✔️Checklist: 9 Items You Need to Prepare for the Upcoming Application Cycle
The Entry Year 2024 Application will open on Monday, May 1st at 8 a.m. CST.
Although you cannot fill out your personal information until then, there are a few
things you can collect now to ensure that you have everything you need.
However, it is recommended that you obtain your own official copies to help you enter
your courses in the application.
AP Credit
Check for a Course Breakdown
Lump sum credit with no specific course and hour identification must be listed by course and credit hour.
Lump sum credit example: UCLA official transcript lists "Exam Credit: 12 hours".
If your AP credit appears as lump sum credit on your official transcript you will
need to have an official letter from your registrar's office listing the breakdown
of your AP credit sent to info@tmdsas.com.
Dual Credit
Get Community College Transcripts!
To avoid coursework errors, list dual credit courses under the community college that
granted you the creditandlist the course breakdown as it appears on the community college transcript, not your main institution.
☑ Resume or Activity Log
Having a resume on hand will be helpful when entering your activities, instead of
bogging down your memory!
Check out the Activities section of the Application Guide
You will only be able to receive your letters once you have completed the [Letters
of Evaluation] and [Colleges Attended Questions] sections when the application opens,
but it is important that you give them a heads-up now, if you have not done so already.
The information from your exam account (ADA or AAMC) and your application will need
to be the same to ensure there is no delay in receiving your scores.
For more information about scores, refer to the Entering Test Scores page in the Application Guide.
SAT/ACT Scores
SAT: Analysis in Science Score
If you took either of these, then you will need to enter your score(s) in the application.
Where to Find Your SAT/ACT Score Information:
Contact your college admissions office
Your high school transcript
Undergraduate transcript
College Board
ACT
Page 3 of the sample SAT Score Report shows the 'Analysis in Science' score under 'Cross-Test Scores'. This is where you
can obtain your science score.
Can't obtain your scores? No worries! If you cannot find your scores, you can certify that you are not able to pull an official
record of your scores in your application.
☑Review Essay Prompts
If you would like to type your responses before entering them into the application,
use Text Editor instead of Microsoft Word to avoid the “special characters” error
message from popping up in those sections.
Personal Essay
All applicants
5,000 character count including spaces.
Dental Applicants
Explain your motivation to seek a career in DENTISTRY. Discuss your philosophy of
the dental profession and indicate your goals relevant to the profession.
Medical and Podiatry Applicants
Explain your motivation to seek a career in MEDICINE. Be sure to include the value
of your experiences that prepare you to be a physician.
Veterinary Applicants
Please describe opportunities and challenges (veterinary-related and non veterinary
related) you have experienced and how these have helped you prepare you to enter the
veterinary profession.
Personal Characteristics
All applicants
2,500 character count including spaces.
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.
Optional Essay - Unique Experience
For dental, medical, and podiatry applicants
2,500 character count including spaces.
This optional essay is an opportunity to provide the admissions committee(s) with
a broader picture of who you are as an applicant.
The essay is optional; however, you are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
Briefly discuss any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to
your application which have not previously been presented.
Unique Experience
For vet applicants
2,500 character count including spaces.
This is an opportunity to provide the admissions committee(s) with a broader picture
of who you are as an applicant.
Briefly discuss any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to
your application which have not previously been presented.
Additional Dual Degree Program Essays
For dental and medical applicants
5,000 character count including spaces.
Dental Dual Degree Programs
DDS/PhD Essay
Explain your motivation to seek a dual degree (DDS/PhD).
DDS/PhD Research Essay
Describe your significant research experiences, research interests and career goals
as appropriate for an applicant to dual degree program (DDS/PhD).
Medical Dual Degree Programs
Personal Essay for the JD/MD Application
Describe your motivation to seek a dual degree (JD/MD). Discuss your interests and
career goals as appropriate for an applicant to a dual degree program.
MD or DO/PhD Essay
Explain your motivation to seek a dual degree (MD/PhD or DO/PhD). Discuss your interests
and career goals as appropriate for an applicant to a dual degree program.
MD or DO/PhD Research Essay
Describe your significant research experiences. Include the name and title of your
research mentor as well as your contributions to the project. Also list any publication,
awards, or presentations which have resulted from your work.
Reapplicants
In the [Application History] section of the application
If you applied in the last cycle or previous cycles AND your application was transmitted
(sent to a school), then you are considered a reapplicant.
Being a reapplicant does not negatively affect you, however you will be given the
opportunity to tell the admissions committee(s) why they should consider you.
What have you done to strengthen your application?
Make sure you do not leave this question unanswered.
☑A Professional Digital Photo of Yourself
Your photo must be smaller than 100 KB and be in one of the following file formats:
jpg, gif, png or bmp.
Did you know there are resources available to help you along the way?
Bookmark TMDSAS Resources, follow us on social media, and join the online communities where you can speak to other applicants, advisors,
admission staff and TMDSAS staff:
Get detailed step-by-step guide on completing every section of the application. Learn
how to optimize your application to make a great impression with this comprehensive
walkthrough to completing your application.
☑Questions? Contact TMDSAS Support via the Application Portal
Create your TMDSAS Application Account and get connected to TMDSAS Support to ask
questions and make updates to your application when needed.
About the author: The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) is the centralized application processing service for applicants to the first-year entering classes at all of the public medical, dental, and veterinary schools in the State of Texas.
The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) has published its data for the 2025 application cycle, offering a snapshot of the pipeline for future healthcare professionals.
Take a deeper look at the transformative mission of UTRGV's School of Podiatric Medicine and their inspiring push to transform Texas healthcare by filling a crucial need.
