*~*~*~* Official TMDSAS Questions Thread 2024-2025 *~*~*~*~*

[Broseph38W]

Hello, TX Resident here applying MD this cycle to TMDSAS. I submitted my application in late May and I am wondering when is the latest I could take Casper to still be an early applicant this cycle. I am scheduled to test today and I want to move my test to the 27th. Please advise. Thanks!

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[purkinjekitty]

Hello, TX Resident here applying MD this cycle to TMDSAS. I submitted my application in late May and I am wondering when is the latest I could take Casper to still be an early applicant this cycle. I am scheduled to test today and I want to move my test to the 27th. Please advise. Thanks!

You’ll be fine moving it to the 27th, but trust me, that may be a lot more time studying for Casper than you need (unless you’ve done basically 0 prep already)

 

[wysdoc]

Hello, TX Resident here applying MD this cycle to TMDSAS. I submitted my application in late May and I am wondering when is the latest I could take Casper to still be an early applicant this cycle. I am scheduled to test today and I want to move my test to the 27th. Please advise. Thanks!

A June 27 date will be early enough. Schools will want to get your Secondary essays too and by the time you have sent those in maybe your CASPer results will be on file too

 

[Broseph38W]

You’ll be fine moving it to the 27th, but trust me, that may be a lot more time studying for Casper than you need (unless you’ve done basically 0 prep already)

Thank you for the advice. I have been prepping all this past week and doing practice sections and tests, but in reality I have no idea what score my responses would receive. It's a little daunting knowing I will only have one chance to take it and thats the only time I will receive feedback...

 

[TheDeadrok]

I'm curious about the timing for secondary essays. Is it generally a good strategy to focus on your high-priority schools first and get those submitted in a week or so, while letting your lower-priority schools take a little longer (2-3 weeks)? I know there's the whole "2 week rule" but I don't know how strict that is.

 

[wysdoc]

I'm curious about the timing for secondary essays. Is it generally a good strategy to focus on your high-priority schools first and get those submitted in a week or so, while letting your lower-priority schools take a little longer (2-3 weeks)? I know there's the whole "2 week rule" but I don't know how strict that is.

Look at your secondary invitation email for any due dates.
McGovern is the only one I know that has said in the past to submit within 2 weeks.

 

[TheDeadrok]

Look at your secondary invitation email for any due dates.
McGovern is the only one I know that has said in the past to submit within 2 weeks.

Makes sense. I'll go take a look. I guess my question is: is there any advantage to turning in a secondary in a week instead of two? Or is the general consensus that as long as you turn it in in a fairly timely manner (2-3 weeks) it's all about the same?

 

[wysdoc]

Makes sense. I'll go take a look. I guess my question is: is there any advantage to turning in a secondary in a week instead of two? Or is the general consensus that as long as you turn it in in a fairly timely manner (2-3 weeks) it's all about the same?

It’s all about the same - proofread carefully!

 

[TheDeadrok]

It’s all about the same - proofread carefully!

Awesome, will do. Last question for now: Is there a list of TMDSAS schools that accept the AAMC FAP for their secondary fees? I've been looking through the emails I received and their websites and only found something for McGovern.

 

[wysdoc]

Awesome, will do. Last question for now: Is there a list of TMDSAS schools that accept the AAMC FAP for their secondary fees? I've been looking through the emails I received and their websites and only found something for McGovern.

I don't believe most of them offer FAP

However, UTSW, Dell, and UT Tyler don't charge a secondary fee, and Long has no secondary.

 

[stere0psis]

I don't believe most of them offer FAP

However, UTSW, Dell, and UT Tyler don't charge a secondary fee, and Long has no secondary.

Awesome, will do. Last question for now: Is there a list of TMDSAS schools that accept the AAMC FAP for their secondary fees? I've been looking through the emails I received and their websites and only found something for McGovern.

UTMB does (at least they did for me last cycle)

 

[tagee2]

Would it be best to add 400 hours of clinical research in healthcare activities or research? I have around 1400 healthcare hours and 300 research hours (not counting clinical research hours).

 

[wysdoc]

Would it be best to add 400 hours of clinical research in healthcare activities or research? I have around 1400 healthcare hours and 300 research hours (not counting clinical research hours).

"add them" as in continuing one of these activities?
The amount of hours you can list, having completed, at the time you apply is more significant.
Both those totals are already good for TMDSAS schools

 

[tagee2]

"add them" as in continuing one of these activities?
The amount of hours you can list, having completed, at the time you apply is more significant.
Both those totals are already good for TMDSAS schools

Thank you! yes the hours are completed. But since they are clinical research hours I dont know whether to put them under the research section or the healthcare activities.

 

[spidey_fan]

Hello! So trecently I started volunteering with project sunshine. My question is, would this be considered a healthcare activity? Or just volunteering? Most of what we do is bring crafts to the kids and provide play to the kids with medical needs to make them feel better through play

 

[Avatararrow]

I have 3 more secondaries I gotta do so far, but if I'm gonna be honest, the dread is getting to me so bad. I know II's are gonna start creeping in for early July, and this whole process of waiting is so scary to me. Heck I can barely even wait until my casper quartile comes in lol

 

[TheDeadrok]

I have 3 more secondaries I gotta do so far, but if I'm gonna be honest, the dread is getting to me so bad. I know II's are gonna start creeping in for early July, and this whole process of waiting is so scary to me. Heck I can barely even wait until my casper quartile comes in lol

Same brother. It's crazy how long of a process this is, especially because there's nothing we can do to accelerate it. I feel you!

 

[spidey_fan]

Follow-up questions.
1. On the activities section, am I putting total hours I have at the time of submission, or the number I'll have by October?
2. I'm volunteering with a cancer program where we are essentially listening ears for patients currently going through cancer. Does this fall under healthcare activity and community engagement? Or just the community engagement?
3. For the project sunshine thing I mentioned earlier does that fall under healthcare activity and community engagement? Or just the community engagement?

 

[wysdoc]

Follow-up questions.
1. On the activities section, am I putting total hours I have at the time of submission, or the number I'll have by October?
2. I'm volunteering with a cancer program where we are essentially listening ears for patients currently going through cancer. Does this fall under healthcare activity and community engagement? Or just the community engagement?
3. For the project sunshine thing I mentioned earlier does that fall under healthcare activity and community engagement? Or just the community engagement?

1. Estimate hours by October
2 and 3 The TMDSAS guide will tell you it’s your decision where to place your activities.
These both sound like you were providing more companionship than medical care, so I would lean towards community engagement. If one takes place in a hospital you could go either way

 

[spidey_fan]

Gonna start prewriting secondaries soon but just wanted to ask something real quick. I'm a reapplicant, I'm not planning on just copying and pasting my essays from last year, but some of the topics i mentioned for some of the prompts i felt were good (ie. name a time you failed, I talked about failing a certification exam but then acknowledging my mistakes and passing it the next time). Would it be a terrible idea to rewrite the essay, but over the same topic? Or should I think of something else?

 

[wysdoc]

Gonna start prewriting secondaries soon but just wanted to ask something real quick. I'm a reapplicant, I'm not planning on just copying and pasting my essays from last year, but some of the topics i mentioned for some of the prompts i felt were good (ie. name a time you failed, I talked about failing a certification exam but then acknowledging my mistakes and passing it the next time). Would it be a terrible idea to rewrite the essay, but over the same topic? Or should I think of something else?

For some of them you might not have another story from your life that matches, so for those reword it a bit.
Does the secondary let you choose a little? (UTMB offers you 6 topics, choose 2 - pick different ones)
Mainly you don’t want to look lazy, and you don’t want to turn in something that didn’t work for you last time.

 

[FlyingJit]

TMDSAS Error on Activity Hours-
Hey, I was wondering how much impact a small mistake I made might have on my application. I listed my clinical experience in both the healthcare section and the employment section. However, I accidentally put the year 2021 in the healthcare section when it should be 2022, which I correctly listed in the employment section. My cumulative hours are still accurate in the healthcare section; the only issue is the incorrect year. I just hope anyone reading my application doesn't think I am lying because of the inconsistency. Thank you!

 

[mrdrprofw]

Hi there, a question about planned activities. At this point in time, it's the last part of my application that needs filling out (everything else is ready to go) the issue is that I don't have anything planned. My job ends at the end of this month and I will be moving back to TX. I have been applying to other jobs but nothing has come back to me where I can confidently put it down. Similarly, even while back in TX, at this point I don't have anything cemented as I have been out of state for a couple of years. My question is does it look poorly on me if I do not have any planned activities/should I put down that I am looking for positions etc? Thanks!

 

[wysdoc]

Hi there, a question about planned activities. At this point in time, it's the last part of my application that needs filling out (everything else is ready to go) the issue is that I don't have anything planned. My job ends at the end of this month and I will be moving back to TX. I have been applying to other jobs but nothing has come back to me where I can confidently put it down. Similarly, even while back in TX, at this point I don't have anything cemented as I have been out of state for a couple of years. My question is does it look poorly on me if I do not have any planned activities/should I put down that I am looking for positions etc? Thanks!

It’s not a necessary part to fill in, don’t worry about it

 

[mrdrprofw]

It’s not a necessary part to fill in, don’t worry about it

Thanks for the reply - definitely a relief. Appreciate you taking the time to reply to folks like us.

 

[Avatararrow]

I was a big dumb dumb and completely forgot that UTMB has a one-way interview. I already submitted my secondary, but will delaying this part of the application hurt me in any way? I anticipate doing the sparkhire thing probably 3 days after the "2 week" deadline for my secondary.

 

[wysdoc]

I was a big dumb dumb and completely forgot that UTMB has a one-way interview. I already submitted my secondary, but will delaying this part of the application hurt me in any way? I anticipate doing the sparkhire thing probably 3 days after the "2 week" deadline for my secondary.

They included the information about filming it in your secondary invitation, right?
You can submit after you sent in your essays, no issues.
They do want to see it before deciding on interview invitations, so get ready to do it in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Avatararrow]

They included the information about filming it in your secondary invitation, right?
You can submit after you sent in your essays, no issues.
They do want to see it before deciding on interview invitations, so get ready to do it in the next couple of weeks.

Yes, they sent it, Idk why I just forgot about it. I will definitely get it done in less than 3 weeks but I just didn't know if that puts me off the initial 2-week deadline edge I thought I had

 

[confused20002]

For the personal characteristics essay, I originally wrote a good essay for 2500 characters before realizing that they've increased the character limit to 5000. Will it look bad/lazy to adcoms if I keep it as is? The current essay is well written and concise without too much fluff, and I worry that expanding on some of the thoughts to stretch it out would make it loose its impact.

 

[wysdoc]

For the personal characteristics essay, I originally wrote a good essay for 2500 characters before realizing that they've increased the character limit to 5000. Will it look bad/lazy to adcoms if I keep it as is? The current essay is well written and concise without too much fluff, and I worry that expanding on some of the thoughts to stretch it out would make it loose its impact.

When you have said what you want to say that is a good place to stop.

 

[tweetypeep]

Hi, I have a question about when to submit secondaries due to a late committee letter. I'm getting a committee packet through my undergrad which includes the committee letter + 4 individual letters of rec. According to my advisor, the packet will be uploaded mid to late July. This will be past the 2 week mark for my secondaries.

I am almost done with secondaries. If I submit them on time (within the 2 week timeframe) without my letters in, are the admissions committees able to review my file and decide on interviews then? I've heard conflicting information on this. I want to submit the secondaries in a timely manner, but also don't want to open up my app for review before all my letters are put in. Will schools only review me once I am fully complete with all of the letters uploaded?

 

[wysdoc]

Hi, I have a question about when to submit secondaries due to a late committee letter. I'm getting a committee packet through my undergrad which includes the committee letter + 4 individual letters of rec. According to my advisor, the packet will be uploaded mid to late July. This will be past the 2 week mark for my secondaries.

I am almost done with secondaries. If I submit them on time (within the 2 week timeframe) without my letters in, are the admissions committees able to review my file and decide on interviews then? I've heard conflicting information on this. I want to submit the secondaries in a timely manner, but also don't want to open up my app for review before all my letters are put in. Will schools only review me once I am fully complete with all of the letters uploaded?

Turn in when you are happy with them. This part of completing your app is under your control. The timing of the letters is beyond your control and might be the last thing turned in.

 

[TheDeadrok]

Hi
I see in the Republic of Texas thread when IIs were received, but I was wondering what would be the earliest the actual interviews themselves might be held.
I am trying to figure out how to balance/schedule secondary prewriting for AMCAS (I don't expect to be verified until mid-late July at least) w/ interview prep for possible TMDSAS interviews (I would have clear answers to things like Why Medicine but I still have to think a bit for how to put common questions like that into words)
Thanks

I second this question, wondering what the time table looks like from II to Interview date

 

[deleted1085576]

I second this question, wondering what the time table looks like from II to Interview date

Look at past years' threads for an idea of when ppl got/did interviews depending on completion date. Also, (hopefully) answering secondary questions will give you clarity on interview questions as well. A common phrase I've heard is that secondaries are basically just written interview questions.

 

[wysdoc]

Try to do your CASPER in July so you can be complete at the TX schools while you work on secondaries.
What most schools will do is assign you an interview date or give you a choice of a few dates in a close-by month. They will fill early dates before scheduling in future months.
Please don’t feel you have been “passed over” if you are not among the first. Interviews continue through December or even January.

 

[TheDeadrok]

Try to do your CASPER in July so you can be complete at the TX schools while you work on secondaries.
What most schools will do is assign you an interview date or give you a choice of a few dates in a close-by month. They will fill early dates before scheduling in future months.
Please don’t feel you have been “passed over” if you are not among the first. Interviews continue through December or even January.

Makes sense. Just for curiosity's sake, do you know if there are TX schools that send more vs. less pre-match acceptances? Most of the people I know who got one received it from A&M hence I'm just curious if there are some schools that will send more than others. Thanks!

 

[wysdoc]

Makes sense. Just for curiosity's sake, do you know if there are TX schools that send more vs. less pre-match acceptances? Most of the people I know who got one received it from A&M hence I'm just curious if there are some schools that will send more than others. Thanks!

It’s a big variety, not only in when they send pre-match offers but also how many.
I’ll put up a post about it some time in July.

 

[texasvandy]

IIs will start coming in from some schools first to 2nd week of July. UTSW and Baylor will be late July to Early August.

 

[stressed24/7]

Hello,

I got my casper results back yesterday and got 1st quartile. I thought I did so good after the test so I’m extremely devastated. I bawled my eyes out yesterday and I’m extremely worried that this is going to prevent me from getting any interviews this cycle. Does anyone know how heavily schools consider casper? Thank you.

 

[wysdoc]

Hello,

I got my casper results back yesterday and got 1st quartile. I thought I did so good after the test so I’m extremely devastated. I bawled my eyes out yesterday and I’m extremely worried that this is going to prevent me from getting any interviews this cycle. Does anyone know how heavily schools consider casper? Thank you.

It’s just one factor. MMI interviews are like CASPer but in person, so I guess you will want to think more about listening carefully to what was asked and talk about that.

 

[booksnmedicine]

Hello,

I got my casper results back yesterday and got 1st quartile. I thought I did so good after the test so I’m extremely devastated. I bawled my eyes out yesterday and I’m extremely worried that this is going to prevent me from getting any interviews this cycle. Does anyone know how heavily schools consider casper? Thank you.

Friend got this quartile range and they matched into a great school. Its only one part of your application.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

We do not have aggregate self-reported data suggesting Casper 1Q blocks you from interviews, but we will repeat our survey this fall.

Casper and PREview Insights: 2023 SJT Experience Survey - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[rocketman1110]

Awesome, will do. Last question for now: Is there a list of TMDSAS schools that accept the AAMC FAP for their secondary fees? I've been looking through the emails I received and their websites and only found something for McGovern.

After emailing with FAP proof, I received a waiver from UTMB, McGovern, UTRGV, and TTUHSC Lubbock. Sam Houston said they don't do them. The rest haven't replied.

 

[wysdoc]

After emailing with FAP proof, I received a waiver from UTMB, McGovern, UTRGV, and TTUHSC Lubbock. Sam Houston said they don't do them. The rest haven't replied.

UTSW doesn’t charge a secondary fee
Long does not have a secondary

 

[BrickLayer]

I've just been informed that my committee letter packet won't be sent until about a week from now, and TMDSAS looks like it has about 1.5 weeks of delay in transmitting letters right now.

Is there any point submitting my secondary essays within the 2 week mark (i.e. this Thursday) if my letters aren't going to make it by then? I'd like to have a quick secondary turn-around but will they even check my application if my letters haven't been received yet?

 

[wysdoc]

I've just been informed that my committee letter packet won't be sent until about a week from now, and TMDSAS looks like it has about 1.5 weeks of delay in transmitting letters right now.

Is there any point submitting my secondary essays within the 2 week mark (i.e. this Thursday) if my letters aren't going to make it by then? I'd like to have a quick secondary turn-around but will they even check my application if my letters haven't been received yet?

Do your part by submitting the secondaries because that is something under your control.
When the committee letter arrives you will be complete

 

[TheDeadrok]

Do your part by submitting the secondaries because that is something under your control.
When the committee letter arrives you will be complete

Hey @wysdoc thanks for all you do for us/help us with. Do you know when the new Republic of Texas thread will go up? Or since there's only been 2 schools that have sent II's will it be another little bit?

 

[wysdoc]

So my TMDSAS app has been sent to schools and I'm getting secondaries. What now?

Make sure you have also done these things:
1. Did you know that for the TMDSAS app, you have to give AAMC (MCAT) permission to release your MCAT score to TMDSAS?
You have to wait until your test has been scored, then log in to your MCAT account and follow these steps:

To Release Your Scores:​

1. Go to the
   
   MCAT Homepage.
2. From the My Reports drop-down menu, select [Send Scores Electronically].
3. Begin typing [Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service] in the search box.

› Select the [Confirm and Send Scores] link.

1. Select confirmation check boxes and select [Send Scores].
2. Select the "X" to close the success box to complete the process.
3. To confirm that your request has been submitted:

› From the My Reports drop-down menu, select [Scores Sent to Institutions].

2. Take the CASPer and Duet tests. Most Texas schools ask for them, get it out of the way:
Baylor: CASPer
A&M: CASPer + Duet
Texas Tech El Paso: CASPer
Texas Tech Lubbock: CASPer + Duert
UT Tyler: CASPer + Duet
McGovern: CASPer
Long: CASPer
UTMB: CASPer + Duet
UTSW: CASPer
SHSU-COM: CASPer + Duet
and our AMCAS school TCU: CASPer + Duet

3. A school might send you the secondary essay automatically, but they won't consider your application "complete" and ready to be considered for an interview invitation until they also have your:
MCAT score
Secondary Essays turned in
CASPer and/or Duet turned in
Letters of evaluation on file (though some schools won't read them until after your interview)

4. Remember, TMDSAS doesn't need transcripts until and unless you get an offer of admission to medical school. The earliest date this can happen is October 15, 2024. Most Texans will find out on Match Day, Feb 14, 2025.

5. Done all those things? Now you wait. Interviews happen any time between July and January. Don't be that guy who asks the school, "well, when are you going to interview me?" They might have read your app, or not. They might have set you aside for an interview, or set you aside to compare to more applications that come in later, or filed you in the circular file. The process differs from school to school. Don't bug them or be annoying.

6. Do not assume anything about the order in which interviews happen. If your friend got one and you didn't, it doesn't mean they "passed you by" or that you won't be invited later.
7. Wysdoc's least favorite questions: (any of which might get you a 🙄 or a 🤔 or a 👎 or a or a from me)
- Anything that requires me to predict the future
- Any question that starts out, "if my app was complete before my friend's and she got an interview first, is it safe to assume I have been passed over?" See #6. Don't assume. Also 👎 the phrase "is it safe to assume?"
- "I haven't heard anything for 17 days. Should I call?" No, only call for time-sensitive things. The person answering the phone likely doesn't know the answer to your question.
- Am I early? Am I late? Am I late-late or just kind of late? I don't know. 🙄
- Posting things like "Anybody hear anything yet? How about now?"
- Asking "what should I write for this essay?"


That's it for now.
Work on your things steadily and then go about your life. It's a big number of months to wait now that you have turned everything in.
Waiting requires maturity, confidence that you have done your part, and perspective.

 

[InterviewHarvester]

I can smell it in the air. My o'l II harvesting senses are telling me several II waves are inbound.

 

[texasvandy]

I've just been informed that my committee letter packet won't be sent until about a week from now, and TMDSAS looks like it has about 1.5 weeks of delay in transmitting letters right now.

Is there any point submitting my secondary essays within the 2 week mark (i.e. this Thursday) if my letters aren't going to make it by then? I'd like to have a quick secondary turn-around but will they even check my application if my letters haven't been received yet?

Looks like some schools are not looking for your recs to say your app is complete which means it goes into review process. There was some discussion in UTMB thread saying several of them were marked complete without recs.