*** Tmdsas 2007 ***

[Depakote]

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Sorry guys, but aparently I have no idea how the "search thread" feature works...

Anyway, For the TMDSAS question if you've previously applied to schools and the years? How the hell are you supposed to fit it into 234 char?

I'm on round 3. I've applied to quite a few schools.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I'd probably call them up about that one. (BTW: This hasn't been discussed to my recollection, so search wouldn't've helped)

Maybe they just mean TMDSAS schools?

I'd definitely call them to see what they want you to do....

 

[Depakote]

I'd probably call them up about that one. (BTW: This hasn't been discussed to my recollection, so search wouldn't've helped)

Maybe they just mean TMDSAS schools?

I'd definitely call them to see what they want you to do....

Well, the question specifies Non-TMDSAS schools. (there's a separate one for TMDASAS schools).

I guess I'll give them a call when I get a chance.

Thanks.

 

[MedicineForLife 777]

I'm having trouble accessing Texas A&M's secondary. It keeps coming up with only part of the whole secondary (only part A). I previously completed the full application and clicked submit. Then, it took me to an invalid page so I tried to log in again, and it pops up with only part of the application. Tried submitting that part, and it says that I'm missing the rest of the application. But how can I complete the rest of the application if only part of the application shows up???

Anyone else having this problem? 😕

 

[AFSmiley]

I'm having trouble accessing Texas A&M's secondary. It keeps coming up with only part of the whole secondary (only part A). I previously completed the full application and clicked submit. Then, it took me to an invalid page so I tried to log in again, and it pops up with only part of the application. Tried submitting that part, and it says that I'm missing the rest of the application. But how can I complete the rest of the application if only part of the application shows up???

Anyone else having this problem? 😕

Oh ya, the day I was going to submit it too. I emailed them, they said the problem is with their side and they're working on it. So let's keep our fingers crossed!

 

[MedicineForLife 777]

Oh ya, the day I was going to submit it too. I emailed them, they said the problem is with their side and they're working on it. So let's keep our fingers crossed!

Let's hope they fix it soon! Now I can't even log in! It says that my username and e-mail isn't in their file.....ahhhh!!!

 

[as06]

Let's hope they fix it soon! Now I can't even log in! It says that my username and e-mail isn't in their file.....ahhhh!!!

I assume you tried to log in with your TMDSAS number and birthday? I haven't been able to log in either; I hope they didn't switch over to a new system that didn't transfer our earlier responses. Hopefully our calls on Monday will make them correct this quickly!

 

[Sporky]

I was working on my TMDSAS yesterday and I read the part about providing a photo for your file. What if you are really ugly? Will this keep you out of every school except A & M?

🙂

 

[BlackBantie]

I was working on my TMDSAS yesterday and I read the part about providing a photo for your file. What if you are really ugly? Will this keep you out of every school except A & M?

🙂

Good question.

If that's the case, I might as well just throw in the towel. That picture was the crappiest representation of myself. I honestly don't know what substance I was on when I had the picture taken and what I was on when I sent the pictures. Yuck, I wish we could send an updated photo just like we can update our application.

 

[MedicineForLife 777]

I assume you tried to log in with your TMDSAS number and birthday? I haven't been able to log in either; I hope they didn't switch over to a new system that didn't transfer our earlier responses. Hopefully our calls on Monday will make them correct this quickly!

Yup. I tried creating a new username and password also. It worked for a while, then when I tried to submit it, it messed up again. 🙁

 

[Sporky]

You guys completely missed my ethereal stab at A&M (or else you chose to ignore it).

But seriously, why on earth would they want a photograph? I may be digging up very old dirt here, but doesn't this suggest that they are discriminating based upon appearance?

I understand that they don't want Patchy the Pirate hobbling into an interview with a wooden leg and one eye, but with Photoshop, Patchy could make himself look like Cary Grant and your leg doesn't show up on a passport photo anyway.

Does anyone know why they want a photo?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Does anyone know why they want a photo?

Uhhh, maybe because it's sometimes easier to remember a person by their picture than their entire application.

After interviewing 600+ people I'm sure they all blend together somewhat. When they pull out the application and see the picture, they are probaly like, "Oh, yeah, that guy."

 

[Sporky]

Uhhh, maybe because it's sometimes easier to remember a person by their picture than their entire application.

After interviewing 600+ people I'm sure they all blend together somewhat. When they pull out the application and see the picture, they are probaly like, "Oh, yeah, that guy."

I think that's a stretch. I'm thinking vast worldwide conspiracy here, dating back to the conquest of Mexico City and the establishment of Maximillian as the leader of Mexico.

 

[sj786]

How long did it take to process your Tmdsas application?

 

[Sporky]

How long did it take to process your Tmdsas application?

I dont know, I haven't submitted it yet - this friday, I hope.

 

[BlackBantie]

Does anyone know why they want a photo?

I'm sure that a few socially incompetent people have considered sending someone in their place for the interview to represent themselves. Having a photo of the real applicant would prevent that situation.

I guess that would backfire if they initially sent in a picture of the person that will pose for them.

 

[potato51]

I think adcoms also have a photo of you at the time you took the MCAT.

 

[dwigt]

Sorry, I haven't been keeping up with this thread, but is there any consensus on approximate verification time for TMDSAS?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Still seems to be about 2 weeks....I'd bet on more if you just submitted, however.....

 

[dwigt]

Still seems to be about 2 weeks....I'd bet on more if you just submitted, however.....

I submitted 7/7 with cert/photos received 7/10, so hopefully sometime this week...

 

[somemaybedoc]

For the activities question for your interest (pcp, underserved, etc.) did you guys adopt a list format or a paragraph format on the TAMU secondary? Tech and SW specified list, but TAMU was mum.

 

[as06]

For the activities question for your interest (pcp, underserved, etc.) did you guys adopt a list format or a paragraph format on the TAMU secondary? Tech and SW specified list, but TAMU was mum.

Paragraph format -- the letter preceding the secondary app login suggests you write your essays in a word processor first, so I'm assuming they expect this answer to come in essay format.

 

[waterlivergirl]

For the activities question for your interest (pcp, underserved, etc.) did you guys adopt a list format or a paragraph format on the TAMU secondary? Tech and SW specified list, but TAMU was mum.

hi i am a texas resident and now after reading all of this info i am freaking out.....i have not submitted yet...my pre-med advisor never informed me of the rolling admissions......i am also taking the august mcat but i took the april one and did alright >26 . Should i submit NOW any help would be greatly appreciated. Also should one fill out the optional essays or only if they pertain to you. thanks

 

[somemaybedoc]

Paragraph format -- the letter preceding the secondary app login suggests you write your essays in a word processor first, so I'm assuming they expect this answer to come in essay format.

Shoot me now, another essay... 😱

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

.

 

[MedicineForLife 777]

Just called A&M, and they said that they updated their system on Friday. So, if you created a login before then, you'll have to create a new one to access the secondary.

 

[rowdyrock]

Maybe someone else had this problem..
I sent in my transcripts in May (I have 4), and just submitted last week. On the status page it says only 2 of them have been received and the dates are early June. I called and the lady there said that they are probably there but it just takes time for them to post it all and to be patient. I just don't understand why they recorded that 2 of them were recieved a month ago and the other 2 they haven't gotten around to.
So my question is:
Did it take a long time (>two months after sending) for the status page to say all transcripts were received??

 

[MedicineForLife 777]

We don't need to send in recommendation letters to the individual schools since TMDSAS will forward them to the schools right? We only send additional letters to the schools. Is that correct?

 

[runningmom]

We don't need to send in recommendation letters to the individual schools since TMDSAS will forward them to the schools right? We only send additional letters to the schools. Is that correct?

TMDSAS will forward up to three letters.... anything beyond that must be sent directly.

 

[ATN19]

crap, are you sure? my advising center sends out a packet of all the letters intact with a cover letter on top from an advisor. she didn't mention anything to me about a 3 letter limit, as i have 5 in mine. i re-read the tmdsas website and it doesn't mention a limit if they're receiving an entire packet from a health committee. clarifications?

 

[Sporky]

Maybe someone else had this problem..
I sent in my transcripts in May (I have 4), and just submitted last week. On the status page it says only 2 of them have been received and the dates are early June. I called and the lady there said that they are probably there but it just takes time for them to post it all and to be patient. I just don't understand why they recorded that 2 of them were recieved a month ago and the other 2 they haven't gotten around to.
So my question is:
Did it take a long time (>two months after sending) for the status page to say all transcripts were received??

I'm not sure how patient I would be after two months. You can't threaten them, but you can call and speak with someone who has a more definitive answer. I haven't submitted my app yet, but I don't plan on waiting two months for my transcripts to be verified.

You may want to call and very politely ask to speak to someone who can give you an answer regarding this. They have a responsibility to perform, but will not fulfill that responsibility if we the students, do not hold them to it.

Again, you cannot be rude, but you may want to try again.

My .02 centavos.

 

[63768]

TMDSAS will forward up to three letters.... anything beyond that must be sent directly.

are you sure about this? i think if they come as a committee packet, the whole thing gets sent regardless of the number of LORs in the packet itself. my case might be different though.

 

[spursss]

I'm not sure how patient I would be after two months. You can't threaten them, but you can call and speak with someone who has a more definitive answer. I haven't submitted my app yet, but I don't plan on waiting two months for my transcripts to be verified.

You may want to call and very politely ask to speak to someone who can give you an answer regarding this. They have a responsibility to perform, but will not fulfill that responsibility if we the students, do not hold them to it.

Again, you cannot be rude, but you may want to try again.

My .02 centavos.

What I did for my transcripts, since I knew transcripts get lost all the time, I sent new transcripts every 10 days until it showed they they received them. I ended up sending three transcripts from one of my schools. This is a crazy process so I figure I would just flood them with my transcripts. This is always such a problem for everyone. If you have not resent new transcripts then I think you should do it NOWWW!!!! Keep sending and sending. They are not going to stop and say, oh ok let me look through the 1000 transcripts we have just for yours. It is not going to work. Any yeah, I would not be rude to them because they could easily make you wait and wait and wait.

 

[63768]

hi i am a texas resident and now after reading all of this info i am freaking out.....i have not submitted yet...my pre-med advisor never informed me of the rolling admissions......i am also taking the august mcat but i took the april one and did alright >26 . Should i submit NOW any help would be greatly appreciated. Also should one fill out the optional essays or only if they pertain to you. thanks

well for one i haven't submitted yet because i'm waiting for summer grades to come in. second, rolling admissions won't change the timing of your submission very much this year. since you're a resident they will be able to offer acceptances to you nov15 - dec31 but we'll all still go through the match as prev years (only now it's feb15 instead of feb1).

if you're taking the august MCAT and want that to be considered instead of your >26 score, you'll have to wait either way. if you want to try your luck with your current score, you can submit now and then send in your new MCAT scores later. the only caveat is if with your >26 score places you in the "no" or "maybe" interview file, it'll be hard to pull it out even with a good august MCAT score. shrugs either way.

 

[cannister]

Does anyone know anything about the Texas A&M curriculum? I have an interview there Aug. 10 and I have been checking their website and I can't find anything. I checked interview feedback but it is too bias. I heard that the last two years shifts from College Station to Temple. Anyone with knowledge can tell me about their curriculum?

Thanks

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

are you sure about this? i think if they come as a committee packet, the whole thing gets sent regardless of the number of LORs in the packet itself. my case might be different though.

Right, the up-to-3-letter limit is for INDIVIDUAL letters.

TMDSAS just forwards whatever committee letter/packet is sent to them. Committe letters are different.

 

[as06]

What I did for my transcripts, since I knew transcripts get lost all the time, I sent new transcripts every 10 days until it showed they they received them. I ended up sending three transcripts from one of my schools. This is a crazy process so I figure I would just flood them with my transcripts. This is always such a problem for everyone. If you have not resent new transcripts then I think you should do it NOWWW!!!! Keep sending and sending. They are not going to stop and say, oh ok let me look through the 1000 transcripts we have just for yours. It is not going to work. Any yeah, I would not be rude to them because they could easily make you wait and wait and wait.

Yeah, I'd definitely request the transcripts again --- two months is ridiculous and probably suggests they've lost them. I requested mine on the 16th of June; 2 were in by the 23th and the other 2 by the 26th.

 

[waterlivergirl]

thank you for responding but with a mcat >30 it will be hard to get it out of the no or maybe pile? Im confused...I thought also they were still interviewing until middle of january
thanks

well for one i haven't submitted yet because i'm waiting for summer grades to come in. second, rolling admissions won't change the timing of your submission very much this year. since you're a resident they will be able to offer acceptances to you nov15 - dec31 but we'll all still go through the match as prev years (only now it's feb15 instead of feb1).

if you're taking the august MCAT and want that to be considered instead of your >26 score, you'll have to wait either way. if you want to try your luck with your current score, you can submit now and then send in your new MCAT scores later. the only caveat is if with your >26 score places you in the "no" or "maybe" interview file, it'll be hard to pull it out even with a good august MCAT score. shrugs either way.

 

[cannister]

Does anyone know anything about the Texas A&M curriculum? I have an interview there Aug. 10 and I have been checking their website and I can't find anything. I checked interview feedback but it is too bias. I heard that the last two years shifts from College Station to Temple. Anyone with knowledge can tell me about their curriculum?

Thanks 👍

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Why don't you ask them when you interview? Seems like a great time to have any questions you have about their curriculum answered.

 

[ATN19]

Called TMDSAS. Said as long as it was in a packet from the univ, it didn't matter how many letters there were.

 

[biggoron42]

Real quick question here, as I finish looking over my TMDSAS for the last time: how important do you think it is to answer the second optional essay question:

Please describe any personal characteristics and/or important or challenging experiences you have had that will contribute to the diversity of or provide educational benefits to the student body.

I've left it blank so far, but the more I read it, the more it seems like a variation on the classic interview questions "Why should we take you?", "What could you contribute to our class?", etc. It seems like a real opportunity to sell myself that I'd be foolishly passing up.

Do you think perhaps I should outline something about my humanities/science double major, or some of my ECs I was not able to expound on in the ridiculously short personal biography section?

Or is this questionn more along the lines of explaining background issues like being a URM or disadvantaged applicant?

Please advise. Thanks for your help.

 

[chaeymaey]

Real quick question here, as I finish looking over my TMDSAS for the last time: how important do you think it is to answer the second optional essay question:

Please describe any personal characteristics and/or important or challenging experiences you have had that will contribute to the diversity of or provide educational benefits to the student body.

I've left it blank so far, but the more I read it, the more it seems like a variation on the classic interview questions "Why should we take you?", "What could you contribute to our class?", etc. It seems like a real opportunity to sell myself that I'd be foolishly passing up.

Do you think perhaps I should outline something about my humanities/science double major, or some of my ECs I was not able to expound on in the ridiculously short personal biography section?

Or is this questionn more along the lines of explaining background issues like being a URM or disadvantaged applicant?

Please advise. Thanks for your help.

When I called TMDSAS, they said that the 2nd optional essay was more important than the first optional essay. She basically said that the 2nd one wasn't really optional at all unless u have no diversity to contribute. I talked about being an immigrant and war refugee. But being a non-sci major could also contribute diversity.

 

[Zuerst]

When I called TMDSAS, they said that the 2nd optional essay was more important than the first optional essay. She basically said that the 2nd one wasn't really optional at all unless u have no diversity to contribute. I talked about being an immigrant and war refugee. But being a non-sci major could also contribute diversity.

Well crap. I left it blank... could of written something about me being born and growing up in another country and an engineering major. Oh well.

 

[biggoron42]

When I called TMDSAS, they said that the 2nd optional essay was more important than the first optional essay. She basically said that the 2nd one wasn't really optional at all unless u have no diversity to contribute. I talked about being an immigrant and war refugee. But being a non-sci major could also contribute diversity.

Bingo, exactly the way I was beginning to feel. Welp, better cobble something together, I mailed my check, photos, and confirmation form this morning

 

[as06]

Bingo, exactly the way I was beginning to feel. Welp, better cobble something together, I mailed my check, photos, and confirmation form this morning

Yeah, if you spin it correctly, you can pretty much reuse it for Baylor's secondary (assuming you're applying to that TX school as well), so it's not too much of a punishment. good luck

 

[somemaybedoc]

When I called TMDSAS, they said that the 2nd optional essay was more important than the first optional essay. She basically said that the 2nd one wasn't really optional at all unless u have no diversity to contribute. I talked about being an immigrant and war refugee. But being a non-sci major could also contribute diversity.

Hmm... I left it blank because my ethnicity is well represented in medical schools and I always has money, but maybe I should have talked about being a nonsci major, but then again I already incorporated that into my ps. Alas, no sense second guessing now; the ship has sailed and the cards are on the table.

 

[Sporky]

I said that since I am a pirate and have a wooden leg, the other students will know what it is like to study with someone who makes thumping noises when he walks. Plus I can jab needles and stuff into my leg and then start screaming to make people laugh - makes for a more feng shui student environment.

 

[chaeymaey]

I said that since I am a pirate and have a wooden leg, the other students will know what it is like to study with someone who makes thumping noises when he walks. Plus I can jab needles and stuff into my leg and then start screaming to make people laugh - makes for a more feng shui student environment.

OMG, I just died laughing! I need CPR.

 

[DesiMcatAcer]

Bump...