*~*~*TMDSAS 2018*~*~*

[Advance]

Well, TMDSAS is opening next week so it's about time for a new thread.

You know the drill

Interview/Acceptance/Rejection
School:
Notification date:
Interview/Acceptance/Rejection date:
Method of notification:
TMDSAS mail-out date:
Application received date:
GPA (BCPM, Overall):
DAT (AA/TS/PAT/Reading/any section below a 17):

Try to use this format when receiving an interview, acceptance or rejection to keep things organized.

May the adcoms be in your favor.

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[Stanelz]

Good luck everyone! Hope I get to meet some of you at interviews! Dallas resident hoping to be accepted at any TX school

 

[comitan21]

 

[TQT6985]

Can't believe it...It's been a year already.


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[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

Can't believe it...It's been a year already.


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Right? And we still have another four months to go before it starts, the process is so drawn out and quick at the same time lol.

 

[d_risi]

I was talking to my friend who got accepted this last cycle to UTHSCH and he showed me the most recent admission statistics (not yet released to the public). Apparently, UTHSCSA has increased their class size to ~153 students starting this year. It should increase our chances minimally.

Has anyone else heard this too?

 

[Advance]

I was talking to my friend who got accepted this last cycle to UTHSCH and he showed me the most recent admission statistics (not yet released to the public). Apparently, UTHSCSA has increased their class size to ~153 students starting this year. It should increase our chances minimally.

Has anyone else heard this too?

Interesting, haven't heard about that.

 

[cacajuate]

I was talking to my friend who got accepted this last cycle to UTHSCH and he showed me the most recent admission statistics (not yet released to the public). Apparently, UTHSCSA has increased their class size to ~153 students starting this year. It should increase our chances minimally.

Has anyone else heard this too?

This is not true.

 

[BellaNella]

I was talking to my friend who got accepted this last cycle to UTHSCH and he showed me the most recent admission statistics (not yet released to the public). Apparently, UTHSCSA has increased their class size to ~153 students starting this year. It should increase our chances minimally.

Has anyone else heard this too?

That is definitely not true. There is not enough space in the sim labs or the clinic to support that number of students.

 

[Thane]

May the odds be ever in your favor!

 

[aggietxdent]

If anyone has any questions or needs help and doesn't want to post it on here, you can PM me. I don't mind helping at all and it's all relatively fresh in my mind from last year. Good luck!


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[gomavz41]

I have a question regarding the TMDSAS application. The app asks for your SAT and ACT scores, do you put your superscore or your best score from a single sitting?

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

I have a question regarding the TMDSAS application. The app asks for your SAT and ACT scores, do you put your superscore or your best score from a single sitting?

Best score

 

[txdentalgrl]

Still waiting to hear back from schools for last cycle but I am starting to fill out the app for 2018. Do you guys think it is detrimental to not put anything in the "unique experiences" statement? I am sure I could think of something but I'm not sure if its worse to stretch it and put something dorky there or just leave it blank. I know it is optional but sometimes optional means "You dont HAVE to but you really SHOULD" haha.

 

[Advance]

Still waiting to hear back from schools for last cycle but I am starting to fill out the app for 2018. Do you guys think it is detrimental to not put anything in the "unique experiences" statement? I am sure I could think of something but I'm not sure if its worse to stretch it and put something dorky there or just leave it blank. I know it is optional but sometimes optional means "You dont HAVE to but you really SHOULD" haha.

Like you said. You don't have to, but you really should. I hope you hear back!

 

[predent000]

Still waiting to hear back from schools for last cycle but I am starting to fill out the app for 2018. Do you guys think it is detrimental to not put anything in the "unique experiences" statement? I am sure I could think of something but I'm not sure if its worse to stretch it and put something dorky there or just leave it blank. I know it is optional but sometimes optional means "You dont HAVE to but you really SHOULD" haha.

Fill it out. I remember I had the chance to hear tips from admissions at Dallas, and she said just do it. She told us to think like admissions, they want to know as much as they can about you, having that not filled makes you not any different from other applicants. Try and make yourself stand out. If you feel it's a stretch, let someone read it or go to a career center on your campus or something, they really help you!

 

[Polkadotfan]

Ya'll got this! I hope everyone has a great cycle!

 

[Carbohydrates]

May the force be with y'all.

 

[dasa_49]

.

 

[austin_dent]

Still waiting to hear back from schools for last cycle but I am starting to fill out the app for 2018. Do you guys think it is detrimental to not put anything in the "unique experiences" statement? I am sure I could think of something but I'm not sure if its worse to stretch it and put something dorky there or just leave it blank. I know it is optional but sometimes optional means "You dont HAVE to but you really SHOULD" haha.

You definitely should. I remember at an interview they said like 85% of the accepted applicants completed all essays.

 

[irishson2]

Anyone else done with their applications and ready to click submit?! Sent transcripts yesterday..so excited! Proofreading my essays like crazy right now.

Most applicants submit their application by June. Like my case, I'm waiting to finish this semester so I can sent the transcripts that contain this semester grades.


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[Stanelz]

Most applicants submit their application by June. Like my case, I'm waiting to finish this semester so I can sent the transcripts that contain this semester grades.


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Smart move. Only submit early if you are not enrolled in Spring 2017. Otherwise June

 

[irishson2]

Smart move. Only submit early if you are not enrolled in Spring 2017. Otherwise June

Not all people are lucky as you to submit this early


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[comitan21]

Quick question! Can I have my LORs and Transcripts sent in without having my application submitted?

 

[irishson2]

Quick question! Can I have my LORs and Transcripts sent in without having my application submitted?

Yes, as long as you have a TMDSAS I'd number.


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[dentistforlifeeee]

Quick question! Can I have my LORs and Transcripts sent in without having my application submitted?

Yes! Make sure to send the transcript request form with your transcript and add your TMDSAS ID on the rec letters (not sure if this is 100% required but they do say you should have it). You can do that on interfolio right before sending letters or if you're not using interfolio, you can have your recommenders put it in the letter

 

[aggietxdent]

Some tips I’ve learned about applying (and free advice that personally cost me way too much money)

1. It’s totally OK to wait on submitting your application. I spoke with an advisor about this and it’s so much better to wait and have everything as perfect as possible than to submit an app just for the sake of being “early”. I’m talking about things like spelling errors, weird spaces in your app, wrong categories for classes, not putting down absolutely everything, etc
2. Reschedule that DAT if you need to. That’s what I did. I had my goal on studying for 4 weeks but a week before I was scheduled to take it I knew I wasn’t ready yet so I gave myself another 2 weeks. This was the same summer I was applying but it’s much better to submit “late” (wasn’t even that late TBH it was still the first week of July) and go from that 20 to a 22 than to take it because you think you’re rushed for time.
3. If you’ve studying for the DAT and you need some motivation, go find a dentist and shadow them!! I know studying for the DAT is time consuming, but if you just take like 2 hours out of your week to go shadow a dentist, it’ll help so much in keeping everything in perspective and you are able to better visualize your goals. I would always go shadow this awesome dentist on Friday mornings when he would do his cool surgical cases (3rd molar extracts, implants) and it was really what I needed to keep me going.
4. San Antonio has literally told me they don’t really care about your PA or QR sections on the DAT. It’s all about that sweet sweet TS score. I mean don’t embarrass yourself with like a 12 but focus on the sciences.
5. If you’re getting your app together and you want to add something that’s very easy but very noticeable, go shadow some specialists! Doesn’t require much effort but it’ll help add some spice to your app and show that you’ve really taken the time to give a holistic look to the profession of dentistry as a whole. Plus, if any of the student interviewers are going into a specialty, you can always talk with them about your experience.
6. Do the damn “optional” ANYTHING. It’s optional if you don’t want to get in.
7. You’re not writing a creative writing class essay. You need to get to the point and get there quick. My first draft of my essays were written like a free flow essay using unnecessary flowery elaborative descriptions and all that annoying stuff. A super basic outline for the essay for “why do you want to be a dentist” would be
   1. Short Intro with something to engage the reader. Do not mention you love smiles damn it! Thesis statement.
   2. State reason. Specific example to prove your point.
   3. State another reason. Specific example.
   4. Continue until you’re out of good reasons or words.
   5. VERY short conclusion that wraps everything up but also adds to your story.
8. Break up your essays into as many individual paragraphs as you can. It’s easy on the eyes and it helps the reader.
9. If you’re not sure what category a class counts as or whatever, call and ask one of the schools! It’s fine and you don’t even have to give them your name if you don’t want to. They probably won’t even ask.
10. Get those transcripts in ASAP. It’s insane how slow some school administrations are in sending them out, and the longer you wait, the more backed up the TMDSAS people get too.
11. Put as many of your experiences in as many categories as possible, but just make sure it’s appropriate. For example, if you did research, you obviously put that in the research section but you can also put that in leadership if you’ve ever lead meetings, trained another undergrad, or put in charge of a project.
12. Don’t leave any of the categories for experiences empty (except for research if you didn’t do any).
13. It’s not too late to still add to your application! Do a TMOM event, go volunteer, shadow, etc.

Okay these are all the things I can think of right now but i’ll add some more if I think of any.

 

[Advance]

Some tips I’ve learned about applying (and free advice that personally cost me way too much money)

1. It’s totally OK to wait on submitting your application. I spoke with an advisor about this and it’s so much better to wait and have everything as perfect as possible than to submit an app just for the sake of being “early”. I’m talking about things like spelling errors, weird spaces in your app, wrong categories for classes, not putting down absolutely everything, etc
2. Reschedule that DAT if you need to. That’s what I did. I had my goal on studying for 4 weeks but a week before I was scheduled to take it I knew I wasn’t ready yet so I gave myself another 2 weeks. This was the same summer I was applying but it’s much better to submit “late” (wasn’t even that late TBH it was still the first week of July) and go from that 20 to a 22 than to take it because you think you’re rushed for time.
3. If you’ve studying for the DAT and you need some motivation, go find a dentist and shadow them!! I know studying for the DAT is time consuming, but if you just take like 2 hours out of your week to go shadow a dentist, it’ll help so much in keeping everything in perspective and you are able to better visualize your goals. I would always go shadow this awesome dentist on Friday mornings when he would do his cool surgical cases (3rd molar extracts, implants) and it was really what I needed to keep me going.
4. San Antonio has literally told me they don’t really care about your PA or QR sections on the DAT. It’s all about that sweet sweet TS score. I mean don’t embarrass yourself with like a 12 but focus on the sciences.
5. If you’re getting your app together and you want to add something that’s very easy but very noticeable, go shadow some specialists! Doesn’t require much effort but it’ll help add some spice to your app and show that you’ve really taken the time to give a holistic look to the profession of dentistry as a whole. Plus, if any of the student interviewers are going into a specialty, you can always talk with them about your experience.
6. Do the damn “optional” ANYTHING. It’s optional if you don’t want to get in.
7. You’re not writing a creative writing class essay. You need to get to the point and get there quick. My first draft of my essays were written like a free flow essay using unnecessary flowery elaborative descriptions and all that annoying stuff. A super basic outline for the essay for “why do you want to be a dentist” would be
   1. Short Intro with something to engage the reader. Do not mention you love smiles damn it! Thesis statement.
   2. State reason. Specific example to prove your point.
   3. State another reason. Specific example.
   4. Continue until you’re out of good reasons or words.
   5. VERY short conclusion that wraps everything up but also adds to your story.
8. Break up your essays into as many individual paragraphs as you can. It’s easy on the eyes and it helps the reader.
9. If you’re not sure what category a class counts as or whatever, call and ask one of the schools! It’s fine and you don’t even have to give them your name if you don’t want to. They probably won’t even ask.
10. Get those transcripts in ASAP. It’s insane how slow some school administrations are in sending them out, and the longer you wait, the more backed up the TMDSAS people get too.
11. Put as many of your experiences in as many categories as possible, but just make sure it’s appropriate. For example, if you did research, you obviously put that in the research section but you can also put that in leadership if you’ve ever lead meetings, trained another undergrad, or put in charge of a project.
12. Don’t leave any of the categories for experiences empty (except for research if you didn’t do any).
13. It’s not too late to still add to your application! Do a TMOM event, go volunteer, shadow, etc.

Okay these are all the things I can think of right now but i’ll add some more if I think of any.

Great post!

 

[Stanelz]

San Antonio has literally told me they don’t really care about your PA or QR sections on the DAT

Heartbreaking </3. San Antonio is my first choice, my 25 PA wont help me. "cries in fetal position"

 

[aggietxdent]

Heartbreaking </3. San Antonio is my first choice, my 25 PA wont help me. "cries in fetal position"

Yeah it was actually pretty funny because they said that during one of the tours and there were audible groans from the crowd so you're not the only one haha

 

[cacajuate]

Some tips I’ve learned about applying (and free advice that personally cost me way too much money)

1. San Antonio has literally told me they don’t really care about your PA or QR sections on the DAT. It’s all about that sweet sweet TS score. I mean don’t embarrass yourself with like a 12 but focus on the sciences.

Heartbreaking </3. San Antonio is my first choice, my 25 PA wont help me. "cries in fetal position"

Pretty interesting since SA has the highest AVG PA on the 2017 rankings of the three texas schools.


Don't take everything someone says on the forum as fact. Do the research for yourself.

 

[dentistforlifeeee]

Pretty interesting since SA has the highest AVG PA on the 2017 rankings of the three texas schools.


Don't take everything someone says on the forum as fact. Do the research for yourself.

where did you get the stats for 2017?

 

[cacajuate]

where did you get the stats for 2017?

2017 Ranking of DS Based on GPA/DAT/Other

 

[LuckyOne5]

Quick question...if you're a re-applicant, you only need to send transcripts from the new classes you took that weren't on the previous application right?

 

[drsoni]

What are non-academic awards? Do research grants count as non academic awards? What else counts under it?

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[irishson2]

Quick question...if you're a re-applicant, you only need to send transcripts from the new classes you took that weren't on the previous application right?

As I've been told, you have to start the process like it's a new application. So you have to resend every transcript from every institution that you attended.


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[dentistforlifeeee]

What are non-academic awards? Do research grants count as non academic awards? What else counts under it?

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I actually would consider research as academic. Non-academic can be if you received awards in organizations, sports, etc

 

[drsoni]

I actually would consider research as academic. Non-academic can be if you received awards in organizations, sports, etc

Alright, thanks!

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[schmoob]

Pretty interesting since SA has the highest AVG PA on the 2017 rankings of the three texas schools.


Don't take everything someone says on the forum as fact. Do the research for yourself.

You're absolutely right. But I'm going to have to second aggietxdent's claim. I was told the same thing about the weight UTHSCSA places on QR & PAT.

I've seen their new clinic but never been inside, how is it? I would imagine it's gorgeous.

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

You're absolutely right. But I'm going to have to second aggietxdent's claim. I was told the same thing about the weight UTHSCSA places on QR & PAT.

I've seen their new clinic but never been inside, how is it? I would imagine it's gorgeous.

It's really nice, but it's almost exclusively for 3rd and 4th years. Your building will be a small shuttle ride away. The interview does take place at the newer clinic though

 

[BellaNella]

It's really nice, but it's almost exclusively for 3rd and 4th years. Your building will be a small shuttle ride away. The interview does take place at the newer clinic though

The interview takes place in the clinic but there is a tour afterwards of the main campus. Our clinics are all in the new building and the majority of our lectures (for DS1-4s, and some of the residency programs) are on the main campus (where the medical school, nursing school, and school of biomedical sciences are).

 

[Stanelz]

Hey guys. Question.

I have my app completed and transcripts are in..everything is ready to go EXCEPT for my LOR's.
I have a committee letter in the works as well as an "additional letter" writer who got a request through email.
Should I go ahead and submit since I have proofread everything or should I wait for the committee letter and additional letter to come through first..which should be before first week of June.

 

[Carbohydrates]

Hey guys. Question.

I have my app completed and transcripts are in..everything is ready to go EXCEPT for my LOR's.
I have a committee letter in the works as well as an "additional letter" writer who got a request through email.
Should I go ahead and submit since I have proofread everything or should I wait for the committee letter and additional letter to come through first..which should be before first week of June.

It does not matter much in your case since you will be getting your letters soon.

But if you think your app is ready to submit, I think you can go ahead and submit to get your app in place and started on GPA verification and stuff. When the letters are in, it will be updated to your file and you'll be fine.

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

Hey guys. Question.

I have my app completed and transcripts are in..everything is ready to go EXCEPT for my LOR's.
I have a committee letter in the works as well as an "additional letter" writer who got a request through email.
Should I go ahead and submit since I have proofread everything or should I wait for the committee letter and additional letter to come through first..which should be before first week of June.

Yeah definitely go ahead and submit it. I had my app done for around a month before my letters were actually confirmed and everything.

 

[Seldinger3]

Re-applicant here. I can't edit the classes I had entered last year. Not That I want to change any grades, just wanted to mark some classes as distance learning and some as regular learning.

 

[irishson2]

Re-applicant here. I can't edit the classes I had entered last year. Not That I want to change any grades, just wanted to mark some classes as distance learning and some as regular learning.

If you already submitted your application then you can't. You may email them and request that editing !


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[Seldinger3]

If you already submitted your application then you can't. You may email them and request that editing !


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No I haven't yet. I just opened a new application for this cycle and I guess it carried those grades over. I'm asking how to change it now.

 

[Gymgivitis]

No I haven't yet. I just opened a new application for this cycle and I guess it carried those grades over. I'm asking how to change it now.

I'm also reapplying and it let me edit old classes.
College coursework -> view courses found for this term -> click edit on the right side of each course

 

[Gymgivitis]

Hey I have a question for you guys,

I'm pretty much done with my application and am ready to submit, but I'm a bit confused about my situation for colleges attended, coursework, and planned enrollment. I've applied to a master's program for my gap year but I have yet to hear back. I should know by the end of June, but I don't want to prolong submitting my application to dental school for that long. I know people in the program and they've told me getting accepted into it won't be an issue. The colleges attended section asks for all possible future enrollment but if I mark down the masters it forces me to add course work of which I have no idea what classes I'll be taking yet. I'm afraid that if I leave this aspect of my application out, however, then I won't be able to send TMDSAS an academic update in December with the master's courses I will have potentially taken. Also, it asks how long I will be enrolled in this program and when I plan on getting my masters degree from it. I really plan on leaving the program if I get accepted, which apparently isn't uncommon, but I don't know if I should outright say this or if I put that I plan on staying the full 1.5-2 years then dental schools will assume I'm more interested in my masters than their dental programs. I hope this all makes some sort of sense.

Anyone know what to do in this situation? I'm sure I'm not the first person to run into this.

 

[FlossyLady1]

For the section, "In what activities or experiences are you currently involved? and What have you done to strengthen your application?" Do these need to be complete sentences or is it ok to just list activities? Only a 600 char limit.