TMDSAS Data Highlights Sustained Growth and a More Competitive Applicant Pool
TMDSAS data shared at the 2026 TAAHP Conference highlights sustained growth in applications and a more competitive health professions applicant pool.
Changes to the TMDSAS Application for EY 2021
The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service would like to share the following updates to the application for Entry Year 2021.
Demographics Section
Birth and Sex Options. This question asks an applicant’s sex and gives the option to decline to answer. Additionally, it asks the applicant’s gender identity and preferred pronouns.
Options for current gender identity: Male, Female, Trans Male/Trans Man, Trans Female/Trans
Woman, Genderqueer/Gender non-conforming, Different Identity
Options for pronouns: She/Her/Hers, He/Him/His, They/Them/Theirs, Ze/Hi/Hirs, Other
Family Section
Family Education. There is a new question asking for the name of the institution at highest level of education achieved for each parent and significant person listed.
Felonies and Misdemeanors Section
The language will now mirror the question as it appears on the Texas Medical Board’s application:
Supporting Documents
Transcripts
Applicants will no longer send transcripts to TMDSAS at the time of submission. Instead, TMDSAS will automatically send messages to applicants once transcripts are required.
- Exceptions will apply only to certain groups of applicants: international applicants, special programs with an expedited deadline, and applicants applying through the Academic Fresh Start provision.
- Any other transcript received early will not begin to be processed until August 1, 2020
Letters of Evaluation
There will no longer be a designation between required and ‘extra’ letters. In addition, TMDSAS will allow letters and HPACs to be reused within two years (two cycles). TMDSAS will communicate the following message to the applicants:
Re-applicants are welcome to resubmit letters from the previous cycle given they were written after May 1. Applicants must reenter evaluator information and ensure letters are resubmitted. TMDSAS will not automatically upload or roll letters into future cycles.
Research Section
Publications/Posters/Presentations. Applicants will be asked if the research experience resulted in any publications, posters, or presentations and will be given the opportunity to provide details (500 characters).
Veterinary School Applicants
Submission Deadline
The veterinary school deadline for applicants is now September 15th, 2020. Please consult the TAMU CVM website for more information.
Essay Prompt
The language for the essay question will now read:
Please describe opportunities and challenges (veterinary-related and non-veterinary-related) you have experienced and how these have helped to prepare you to enter the veterinary profession.
Evaluation Forms
Veterinary evaluation forms must be submitted using the digital form only. TMDSAS will no longer upload evaluation forms or accept physical copies through the mail.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the items listed, please contact TMDSAS at info@tmdsas.com.
About the author: The Texas Health Education Service amplifies TMDSAS and JAMP’s missions to serve students, collegiate advisors, and professional schools in Texas by providing students with accurate educational resources to enhance their preparation for a career in the health professions, and supporting efforts by advisors and professional schools to reach students and enrich the applicant pool.
Inside Health Education
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