Tmdsas 2010

[RK.md]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Good luck to everyone applying this cycle, and enjoy the new (and somewhat buggy) website! 🙂 Feel free to PM me if you have any questions for someone who applied to TMDSAS this past cycle. Be sure to check out the link in my signature to give you some insight about how my experience with the TMDSAS went.

 

[cher25]

Hey Guys,

In the Employment and Activities section, are you guys using the 300 characters to describe what you did or its impact on you? The reason I ask is because some of the job titles are self-explanatory. For example, research assistant, or medical assitant. I was thinking that it may be more beneficial to discuss how these jobs shaped me vs the duties since most MA and RA duties are known.

How are you guys answering this part?

Thanks.

 

[thinker]

I would probably mention a bit about both.. duties + impact. just make sure to leave some aspect about each experience to talk about in interview. u don't want to spell everything out.

 

[iPodtosis]

Hi guys.... just wondering, when you put down the description for the EC, how long did you write, and how detail do you have to be?

Just a side note.... Taiwan was not listed as a country.... what a sad thing lol...

 

[raaska55]

Use bullet points and straight to the point sentences. Talk about the things they want to hear about -relevant to medicine or leadership etc.

 

[Confused2626]

Does anybody have TMDSAS recognizing on the website that they've received transcripts and/or MCAT scores?

I had my transcripts sent the 18th, and AAMC recognized that TMDSAS took my MCAT score on the 25th after I released the score, but none of this is appearing on the website.

Is it still because the site is buggy, or have any of you gotten TMDSAS recognition?

 

[hanjg]

TMDSAS has one of my transcripts and no MCAT. I called and the nice lady 😉 said that they get a batch of MCAT scores sent at all at once. "Don't worry." My cc classes from dual-credit also appear on the screen but when I print the app they are gone. She said that was a system glitch and they would have it corrected but I could submit anyway. I think I'll wait a couple days. 🙄

 

[CyclistOK]

I am having the same problem with my MCAT score and transcript.

 

[van wilder]

How are you guys entering publications into the new TMDSAS? The 'Research Activities' tab is structured more for jobs. Would putting them in the personal statement be okay?

Also, the chronology of activities seems really messed up, it automatically compiles for you, but it's showing all of my academic terms 2 or 3 times in a row.

 

[cher25]

How are you guys entering publications into the new TMDSAS? The 'Research Activities' tab is structured more for jobs. Would putting them in the personal statement be okay?

Also, the chronology of activities seems really messed up, it automatically compiles for you, but it's showing all of my academic terms 2 or 3 times in a row.

It does seem to be more geared for jobs. However, I put "publication" in the Activity Section, the date of the publication for the start month and year, and the same publication date, for the end month and year.

In the description, I put the publication description, including title and what the research entailed.

For hours I approximated how much time it took for me to do the research that is highlighted in the publication.

 

[Isabell Ringing]

Hi all. Im from Texas and new to the forum. I just have some quick questions:
1. How much weight do med schools put on SAT scores
2. On the MCAT, do Med schools look at your highest score from each section or in one sitting
3. On the TMDSAS, theres a place for us to list non-tmdsas schools, how accurate does this answer have to be?
4. If senior year I plan to take a lot of electives, should I put all of them. I dont even know what im going to sign up for spring semester though...
5. When should I send thank you's to my letter of rec writers and should I include a gift too?

Thanks for the advice/suggestions!

 

[meerkatmd]

Hi all. Im from Texas and new to the forum. I just have some quick questions:
1. How much weight do med schools put on SAT scores
2. On the MCAT, do Med schools look at your highest score from each section or in one sitting
3. On the TMDSAS, theres a place for us to list non-tmdsas schools, how accurate does this answer have to be?
4. If senior year I plan to take a lot of electives, should I put all of them. I dont even know what im going to sign up for spring semester though...
5. When should I send thank you's to my letter of rec writers and should I include a gift too?

Thanks for the advice/suggestions!

in addition to these, i am curious:

does tmdsas not "look for" your mcat score until you submit? because i have had that section saved for like a week now and it hasnt found my score yet...

also, how much weight is put on the "optional" essays? Do they need to be as intensely worked out as the personal statement? I ask because my advisor didnt tell me to do them until like a day ago... and I had planned to get my app in really quickly.

thanks guys

 

[van wilder]

It does seem to be more geared for jobs. However, I put "publication" in the Activity Section, the date of the publication for the start month and year, and the same publication date, for the end month and year.

In the description, I put the publication description, including title and what the research entailed.

For hours I approximated how much time it took for me to do the research that is highlighted in the publication.

Thank you cher25, that is helpful.

 

[briton]

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it =] BTW, I just gave a call to tmdsas. Contrary to what is written on their website, the lady told me that my overseas credits WILL be counted towards my tmdsas gpa...=[ I think my tmdsas gpa will be around 3.8, while my amcas gpa is 4... Damn!

I have just been through the last cycle and I can tell you that the overseas classes are NOT included in your TMDSAS GPA (unless this year is the first year) The only exception to this is when they appear as credit on your US transcript.

One reason that they want the transcripts from overseas is that many people have a degree from overseas but only 90 hours from the US. Some schools require you to have completed a bachelors degree but do not mind whether it is from overseas or from the US, as long as you have the 90 hours in the US. This is where the transcript comes in - it is used to verify that you have a degree.

 

[raaska55]

it sounds like TMDSAS and their new website is screwy, so I'll just answer what I can

Hi all. Im from Texas and new to the forum. I just have some quick questions:
1. How much weight do med schools put on SAT scores

??? I know they ask for it on TMDSAS but I don't think it matters much

2. On the MCAT, do Med schools look at your highest score from each section or in one sitting

Every school does it differently, but generally the most important thing is they want to see an improvement and uptrend in your MCAT scores.

3. On the TMDSAS, theres a place for us to list non-tmdsas schools, how accurate does this answer have to be?

Not very, I think it's just for survey purposes or something

4. If senior year I plan to take a lot of electives, should I put all of them. I dont even know what im going to sign up for spring semester though...

YES, and do them. Don't get lazy because the application is in. It'll you give something fresh to talk about in your interviews as well as update letters.

5. When should I send thank you's to my letter of rec writers and should I include a gift too?

As soon as they submit your letters, and a small gift card or candy will do.

does tmdsas not "look for" your mcat score until you submit? because i have had that section saved for like a week now and it hasnt found my score yet...

This is odd to me....last year I sent my score from AAMC and it showed up the next day on TMDSAS. They have a new website and apparently glitches? I read something earlier on here that they are getting scores in batches? Just keep on it.

also, how much weight is put on the "optional" essays? Do they need to be as intensely worked out as the personal statement? I ask because my advisor didnt tell me to do them until like a day ago... and I had planned to get my app in really quickly.

thanks guys

Do the optional essays, stick to their length requirements, and they are important, especially the one about diversity within the student body. The life circumstances one you should only do if you have a legit story, don't make something up for the sake of it.

This is a place on your app where you can really emphasize your uniqueness and talk about something that doesn't really fit into the application elsewhere. Also, a place you can expand on something that didn't flow with your PS. It's worth the extra couple of days of putting off your app.

Hope that helps 🙂

 

[hanjg]

I hit submit tonight. Good luck to all of us. See you on the other side. 😀

 

[meerkatmd]

do all the tabs at the bottom of the home screen have to be blue before submitting? i wonder becasue one of mine says complete but it is red... and red makes me think something is wrong. just curious...

 

[longhorn09]

Hi guys, I have a question regarding on the essays required by TMDSAS. Talking about the required 5000 characters essay in TMDSAS, I've noticed that the topic of this essay is slightly different than the 5300 characters essay in AMCAS. The AMCAS one is about why medicine, and why you fit medicine,but the TMDSAS one is about why medicine, and what's your goal in the medical field. So my question is, CAN I USE the AMCAS essay for the TMDSAS required essay WITHOUT modification? Thanks!👍

 

[raaska55]

Hi guys, I have a question regarding on the essays required by TMDSAS. Talking about the required 5000 characters essay in TMDSAS, I've noticed that the topic of this essay is slightly different than the 5300 characters essay in AMCAS. The AMCAS one is about why medicine, and why you fit medicine,but the TMDSAS one is about why medicine, and what's your goal in the medical field. So my question is, CAN I USE the AMCAS essay for the TMDSAS required essay WITHOUT modification? Thanks!👍

yes, most people do


make why you fit medicine= goal in the medical field

 

[iPodtosis]

Hi all, I have a question about the way you guys enter the EC. If you are currently volunteering, for the "total cumulative hours", did you put down how much you have done, or how much you planned to do?
Also for the courses I took at community college and transfer to my undergrad university, do I list them under both institution, or just under community college?
Thanks

 

[Isabell Ringing]

ipodtosis, I would try and answer your questions but I barely started my application. Sorry! But I have a question too, do we send our transcripts to this address:

Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service
702 Colorado Street, Suite 6.400
Austin, Texas 78701

 

[iPodtosis]

Hey Isabell, actually NO. TMDSAS uses interfolio and you send the transcript to interfolio. Are you using interfolio with ur LOR? YOu need to submit your transcript along with the transcript request form from interfolio.

 

[longhorn09]

Hi all, I have a question about the way you guys enter the EC. If you are currently volunteering, for the "total cumulative hours", did you put down how much you have done, or how much you planned to do?
Also for the courses I took at community college and transfer to my undergrad university, do I list them under both institution, or just under community college?
Thanks

For the second question, you only list those under the community college.

 

[longhorn09]

Hey Isabell, actually NO. TMDSAS uses interfolio and you send the transcript to interfolio. Are you using interfolio with ur LOR? YOu need to submit your transcript along with the transcript request form from interfolio.

yes, I remember the interfolio's address in somewhere in Washingto DC.

 

[iPodtosis]

Correct Address should be
Interfolio, Inc.
1900L Street, NW#603
Washington, DC 20036

Under the Leisure activities section, I want to put down swimming.... but I didn't take any swimming class in college, is that ok? does the leisure activity have to be something verifiable?

 

[Confused2626]

For those who have submitted their application...I am just curious what status updates I should expect as time goes on.

So far, I have
"Waiting on Payment" (after I submitted it turned to this by every school)
"Submitted to TMDSAS" (what it switched to, also by each school)

Does the submitted to TMDSAS mean that each school now has my application, or is it going through verification right now? Anybody know?

 

[RecyclingBinh]

ipodtosis, I would try and answer your questions but I barely started my application. Sorry! But I have a question too, do we send our transcripts to this address:

Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service
702 Colorado Street, Suite 6.400
Austin, Texas 78701

umm...you should print out a transcript page and have your school attach that page to your transcript. that page has a bar code on it where TMDSAS can scan to identify you when they receive it. same goes for LOR. without that form, they can't identify you.

For those who have submitted their application...I am just curious what status updates I should expect as time goes on.

So far, I have
"Waiting on Payment" (after I submitted it turned to this by every school)
"Submitted to TMDSAS" (what it switched to, also by each school)

Does the submitted to TMDSAS mean that each school now has my application, or is it going through verification right now? Anybody know?

TMDSAS won't do anything further until they receive your payment. Schools won't have them until TMDSAS verifies it.

Correct Address should be
Interfolio, Inc.
1900L Street, NW#603
Washington, DC 20036

Under the Leisure activities section, I want to put down swimming.... but I didn't take any swimming class in college, is that ok? does the leisure activity have to be something verifiable?

i put down swimming too. never had real training but it's still an activity. just put it down. adcom just want to see a real human and not a pre-med robot.

seriously...you guys are taking the activities thign too seriously. just breathe and don't overkill. I stressed out on the description of the activities but in the end...i still worry about it after submitting my application.

Good luck to all of us 2014ers!!!

 

[Confused2626]

TMDSAS won't do anything further until they receive your payment. Schools won't have them until TMDSAS verifies it.

Does "Submitted to TMDSAS" mean they got my payment because it switched from "Waiting for Payment?". I'm just curious if "Submitted to TMDSAS" means they are verifying my transcript, or if they are sending it out to schools.

 

[craming]

Hey everyone. On my tmdsas, the button for "Request Test Scores" has turned green after submitting my scores from thx 2 days ago, but it still says "No" right next to it. Does this mean anything? lol

 

[RecyclingBinh]

Does "Submitted to TMDSAS" mean they got my payment because it switched from "Waiting for Payment?". I'm just curious if "Submitted to TMDSAS" means they are verifying my transcript, or if they are sending it out to schools.

submitted jsut means you click submit. however...they won't verify anything until they receive the payment.

Hey everyone. On my tmdsas, the button for "Request Test Scores" has turned green after submitting my scores from thx 2 days ago, but it still says "No" right next to it. Does this mean anything? lol

same thing happened to me. they will verify the scores when they receive your payment. sucks that they don't take credit card. only checks or meny order which thakes forever.

good luck everyone. we'll need it.

 

[T12]

Does anyone show their MCAT scores to be recognized by TMDSAS yet? The lady told me yesterday that AAMC had changed its file type and they wouldn't be able to obtain anyone's scores from this point for a while.

 

[cher25]

I'm quite frustrated because I submitted my application today and it seems that my essays were all reformatted. All of my indentations were removed and there is nothing distinguishing one paragraph from another. When I looked at my application summary before submitting, this was not the case. After I submitted, I noticed the change. I don't want the med schools to think that I wrote one big block of info and didn't have enough intelligence to separate paragraphs. I have written into the help desk regarding this.

Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[agg2010]

same problem with the essays...

to those of you who have done the secondaries... what are y'alls thoughts on saying N/A to #16 on the TAMHSC app?

"Describe any circumstances indicative of some hardship, such as, but not limited to, financial difficulties, personal or family illness, a medical condition, a death in the family, educational disadvantage, or disability. (Do not leave blank. If not applicable, please so indicate.)"

I thought about talking about how my parents were only willing to pay for half of my college, so i had to work really hard to get lots of scholarships/ work hard during summers. i kinda got the feeling they were asking for something really dramatic, and if thats the case i don't have much to offer. also, i don't really wanna put seeds of doubt in their minds about my ability to pay for med school.

Thoughts?

 

[iPodtosis]

My thought would be just put N/A for that question. I heard that adcom can sniff the BS and it will impact ur app more negatively than putting N/A.
Any other opinions? I'm interesting about this question too. I already wrote the optional essay about challenging part of your life and I don't want to repeat the same thing in the secondary....

 

[RecyclingBinh]

My thought would be just put N/A for that question. I heard that adcom can sniff the BS and it will impact ur app more negatively than putting N/A.
Any other opinions? I'm interesting about this question too. I already wrote the optional essay about challenging part of your life and I don't want to repeat the same thing in the secondary....

i have the same problem. i mentioned my family's socioeconomic background in my optional essay. i think rementioning it again on the A&M one won't hurt.

 

[RecyclingBinh]

have yall done the UTSW & Tech yet?

 

[Vanguard23]

I'm quite frustrated because I submitted my application today and it seems that my essays were all reformatted. All of my indentations were removed and there is nothing distinguishing one paragraph from another. When I looked at my application summary before submitting, this was not the case. After I submitted, I noticed the change. I don't want the med schools to think that I wrote one big block of info and didn't have enough intelligence to separate paragraphs. I have written into the help desk regarding this.

Has anyone else noticed this?

It WILL be one big block of text. I asked them and they said this is the way the medical schools prefer it.

 

[raaska55]

I'm quite frustrated because I submitted my application today and it seems that my essays were all reformatted. All of my indentations were removed and there is nothing distinguishing one paragraph from another. When I looked at my application summary before submitting, this was not the case. After I submitted, I noticed the change. I don't want the med schools to think that I wrote one big block of info and didn't have enough intelligence to separate paragraphs. I have written into the help desk regarding this.

Has anyone else noticed this?

It happens to everyone.You can use the space bar instead of the indent button, from what I remember. Schools understand the unpleasantness of the TMDSAS website, not a big deal 🙂

same problem with the essays...

to those of you who have done the secondaries... what are y'alls thoughts on saying N/A to #16 on the TAMHSC app?

"Describe any circumstances indicative of some hardship, such as, but not limited to, financial difficulties, personal or family illness, a medical condition, a death in the family, educational disadvantage, or disability. (Do not leave blank. If not applicable, please so indicate.)"

I thought about talking about how my parents were only willing to pay for half of my college, so i had to work really hard to get lots of scholarships/ work hard during summers. i kinda got the feeling they were asking for something really dramatic, and if thats the case i don't have much to offer. also, i don't really wanna put seeds of doubt in their minds about my ability to pay for med school.

Thoughts?

I actually think you should fill it out.

You worked hard to pay for your education, which shows dedication. And, it shows that you were able to work and maintain course loads. No med school is not going to choose you based on the fact that your parents aren't going to pay for med school. Nor do they expect you to have the funds to pay for it yourself.

Keep it short and straight to the point. Don't fill it with a lot of emotion words but just explain the situation as is.

 

[iPodtosis]

so it's ok to repeat what you have mentioned in the optional essay again in the secondaries?

 

[raaska55]

so it's ok to repeat what you have mentioned in the optional essay again in the secondaries?

My topic for my entire PS was an extenuating circumstance-family illness. So in the TMDSAS optional essay I wrote "Please refer to primary essay" or whatever.

If the same topic was asked in a secondary, I mentioned the fact that I had already talked about it by starting off the essay with something along the lines of "As I discussed in my TMDSAS primary essay......" and tried rewording or used a slightly different perspective . You could do the same except say you talked about it in the OPTIONAL, not primary essay.

I think it's ok because you are giving them a heads up-you know that you are sort of repeating it, but you are being CONSISTENT throughout the applications. Just make it feel a little fresh, no copying and pasting the same essay. That's my opinion 🙂

 

[cher25]

It WILL be one big block of text. I asked them and they said this is the way the medical schools prefer it.

Thanks for the reply. They e-mailed me this morning with the same response.

 

[iPodtosis]

I am using interfolio to manage my LORs, and I also sent my transcripts there. I know TMDSAS is affiliated with interfolio, so when I submit my TMDSAS application, do they automatically receive the LORs and the transcript from interfolio, or I have to make a delivery myself from interfolio and send it to TMDSAS?
thanks

 

[agg2010]

As long as you put the barcode page with your trascript/LOR that is mailed to interfolio, i think they'll be able to tell that it is associated with tmdsas and will send it for you. i'm not 100% sure if this applies to the LOR, but one of my transcripts showed up on my tmdsas account today and i never had to ask interfolio to send it.

 

[longhorn09]

Can anyone take a look at it can help me please? Thx you in advance.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=634535 😀

 

[twoinone]

does anyone's TMDSAS reflects receipt of their transcripts?

 

[maggie08]

hey kids!

Just wanted to make sure y'all know about the Republic of Texas threads, which are specifically for TMDSAS related discussions, and are frequented by former applicants who give out advice/answer questions/etc.

(I'm not trying to hurt the discussion on this thread or anything--just wanted you to know that the RoT threads have been running for many years (new thread every 1000posts) and there's quite a few seasoned 'experts' that check in fairly often if you have questions that can't be answered here. Not to mention all the 2013ers (me included) have been wondering where y'all were, being that the season's just opened!!!😀)

Good luck this cycle!!!

 

[cher25]

does anyone's TMDSAS reflects receipt of their transcripts?

Yes, mine reflect receipt of all of my transcripts. Once they receive them, they will send you an e-mail confirmation. It took about 2 weeks for them to acknowledge receipt from the time that I had them sent.

 

[bobsagat]

Just wanted to make sure y'all know about the Republic of Texas threads, which are specifically for TMDSAS related discussions, and are frequented by former applicants who give out advice/answer questions/etc.

We don't bite

often.

 

[raaska55]

I think, especially TTU in Lubbock, is definitely worth applying to. People who have interviewed there, have raved about it. Everything-faculty, facilities, curriculum, etc. And I know a lot of people who were really excited about TTU-EP. I say there is no harm in paying the extra $20 or $30 to apply, and then determining if it's right for you after you get an interview.

If you search through some of the old Republic of Texas threads, or even post in there with questions, there are lots of students who would be able to help you out. 🙂

Edit: While looking through the old ROT thread for the picture post, I noticed I already gave my $.02 about this to you longhorn09. Sorry for the repeat

I tried maggie 😳

 

[maggie08]

Hey CyclistOK, what do you think about the two TTECH med schools? Do you think they're worth applying?

I think, especially TTU in Lubbock, is definitely worth applying to. People who have interviewed there, have raved about it. Everything-faculty, facilities, curriculum, etc. And I know a lot of people who were really excited about TTU-EP. I say there is no harm in paying the extra $20 or $30 to apply, and then determining if it's right for you after you get an interview.

If you search through some of the old Republic of Texas threads, or even post in there with questions, there are lots of students who would be able to help you out.

Edit: While looking through the old ROT thread for the picture post, I noticed I already gave my $.02 about this to you longhorn09. Sorry for the repeat

I tried maggie 😳

haha, thanks raaska!!! to the OP (and anyone else) you would be INSANE to not 'blanketly' apply to ALL the texas schools.

remember that all the tmdsas adcoms can see which other tmdsas school you applied to. They will question your motive for not applying to them all, espcially since it's so cheap.

then after the application, say you're completely sure you don't want to go to tcom for example, THEN at that point you can: not do the secondary, not attend the interview, or not rank them in the match, etc.

if you choose not to apply to a school, you better have d@mn good reason for doing so 🙂 (and can explain it in your interview without sounding cocky and as though you didn't 'need' the school in your school-list because you're sure you can get in to a better school🙂), because i guarantee you will be asked about why you didn't apply to such-and-such school in your interviews (it happens to people every year) 🙂.

Now, about tech specifically... i had several other options of pre-match schools and chose tech over them (not to mention what i could have gotten in the match.) That might sound crazy to you right now (seriously--a couple of years ago i joked "if tech's the only place i get in, I'll take that as a sign i'm not supposed to go to med school". But I urge you to give them a chance--I think they'll surprise you during interview season!!!
check out my mdapps for more info / opinions i had about each school.

also, I just reread this thread in it's entirety, and there are a LOT of questions here that can be answered in the RoT thread. That's what the RoT thread is for! 😀 Every year it's repopulated with the new class, all going through the process together, helping each other out on the stuff that they're all doing at the same time, and puncuated with advice from peeps who have been there before!!! Strong bonds form across all years: MS0-MS4--plus it's a great place to meet new classmates!!! (...it's kinda a little sad that the tradition is being broken this year🙁, but i know you're probably just eager to do your own thing.)


So if there comes a point when you feel like it's the blind leading the blind (that's not an insult--its just the way this crazy tmdsas process is!!!😎), then carry the discussion on over to the RoT thread!!!!

(and as mentioned--fyi, a new thread is made every 1000ish posts, which is why it's the "RoT XXVIII", and why it looks 'new'. Also, if you happen across the previous RoT thread, we've been all wondering where y'all (class of 2014) are, and have been waiting to welcome you to this crazy process!!!!)