Applying for medical school is confusing enough as it is. Now, imagine finding out you might have to submit an entirely different type of application depending on which schools you choose. It’s true! Most medical schools in Texas use the application system called the Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service (TMDSAS) instead of the usual American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
But don’t worry! I’m here to break down the difference between TMDSAS vs. AMCAS and tell you everything you need to know about applying to TMDSAS schools.
This post is all about TMDSAS vs AMCAS.
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Everything You Need To Know About TMDSAS vs AMCAS
TMDSAS Vs. AMCAS: The Breakdown
TMDSAS and AMCAS are two types of application systems for medical schools in the United States. The main difference between them is that TMDSAS only applies to schools in Texas while AMCAS works for schools across the country. But, there are a few other key differences to keep in mind as well. Let’s check them out!
TMDSAS
TMDSAS is the application service for most medical, dental, podiatry, and veterinary schools in Texas. Did you know that Texas has the second-most number of medical schools in the country, beaten only by New York? However, they set a rule that only 10% of accepted students each year can be out-of-state students. Therefore Texas medical schools developed their own application system – TMDSAS.
AMCAS
AMCAS is the primary application method for most medical schools in the U.S. If you applied using the Common App in undergraduate, you’ll probably be pretty familiar with how it works. It’s essentially like the Common App of medical schools, allowing you to submit a standard application simultaneously to multiple different schools.
AACOMAS
There is also a third application service which is focused on DO schools within the US. But what platform do you need to use for DO schools in Texas? That depends on the school, so make sure to check for each school you plan to apply to (see a list below).
Texas Medical Schools That Do and Don’t Use TMDSAS
Not all Texas medical schools use TMDSAS. The ones that do are:
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio
- McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston
- Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Texas A&M School of Medicine
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at El Paso
- Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine at Lubbock
- Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine at University of Houston
- University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
- John Sealy School of Medicine at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
- The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
The Texas medical schools that don’t use TMDSAS are:
- TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine
- The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine uses AMCAS while the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine uses AACOMAS, the platform for DO schools.
Factoring in Residency Bias
Obviously, lots of Texas medical schools are going to have a strong residency bias because of the state’s strict rules about accepting out-of-state med school applicants. So, if you’re an out-of-state applicant who can only apply to a handful of schools, you might want to keep that in mind when considering schools in Texas.
Don’t let it crush your dreams though! You can definitely still apply to a Texas school you had your heart set on. But remember, you can use residency bias strategically to narrow down your options and increase your chances of acceptance.
TMDSAS Requirements
Some of the TMDSAS requirements are a little different from the AMCAS requirements.
Essays
The AMCAS only requires students to submit one essay: their personal statement. AMCAS personal statements can be a maximum of 5,300 characters, but TMDSAS personal statements can’t exceed 5,000 characters. So, if you want to use the same personal statement for both applications, you’ll have to either trim it for TMDSAS or keep it below 5,000 characters altogether.
The TMDSAS includes two other essays in addition to the personal statement: the personal characteristics essay and the optional essay. The personal characteristics essay asks applicants to “Describe any personal qualities, characteristics, and/or lived experiences that could enrich the educational experience of others.” Like the personal statement, it maxes out at 5,000 characters.
The optional essay is, of course, optional, but TMDSAS encourages students to complete it. The prompt for the optional essay is: “Briefly discuss any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to your application, which have not previously been presented.” Unlike the previous two essays, this one is limited to just 2,500 characters.
For help writing essays that are guaranteed to wow admissions officers, my course Ultimate Guide to Writing Your Personal Statement leads you through the whole process. From the first pen-on-paper moment to selecting your best stories up to your final review once you proudly finished your last draft. Ready to ditch writer’s block and cliché statements, and finally share your story in a way that feels authentic and compelling? This is for you!
Letters of Recommendation
AMCAS allows you to house up to 10 letters of recommendation in the AMCAS program. It’s not intended for you to send all 10 letters to every school. Most schools have specific requirements with a minimum and maximum amount which is often around 2-4 letters.
TMDSAS only gives you space for 3 individual letters of evaluation or one Health Professions Committee Letter or Packet. You do have the option to submit one additional letter or evaluation form though.
Activities
Through AMCAS, you can input a maximum of 15 activities with the option to highlight 3 of your most meaningful experiences. You will be asked to explain your normal activities in 700 characters and your meaningful activities in 1,325 characters.
The TMDSAS asks you to list all activities since you graduated from high school. You will have either a 300 or 500 character limit for your explanation depending on the type of activity.
MCAT Scores
AMCAS usually accepts MCAT scores that are no more than 2-3 years old while TMDSAS accepts scores that are as much as 5 years old. Keep in mind that this can slightly vary from school to school.
How to Get Ready for the TMDSAS Application
The timeline for TMDSAS primary applications can sneak up on you fast, usually landing on May 15th when the submission opens. But, you have plenty of time to prepare an awesome application in the months leading up to it! Here are some ideas for tasks you can complete in February through April of your application cycle.
February:
- Start gathering contact info, dates, and hours for ECs
- Start a rough outline for your personal statement
- Update your resume for letter of recommendation writers
March:
- Request letters of recommendation
- Complete the first draft of your personal statement
- Get feedback from a friend, mentor, or advisor
April:
- Register for Casper and Duet
- Research schools to apply to
- Take the MCAT (if not done yet)
- Finish draft of your EC descriptions
- Finalize your personal statement
Feels overwhelming? I know, it’s a lot to tackle and you want to put your best foot forward to make sure you only have to apply once.
Let me give you a kickstart into this process through my Free Premed Workshop. Here, you’ll learn my step-by-step personal statement framework, tips to avoid sounding cliché as well as examples from my own application!
Plus, many more tips for anyone who doesn’t want to just cross their fingers and hope for the best – but want to take full control of their medical school application.
TMDSAS FAQs
Check out these quick facts about TMDSAS!
What is the TMDSAS application timeline?
The TMDSAS application timeline for the 2025 application cycle is:
- May 1: TMDSAS application becomes available at 8 a.m. CST
- May 15: TMDSAS application submission opens at 8 a.m. CST
- October 15: Medical schools begin extending offers of acceptance
- November 1: Submission deadline for application to medical programs
- February 2: Submission deadline for ranking of school preference (5 p.m. CST)
- February 16: Match results announced and rolling admissions period begins
- April 30: Medical applicants with multiple offers must decide which program to attend and withdraw from other schools.
What is the TMDSAS application fee?
The TMDSAS application fee is $220 and must be paid by credit card only.
How long does it take TMDSAS to process applications?
It can take between 2 and 4 weeks for primary applications to be processed.
What are the average GPAs and MCAT scores for TMDSAS applicants?
The average GPA for 2023 applicants was a 3.7 while the average MCAT was a 506.7.
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