*** Tmdsas 2007 ***

[Anastasis]

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I called TMDSAS and the "last time taken" thing refers to when you have taken the EXACT course over again. Here was my example:

I took gen. chem lab at my undergraduate school for my original undergraduate degree. At my u.g. school, this was 1 credit. Because prereqs for gen. chem. lab are 2 credits, I retook the course at a different institution. Even though they were essentially the same course, I was instructed to put "YES" for last time taken for both. Only put "NO" if you ever retook the exact same course.

Thanks for checking on that - that helps! 😀

 

[Zuerst]

Would an engineering seminar class be considered "other sciences?"

It was basically just listening to guest lecturers and doing a mock design paper. Not much scientific concept was taught?

 

[OSUdoc08]

😕

 

[Zuerst]

No. Engineering is not considered science.

On the 3rd page of this thread it was posted that engineering classes count as "other science," but it seems to me that this engineering seminar class is a bit different since no real science concept was taught?

 

[OSUdoc08]

On the 3rd page of this thread it was posted that engineering classes count as "other science," but it seems to me that this engineering seminar class is a bit different since no real science concept was taught?

It looks like TMDSAS may not have an engineering category, like the AMCAS does. I would contact TMDSAS for their opinion.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

It looks like TMDSAS may not have an engineering category, like the AMCAS does. I would contact TMDSAS for their opinion.

As I posted earlier in the thread, both Engineering and Computer Science classes are considered "Other Science" by TMDSAS. NOTE that this is different from AMCAS. If the Engineering Seminar were taught by an engineering department, it should be considered engineering, and therefore, "Other Science."

FWIW, Another question I asked about was Math classes (i.e. what do advanced math classes count as: "Other Science," or "Calculus and Statistics.") The answer I got from TMDSAS was that ALL Math classes are considered "Other science," except for Calculus and Statistics, which are considered "Calculus or Statistics."

 

[potato51]

I'm curious - assuming y'all are applying out of college or grad school - have you guys been advised by your pre-med offices to apply any differently for this cycle now that TMDSAS is accepting students partly on a rolling admissions basis?

Good luck with the application cycle. It's completely nutty especially approaching the critical dates (match day for us), but well worth it once you have an acceptance letter in hand (or come upon a login conspiracy).

 

[Pemberley]

For 1.5 semester credit hours enter as 1 or 2 hours. It won't let me put a decimal value. Only +ve integers.

EDIT: Just confirmed from TMDSAS. Round 1.5 to 2. 0.5 to 1. However something like 1.3 will round down to 1.

Here's a slightly different problem & answer: the thing won't let you put in double-digit credits (my undergrad had a funny credit system.) So, according to the TMDSAS administrative assistant who just e-mailed me, if you have a 10-credit class, enter it twice! As 5 credits each time.

Thought I'd put that out there, in case anybody else had the same question I did.

-Pemberley

 

[63768]

Yourmom, congrats on UNT! I wanted to do that program, but you're required to be a science major, so out of state I go. It's gonna be scary, but I hope that it helps get me in.

Question for you and other reapps: Are you writing a new PS and secondary essay?

haha thanks. sorry for the late reply; since i found out i was done for this year, i've been in SDN withdrawal, finishing my research manuscripts (1 published, 3 submitted, baby!). UNT actually didn't require a science major. i was a math econ at rice. good job getting into GT though, i think that has some more pull than the UNT program. in any case, best of luck to all of us!

and to your question, yes i'm rewriting my PS from scratch and i'm guessing the same goes for secondary essays.

 

[chaeymaey]

haha thanks. sorry for the late reply; since i found out i was done for this year, i've been in SDN withdrawal, finishing my research manuscripts (1 published, 3 submitted, baby!). UNT actually didn't require a science major. i was a math econ at rice. good job getting into GT though, i think that has some more pull than the UNT program. in any case, best of luck to all of us!

and to your question, yes i'm rewriting my PS from scratch and i'm guessing the same goes for secondary essays.

Damn, I really like my PS. I know I'll have to write a reapp essay, tho.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Here's a slightly different problem & answer: the thing won't let you put in double-digit credits (my undergrad had a funny credit system.) So, according to the TMDSAS administrative assistant who just e-mailed me, if you have a 10-credit class, enter it twice! As 5 credits each time.

Thought I'd put that out there, in case anybody else had the same question I did.

-Pemberley

Aren't you supposed top convert to credit (semester) hours for TMDSAS, or do you just leave them like AMCAS. I was pretty sure that you were supposed to convert "wierd" credits to semester hours for TMDSAS. Crap, if that is the case, I'm going to have to correct all of my credits, since my UG school used "units" where 3 units = 1 semester hpour.

 

[Twitch]

Anyone writing the 2 optional essays?

 

[potato51]

Why are they optional?

In truth, I don't think the adcoms want to read anything that isn't necessary or anything that doesn't add to your application unless it's really significant.

 

[Pemberley]

Aren't you supposed top convert to credit (semester) hours for TMDSAS, or do you just leave them like AMCAS. I was pretty sure that you were supposed to convert "wierd" credits to semester hours for TMDSAS. Crap, if that is the case, I'm going to have to correct all of my credits, since my UG school used "units" where 3 units = 1 semester hpour.

I would love to know how this works. In AMCAS, they multiply the number of credits by a factor provided to them by the school's registrar. AMCAS's multiplication factors are seriously saving my butt (giving a year of one course from both schools the same weight, even if a year of one course at one school is 27 credits and at normal schools is 6 credits.) Anybody have any idea how TMDSAS does the averaging for those of us with 4 different undergrad institutions using 3 radically different credit systems? 😕

-Pemberley

 

[dbzgohan]

Yourmom,
I am actually in the UNT postbac program (well now its a masters) right now. Its a pretty good program, and the places I interview with were really impressed by the classes I was taking, not many premeds can say they took a gross anatomy class with medical students. I really think one of reasons i matched to the school i did (UTSW) was b/c of this program. I think out of 33 students 6 or 7 of us matched in a texas school, not including those that got accepted to TCOM. So good luck

 

[chaeymaey]

Anyone writing the 2 optional essays?

I think there's only one optional essay. The other one is a reapplicant essay where reapps can explain what they have done to strengthen their app since they last applied.

 

[Twitch]

It's in Section 10 - Special Experiences:

(Optional Question) Briefly discuss any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to your application which have not previously been presented.
(Limited to 30 lines and 80 characters per line)

(Optional 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.
(Limited to 30 lines and 80 characters per line)

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I would love to know how this works. In AMCAS, they multiply the number of credits by a factor provided to them by the school's registrar. AMCAS's multiplication factors are seriously saving my butt (giving a year of one course from both schools the same weight, even if a year of one course at one school is 27 credits and at normal schools is 6 credits.) Anybody have any idea how TMDSAS does the averaging for those of us with 4 different undergrad institutions using 3 radically different credit systems? 😕

-Pemberley

I'll try to get around to calling them today (although I'm pretty busy at work) to ask. I never really asked about this -- I just assumed that I would do the conversion myself, until I filled out my AMCAS application which explicitly said NOT to do the conversion, etc.

They HAVE to convert the credits to semester hours (or some other common unit) to figure out the grades correctly. The only question for TMDSAS is whether they do the conversion or we do the conversion.

 

[potato51]

It's in Section 10 - Special Experiences:

(Optional Question) Briefly discuss any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to your application which have not previously been presented.
(Limited to 30 lines and 80 characters per line)

(Optional 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.
(Limited to 30 lines and 80 characters per line)

Interesting. I don't remember the 2nd question ever being on the application before.

 

[chaeymaey]

Yeah, that second question is new. To be honest, I haven't logged into TMDSAS this cycle.

 

[Pkboi24]

For the honors and awards, jobs, etc. they only allow you, I think, 6 lines. What if you have more than 6? Is it their intention for you to separate them by commas?

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

For the honors and awards, jobs, etc. they only allow you, I think, 6 lines. What if you have more than 6? Is it their intention for you to separate them by commas?

I was just going to ask a similar question. Doesn't the space that TMDSAS gives you for honors, awards, etc seem very constraining? I'm finding it hard to even list some of them, let alone explain any of them. Does that mean we have to explain them in the PS?

....and what's up with that "chronology of activities" section. How detailed are you all getting with that.

 

[potato51]

I agree, it's constraining. I wrote my entries continuously and separated them with semicolons.

As for chronology of activities, they give you an sample chronology I think. I'd say list things that took up more than 2 weeks of your time.

 

[TwinkleToes]

I agree, it's constraining. I wrote my entries continuously and separated them with semicolons.

As for chronology of activities, they give you an sample chronology I think. I'd say list things that took up more than 2 weeks of your time.

Yeah, I'm having issues with that too--do they really just want you to list experiences and dates without explanation? Seems a little strange to me. how can they possible get to know a candidate without any description?

 

[Pkboi24]

Yeah, I'm having issues with that too--do they really just want you to list experiences and dates without explanation? Seems a little strange to me. how can they possible get to know a candidate without any description?

What is an adequate description? Is this enough?

5/03 - 5/04 Clinical Assistant - Assisted with in surgery prep, patient transport, stocking supplies, etc.

Or should I write it in complete sentences such as:

As a clinical assistant I assisted....

Also, for the coursework we have to enter, does it have to be EXACTLY as it appears on the transcript? Can it deviate a little in terms of order, such as amongst courses taken in the same semester? For example:

Spring 2002 (entered in TMDSAS): BIO 325, BIO 221L, CH 369
Spring 2002 (as shown on transcript): CH 369, BIO 325, BIO 221L

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[potato51]

What is an adequate description? Is this enough?

5/03 - 5/04 Clinical Assistant - Assisted with in surgery prep, patient transport, stocking supplies, etc.

Or should I write it in complete sentences such as:

As a clinical assistant I assisted....

The first option. In fact I was even more brief than that. I listed job titles, the company I worked for, # hours per week and that was it. They just want to know generally what your life timeline has been since high school and that you've been doing something during those gaps between semesters.

Also, for the coursework we have to enter, does it have to be EXACTLY as it appears on the transcript? Can it deviate a little in terms of order, such as amongst courses taken in the same semester? For example:

I really, really doubt it needs to be in the exact order even within a semester. I think when they say to enter in coursework as on your transcript to enter in the same course descriptions.

 

[heyimnick]

Does anyone have a complete app finished, or are very close to being finished? I suppose I'm a little worried this time around because of it being rolling admissions this time around.


Whereas in the past, if you got it in sometime June or July you'd be ok (and I have to get it in early, being in the lower gpa/post bacc group), but NOW, I'm worried that if I dont have a complete application until the end of June, that I may be at a disadvantage.

 

[txfisher]

Does anyone have a complete app finished, or are very close to being finished? I suppose I'm a little worried this time around because of it being rolling admissions this time around.


Whereas in the past, if you got it in sometime June or July you'd be ok (and I have to get it in early, being in the lower gpa/post bacc group), but NOW, I'm worried that if I dont have a complete application until the end of June, that I may be at a disadvantage.

Yeah, today my premed advisor/commitee told me that we should have it in asap with the rolling admissions, like before the 15th of June. She said that if you got it in on the 1st of june it would probably take two weeks to process and if you got it in on the 15th it would probably take 4 weeks to process, so you would have a 4 week difference by waiting those two weeks.

 

[Pkboi24]

Yeah, today my premed advisor/commitee told me that we should have it in asap with the rolling admissions, like before the 15th of June. She said that if you got it in on the 1st of june it would probably take two weeks to process and if you got it in on the 15th it would probably take 4 weeks to process, so you would have a 4 week difference by waiting those two weeks.

I was under the impression that they wouldn't even look at it until July, since the current app cycle isn't even over yet. I could be wrong. Anyways, I'm almost done except for chronology of activities and personal statement.

I'm still deciding whether or not I should write those two optional essays.

Any suggestions?

 

[DesiMcatAcer]

I was under the impression that they wouldn't even look at it until July, since the current app cycle isn't even over yet. I could be wrong. Anyways, I'm almost done except for chronology of activities and personal statement.

I'm still deciding whether or not I should write those two optional essays.

Any suggestions?

Agreed, I also thought they will not look at it till July, so as long as its in end of June or beginning July, I hope we should be good to go 😕

 

[txfisher]

Agreed, I also thought they will not look at it till July, so as long as its in end of June or beginning July, I hope we should be good to go 😕

Yeah they won't look at it until they get it, but tmdsas won't send it for up to a month after it is complete, at least according to my advisor.
And my advisor also said that I should really do the second optional essay, but then again, what kind of diversity does another WASP bring to the medical field?

 

[Pkboi24]

Yeah they won't look at it until they get it, but tmdsas won't send it for up to a month after it is complete, at least according to my advisor.
And my advisor also said that I should really do the second optional essay, but then again, what kind of diversity does another WASP bring to the medical field?

It's not who you are but what you believe that matters. If you have a unique point of view on anything, I would write about that.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

What about MCAT scores? For those of us that took the MCAT in April, scores won't be ready until Jun. 22 or thereabouts (TPR rumors of June 7 scores aside)

I doubt you'd be at a serious disadvantage by submitting in late Jun., since most applicants won't have an MCAT score until then anyway.

Now, if the TPR rumors of Jun. 7 MCAT scores are true, then that might change things.

 

[DesiMcatAcer]

What about MCAT scores? For those of us that took the MCAT in April, scores won't be ready until Jun. 22 or thereabouts (TPR rumors of June 7 scores aside)

I doubt you'd be at a serious advantage by submitting in late Jun., since most applicants won't have an MCAT score until then anyway.

Now, if the TPR rumors of Jun. 7 MCAT scores are true, then that might change things.

Agreed

 

[OSUdoc08]

What about MCAT scores? For those of us that took the MCAT in April, scores won't be ready until Jun. 22 or thereabouts (TPR rumors of June 7 scores aside)

I doubt you'd be at a serious advantage by submitting in late Jun., since most applicants won't have an MCAT score until then anyway.

Now, if the TPR rumors of Jun. 7 MCAT scores are true, then that might change things.

Since it takes 2 months to process, if you submit your application on day 1, it STILL wont be ready when the MCAT scores come.

 

[heyimnick]

BUMPING this up.


Anyone else has heard about the best window to turn in the 07 app, and so forth?


I'd think to agree with those of you that say that as long as it's all in by June's end, we should be ok, but I'm not totally sure.

 

[OSUdoc08]

BUMPING this up.


Anyone else has heard about the best window to turn in the 07 app, and so forth?


I'd think to agree with those of you that say that as long as it's all in by June's end, we should be ok, but I'm not totally sure.

What are you not sure about? 😕

 

[heyimnick]

What are you not sure about? 😕

I'm not sure whether if (hypothetically) I had my TMDSAS application totally complete (LOR's in, etc) by late June, if that would make a difference compared to having it complete in, say, early June.

I just wanted to have a rough idea of when I can have it in so that I'd be in the running for the earliest batch of potential interviews. I know that I probably won't be able to have a complete application until mid to late June, so I just wanted to see where that puts my application in the pecking order when it comes to this new rolling admissions process.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I'm not sure whether if (hypothetically) I had my TMDSAS application totally complete (LOR's in, etc) by late June, if that would make a difference compared to having it complete in, say, early June.

I just wanted to have a rough idea of when I can have it in so that I'd be in the running for the earliest batch of potential interviews. I know that I probably won't be able to have a complete application until mid to late June, so I just wanted to see where that puts my application in the pecking order when it comes to this new rolling admissions process.

No, it won't make much of a difference. It will make a difference if you start holding over to August, since your application will get approved around the same time as all of the people taking the August MCAT. It will cause a lengthy hold up.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Since it takes 2 months to process, if you submit your application on day 1, it STILL wont be ready when the MCAT scores come.

2 MONTHS? I thought TMDSAS said "UP to 2 months." From what I heard, processing early (like in Jun.) was significantly faster (more like 2 WEEKS.) Is this not the case? Also, I didn't think that they started processing your application until they received your MCAT scores.

 

[OSUdoc08]

2 MONTHS? I thought TMDSAS said "UP to 2 months." From what I heard, processing early (like in Jun.) was significantly faster (more like 2 WEEKS.) Is this not the case? Also, I didn't think that they started processing your application until they received your MCAT scores.

NO, it is not the case.

And yes, they start processing before they recieve your scores.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

NO, it is not the case.

And yes, they start processing before they recieve your scores.

Thanks -- that's good info to know. So, it really IS in your best interest to submit as early as possible. Do you know if they start processing before LORs are received, as well?

Thanks,

Jota

 

[OSUdoc08]

Thanks -- that's good info to know. So, it really IS in your best interest to submit as early as possible. Do you know if they start processing before LORs are received, as well?

Thanks,

Jota

Yes, they do. I remember having the application processed and waiting on one letter of recommendation for the longest time. These things should be the first thing you worry about getting sent in.

 

[Pkboi24]

For Section 6 4b. What did you guys put for significant leisure time activity? For me this would be reading and disc-golf, but obviously I can't put that down. They even go as far as to ask for inclusive dates and hrs/wk.

"Lost" viewing (08/03 - present)

Any suggestions?

 

[potato51]

Remember, you can only submit your primary TMDSAS application only after your spring transcript (if you're in school) has been sent there. For most people that will be late May at the earliest.

 

[Pkboi24]

Remember, you can only submit your primary TMDSAS application only after your spring transcript (if you're in school) has been sent there. For most people that will be late May at the earliest.

Wait, I was under the impression that you could only send your transcripts AFTER you had submitted your application.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Wait, I was under the impression that you could only send your transcripts AFTER you had submitted your application.

You are correct.

 

[Pkboi24]

You are correct.

NO, it is not the case.

Haha, OSUdoc would be perfect as a game show host.

 

[potato51]

Wait, I was under the impression that you could only send your transcripts AFTER you had submitted your application.

You're right, I apologize. What I meant was that grades for the spring have to be entered into your coursework section before you can submit.

http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/

Grades for courses taken during the spring 2006 semester must be included on your Record of College Work (Section 11) BEFORE YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR
APPLICATION.

 

[aerodivya]

In sending the transcrips, how many from each school do we send to TMDSAS and is there any other information we should include with them?
Also, how do we check if the transcripts have been received?