JAMP’s Student Success Seminar Series: Empowering the Whole Scholar
JAMP's five-part seminar series, in partnership with OnlineMedEd, provided scholars with strategies to support both academic success and personal growth.
Checklist: 9 Items You Need to Prepare for the Upcoming Application Cycle
The Entry Year 2025 Application will open on Wednesday, 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.
☑ Get Official College Transcripts
Transcripts are NOT due at the time you submit your application. Save time and money
by sending in transcripts only when requested by TMDSAS.However, it is recommended that you obtain your own official transcripts to help you enter your courses in the application.
AP Credit
Check for a Course BreakdownLump 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.
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 credit and list the course breakdown as it appears on the community college transcript, not your main institution.
☑ Build Resumé 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
- Review Categorizing Your Activities in the TMDSAS Application
☑ Contact Your Evaluators
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.- Have their contact information on hand, and make sure they review Letters of Evaluation Requirements
- Not sure who to ask? Review The W’s of Letters
☑ Obtain Test Score Information
DAT or MCAT Scores
3 things you need to enter your score informationHave the following information ready:
For more information about scores, refer to the Entering Test Scores page in the Application Guide.
- D.O.B.
- DENT Pin OR AAMC ID number
- Test Dates
For more information about scores, refer to the Entering Test Scores page in the Application Guide.
SAT/ACT Scores
SAT: Analysis in Science ScoreIf 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:
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.
Where to Find Your SAT/ACT Score Information:
- Contact your college admissions office
- Your high school transcript
- Undergraduate transcript
- College Board
- ACT
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 applicants5,000 character count including spaces.
Dental Applicants
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.
- 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.
- 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 applicants2,500 character count including spaces.
-
A key aspect of holistic review includes the consideration of applicants' attributes within the context of their experiences and academic metrics.
Describe any personal qualities, characteristics, and/or lived experiences that could enrich the educational experience of others.
Optional Essay - Unique Experience
For dental, medical, and podiatry applicants2,500 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.
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 veterinary applicants2,500 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.
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 applicants5,000 character count including spaces.
Dental Dual Degree Programs
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).
- 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 applicationIf 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.
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?
☑ Get A Professional Headshot
Your photo must be smaller than 100 KB and be in one of the following file formats:
jpg, gif, png or bmp.☑ Collect Documents for Residency
Have documents ready to upload them in the portal after submitting your application.
- Review the Proof of Texas Residency and possible documents that may be asked of you
☑ Review TMDSAS Resources
Did you know there are resources available to help you along the way? Bookmark TMDSAS Resources, follow us on social media, and join our online sessions live on YouTube where you can get answers in real time!
Mark Your Calendars:
TMDSAS Workshops and School Panels
Workshop Schedule:
- 3/27: Application Overview
- 4/3: Letters and Test Scores
- 4/17: Activities
- 4/24: Understanding Texas Residency
- 5/1: Entering Coursework
- 5/8: Submitting Transcripts
- Time Management & Preparing for the Application with Dr. Cynthia Perry
- Holistic Review Process with Dr. Pierre Banks
Panels with Member Institutions Coming Soon!
Live YouTube sessions every Wednesday at 2 PM CT: https://www.youtube.com/texashealtheducationservice
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to Watch
☑ 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.
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