Last Updated on June 26, 2022 by Laura Turner
Updated January 20, 2022. The article was updated for formatting and grammatical updates.
The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service, TMDSAS, is the common application service for all state-funded medical, dental, and veterinary schools in Texas. Originally started in 1968 to serve schools of The University of Texas System, TMDSAS now provides services to professional schools across four university systems (The University of Texas System, Texas A&M System, Texas Tech System, and University of North Texas System).
As the centralized application processing service for all public medical, dental, and veterinary schools in the State of Texas, we simplify the application process for both the applicants and the participating schools by providing one standardized application. The applicants benefit by completing one application at an affordable, flat-rate price: $165.
Teamwork as Big as Texas
The collaboration among the TMDSAS schools is extensive. The participating schools design the questions on the application during bi-annual meetings with the admissions deans and officers. This feedback helps us improve the application and maintain open communication throughout the application cycle to make sure best practices are applied uniformly to the admissions process.
The TMDSAS schools are:
MEDICAL:
- UT Southwestern Medical Center
- UT Medical Branch at Galveston
- Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio
- McGovern Medical School
- The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School
- UT Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
- Texas A&M University College of Medicine
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
- University of North Texas – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
DENTAL:
- Texas A&M University College of Dentistry
- UT School of Dentistry at Houston
- UT School of Dentistry at San Antonio
VETERINARY:
Why does Texas have its own application service?
One of the most common questions we get at TMDSAS is “Why does Texas have its own application service?” As Texas, it is our prerogative to lead the country (haha!); TMDSAS actually predates the AMCAS service by 5 years. In 2018, we are celebrating our 50th application cycle. The second answer to this question is that the Texas State Legislature limits the number of non-Texas residents that can attend public institutions to 10%. You can review the residency requirements on our website.
How to Prepare to Complete the TMDSAS
When weighing the differences between TMDSAS, AMCAS, and AACOMAS, we urge applicants to do their research ahead of time: review the questions on all three applications to see what questions are being asked.
The essay/personal statement prompts among the application services are similar, but are phrased differently enough to necessitate advanced planning. Review the personal statements/essay prompts required by TMDSAS for medical, dental, and veterinary applicants on the TMDSAS Application Handbook.
The TMDSAS Application Handbook is a robust resource that guides applicants through the process and explains the steps you should take to navigate past common mistakes and prevent processing delays.
Avoid Common Pitfalls
Many mistakes applicants make on the TMDSAS Application are a direct result of rushing. The TMDSAS Application opens on May 1, and some students actually complete it on May 1. The application to professional school could easily be one of the most important documents an applicant completes in their life, and by rushing through it, they disadvantage themselves. Slow down and make sure to allow enough time to review and proofread everything.
The TMDSAS Match
TMDSAS also administers a matching process for all Texas resident medical applicants. Essentially, the TMDSAS Match is conducted to confirm any pre-match offers applicants are holding and to fill the remaining open slots for the medical schools. Eligible applicants rank all schools at which they interviewed according to their preference for attendance. The medical schools then submit to TMDSAS ranked lists of the applicants they have interviewed. TMDSAS then matches applicants with the highest preference school in which they were in the match range on the school list. The results of the Match are announced each year on February 1. Applicants are still eligible to receive alternate list offers from schools they ranked higher than the match offer they received if any.
The mechanics of the TMDSAS Match can be confusing for some applicants. To help facilitate how the Match works, we have resources to guide applicants.
Join the Conversation
Interested in learning more about the TMDSAS Application? Check out the TMDSAS Podcast where we explore the TMDSAS application in greater detail by connecting with the admissions experts who are ready to help.
Each episode is tailored to focus on different parts of the application all meant to help you, the applicant, be noticed by admissions committees.
Also, join our online communities to receive early access to the podcasts, ask questions and receive information directly from TMDSAS, professional schools, and advisors.
- The TMDSAS Hub is open to all applicants.
- The Non-Traditional Applicants group is open to all applicants who identify themselves as non-traditional.
The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service, TMDSAS, is the common application service for all state-funded medical, dental, and veterinary schools in Texas. Started in 1968 to serve schools of The University of Texas System, TMDSAS now provides services to professional schools across four university systems (The University of Texas System, Texas A&M System, Texas Tech System, and University of North Texas System).