a physician I have been working with as my fourth recommender for my TMDSAS application. I already had three recommenders prior and my application was under review for all of the TMDSAS schools. I received one interview invite before I had added the recommender, but nothing since. I was just wondering if I can still receive an invite with an outstanding fourth letter or will that recommender have to finish her letter before I am considering under review again? Thank you in advance!

Only 3 letters are required so I don’t think it will affect future interview possibilities

 

[TheGranolaKing]

Have prematch offers historically started coming out right on the first day of Prematch (this year Oct 15) or are they usually spread out over the first few weeks?

 

[wysdoc]

Have prematch offers historically started coming out right on the first day of Prematch (this year Oct 15) or are they usually spread out over the first few weeks?

Each school plays their own cards on this -some send out pre-matches on Oct 15 and others wait 1 to 4 weeks. Long sends almost none.
So please share your news if you get any, and we can all know how it plays out this year !

 

[LemonFinagler]

Hello! I had a quick question regarding interview dates - not sure if I'm being extra paranoid or not. I just received an II to a school that was originally scheduled for the end of October. However, I have a really really busy week that week and would feel that I wouldn't be able to give my full effort that date. They offered me another interview date the week after, but I'm not sure if I should take the later date or the earlier date because of rolling admissions and seats filling up, especially since it'll be after the pre-match period starts. I'm not sure how much a week difference makes. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[wysdoc]

Hello! I had a quick question regarding interview dates - not sure if I'm being extra paranoid or not. I just received an II to a school that was originally scheduled for the end of October. However, I have a really really busy week that week and would feel that I wouldn't be able to give my full effort that date. They offered me another interview date the week after, but I'm not sure if I should take the later date or the earlier date because of rolling admissions and seats filling up, especially since it'll be after the pre-match period starts. I'm not sure how much a week difference makes. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

It won't matter, choose a date at which you feel relaxed and ready.

 

[wysdoc]

Upcoming Live Presentation about Match, Pre-match on Facebook October 5, 2021, noon Central Time Zone

TMDSAS Office Hours

TMDSAS/TXHES staff will make a presentation about the TMDSAS Match and then will be available for your questions.
Tune in to watch it live and you will be able to type in questions to the presenters and have them answered then and there!

If you miss it, you can watch it on the TXHES YouTube channel later, but of course you wouldn't have a chance to ask questions.

 

[Malenkaya]

Hey y'all I've only gotten one TMDSAS interview invite (Sam Houston). I know prematch day is coming up, does anyone know when Texas II's start to slow down or stop? Is there still chance for me to receive one or when should I stop expecting them to come.

 

[wysdoc]

Hey y'all I've only gotten one TMDSAS interview invite (Sam Houston). I know prematch day is coming up, does anyone know when Texas II's start to slow down or stop? Is there still chance for me to receive one or when should I stop expecting them to come.

Texas schools will keep on interviewing to January or even February.

 

[Malenkaya]

Texas schools will keep on interviewing to January or even February.

Does this mean they'll send invites until Jan/Feb? Or are these for invites that are sent earlier but scheduled in Jan/Feb

 

[wysdoc]

Does this mean they'll send invites until Jan/Feb? Or are these for invites that are sent earlier but scheduled in Jan/Feb

That's right, the invitations will end in late winter (by December to January) and the last interview dates themselves will be in Jan at some schools and Feb at others.

 

[aks1468]

Have interviewed so far at 7 of the Texas schools but anxiety about pre-match is at an all time high. I just want one and to know I’m going to be a doctor. Any advice for reducing anxiety? It’s starting to affect my focus

That’s 7 more than I’ve interviewed at! Focus on the bright side and just trust the process. It’s a waiting game for all of us

 

[wysdoc]

Have interviewed so far at 7 of the Texas schools but anxiety about pre-match is at an all time high. I just want one and to know I’m going to be a doctor. Any advice for reducing anxiety? It’s starting to affect my focus

Nothing to do but wait and be thankful for all those interviews

 

[simplybleb]

how long after an interview should you reach out to the school if it hasn't shown up on your TMDSAS portal as interviewed? like its been 1 month, then is it reasonable?

 

[wysdoc]

how long after an interview should you reach out to the school if it hasn't shown up on your TMDSAS portal as interviewed? like its been 1 month, then is it reasonable?

This task is each individual school's task, and is not one of the functions done by the TMDSAS admin.
If you wish, you may email the school in question and ask them to make the entry that you have interviewed.
Or you can wait until January to do this reminding, with plenty of time before your Match Rank deadline of Feb 18th.

 

[mjmad]

Are prematch offers made over the phone or email? And when do you have to respond by?

 

[wysdoc]

Are prematch offers made over the phone or email? And when do you have to respond by?

They will be made by mail, and you accept by email as well. You are allowed to accept more than one if you are that lucky, and when you do your ranking in February you will line up your preference of all schools where you interviewed. I’ll do a post about match & prematch this weekend on the Republic of Texas XL page & explain more.

 

[wysdoc]

Browse over to the Republic of Texas page for the analysis of TMDSAS prematch and Match offers for the EY 2021 application year.
This is the first time TMDSAS has published this information, and it reinforces my prior impression that a minority of applicants get any pre-match offers.
In fact, only 1 in 7 gets a prematch offer.

Go here for all the numbers: #46

 

[premedchances2021]

When do I start planning my reapplication? No II yet and complete late July early august everywhere. Beginning to lose hope and hyper analyze my entire application.

 

[wysdoc]

When do I start planning my reapplication? No II yet and complete late July early august everywhere. Beginning to lose hope and hyper analyze my entire application.

There are still the interview months of (half of) October, November, December, & January to come.
Waiting stinks.
If you have already graduated, try to find some activity, either a job or volunteer, that puts you face to face with people or patients so you can build your communication skills and medical related experiences.

 

[hadv3r]

Not sure if anybody knows this, and it'd probably just be speculation regardless, but what percentage of TMDSAS interview invites do you think is left? Wondering if about 60-70% or so of interview invites have already gone out for most TMDSAS schools, or if we are more so around 50%? I know there's nothing to gain from asking this question, but curiosity is getting the better of me.

 

[wysdoc]

Not sure if anybody knows this, and it'd probably just be speculation regardless, but what percentage of TMDSAS interview invites do you think is left? Wondering if about 60-70% or so of interview invites have already gone out for most TMDSAS schools, or if we are more so around 50%? I know there's nothing to gain from asking this question, but curiosity is getting the better of me.

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that question. One can only cruise each school's website to see when their interview season ends, and know that an invitation would have to precede that date.

 

[hadv3r]

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that question. One can only cruise each school's website to see when their interview season ends, and know that an invitation would have to precede that date.

Fair enough, I have just been assuming schools send invites a month or so before the actual interview date so I could just infer from that. Thanks for the prompt response though, I appreciate it. I imagine the majority have been sent out at this point, but I am hoping to hear back from other TMDSAS soon!

 

[TheGranolaKing]

Fair enough, I have just been assuming schools send invites a month or so before the actual interview date so I could just infer from that. Thanks for the prompt response though, I appreciate it. I imagine the majority have been sent out at this point, but I am hoping to hear back from other TMDSAS soon!

UTMB publishes all of their interview dates so you could probably cross-reference this schedule with the reported II dates (and assigned interview dates) on the UTMB thread or the II tracker to get a good idea of where they're at.

Interview Schedule

www.utmb.edu

 

[evo512]

Do all TMDSAS schools have the same day they stop sending out IIs? Also how does acceptance of the waitlist work for schools? Im assuming they notify you after March, but with match how does that work?