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

[wysdoc]

Honestly was just worried it would be considered "lying" and that it would somehow result in my application being thrown out. Made the account just to get verification to help address my neuroticism on the subject.

You are just fine. Good luck this year

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[Mr.Smile12]

Does anybody know if TMDSAS adcoms know which schools you are applying to on AACOMAS and AMCAS? How much do the application services communicate?

I imagine the folks in charge of the application services meet for happy hours on Fridays: "Hey, boo, did you get those new MCAT scores???"

The application services do not share information about which schools you applied to.

 

[pinstripe-pies]

It rains mud there and you need to repaint your car ever so often due to sand blasting from storms but aside from that it’s safe.

Seconding this with regard to Lubbock - your biggest dangers are going to be dust storms (for fun, look up "Lubbock texas haboob" on youtube and watch some of the videos), tumbleweeds blocking your front door shut, summer heat strokes (think 100-110 with 10% humidity), random flash floods during El Niño years, and developing pre-diabetes from drinking sweet tea (all of these examples are serious, not sarcastic). I have very occasionally heard of gang activity but its infrequent and very confined to to specific parts of town which you probably wouldn't be close to as a med student. Overall, much safer than most larger towns and cities anywhere in the US.

Dunno about Tyler and El Paso (As a Texan I know a lot of people even from here are hesitant about El Paso in particular, but not sure how much of the concern is warranted vs being motivated by border politics and, well, racism and xenophobia. Someone actually from El Paso could hopefully give you a more realistic assessment. Same for Tyler.).

 

[orioson]

Does anyone have any stats regarding post-II acceptance rates for texas schools?

 

[wysdoc]

Does anyone have any stats regarding post-II acceptance rates for texas schools?

You can see them on the MSAR database which requires a subscription, if you want the breakdown school by school.
Overall about 35% of applicants are accepted

The following statistics I took from the TMDSAS interactive Data Reports tool, available here for you to explore if you like TMDSAS Data Reports

To give a little more detail, in the EY 2023 (the most recent year for complete data)
Texans:
4814 Applied
3309 were interviewed
2339 were offered admission
2077 matriculated to a TMDSAS school

OOS Applicants:
1670 Applied
658 were interviewed
295 were offered admission
151 matriculated to a TMDSAS school.

 

[Watermelon_H]

Do first wave IIs only mean applicants submit everything earlier or schools really like the applicants? Thanks

 

[wysdoc]

Do first wave IIs only mean applicants submit everything earlier or schools really like the applicants? Thanks

It’s both of those, early submitters and really competitive applicants who get the first bunch.

No matter when you interview in Texas you have a fair chance, because almost everyone ends up finding out about admissions offers on Match Day, after all the interviews are over.

 

[Watermelon_H]

It’s both of those, early submitters and really competitive applicants who get the first bunch.

No matter when you interview in Texas you have a fair chance, because almost everyone ends up finding out about admissions offers on Match Day, after all the interviews are over.

Thanks. So no rolling?

 

[wysdoc]

Thanks. So no rolling?

Nobody can get offers until October 15 at the earliest and this is called a pre-match offer in Texas.
See my post about it on the Republic of Texas thread

 

[texasvandy]

Thanks. So no rolling?

No rolling before October 15th of prematches. From then until match day, some schools will offer additional prematches periodically.

There are variations on the the first list of prematches from each school.
Baylor - Usually November 2nd or 3rd week
UTMB - they tried something new last year - didnt offer a single prematch until the day of last interviews scheduled which ended around mid december.
UT Tyler - they didnt give anything on October 15th but delayed a few weeks (?).

 

[thunderlight8]

Is it too late to do the primary rn lmao...

 

[wysdoc]

Is it too late to do the primary rn lmao...

Technically it is not too late to submit your primary, but if you are thinking of adding TMDSAS schools now as an OOS student, realize that you need to write 2 new essays (one 5000 characters and one 2500) for the primary, and take CASPer and Duet.
OOS students accepted to TMDSAS schools make up 10% or less of each class, and have a median MCAT 516 and median GPA 3.9
You could add TCU which is on AMCAS and is in Ft. Worth Texas.

 

[thunderlight8]

Technically it is not too late to submit your primary, but if you are thinking of adding TMDSAS schools now as an OOS student, realize that you need to write 2 new essays (one 5000 characters and one 2500) for the primary, and take CASPer and Duet.
OOS students accepted to TMDSAS schools make up 10% or less of each class, and have a median MCAT 516 and median GPA 3.9
You could add TCU which is on AMCAS and is in Ft. Worth Texas.

Thank you for the response!
I'm slightly above the median MCAT but slightly below median GPA so I could be considered pretty average I guess
I'm OOS yeah

I was under the impression that I could just cut my AMCAS personal statement for the 5000 character, and I was going to include a 2500 character diversity secondary for the optional essay

 

[wysdoc]

Thank you for the response!
I'm slightly above the median MCAT but slightly below median GPA so I could be considered pretty average I guess
I'm OOS yeah

I was under the impression that I could just cut my AMCAS personal statement for the 5000 character, and I was going to include a 2500 character diversity secondary for the optional essay

Yes you can streamline your personal statement to 5000.
There is a second essay (required) called personal characteristics, 5000 characters but you don't have to use them all
and an "optional" essay 2500 characters that would be the best use of your diversity essay.
You don't need to submit transcripts for TMDSAS unless you get an admission offer later.

Here is the link to the TMDSAS guide: TMDSAS Application Guide

 

[thunderlight8]

Yes you can streamline your personal statement to 5000.
There is a second essay (required) called personal characteristics, 5000 characters but you don't have to use them all
and an "optional" essay 2500 characters that would be the best use of your diversity essay.
You don't need to submit transcripts for TMDSAS unless you get an admission offer later.

Here is the link to the TMDSAS guide: TMDSAS Application Guide

Thank you!
I just wanted to make sure it's not too late because I saw some reddit threads that said July was already late.

 

[medapplicant4]

which tmdsas schools have MMI style interviews?

 

[wysdoc]

which tmdsas schools have MMI style interviews?

These Texas schools are using MMI-style interviews in 2024-2025:

Texas Tech El Paso
Dell (plus other modalities too)
UTMB
UH Fertitta
EnMed
Texas A&M
TCOM
TCU
UT Tyler
UIWSOM This year is 1:1 interview, not MMI

The MSAR for McGovern said MMI but I think they actually have two 1:1 interviews still as in the past, chime in please anyone who has interviewed with McGovern this year

 

[deleted1085576]

These Texas schools use MMI-style interviews:
Texas Tech El Paso
Dell
UTMB
UH Fertitta
TCOM
TCU
UIWSOM

The MSAR for McGovern said MMI but I think they actually have two 1:1 interviews still as in the past, chime in please anyone who has interviewed with McGovern this year

TAMU EnMed is also using MMI format this year.

 

[wysdoc]

TAMU EnMed is also using MMI format this year.

Thanks will add it to the list

 

[texasvandy]

I believe Dell also has an additional 1:1 interview and a group discussion.

 

[wysdoc]

I believe Dell also has an additional 1:1 interview and a group discussion.

Yes it's like a visit to Luby's a little of this a little of that 🤣

 

[medapplicant4]

Does anyone know which TX med schools are prematch heavy?

 

[wysdoc]

Does anyone know which TX med schools are prematch heavy?

Read general prematch stuff here from my post in 2023-2024 thread: What the heck is a prematch?
I will eventually launch a discussion of it for this year's applicants, but it’s too early for that right now when most of you are just waiting for or going to interviews.

 

[cleanyourroomplease]

These Texas schools are using MMI-style interviews in 2024-2025:

Texas Tech El Paso
Dell
UTMB
UH Fertitta
EnMed
TCOM
TCU
UIWSOM

The MSAR for McGovern said MMI but I think they actually have two 1:1 interviews still as in the past, chime in please anyone who has interviewed with McGovern this year

UT Tyler is saying MMI for theirs as well.

 

[PolarIceLongLastingFlavor]

I'm a bit confused about offers for TMDSAS. So if the prematch period is from Oct 15 to Jan 31st, and the match day is on February 14th, why is the last day to hold multiple offers April 30th? Isn't it if you have multiple prematch offers then whatever school you rank higher you just match with them and call it a day?

 

[wysdoc]

I'm a bit confused about offers for TMDSAS. So if the prematch period is from Oct 15 to Jan 31st, and the match day is on February 14th, why is the last day to hold multiple offers April 30th? Isn't it if you have multiple prematch offers then whatever school you rank higher you just match with them and call it a day?

You are looking at the AMCAS rules for narrowing down your acceptances to one by April 30

We get it over with in TMDSAS on Match Day (this year it’s Feb 14).
All Texans will come out of Match Day with one school, or sometimes, with zero schools (no match).
If you matched to your fave, you’re done.
If you matched to a school you ranked below #1, you might wait on WLs a bit longer

As @texasvandy clarified below, a Texan will come out of Match Day holding One TMDSAS school.
If you're a Texan who applied to AMCAS schools as well, you still have to follow their rules to narrow down to one by April 30

 

[texasvandy]

I'm a bit confused about offers for TMDSAS. So if the prematch period is from Oct 15 to Jan 31st, and the match day is on February 14th, why is the last day to hold multiple offers April 30th? Isn't it if you have multiple prematch offers then whatever school you rank higher you just match with them and call it a day?

You can hold multiple offers in Texas only as an OOS student. Otherwise you get to keep only one after match day if you have more than one.

 

[PolarIceLongLastingFlavor]

You are looking at the AMCAS rules for narrowing down your acceptances to one by April 30

We get it over with in TMDSAS on Match Day (this year it’s Feb 14).
All Texans will come out of Match Day with one school, or sometimes, with zero schools (no match).
If you matched to your fave, you’re done.
If you matched to a school you ranked below #1, you might wait on WLs a bit longer

As @texasvandy clarified below, a Texan will come out of Match Day holding One TMDSAS school.
If you're a Texan who applied to AMCAS schools as well, you still have to follow their rules to narrow down to one by April 30

And will you be notified if you are on a waitlist after match day? Or if you have zero matches that means there is no chance you are on a waitlist

 

[wysdoc]

And will you be notified if you are on a waitlist after match day? Or if you have zero matches that means there is no chance you are on a waitlist

Here are the scenarios:
No Acceptances
- If you have had no interviews by match ranking day, your cycle is over and you have no schools to rank for Match
- if you have had 1 or more interviews but get the “no match” message, you are on the WLs for the schools that interviewed you

Acceptance(s)
-If you had several interviews but Match to the school you had ranked #3, for example, you can still be on WLs for your #1 and #2 schools.
-You are allowed to take offers, if you get them, from your WL spots up until May 15. After that, new WL offers only go to Texans with no prior TMDSAS acceptances or to OOS applicants.

Exceptions
Some schools put everyone who interviewed but didn’t match on the WL, others may create a shorter WL. You will be notified if you are on a WL

 

[Watermelon_H]

Will medical schools invite all applicants who have II for school tours ? Thanks

 

[wysdoc]

Will medical schools invite all applicants who have II for school tours ? Thanks

Some schools save visits for accepted students later on
You will learn, in medicine and life, that there is not one single answer for a general question

 

[PolarIceLongLastingFlavor]

Some schools save visits for accepted students later on
You will learn, in medicine and life, that there is not one single answer for a general question

Do I, generally, have to pay my taxes?

 

[wysdoc]

Do I, generally, have to pay my taxes?

Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s
That’s a law, young’un, not a general question

 

[Watermelon_H]

Some schools save visits for accepted students later on
You will learn, in medicine and life, that there is not one single answer for a general question

Little confused, do you mean some school gave “A” without “II”?

 

[Watermelon_H]

Little confused, do you mean some school gave “A” without “II” or they only
Gave “A” applicants?

 

[wysdoc]

Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s

Little confused, do you mean some school gave “A” without “II”?

No…
The question was about in-person school visits.

Some schools will invite you for a visit after you have interviewed.
Other schools only invite students who have been accepted (those visits would happen later)

 

[wysdoc]

when should we start getting worried if we have not received II from TMDSAS schools

See my answer to this question over here:
90

 

[Ms.Shea]

Hi I’m new to the SDN so sorry if this isn’t exactly how we’re supposed to use it but I was looking for some advice!

I graduated from TX university in ‘22 and had planned to take 2 gap years to gain TX residency and apply to TMDSAS. Last year would have been the first year I would have applied but due to some familial circumstances I was unable to. Fast forward to this cycle (through most of which I was still helping my family) I am now almost done writing my primaries however I wasn’t sure if I should submit or wait and start fresh next cycle since it’s so late at this point. My main considerations are that this would be the last year I could use my pre health committee packet and I’m not sure how heavily that weighs, also if I apply now and don’t get in if that would essentially “nullify” all of my primary essays and cause me to have to completely rewrite them and find new topics (not entirely sure how to do that considering the experienced and reasons I have for wanting to become a doctor will remain the same between now and next May). My stats include 3.93 GPA, 3.89 BCPM, 510 MCAT, your typical volunteering/leadership experiences through college, summer medical internships with a surgeon, multiple medical mission trips, and 2 years clinical experience as a scribe for a PCP and now surgical medical assistant. Apologies if this isn’t something people usually post here but any feedback would be appreciated!

 

[Ms.Shea]

Hi I’m new to the SDN so sorry if this isn’t exactly how we’re supposed to use it but I was looking for some advice!

I graduated from TX university in ‘22 and had planned to take 2 gap years to gain TX residency and apply to TMDSAS. Last year would have been the first year I would have applied but due to some familial circumstances I was unable to. Fast forward to this cycle (through most of which I was still helping my family) I am now almost done writing my primaries however I wasn’t sure if I should submit or wait and start fresh next cycle since it’s so late at this point. My main considerations are that this would be the last year I could use my pre health committee packet and I’m not sure how heavily that weighs, also if I apply now and don’t get in if that would essentially “nullify” all of my primary essays and cause me to have to completely rewrite them and find new topics (not entirely sure how to do that considering the experienced and reasons I have for wanting to become a doctor will remain the same between now and next May). My stats include 3.93 GPA, 3.89 BCPM, 510 MCAT, your typical volunteering/leadership experiences through college, summer medical internships with a surgeon, multiple medical mission trips, and 2 years clinical experience as a scribe for a PCP and now surgical medical assistant. Apologies if this isn’t something people usually post here but any feedback would be appreciated!

Overall Is it worth applying for the experience and “just in case” I get in or is it better to wait, retake the MCATc and apply early for the first time next cycle instead of as a re-applicant?

 

[PolarIceLongLastingFlavor]

Hi I’m new to the SDN so sorry if this isn’t exactly how we’re supposed to use it but I was looking for some advice!

I graduated from TX university in ‘22 and had planned to take 2 gap years to gain TX residency and apply to TMDSAS. Last year would have been the first year I would have applied but due to some familial circumstances I was unable to. Fast forward to this cycle (through most of which I was still helping my family) I am now almost done writing my primaries however I wasn’t sure if I should submit or wait and start fresh next cycle since it’s so late at this point. My main considerations are that this would be the last year I could use my pre health committee packet and I’m not sure how heavily that weighs, also if I apply now and don’t get in if that would essentially “nullify” all of my primary essays and cause me to have to completely rewrite them and find new topics (not entirely sure how to do that considering the experienced and reasons I have for wanting to become a doctor will remain the same between now and next May). My stats include 3.93 GPA, 3.89 BCPM, 510 MCAT, your typical volunteering/leadership experiences through college, summer medical internships with a surgeon, multiple medical mission trips, and 2 years clinical experience as a scribe for a PCP and now surgical medical assistant. Apologies if this isn’t something people usually post here but any feedback would be appreciated!

it is VERY late into tmdsas to submit a primary at this point, I would say don't bother. On face value your EC's seem good. Since you would have so much time between the next cycle and now definitely do something that would take your application over the top. One option would be to try and retake the MCAT for a really high percentile one like 517+ just to really put you over the edge for the upper tier TMDSAS schools, but I guess some would say to never retake the MCAT if you scored at least a 510 already. Up to you.

 

[medapplicant4]

Does going on a tour after completing an interview have any benefits regarding admission/prematch chances?
Are there some schools that care more about this than others?

 

[wysdoc]

Does going on a tour after completing an interview have any benefits regarding admission/prematch chances?
Are there some schools that care more about this than others?

It does not improve your chances of admission and is not in essence a second interview.
It is for your benefit so you can get a feel for the place and decide, if you have more than 1 offer.
If you act like a jerk on your visit day, to put it bluntly, you could hurt your chances though.

 

[PolarIceLongLastingFlavor]

What can schools in TMDSAS see with regards to interviews? Can they see what schools have sent you an interview? Which you have attended?

 

[texasvandy]

What can schools in TMDSAS see with regards to interviews? Can they see what schools have sent you an interview? Which you have attended?

@wysdoc has it on good authority that anyone who is interviewing you in tmdsas knows where else you have been called/interviewed.

So dont get flustered if someone in your interview tries to compare your other interview schools or asks a random question about them. It has happened to people in the past raising this exact same question.

 

[PolarIceLongLastingFlavor]

@wysdoc has it on good authority that anyone who is interviewing you in tmdsas knows where else you have been called/interviewed.

So dont get flustered if someone in your interview tries to compare your other interview schools or asks a random question about them. It has happened to people in the past raising this exact same question.

So they cant tell the date you got an II or attended an interview, just which schools have sent you an II?

 

[wysdoc]

So they cant tell the date you got an II or attended an interview, just which schools have sent you an II?

Just which schools
And in answer to your next question, no school sees any other schools secondary essays and no school can see where you rank them on your TMDSAS portal.

 

[PolarIceLongLastingFlavor]

Just which schools
And in answer to your next question, no school sees any other schools secondary essays and no school can see where you rank them on your TMDSAS portal.

LOL, what system or program even notifies them of that? like their secondary portals/tmdsas?

 

[wysdoc]

LOL, what system or program even notifies them of that? like their secondary portals/tmdsas?

Just like you have a portal to communicate with TMDSAS, the med schools have an admin portal to communicate directly with TMDSAS.
It's not like some big chat room deal, it's for official business.

I'm not a TMDSAS admin or employee so that's the extent of my knowledge.
TMDSAS has a lot of videos and archived presentations you can spend your time on if you have more questions like this

 

[ryanh77]

When should we complete our FAFSA? Should we wait until after the match/whenever we have officially begun matriculating into our school of choice? Does it need to be prior to match? Thanks!

 

[wysdoc]

When should we complete our FAFSA? Should we wait until after the match/whenever we have officially begun matriculating into our school of choice? Does it need to be prior to match? Thanks!

The FAFSA for the year you will start school won’t be available until December to work on. Watch on the FAFSA site for an announcement