*-*-* The Official TMDSAS Questions Thread 2011 *-*-*

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DrDrummer said:
I'm applying through TMDSAS for the first time-- was wondering this early in the season, how big of a difference does the submission date make? I have two of my three letters of recommendation in-- I'm a non-trad so I'm using one from my supervisor alongside two profs-- but am still waiting on the third, a philosophy professor of mine.

Should I submit now, with the two letters in place, and hope that the schools are contacted if we have a letter added to the file or whatever after submission? Or is TMDSAS either a system where I A.) can't, or B.) shouldn't do that if I'm not super-ultra-confident about my chances to get in.
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It makes a big difference... You should submit now! They will update the schools when they receive it, but the biggest thing is that they can't start processing your application until you submit. If you wait too long there will be a longer wait to process. I submitted mine May 13th and they are still processing. My letter packet is being sent this week, so either way they will be getting the letters in time to submit to the schools.
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My TMDSAS went out to the schools today! Anyone else?
 
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When plugging in hours for something that your continuing to plan on doing do you plug in the number you have already completed or what you are going to complete
 
Um, can we do that thing where people list their submission dates and the date when their app. is sent to schools? Just to get an idea how long the processing takes...
 
I was wondering what do I put for Research Activity name? I have two separate research experience. One is from summer research program and another from school. Do I put the name of the program in the Research Activity Name or do I put the project title's name?
 
noshie said:
It makes a big difference... You should submit now! They will update the schools when they receive it, but the biggest thing is that they can't start processing your application until you submit. If you wait too long there will be a longer wait to process. I submitted mine May 13th and they are still processing. My letter packet is being sent this week, so either way they will be getting the letters in time to submit to the schools.
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Huh. So I guess I was confused about this-- I thought the difference between TMDSAS and AMCAS was that you couldn't add letters late, and that if you submitted an app without the letters, the schools would recieve the incomplete application. So you're saying I should submit now, and hope that they'll (and they should) arrive during the processing interval when they're cross-checking transcripts v. entered grades, and then my schools will get a complete app? And even if the letters somehow don't, I can always send the letter in later when the last one gets in?

Thanks for your reply.
 
DrDrummer said:
Huh. So I guess I was confused about this-- I thought the difference between TMDSAS and AMCAS was that you couldn't add letters late, and that if you submitted an app without the letters, the schools would recieve the incomplete application. So you're saying I should submit now, and hope that they'll (and they should) arrive during the processing interval when they're cross-checking transcripts v. entered grades, and then my schools will get a complete app? And even if the letters somehow don't, I can always send the letter in later when the last one gets in?

Thanks for your reply.
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I submitted mine without letters (my letters won't be sent out to TMDSAS until the end of the week), and they sent my application out to the schools yesterday... 🙂 Yes they receive an incomplete application. But they will still look at it. I'm almost sure that I won't get interviews without the letters though. But that's a given for any med school really.

Yes, send it now, they will send the letters later or if they get them before they send out (which will take over 2 weeks to process and send out) they will send them with your letters. Also you can always send the letters later for distribution after your application is sent to the schools...

AspiringDOC2010 said:
Um, can we do that thing where people list their submission dates and the date when their app. is sent to schools? Just to get an idea how long the processing takes...
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Submitted 5/13/10
Application processed and sent 6/1/10

But you have to remember, I turned mine in this early because I wasn't waiting on a Spring transcript. This also means that many people weren't submitting this early, so they probably had a lot of time to process it this quickly.
 
Just a quick question, there's a part at the beginning of the application that asks "what out of state schools you're applying to." Does it matter if I fill it out or not? Because I haven't made my choices or done any research on all the schools so I really have no idea if I'm going to apply or not.

Do you think they'll hold it against me if I say "I'm not going to apply to out of state" but then I actually change my mind later and do?

Or if I list a bunch of out of state schools, do they think I'm trying to leave Texas?

Do they actually have a database they check later to see if you applied out of state? LOL, maybe I'm starting to get paranoid.....
 
You can always update your list of non-tmdsas after you have sent in your application. I don't think it really makes a difference though, but I wrote it down just to be safe.
 
When would it be considered "late" when applying for TMDSAS?
I'm hoping to get everything submitted by the end of this week, how does that look?
I think I'm entering a state of paranoia for no reason...😱
 
The only thing left for me to do is upload a picture 🙄. What kind of picture did you guys take? regular camera, regular background?
 
CardiacArrest said:
When would it be considered "late" when applying for TMDSAS?
I'm hoping to get everything submitted by the end of this week, how does that look?
I think I'm entering a state of paranoia for no reason...😱
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I think most people apply in throughout June, get verified by July, and get it sent out by the end of July. I think that's considered the normal process by most. Early interviews get sent out around July. Anything after mid July is pretty much late because you're probably not going to get verified until mid August. By then, it's a crap shoot and you may/may not be able to get all the interviews you want. Not that I'm saying you can't get in if you turn it in mid July, but why would you want to take that chance if you can do it now?

You should be fine if you submit by the end of this week. That's what I'm planing on doing too. If you still don't have LOR's or haven't taken the MCAT, I'd still turn it in now to get verified at least. You can send in that stuff later.

I think it's normal to get paranoid, everyone out there's feeling the same way 😀
 
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addo said:
The only thing left for me to do is upload a picture 🙄. What kind of picture did you guys take? regular camera, regular background?
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I took a picture in my bathroom with my iphone 🙄

But the main thing is to just wear a suit and just look nice. Regular white backdrop should be fine. This guy I know took a REALLY nice picture with those gray colored backgrounds they used in grade school. It made him standout alot and you can do it if you want to go the extra mile.
 
coolbeans123 said:
I took a picture in my bathroom with my iphone 🙄
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Dont tell me you took it off the mirror? I mean I guess its fine if you did, but I am definitely going to try to get someone to take it for me. I was actually contemplating about going to an actual picture place like your friend did, but it just doesnt seem worth it.
 
I just used one that used to be my facebook profile picture. I was dressed casually, but it didn't really matter because it was mostly only my head that was in the picture. I really just think the point is so that they can put a face to the name while they are discussing you. I really don't think its a big deal.
 
addo said:
Dont tell me you took it off the mirror? I mean I guess its fine if you did, but I am definitely going to try to get someone to take it for me. I was actually contemplating about going to an actual picture place like your friend did, but it just doesnt seem worth it.
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Hahaha no i didn't take a myspace picture with my iphone. I cleaned the mirror and held the iphone at my midsection when i took a pic. Then I cropped it in photoshop with just my shoulders up. Looks fine IMO
 
Did you guys smile in your photo? Also, is it possible to send in updates to TMDSAS after we submit?
 
I have a question about the extracurricular/leisure activities section for TMDSAS:

If I taught myself how to play the piano (5.5 years) and the guitar (1.5 years), should I put that into this section even if it's not really relevant to anything about becoming a doctor? And I play both at least 1 hour a day (most of the time more); it asks for approximate hours per month (30) and cumulative hours.. 30*12*(5.5 years) = almost 2000 hours? I also performed a couple of times at some small events at school (UT-Austin).

Also, I have played intramural sports in college (2006-2010), so can/should this be included too?

I searched the forums for acceptable leisure activities but can't seem to find anything on it. Thanks for any help!
 
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LEUNIT said:
I searched the forums for acceptable leisure activities but can't seem to find anything on it. Thanks for any help!
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How could music not be an acceptable leisure activity? I would definitely put it down. I put down a sport in which i also have over 2000 hours in.
 
TexasHopeful said:
Did you guys smile in your photo? Also, is it possible to send in updates to TMDSAS after we submit?
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This is going to be the picture the committee looks at as they're deciding your fate. Make sure it's at least somewhat professional looking, not cut out from you at a party, clean and neat looking, friendly, well-lit, etc.
 
I'll probably end up including this anyway, but I won't submit for another day and maybe someone can convince me that it's a dumb idea:

As a really quick note in the "Unique Circumstances" essay, I'm mentioning that my MCAT was originally scheduled for Sept. 13th, 2008-- the day Ike ended up hitting. Needless to say, my MCAT was canceled and rescheduled for a month later, but I didn't have power for over three weeks (I live in Houston), and had just started a particularly intense job-- I was literally coming home from work at 6-7:30, and studying by candlelight. I lost my ability to regularly practice using e-mcat.com timing myself on the CBT and all that.

So anyway, cut to later when I take the MCAT and I run out of time on the first section-- end up having to guess on about five questions. This leads to a really imbalanced score of 9 PS/12 B/13 VR. I feel like the reason I ran out of time is because I hadn't practiced pacing myself due to the hurricane power outage, and that the 9 reflects more of that then my actual abilities. Is it super petty to mention mitigating circumstances like that, especially when I had a decent MCAT score overall? Will I be looked upon as a whining baby, or do you think they might go "Hmm. Well, that makes sense. Guess it's possible that he doesn't just suck at physics."?

I'm using the rest of that essay to explain why I was on Free & Reduced Meals as a kid but our family ended up having more money by the time I went to college (mom remarried)-- I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to portray myself as someone who is now socioeconomically disadvantaged, but "Yes" was the honest answer to that question during the time I was in school.
 
DrDrummer said:
So anyway, cut to later when I take the MCAT and I run out of time on the first section-- end up having to guess on about five questions. This leads to a really imbalanced score of 9 PS/12 B/13 VR. I feel like the reason I ran out of time is because I hadn't practiced pacing myself due to the hurricane power outage, and that the 9 reflects more of that then my actual abilities. Is it super petty to mention mitigating circumstances like that, especially when I had a decent MCAT score overall? Will I be looked upon as a whining baby, or do you think they might go "Hmm. Well, that makes sense. Guess it's possible that he doesn't just suck at physics."?
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Personally, I wouldn't include it. I'd use my essay to focus on the other aspects of my life. Since your overall score is really good, I don't think anyone is really going to make a big deal about it. As long as you get above an 8 in each section, which you did, I don't think anyone will really ask you about it or think badly of you in anyway
 
DrDrummer said:
I'll probably end up including this anyway, but I won't submit for another day and maybe someone can convince me that it's a dumb idea:

As a really quick note in the "Unique Circumstances" essay, I'm mentioning that my MCAT was originally scheduled for Sept. 13th, 2008-- the day Ike ended up hitting. Needless to say, my MCAT was canceled and rescheduled for a month later, but I didn't have power for over three weeks (I live in Houston), and had just started a particularly intense job-- I was literally coming home from work at 6-7:30, and studying by candlelight. I lost my ability to regularly practice using e-mcat.com timing myself on the CBT and all that.

So anyway, cut to later when I take the MCAT and I run out of time on the first section-- end up having to guess on about five questions. This leads to a really imbalanced score of 9 PS/12 B/13 VR. I feel like the reason I ran out of time is because I hadn't practiced pacing myself due to the hurricane power outage, and that the 9 reflects more of that then my actual abilities. Is it super petty to mention mitigating circumstances like that, especially when I had a decent MCAT score overall? Will I be looked upon as a whining baby, or do you think they might go "Hmm. Well, that makes sense. Guess it's possible that he doesn't just suck at physics."?

I'm using the rest of that essay to explain why I was on Free & Reduced Meals as a kid but our family ended up having more money by the time I went to college (mom remarried)-- I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to portray myself as someone who is now socioeconomically disadvantaged, but "Yes" was the honest answer to that question during the time I was in school.
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The essay idea is a bit of a bad one... Your first MCAT was rescheduled, it didn’t really affect your score. When I took my first MCAT my best friend since elementary called me an hour before my test and told me her brother died. That was back when it was paper and only given twice a year, so I had no choice but to take the test or not apply that year. I was crying during my test and after 8 hours of hell I had to drive an hour to her house to help them plan a funeral. I put this in the essay the first time I applied. I felt like I was whining about my crappy score, but what you are saying is a little bit too much. Your score is good, and writing about how you had to reschedule it and couldn’t study correctly due to a storm for the second one will make you look bad in my opinion. Just talk about your disadvantaged childhood, it will be more valid.
 
When filling out the coursework, under "Course Area," which courses classify as BioLec, as opposed to nonsciences? Would my physiology, physiolab, microbio, etc go under BioLec and BioLab?
 
I go to a school (UCSD) that uses credits. The TMDSAS asks for the units to be transferred to credit hours, does anyone know how to do this?
 
I just submitted this morning and I am mailing out the check today. I really hope to get verified within the next three weeks.
 
As long as the class was given by the biology dept, I labeled it as bio lec or bio lab.
 
This question might have been asked before- Anyways, in my PS I addressed a unique experience (optional essay 2), which has shaped in me in a way to have the personal qualities needed to work in the field of medicine (optional essay 3), and I wrapped it all up with why I want to be a doctor.

At the risk of sounding repetitive I really dont see the point of doing the optional essays. Is this a good idea? I am basically ready to submit and I dont want to delay anymore by drafting these 2 essays and having them edited.
 
addo said:
This question might have been asked before- Anyways, in my PS I addressed a unique experience (optional essay 2), which has shaped in me in a way to have the personal qualities needed to work in the field of medicine (optional essay 3), and I wrapped it all up with why I want to be a doctor.

At the risk of sounding repetitive I really dont see the point of doing the optional essays. Is this a good idea? I am basically ready to submit and I dont want to delay anymore by drafting these 2 essays and having them edited.
Click to expand...

if your optional essays are going to repeat what you've already said and you feel like you've done a really good job saying everything you think is necessary, then i would leave it at that. i didn't answer one of the optionals because i felt like i already answered it. i think they're there for people who didn't write about it in the first place.
 
I am really worried about the timing of my application. I'm hoping to send out my TMDSAS out by next week. Would I be at a disadvantage if I submit my rec letter a bit later, say 3-4 weeks from now? I'm also retaking the MCAT in August (have an old score, but it's low 20s).
 
I guess for College Leadership that wouldn't mean something like being just a member of an organization on campus like the premed club....dang it! waste of my time!!!
 
Was the problem about GPA not being properly calculated on the status page resolved?
I submitted and my science GPA is .11 lower than what I had calculated. I was also under the impression that courses classified as "otherscience" would not count towards sgpa. The weird thing is that my overall gpa was calculated right.
 
addo said:
Was the problem about GPA not being properly calculated on the status page resolved?
I submitted and my science GPA is .11 lower than what I had calculated. I was also under the impression that courses classified as "otherscience" would not count towards sgpa. The weird thing is that my overall gpa was calculated right.
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I think other science is included in the sGPA. I can't guarantee it, but it's just my opinion. I'm a science major and for example, physical chemistry would be classified as other science and I think that should count as my sGPA. I would like anyone's thoughts on it though.
 
How much stuff are you guys putting down for Extracurricular/Leisure activities?

I have so much I could put down, all which I find have impacted me as a person.

I just want to know generally how much/what you are putting down.
Also how do you figure out the hours/end date for something like that?

Thanks
 
So, I am not a Texas resident, but I think I am planning to apply to Texas schools because I am fluent in Spanish, and I think that would be an excellent place for me to use my Spanish speaking skills. However, I just now realized that TMDSAS opened really early, and I am now behind everyone else! I know Texas schools don't take a lot of OOSers, but I am hoping that the extra application will be a deterrent to a lot of us, so maybe I will have a chance. I was also looking through the app, and it just seems so confusing. I read through a lot of your posts here trying to get a handle on it, and it just made me more confused. Am I supposed to list an activity twice if it fits into more than 1 category or not? Also, I have read that you have to list it more than once if it goes on for more than a year? I think I am just a little overwhelmed at this point (I am also retaking my MCAT June 17 🙁 ). Would it be HUGE disadvantage to submit my application June 17-19? Also, does TMDSAS need your LOR's before it sends out the app? Also, what is this matching thing? I am so confused. Ugh. I just need some rest...
 
Total180 said:
So, I am not a Texas resident, but I think I am planning to apply to Texas schools because I am fluent in Spanish, and I think that would be an excellent place for me to use my Spanish speaking skills. However, I just now realized that TMDSAS opened really early, and I am now behind everyone else! I know Texas schools don't take a lot of OOSers, but I am hoping that the extra application will be a deterrent to a lot of us, so maybe I will have a chance. I was also looking through the app, and it just seems so confusing. I read through a lot of your posts here trying to get a handle on it, and it just made me more confused. Am I supposed to list an activity twice if it fits into more than 1 category or not? Also, I have read that you have to list it more than once if it goes on for more than a year? I think I am just a little overwhelmed at this point (I am also retaking my MCAT June 17 🙁 ). Would it be HUGE disadvantage to submit my application June 17-19? Also, does TMDSAS need your LOR's before it sends out the app? Also, what is this matching thing? I am so confused. Ugh. I just need some rest...
Click to expand...

The application is actually really straight forward. You dont need to put an activity in two different categories. For example, if you had paid research list it either under paid employment or research, and dont list it twice if it goes over a year either.
For the mcat, it is the same as AMCAS, just specify that you are taking it on July 17 and you can submit the application without your scores. Schools wont do anything without mcat scores, but at least youll be verified, and your application will be ready to go as soon as your scores are in.
Same with LoRs, they do not have to be in before you submit.
The matching, i am also not familiar with...I think it might be only for texas residents.
TMDSAS is not much different from AMCAS. The only things I can think of is that you have to upload a pic to TMDSAS, you have two additional optional essays, you can list any planned activities, you have to mail in a check or money order in order to pay (they dont take credit cards), and the matching process.
 
Hey Guys,

So I've taken the MCAT already but I did terrible on it and so I'm re-taking it in mid June. I don't want to release my score to TMDSAS yet because of the terrible score but if I were to release the new score, which is in July, it would be kinda late in the application cycle. So should I release this old score or wait til July to release the new one?
 
BobbyT said:
Hey Guys,

So I've taken the MCAT already but I did terrible on it and so I'm re-taking it in mid June. I don't want to release my score to TMDSAS yet because of the terrible score but if I were to release the new score, which is in July, it would be kinda late in the application cycle. So should I release this old score or wait til July to release the new one?
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Well your old score is going to be released anyways. When you submit your scores to TMDSAS, all of them get submitted. It would be so great it you could choose, but you cant.
 
if you're taking the mcat in June but you've already have an old score will the schools wait til the new MCAT score to come in before they review your application or will they just look at the old one?
 
BobbyT said:
if you're taking the mcat in June but you've already have an old score will the schools wait til the new MCAT score to come in before they review your application or will they just look at the old one?
Click to expand...

They should wait, but i have read on this thread that some schools might not, like UTMB. It wasnt clear though.
 
There's an option to check MD/MPH box for Tech El Paso. Does anyone know if this means a more selective pool like MD/PhD?

I know most schools will allow you to add an MPH program once you are accepted, but would selecting the dual degree plan while applying hurt my chances of acceptance at El Paso?

I do have a lot of experience in the Public Health field, but I don't want to select MD/MPH if it's selecting less people..
 
BobbyT said:
Hey Guys,

So I've taken the MCAT already but I did terrible on it and so I'm re-taking it in mid June. I don't want to release my score to TMDSAS yet because of the terrible score but if I were to release the new score, which is in July, it would be kinda late in the application cycle. So should I release this old score or wait til July to release the new one?
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat as you. My advisor told me to submit the application, it takes a while to process everything. Yes they will see your old score, but as long as you check the option ab retaking MCAT and date, they have to revisit the app after your new score is released.

As far as specific schools are concerned, I sincerely hope UTMB doesn't make a decision before my new MCAT score.
 
SweetRain said:
There's an option to check MD/MPH box for Tech El Paso. Does anyone know if this means a more selective pool like MD/PhD?

I know most schools will allow you to add an MPH program once you are accepted, but would selecting the dual degree plan while applying hurt my chances of acceptance at El Paso?

I do have a lot of experience in the Public Health field, but I don't want to select MD/MPH if it's selecting less people..
Click to expand...

Bump
 
When did Texas Tech El Paso open. I have the 2008-2009 MSAR and it wasnt even on it. Does anybody have any figures on the class size and stats?
 
CardiacArrest said:
I'm in the same boat as you. My advisor told me to submit the application, it takes a while to process everything. Yes they will see your old score, but as long as you check the option ab retaking MCAT and date, they have to revisit the app after your new score is released.

As far as specific schools are concerned, I sincerely hope UTMB doesn't make a decision before my new MCAT score.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat, i'm just gonna wait and take the chance to submit later (or just submit your secondary after getting your mcat score i guess is an option as well), i think this will make me feel a lot more comfortable knowing that they have both scores to look at and won't reject me straight out like UTMB might....just my two cents...
 
I'm in a similar situation too. I plan on taking a later MCAT as well. My second time. So you brought up a good point dancingdoctor13 about waiting to submit secondaries until new scores have arrive. So I am assuming the schools won't review your application until your secondary are in? Correct? So you won't get rejecting on solely on your first MCAT scores.
 
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