TMDSAS (Texas Medical & Dental School Application Service) is the medical school application service used to apply to public Texas medical schools. This application is different from AMCAS and must be used if you intend to apply to any of these schools. The participating medical institutions include:
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
McGovern Medical School
Long School of Medicine
Texas A&M University College of Medicine
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Lubbock
University of North Texas—Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso
The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Sam Houston State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Houston College of Medicine
Both applications are fairly similar but have differences in timeline, character counts, essay requirements, and the match process. Transcripts and LORs can be sent in the same way these materials are sent to AMCAS (with TMDSAS as the recipient). A list of the some differences include:
The Personal Statement has a 5000 character limit.
An additional "Personal Characteristics" essay has a 2500 character limit.
Prompt: Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics (background, talents, skills, etc.) or experiences that would add to the educational experience of others.
There is an optional 3rd essay with a 2500 character limit.
Prompt: Briefly discuss any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to your application which have not previously been presented.
Activity descriptions are only 300 characters long, with the 3 most significant activities receiving an extra 500 characters.
The calculated TMDSAS GPA does not factor in (+/-) of grades.
Shadowing, clinical volunteering, paid clinical work (scribing, ER tech, etc.), and any other healthcare-related activities all fall under the "Healthcare Activities" category.
Honors and awards can be separated into the "Academic Recognition" and "Non-Academic Recognition" categories.
NOTE: Unlike the AMCAS application, which allows time to fill out the application before submission is available, the TMDSAS application can be submitted the same day it opens. Keep this in mind if you would like to submit early.
Through the match process, Texas residents will complete ranked lists of the schools they wish to attend and medical schools will "match" students based on availability and preference.
Pre-match: Students can receive and accept offers from any number of medical schools. This occurs from Oct. 15 - Dec. 31.
By mid-January, Texas residents must submit their rankings of the schools where they interviewed (even if no pre-match offer has been given). Medical schools will also notify TMDSAS of their applicant rankings.
Students are then matched to their highest preference school that also included them in their list. These results are released in early February.
Students can continue to receive offers from the waitlist ONLY from higher ranked schools.
TMDSAS also has an instructional video: http://tmdsas.com/InterviewsAdmissions/TMDSASMatch.html
This list highlights the most significant differences, but is not comprehensive. Please visit http://www.tmdsas.com/ and refer to https://www.tmdsas.com/Forms/ApplicationHandbook.pdf for more information on the specific requirements of the TMDSAS application.
Prepare materials (essays, LORs, activities, etc.)
Sign up for CASPer®
Application opens (for completion AND submission)
Secondaries submitted
Complete CASPer®
NOTE: Texas A&M does not notify you by email regarding your secondary. Be sure to create an account in their portal to view and submit your secondary
Medical school interviews are conducted
Pre-match acceptance period (Texas residents ONLY)
Texas residents must complete their rankings for the match process
Results of the match process are revealed
Waitlist offers provided to students not currently holding a seat