*~*~*~* Official TMDSAS Questions Thread 2023-2024 *~*~*~*

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I know TMDSAS asks for official transcripts after every semester. Are we required to send an official transcript to TMDSAS after this semester ends in May?
 
Rite1234 said:
I know TMDSAS asks for official transcripts after every semester. Are we required to send an official transcript to TMDSAS after this semester ends in May?
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They do not require official transcripts every semester, but if you wished to enter new grades during the application cycle you could do that in the TMDSAS portal .
Did you send a transcript to TMDSAS when they requested it, after your first admission offer? If so, you don’t need to send it again.

The school where you matriculate will want one sent directly to them, to confirm your final semester grades and the evidence of your bachelor’s degree.
 
Sorry general question, if we r WL at a TMDSAS school but start a new application when they open how does that impact the waitlist? If you submit your 2024-2025 application are you automatically removed from the waitlist?
 
sciencerules135 said:
Sorry general question, if we r WL at a TMDSAS school but start a new application when they open how does that impact the waitlist? If you submit your 2024-2025 application are you automatically removed from the waitlist?
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It will be okay
Unfortunately when the 2 cycles overlap a bit like this you might be aiming to submit as early as you can- in TMDSAS the earliest day you can submit this year is May 15th.
If you get in from a WL after you submit, simply message TMDSAS on your portal and ask them to withdraw your 2024-2025 application.
Specifically, starting your new app does not automatically remove you from your WLs.
 
Hey Im actually applying the 2024-2025 cycle and having a panic attack right now in terms of when I should be doing casper.

I am going to be submitting my application on May 15th, but Im unsure whether to rush and take the casper on the 14th or wait until the 30th. I have heard horror stories of high stat applicants not getting any interviews in TX due to scoring first quartile, so I want to make sure I can give myself time to prep all while applying early.

I was wondering: if I apply on the 15th, I'd probably start getting secondaries at the end of May. Then, I'd take 2 weeks to finish those secondaries. Hence, if I take Casper on the 30th, which takes 2-3 weeks to be received by schools, would that still make me be considered in the early cohort for TX? I really want to get an edge in terms of being early, but I will be seriously grinding my essays out right before the 15th, so I wanna make sure I can still give time to focus on the casper.
 
Avatararrow said:
Hey Im actually applying the 2024-2025 cycle and having a panic attack right now in terms of when I should be doing casper. I really want to get an edge in terms of being early, but I will be seriously grinding my essays out right before the 15th, so I wanna make sure I can still give time to focus on the casper.
Click to expand...
imo you can’t really prep for CASPER, but doesn’t really matter. you won’t be late regardless.
 
Avatararrow said:
Hey Im actually applying the 2024-2025 cycle and having a panic attack right now in terms of when I should be doing casper.

I am going to be submitting my application on May 15th, but Im unsure whether to rush and take the casper on the 14th or wait until the 30th. I have heard horror stories of high stat applicants not getting any interviews in TX due to scoring first quartile, so I want to make sure I can give myself time to prep all while applying early.

I was wondering: if I apply on the 15th, I'd probably start getting secondaries at the end of May. Then, I'd take 2 weeks to finish those secondaries. Hence, if I take Casper on the 30th, which takes 2-3 weeks to be received by schools, would that still make me be considered in the early cohort for TX? I really want to get an edge in terms of being early, but I will be seriously grinding my essays out right before the 15th, so I wanna make sure I can still give time to focus on the casper.
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You can submit on the 15th and then do your CASPer. The schools won’t get your primary from TMDSAS for 4-6 weeks. Please don’t freak out over the timing of this.
Be sure to take “Duet” also, because a few TX schools want it
 
wysdoc said:
You can submit on the 15th and then do your CASPer. The schools won’t get your primary from TMDSAS for 4-6 weeks. Please don’t freak out over the timing of this.
Be sure to take “Duet” also, because a few TX schools want it
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wysdoc you always relieve my anxieties, I'm a very anxious person so you really are a wysdoc!! So if it takes TMDSAS 4-6 weeks to receive my app, how long could it be for me to receive secondaries if I submit the day the submission opens (05/15)?
 
wysdoc said:
They don't look at your CASPer scores until around the time you get an interview invitation or after, so way early.
No more fretting.
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thanks-- This does make me curious, though; I saw on the TMDSAS website that some schools will not send out IIs until after the Casper is received. So does that mean applications are still initially reviewed even without casper?
 
Avatararrow said:
wysdoc you always relieve my anxieties, I'm a very anxious person so you really are a wysdoc!! So if it takes TMDSAS 4-6 weeks to receive my app, how long could it be for me to receive secondaries if I submit the day the submission opens (05/15)?
Click to expand...
TMDSAS gets your app the day you submit it.
Then they go to work on it and it will be 4 weeks before they transmit it to the schools you selected.
When it is ready TMDSAS will usually email you or email you a message to check your portal.

Some schools like Long don't look at it until after your interview!
It is safe to do it after submitting your TMDSAS primary.

Don't forget to log in to your MCAT portal and give them permission to release your scores to TMDSAS -
 
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Avatararrow said:
I have heard horror stories of high stat applicants not getting any interviews in TX due to scoring first quartile, so I want to make sure I can give myself time to prep all while applying early.
Click to expand...

Your peers didn't study for the test as much as you think to get a top score. Most were still.able to submit a primary by June and get a top SJT score/s. Read

www.hpsa.org

Groundbreaking 2023 SJT Survey Completed

HPSA today released the results of the 2023 SJT Survey, detailing medical school applicants' performances on situational judgment assessments.
www.hpsa.org www.hpsa.org

I encourage you and your peers to participate in our next SJT Experience Survey in the fall. We are presenting data from the report about likelihood of early interview from Casper/PREview result from last year's responses and do not see this relationship between high scores and interviews.

www.hpsa.org

Casper Scores, MCAT Performance Linked Per Survey - HPSA

The 2023 HPSA/SDN SJT Experience Survey results indicate applicants with strong MCAT CARS scores may have better Casper performance.
www.hpsa.org www.hpsa.org

forums.studentdoctor.net

2024-2025 list of schools and their SJTs

Updated July 2, 2024 (page updated June 11) on The AAMC PREview® Professional Readiness Exam Participating Medical Schools and MSAR reports Look at the 2023 list to see if your school(s) wanted you to take an SJT. PREview scores are automatically released to AMCAS. Examinees do not need to...
forums.studentdoctor.net forums.studentdoctor.net
 
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I would kindly like some advice on BCPM inclusion of a previous course for prerequisite.

I’m a non-trad: 10 year out from my undergraduate nursing degree and 7 out from my graduate degree in nursing. Brick and mortar Ivy League, if that matters.

In the past year I’ve been retaking Chem and Physics to meet all the requirements that those courses: aren’t introductory, have a lab, and are part of a science department.

In that same vein, I *may* be short 4 semester hours in biology (just lecture, my lab requirement's already fulfilled) and thus may need to take another course for prerequisite credit. Such a course will be ongoing when I apply.

Here’s my dilemma: not included in that calculation is my graduate coursework. I took Advanced Pathology and Pathophysiology which is 4 semester credit hours.

I think it may not be coded as a prerequisite because it has the “NURS” prefix and was taking in the nursing school building (it was taught by a PhD physiologist - but he’s employed by the nursing school).
Reading the syllabus for the equivalent course in the science department of the community college where I’m doing my DIY postbacc and descriptions in course catalogs at other schools which are coded as a prerequisite- the course I took is of at least the same scientific standard. The only difference in the catalog description is that it specifies it’s intended for application within advanced nursing practice.

I would love for the course I had taken at my graduate school to count so I have less divided attention during the app cycle. But I’m not hedging my bets on that. TMDSAS as clear language that courses should be “applied to a baccalaureate degree in the traditional science fields”. Ultimately, I registered for another DIY community college postbacc class worth 4 semester hours.

In an ideal situation, I would find out my previous coursework can be coded as the TMDSAS Physiology and Pathophysiology, and I’m able to drop the summer class with no fee.

To find out if this is possible , my thought is to reach out to my graduate school to correspond with TMDSAS to get the course approved ahead of the application. My community college had already said in the past that they can’t accept the transfer since I’m not degree seeking.

For my expectation management, how strict is TMDSAS on “graduate coursework does not counter towards the prerequisites for the school”? Does my strategy seem viable?
 
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seaninmypocket said:
I would kindly like some advice on BCPM inclusion of a previous course for prerequisite.

I’m a non-trad: 10 year out from my undergraduate nursing degree and 7 out from my graduate degree in nursing. Brick and mortar Ivy League, if that matters.

In the past year I’ve been retaking Chem and Physics to meet all the requirements that those courses: aren’t introductory, have a lab, and are part of a science department.

In that same vein, I *may* be short 4 semester hours in biology (just lecture, my lab requirement's already fulfilled) and thus may need to take another course for prerequisite credit. Such a course will be ongoing when I apply.

Here’s my dilemma: not included in that calculation is my graduate coursework. I took Advanced Pathology and Pathophysiology which is 4 semester credit hours.

I think it may not be coded as a prerequisite because it has the “NURS” prefix and was taking in the nursing school building (it was taught by a PhD physiologist - but he’s employed by the nursing school).
Reading the syllabus for the equivalent course in the science department of the community college where I’m doing my DIY postbacc and descriptions in course catalogs at other schools which are coded as a prerequisite- the course I took is of at least the same scientific standard. The only difference in the catalog description is that it specifies it’s intended for application within advanced nursing practice.

I would love for the course I had taken at my graduate school to count so I have less divided attention during the app cycle. But I’m not hedging my bets on that. TMDSAS as clear language that courses should be “applied to a baccalaureate degree in the traditional science fields”. Ultimately, I registered for another DIY community college postbacc class worth 4 semester hours.

In an ideal situation, I would find out my previous coursework can be coded as the TMDSAS Physiology and Pathophysiology, and I’m able to drop the summer class with no fee.

To find out if this is possible , my thought is to reach out to my graduate school to correspond with TMDSAS to get the course approved ahead of the application. My community college had already said in the past that they can’t accept the transfer since I’m not degree seeking.

For my expectation management, how strict is TMDSAS on “graduate coursework does not counter towards the prerequisites for the school”? Does my strategy seem viable?
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sending you a message
 
Hello all, just to make sure, any letter of intent that I've sent to a waitlist school won't affect my existing match at another school, right?
 
honey32 said:
Hello all, just to make sure, any letter of intent that I've sent to a waitlist school won't affect my existing match at another school, right?
Click to expand...
No, your current school can’t read your LOI to your WL school.
A reminder to everyone - if you get an offer of admission from a WL, you don’t HAVE to take it.
If you want to accept it say yes, then send your regrets to your present school.
If by now you are fond of your current school, you can turn down a WL offer.

Whichever way you decide, you will not have very long to give an answer so “pre-think” it over now.

Accepting, or declining, a WL offer takes some action from you.
 
Hey,

I have been looking over on the TMDSAS website, and I actually noticed that there didn't seem to be a listing anywhere of the need for a non-science professor LOR. Do I need to provide one for TMDSAS? I have one, but I feel like my other LORs are way stronger since they are also much more recent (my non-science professor was one from 4 years ago)
 
I haven't seen anything about that (applied in 2022 and 2023 cycle) for TMDSAS. Used 3 docs (employers/direct superiors) and a science prof.
 
Avatararrow said:
Hey,

I have been looking over on the TMDSAS website, and I actually noticed that there didn't seem to be a listing anywhere of the need for a non-science professor LOR. Do I need to provide one for TMDSAS? I have one, but I feel like my other LORs are way stronger since they are also much more recent (my non-science professor was one from 4 years ago)
Click to expand...
Check each individual school you will be applying to’s requirements. I do not think anyone in TMDSAS asks specifically for a non-science letter, but best to double check the school’s own requirements. If none of your schools ask for one, go with your strongest letters.
 
Avatararrow said:
Hey,

I have been looking over on the TMDSAS website, and I actually noticed that there didn't seem to be a listing anywhere of the need for a non-science professor LOR. Do I need to provide one for TMDSAS? I have one, but I feel like my other LORs are way stronger since they are also much more recent (my non-science professor was one from 4 years ago)
Click to expand...
You should have at least one science professor and the other 2 letters are up to you: Science prof, lab PI, nonscience prof, employer if they know you well.
Shadowing doc letters aren’t of much value usually.
TMDSAS takes 3 letters (min) or 4 maximum, and all letters uploaded go to all schools.
 
hello!

im filling out activities and saw that you can only crosslist activities if they are leadership or for healthcare/employment. does that mean those of us with crc positions have to choose whether we want clinical vs research hours counted? and does this breakdown need to be consistent with how we enter hours on amcas?
 
Quick question--

I realize that some schools like RGV do not accept online credit for courses, or are ambiguous as to whether this is the case (Dell). However, if our classes we took between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 were online, will they still count given the pandemic? Kind of freaking out since several of my premed prereq courses were taken during that time period as "remote learning" and hence considered distance learning...
 
Avatararrow said:
Quick question--

I realize that some schools like RGV do not accept online credit for courses, or are ambiguous as to whether this is the case (Dell). However, if our classes we took between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 were online, will they still count given the pandemic? Kind of freaking out since several of my premed prereq courses were taken during that time period as "remote learning" and hence considered distance learning...
Click to expand...
I applied and interviewed at RGV this past cycle, many of my prerequisites were online during COVID. You will not have any issues because everybody who was in school at that time was virtual, and adcom members know this
 
Bonehead11 said:
I applied and interviewed at RGV this past cycle, many of my prerequisites were online during COVID. You will not have any issues because everybody who was in school at that time was virtual, and adcom members know this
Click to expand...
were your premed prereqs taken online spring 2021? I feel like that is reaching it terms of how long the pandemic lasted but I may be wrong-- basically what I want to confirm is what semester the pandemic is considered "over"
 
Additional question: if we were a freshman in spring 2024, are we a sophomore in summer 2024 or still a freshman? having trouble figuring out my academic status for courses lol
 
Avatararrow said:
Quick question--

I realize that some schools like RGV do not accept online credit for courses, or are ambiguous as to whether this is the case (Dell). However, if our classes we took between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 were online, will they still count given the pandemic? Kind of freaking out since several of my premed prereq courses were taken during that time period as "remote learning" and hence considered distance learning...
Click to expand...
If UTRGV has accepted you and is now going over your transcript, they will contact you if they have any objections to an online class.
You might be able to appeal & get it allowed.

Those 2 semesters in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 will be accepted by any school.
 
Hello! I am reapplying for the 2024-2025 cycle and didn't see a thread for the new cycle. I just have a question about the personal characteristic essay. I prewrote mine following the 2,500 character limit but realized they bumped it up to 5,000 characters for the new cycle. I really like my essay and am not sure what else to add to bump up the character count. Would it look bad if I just submitted the essay despite the low character count? Thank you!
 
stressed24/7 said:
Hello! I am reapplying for the 2024-2025 cycle and didn't see a thread for the new cycle. I just have a question about the personal characteristic essay. I prewrote mine following the 2,500 character limit but realized they bumped it up to 5,000 characters for the new cycle. I really like my essay and am not sure what else to add to bump up the character count. Would it look bad if I just submitted the essay despite the low character count? Thank you!
Click to expand...
If you changed up your essay from last year, and have said what you would like to say, it's ok to be shorter.
 
Alright my last question for the day-- if I TA'd for a class that is a science course is it safe to call the course credit I earned as a TA as other science?
 
wysdoc said:
Yes, but I don’t know the answer to your freshman/sophomore question 🙋🏻
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No worries, I figured it out 🙂

on TMDSAS website you arent considered the next year of student until the fall semester.


Also I lied lol, 1 more question-- If I did research in biochemistry, is that course considered other science? Or biochem or bio?

And similarly I took a "special problems" course that was for research. Is that just other science (it was physics research) or a physics lecture course?


and last last last inquiry, I took an "intro the professions of medicine course." I figure its probably other science but wanna make sure.

For reference, I've already cross checked everywhere on TMDSAS listings for my undergrad schools so I actually dunno what to do for them lol.
 
Avatararrow said:
No worries, I figured it out 🙂

on TMDSAS website you arent considered the next year of student until the fall semester.


Also I lied lol, 1 more question-- If I did research in biochemistry, is that course considered other science? Or biochem or bio?

And similarly I took a "special problems" course that was for research. Is that just other science (it was physics research) or a physics lecture course?


and last last last inquiry, I took an "intro the professions of medicine course." I figure its probably other science but wanna make sure.

For reference, I've already cross checked everywhere on TMDSAS listings for my undergrad schools so I actually dunno what to do for them lol.
Click to expand...
If you didn’t find those course numbers in the list of what counts as prerequisites for your college, they will be other science
Your biochem research might count as biochem
But don’t worry, TMDSAS will reclassify if you have any in the wrong spot
 
I’ve been hard at work on my TX diversity essay but the new character count is daunting

If I’m only in the 3,500 character count range, should I be worried?

I finished this essay in March but I feel like turning in an essay that’s under 2,500 characters seems like I didn’t put in the effort.
 
Avatararrow said:
I’ve been hard at work on my TX diversity essay but the new character count is daunting

If I’m only in the 3,500 character count range, should I be worried?

I finished this essay in March but I feel like turning in an essay that’s under 2,500 characters seems like I didn’t put in the effort.
Click to expand...
It can be used as a diversity essay but can also be used to bring out your strong personality traits, priorities in life, or things important about you that aren’t asked in other places. Stop writing when you have said what you want to say.
 
I just called TTUHSC in Lubbock and heard something interesting from the admissions office. They said that if I am an undergrad, I need a professor LOR from my undergrad, and if I am a graduate student, I need a LOR from my grad program. Is that really the case? I feel like my LORs from undergrad are ways stronger and I personally don't want to use my only LOR from grad school because its probably not as strong as my other letters.

However, if this is actually what schools are looking for I guess I'll opt for it.
 
Hello! I wanted to ask, what does the timeline for early completion look like for TMDSAS? When should you aim to have everything submitted by.

I've pre-written for almost all the schools, and I plan to submit my primaries Day 1 or 2 and hope to have my secondaries, committee letter, and all that by the end of June/Early July (1st/2nd week) at the latest. Is that all right?

Also, do LORs/committee letters need to be in to be verified/get secondaries for TMDSAS?
 
IWishICouldPhysics said:
Hello! I wanted to ask, what does the timeline for early completion look like for TMDSAS? When should you aim to have everything submitted by.

I've pre-written for almost all the schools, and I plan to submit my primaries Day 1 or 2 and hope to have my secondaries, committee letter, and all that by the end of June/Early July (1st/2nd week) at the latest. Is that all right?

Also, do LORs/committee letters need to be in to be verified/get secondaries for TMDSAS?
Click to expand...
Primary in by the end of June is early and by the end of July is also good.
Pre-writing is good, but you'll get frustrated if the prompts change so wait to see the secondary prompts >> we will post them on SDN when our new 2024-2025 threads are open and when some current applicants have received the first few secondaries.
You might get a secondary invitation automatically if you have your MCAT score in, a few of the TMDSAS schools screen (UT Tyler, Dell, UH Fertitta). Your letters can come in later, they don't usually read those until/unless they are interested to interview you.
 
wysdoc said:
Primary in by the end of June is early and by the end of July is also good.
Pre-writing is good, but you'll get frustrated if the prompts change so wait to see the secondary prompts >> we will post them on SDN when our new 2024-2025 threads are open and when some current applicants have received the first few secondaries.
You might get a secondary invitation automatically if you have your MCAT score in, a few of the TMDSAS schools screen (UT Tyler, Dell, UH Fertitta). Your letters can come in later, they don't usually read those until/unless they are interested to interview you.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your advice! I was worried about the timing of secondaries and letters, since I want to be in the "first batch" f IIs, but it seems like as long as I'm all done with everything (primaries, secondaries, LORs, etc.) by July, I'm set; I appreciate your help 🙂

I've had my MCAT score since March, and I've only been prewriting the prompts and schools that have stayed very consistent over the last few years (haven't touched Tyler, UTMB, or RGV); I'll definitely check SDN when the time comes for more prewriting.
 
Avatararrow said:
I just called TTUHSC in Lubbock and heard something interesting from the admissions office. They said that if I am an undergrad, I need a professor LOR from my undergrad, and if I am a graduate student, I need a LOR from my grad program. Is that really the case? I feel like my LORs from undergrad are ways stronger and I personally don't want to use my only LOR from grad school because its probably not as strong as my other letters.

However, if this is actually what schools are looking for I guess I'll opt for it.
Click to expand...

Anyone have any suggestions?


I’m honestly still terrified about my LORs

The only 2 questions I have are whether I should either use a non science letter, a stronger science letter, or a grad school letter for my 4th and final LOR
 
Avatararrow said:
Anyone have any suggestions?


I’m honestly still terrified about my LORs

The only 2 questions I have are whether I should either use a non science letter, a stronger science letter, or a grad school letter for my 4th and final LOR
Click to expand...

i would say grad letter. for my 4 letters, i did a physician MD, science undergrad, non-stem undergrad, and grad advisor who was also a public health prof of mine.

is it a science grad letter? either way, letters are more of a checkbox thing tbh
 
Hello!
Good luck to everyone applying for the 2024-2025 cycle. I just wanted to ask if submitting my TMDSAS primary on June 1st will give me any disadvantages? If verification time takes longer, I will just work on prewriting secondaries so I can submit them within 1-3 days of receiving them.

Just really worried seeing a lot of people planning to submit on day 1 and I don't feel ready right now.
 
fluffypinka said:
Hello!
Good luck to everyone applying for the 2024-2025 cycle. I just wanted to ask if submitting my TMDSAS primary on June 1st will give me any disadvantages? If verification time takes longer, I will just work on prewriting secondaries so I can submit them within 1-3 days of receiving them.

Just really worried seeing a lot of people planning to submit on day 1 and I don't feel ready right now.
Click to expand...
June 1 is really early! don't worry
 
Avatararrow said:
Anyone have any suggestions?


I’m honestly still terrified about my LORs

The only 2 questions I have are whether I should either use a non science letter, a stronger science letter, or a grad school letter for my 4th and final LOR
Click to expand...

Just a traditional applicant, but I did 1 science, 1 humanities, 1 physician MD, and 1 volunteer supervisor.
 
Please help, I am confused by these two prompts:

What have you done to strengthen your application? (600 characters)".

In what activities (work, research, etc.) or experiences are you currently involved? (600 characters)

How are these different? What would I talk about under strengthening my app as opposed to the work and activities I have been doing??
 
dikai133 said:
Please help, I am confused by these two prompts:

What have you done to strengthen your application? (600 characters)".

In what activities (work, research, etc.) or experiences are you currently involved? (600 characters)

How are these different? What would I talk about under strengthening my app as opposed to the work and activities I have been doing??
Click to expand...
Up to you to interpret the questions and decide what to write, you’ll get it
 
wysdoc said:
Up to you to interpret the questions and decide what to write, you’ll get it
Click to expand...
I am not asking anyone to tell me what to write, I am just trying to understand the difference. Is the question about strengthening the application literally about how I write a stronger app vs the things I have done this year? That is all I want to know.
 
dikai133 said:
I am not asking anyone to tell me what to write, I am just trying to understand the difference. Is the question about strengthening the application literally about how I write a stronger app vs the things I have done this year? That is all I want to know.
Click to expand...
An example would be to say you realized you needed more clinical experiences in the first question, then in the second question discuss them and what you gained.
 
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