1. Required Policy Disclosures
   1. Applicants must agree to the Applicant User Agreement in order to begin the application. (See Addendum A-1)
   2. Applicants must sign the Application Certification Statement in order to submit their application. (See Addendum B-1)
      1. Prior to submitting an application, applicants should read and understand the Technical Standards/Essential Functions for admission and graduation at each school to which an applicant is applying. If accepted to an institution, applicants will be required to sign a statement indicating they are able to meet these standards with or without accommodations.
2. Definitions
   1. Applicant - An applicant is defined as one who will submit an application that will be transmitted to any Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) member institution.
   2. Reapplicant - A reapplicant is defined as one who has previously submitted an application that was transmitted to any TMDSAS member institution.
3. Number of Applications per Cycle and Applying to Multiple Programs
   1. Applicants can submit only one application per cycle.
   2. If an applicant wishes to apply to multiple types of programs (medical and dental, for example) under the same application ID, they may do so prior to submitting. Applicants may not apply to different school types after submission.
4. Services for Residents and Non-Residents
   1. An applicant must apply through TMDSAS to be eligible for acceptance into participating member institutions. Exceptions to this policy are as follows:
      1. Participating dental schools may also accept applications from non-Texas residents through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). All Texas resident applicants must apply through TMDSAS.
      2. Baylor College of Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, John Sealy School of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch, McGovern Medical School, Long School of Medicine, and Texas A&M HSC College of Medicine accept applications through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) for MD/PhD and JD/MD program applicants only. 
         1. Non-TMDSAS applicants who are extended an offer of admission will be added to the TMDSAS database for statistical and reporting purposes.
5. Deadlines
   1. Dental, Medical, and Podiatry. The online application will be available May 1, 2023 at 8:00 am CT, and may be submitted starting on May 15, 2023. The deadline to submit the application is 5:00 pm CT Tuesday, November 1, 2023.
      1. 1. Applications to Early Decision/Special Programs must be submitted by 5:00 pm CT Monday, August 1, 2023.
         2. JAMP applicants must submit their application by 5:00 pm CT 
      2. All supporting documents (letters of evaluation and test scores) must be submitted to TMDSAS by November 15, 2023.
   2. Veterinary
      1. The online application will be available May 1, 2023 at 8:00 am CT, and may be submitted starting on May 15, 2023. The deadline to submit the application is 5:00 pm CT Thursday, September 18, 2023.
      2. All supporting documents (vet evaluation forms) must be submitted to TMDSAS by Thursday, September 18, 2023.
   3. General
      1. Deadlines and important dates for the current application cycle are listed on the TMDSAS website under “Deadlines”.
6. Application Fees
   1. The application fee is a non-refundable, flat-fee of $215.00 and is payable by credit card only.
   2. TMDSAS does not grant application fee waivers.
7. Communicating with TMDSAS
   1. The application internal messaging system is the official mode of communication with TMDSAS; it is the applicant’s responsibility to respond to all inquiries from TMDSAS in a timely manner.
8. GPA Calculation Rules
   1. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board determines the procedures for calculating the GPA for students seeking admission to graduate or professional school in Texas (HB 3851). All institutions must follow these guidelines:
      1. Only official transcripts from regionally accredited institutions of higher education in the United States shall be accepted by the graduate and professional schools of an institution of higher education for evaluation and grade point calculation. Canadian coursework will not be used in calculating the GPA; schools will refer directly to the official transcript for GPA information.
      2. All academic work undertaken and grades or symbols assigned at each institution shall be reflected on the student’s official transcript(s). No grade may be expunged from a student’s record.
      3. All grades assigned for academic coursework shall be used in calculating the GPA.
      4. A 4.0 scale shall be used in computing the GPA. (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0)
      5. A grade or symbol indicating failure (F, WF, NC, or in a pass/fail system, FL equals F) shall count as hours undertaken, but no grade points shall be earned.
      6. Excluded from the GPA shall be any credit by examination (CR), quit (Q), withdrawn (W), withdrawn passing (WP), incomplete (I or X), and a pass grade within a pass/fail system.
      7. The GPA shall be computed by multiplying each grade point by the semester or quarter credit hours earned per course and totaling the products. The result is to be calculated to the hundredth place, giving the official cumulative GPA.
      8. Academic work at foreign colleges, universities, or prep schools shall be excluded from the calculation. In such cases, the GPA and credit shall be evaluated and computed as determined by the graduate or professional school to which the student is applying.

1. Supporting Documents
   1. Test Scores:
      1. MCAT
         1. There is a five-year limitation for the MCAT scores to be considered valid. Scores from tests taken before January 2019 and after September 2023 will not be accepted for the 2024 entry year application cycle. All test scores received by TMDSAS will be transmitted to the schools to which the applicant is applying. All test attempts must be reported to TMDSAS, though only the test required for admissions needs to to be released (for example, if a medical applicant took the DAT, they do not need to release their scores, just indicate that they have taken the DAT).
      2.  DAT
         1. There is a five-year time limitation for DAT scores to be considered valid. Scores from tests taken before January 2019 and after December 1, 2023 will not be accepted for the 2024 entry year application cycle. All test scores received by TMDSAS will be transmitted to the schools to which the applicant is applying. All test attempts must be reported to TMDSAS, though only the test required for admissions needs to be released (for example, if a dental applicant took the MCAT, they do not need to release their scores, just indicate they have taken the MCAT).
      3. GRE
         1. The GRE is not required for veterinary applicants. 
      4. Transcripts
         1. Transcripts will only be accepted by TMDSAS once they have been requested. Only applicants that meet one of the following criteria may submit them early: is a JAMP or early decision applicant, has foreign coursework (not study abroad), or has invoked Academic Fresh Start.
            1. Once requested, applicants should submit transcripts within 30 days of request.
            2. Transcripts submitted prior to request are not kept on file.
            3. Transcripts will be processed within 15 business days upon receipt.
            4. Transcripts from previous application cycles will not be rolled over by TMDSAS. Transcripts submitted to TMDSAS must be less than a year old - the print date cannot be more than a year from the time they are submitted.
            5. A transcript is required from every institution attended where credit was earned, even if that credit was transferred to another institution.
      5. Letters of Evaluation
         1. Deadlines
            1. All letters of evaluation must be submitted to TMDSAS by the following dates:
               1. Early Decision Program Applicants - September 15, 2023
               2. Veterinary Evaluation Forms - September 15, 2023
               3. All other applicants - November 15, 2023
         2. Updating Letter of Evaluation Writers
            1. Dental, Medical, and Podiatry Applicants
               1. An applicant may request to add an additional evaluator if four evaluators have not already been listed in the application.
               2. TMDSAS will not make substitutions to an evaluator once a letter has been received from that evaluator.
               3. Additional letters may not be added after the deadline.
            2. Veterinary Applicants
               1. A veterinary applicant may not add additional evaluations, but may change an evaluator if an evaluation has not already been received.
         3. Rescinding Letters of Evaluation
            1. At the request of the letter writer, TMDSAS will rescind a submitted letter of evaluation. The applicant and all schools who received the original letter will be notified.
         4. Letter of Evaluation Requirements
            1. Letters of evaluation will be rejected if missing any of the following:
               1. Signature (electronic signature is acceptable if the letter is being uploaded through the TMDSAS evaluator portal)
               2. Date. Admissions committees will take the date of the letter into consideration during review, with a strong preference for letters written within one year.
               3. Letterhead with contact information
               4. Name of the applicant
               5. Written in English
         5. Health Professions Committee Packets are left to the discretion of the submitting school and may contain as many letter as they see fit, but must contain the following items:
            1. Signature
            2. Name of the applicant
            3. Date
         6. Letters may be re-used up to one application cycle. Letters from previous application cycles will not automatically be rolled over by TMDSAS. Applicants must re-enter evaluator information and re-submit letters by the deadline.
      6. Right to access letter
         1. An applicant may request to waive their rights to a letter after initially retaining rights.
            1. An applicant may not request to have access to a letter if they initially waived their rights.
   2. On College Coursework
      1. Course Entry Requirements for Processing
         1. Planned Coursework must be entered if an applicant plans to enroll in courses in terms post-submission of their application. Failure to list planned courses will result in processing delays.
         2. Grades for planned or in-progress coursework must be updated at the end of each academic term.
         3. Spring grades of the current year, along with all grades from previous coursework must be entered in the application prior to submission. Applications without spring grades will be delayed until that information is provided.
      2. Entering Coursework
         1. TMDSAs validates self-reported courses against official transcript(s) and will report any discrepancies to the selected institutions. TMDSAS does not enter courses for applicants. TMDSAS will return applications for corrections or explanations if it identifies a significant number of course discrepancies or omissions.
         2. Failure to properly enter all course information as outlined in the application instructions (including entering future/planned coursework) and to make corrections as requested may result in processing delays, application irregularities, and may jeopardize chances for admission.
      3. Education Eligibility Requirements
         1. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours or (134 quarter hours) at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.
            1. Graduate courses may not be used to satisfy the 90-hour requirement.
            2. Coursework taken at a foreign institution that was accepted at a regionally accredited institution will count towards the 90-hour requirement. If these courses are not listed individually on the transcript, they will not count towards the 90-hour requirement and should be listed under the foreign institution they were taken at.
            3. All prerequisite coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian university or college.
      4. Prerequisite Coursework
         1. Each required course must be completed with a grade of C or better. Courses taken pass/fail or credit/no credit will not count towards meeting the requirement. (See Addendum D-1 for definitions)
         2. Courses for non-science majors or for health career majors (i.e. nursing, pharmacy, allied health sciences, etc.) will not satisfy the prescribed course requirements. All required coursework must be applicable towards a traditional science degree.
         3. Graduate courses may only be used to satisfy the Statistics requirement.
      5. Course Requirements for Inclusion in the Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math (BCPM) GPA
         1. Courses taught in the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math are always included in the BCPM GPA. This includes courses that are introductory, elementary, and/or for non-science majors. (See Addendum D-2 for a more comprehensive list.)
      6. Pre-Freshman Coursework
         1. Advanced Placement (AP): Credit is accepted only if the school granting the credit lists the specific course(s) and number of units granted per course on an official transcript.
            1. If AP credits appear as lump sum on the transcript, a letter from the college or university registrar specifying course equivalency for credit earned will be required in order to receive credit for the courses.
         2. International Baccalaureate (IB): Accepted only if the school granting the credit lists the specific course(s) and number of units granted per course on an official transcript.
            1. If IB credits appear as lump sum on the transcript, a letter from the college or university registrar specifying course equivalency for credit earned will be required in order to receive credit for the courses.
         3. Dual Credit: Dual credit coursework must be entered into the application under the granting institution and not as transfer credit at another institution.
      7. Study Abroad Coursework
         1. Acceptable study abroad coursework should be listed on the transcript of a U.S. or Canadian institution and should include credit hours and grades.
            1. Study abroad coursework that appears as lump sum on the transcript will not be accepted and will require a foreign transcript from the institution at which the coursework was taken, and the foreign institution should be listed on the application.
         2. Study abroad coursework not accepted by a U.S. institution should be listed separately on the application and an official transcript will be required.
            1. In the event an official transcript is not accessible, the applicant should inform TMDSAS and the schools to which the applicant has applied will be notified.
      8. Foreign Coursework
         1. Foreign coursework accepted by U.S. accredited institutions will count toward the 90-hour requirement. However, the hours will not be included in the overall GPA.
         2. Foreign coursework will not count towards meeting any of the prerequisites, even if transfer credit has been given for them by a U.S. or Canadian institution.
         3. Each participating school’s policy regarding foreign coursework is stated on the TMDSAS website.
            1. Dental
            2. Medical
            3. Veterinary
         4. Applicants are required to have their foreign coursework and transcript evaluated.
      9. On Completing the Chronology of Activities
         1. The Chronology of Activities must account for all activities between high school graduation and August 2023.
            1. All gaps greater than 3 months must have a record.
            2. The following sections will comprise the chronology: high school graduation, college terms attended, academic and non-academic recognition, leadership, employment, research, healthcare activities, veterinary supervised experience, animal experience, community service, extracurricular activities, and planned activities.

1. Communicating Updates to TMDSAS
   1. Applicants who remain under consideration for admission should keep TMDSAS informed of the address and telephone number where they can be reached. Applicants who are unavailable (e.g. foreign travel) should instruct and grant authority to a parent or other individual to act on their behalf. TMDSAS must be notified of this designation by the applicant.
   2. Applicants must promptly notifyTMDSAS of any change of address. Applicants may change their address by logging on to their application. Go to the [Contact Info] page and make the updates(s).
   3. After the date of submission of the TMDSAS application, if an applicant is charged, convicted of, pleads guilty, or no contest to a felony or misdemeanor crime, they must inform TMDSAS as well as the admissions office of each school to which they have applied. The applicant must notify TMDSAS and each school within ten business days of the occurrence of the criminal charge or conviction. Failure to do so is grounds for rejection of their application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, dismissal after enrollment, or rescission of any degrees granted.
   4. After the date of submission of the TMDSAS application, if an applicant becomes the subject of an institutional action or disciplinary action by a state licensure board, after the date of original application submission, they must inform TMDSAS as well as the admissions office of each school to which they have applied. The applicant must notify TMDSAS and the schools within ten business days of the occurrence of the institutional action. Failure to do so is grounds for rejection of their application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, dismissal after enrollment, or rescission of any degrees granted.
2. Withdrawing an Application
   1. Applicants who choose to withdraw from one or more schools must notify each school and TMDSAS in writing via internal message of their decision. Withdrawn applications can be reinstated by sending a message through the application internal messaging system until November 1, 2023.
   2. Administrative Withdrawals: Applicants will not be transmitted to member institutions without a residency determination. After November 1, 2023, applicants who have not resolved their residency in their applications within 30 days of the application deadline will have their application administratively withdrawn.
      1. If an application has been held for any reason other than residency, After November 1, 2023, applicants who have not resolved issues in their applications within 30 days of the application deadline will have their applications transmitted to the schools to which they’ve applied. 
3. Approved Changes to the Application
   1. After submission of an application, applicants are only allowed certain changes to the application. See Addendum C-1 for a list of approved post-submission changes.
4. Establishing a Proxy
   1. If an applicant will be unavailable (e.g. foreign travel) at any time during the application process, they should instruct and grant authority to a parent or other individual to act on their behalf. Applicants must notify TMDSAS of this designation via the internal messaging feature of the application portal.
5. Record of Application
   1. Download and/or print a copy of the completed TMDSAS application for personal records.
6. Monitor Status
   1. It is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor the status of the application online to ensure that the application has been transmitted, does not have any unresolved issues, and that submitted supporting documents have been received and processed.
7. Appeals
   1. Appealing Course Coding Decisions Made in Processing
      1. Only current applicants with prerequisite coursework deficiencies may appeal course coding changes made during processing. To initiate an appeal, applicants must follow the procedure as outlined in the TMDSAS website. A syllabus is required for each course the applicant wishes to appeal. Coursework appeal decisions are made on a weekly basis and applicants are notified of the final decision within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal and supporting documentation. All appeal decisions are final.
   2. Appealing Residency Determinations
      1. Applicants may appeal a residency determination only when their application has been transmitted and an official determination has been made by TMDSAS. To initiate an appeal, applicants must send a written statement with supporting documents to info@tmdsas.com. Appeals are reviewed by the Residency Appeals Committee on a weekly basis and applicants are notified of the final decision within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal and supporting documentation. All appeal decisions are final.
      2. Applicant state of residency is determined at the time of processing. Applicants may be required to submit supporting documentation. Residency will not be re-determined mid-cycle. 
8. Secondary Applications
   1. Administration and processing of secondary applications is the sole responsibility of the member institution that requires it.
   2. Assessment and collection of additional secondary application fees will be the sole responsibility of the member institution assessing the fee.
9. Interview Protocol and Etiquette
   1. Applicants must respond promptly to all invitations for an interview. In those instances, when an applicant cannot appear for a previously scheduled interview, the applicant is responsible for promptly notifying the school. The cancellation should be undertaken by telephone with the school, followed by an email.
10. Notifying Institutions of Intention to Enroll
    1. Applicants who have made a final decision on the school they plan to attend have the obligation to promptly withdraw their applications from other schools.

Applicants must review and agree to the following before submitting their application:

1.) I certify that the information in this applicant and all attachments are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I authorize the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) and any dental, medical, podiatric, or veterinary school to which I am applying to verify the information I provided.

2.) I further understand that this information will be relied upon by TMDSAS and officials of the dental, medical, podiatric, and veterinary schools in determining my residence status for admission and later for tuition purposes and that submission of false information is grounds for rejection of my application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, dismissal after enrollment, or rescission of any degrees granted.

3.) I certify that I will report to TMDSAS any event which occurs subsequent to filing this application but prior to matriculation that would alter any answer provided on my application. I understand that failure to do so is grounds for rejection of my application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, dismissal after enrollment, or rescission of any degrees granted.

4.) I further certify that all written passages, such as the personal statement, optional essays, essays required of dual-degree applicants, and description of employment/activities, are my own and have not been written, in part or in whole, but a third party. Quotations are permitted if the source is cited.

5.) I have read, understand, and agree to comply with TMDSAS instructions, including the statements that I am responsible for monitoring and ensuring the progress of my application process, by frequently checking the [Status] page of my application. I also understand that I am responsible for knowing and understanding the admissions requirements for each school to which I am applying, and that I am not eligible for a refund of TMDSAS fees if I do not meet the admissions requirements of the schools.

School Admission Actions

6.) I understand that all actions on admission to a professional program are the prerogative of each individual professional school.


Application Irregularities

7.) I understand that application irregularities are documented by TMDSAS and member schools and are reported to the Association of American Medical Colleges, American Dental Education Association, American Association of Osteopathic Medicine, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, American Podiatric Medical Association, and other appropriate professional organizations.


Criminal Background Checks

8.) I understand that, in accordance with the individual school’s policy, some or all TMDSAS participating schools require a criminal background check on applicants as a condition of admission or matriculation.


Subsequent Legal or Institutional Actions

9.) I understand that I am required to notify TMDSAS and the Admissions Office of each school to which I apply if I am charged, convicted of, plead guilty, or no contest to a felony or misdemeanor crime after the date of my original application submission. I understand that this notification must be in writing and occur within ten (10) business days of the occurrence of the criminal charge or conviction. Failure to do so is grounds for rejection of my application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, dismissal after enrollment, or rescission of any degrees granted.

10.) I understand that I am required to notify TMDSAS and the Admissions Office of each school to which I apply if I become the subject of an institutional action or state licensure board action after the date of my original application submission. I understand that this notification must be in writing and occur within ten (10) business days of the occurrence of the institutional action. Failure to do so is grounds for rejection of my application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, dismissal after enrollment, or rescission of any degrees granted.


Occupational License Statement

11.) Texas state law requires entities providing education programs that lead to an initial occupational license to notify each applicant or enrollee: (1) that an individual who has been convicted of certain criminal offenses may potentially render that person ineligible for issuance of an occupational license upon completion of their educational program; (2) of the current guidelines by an applicable licensing agency regarding an individual’s ability to be licensed; (3) of any other state or local restriction or guideline used by a licensing authority to determine eligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense to be licensed; and (4) of the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency. If an applicant or enrollee is accepted to an educational program, that individual should contact that institution should he/she need additional information or guidance.


Technical Standards

12.) Texas public dental, medical, podiatric, and veterinary institutions are required to develop and publish technical standards for the admission, retention, and graduation of students, in accordance with legal requirements. I have reviewed and am aware of the technical standards for each institution to which I have included in my [Select Schools] page; furthermore, I understand that, in the event that I am unable to meet the requirements, with or without reasonable accommodations, I may be unable to meet the requirements of the degree.


Release of Information

13.) Any information published by TMDSAS that is related to dental, medical, podiatric, and/or veterinary school applications is done so with aggregate statistics. TMDSAS may also share personally identifiable data with peer not-for-profit organizations, certifying boards, licensing bodies, and other organizations involved in health education for research, eligibility determination, verification, and credentialing purposes.

14.) If I am accepted to one of the TMDSAS member schools, I hereby authorize the release of information contained within or related to my application for admission to private entities or individuals who award scholarships or other financial aid students attending that institution.

I understand that by selecting “yes” and submitting this page that I am providing my electronic signature to release the information in this application for scholarship and financial aid purposes. I understand that NOT checking the box below will prevent release of this information for scholarship or funding purposes.


Meningitis Acknowledgment

15.) The Texas Legislature requires all public institutions of higher education in Texas to notify all new students about bacterial meningitis. Below is a link to the required information that you must review and certify that you have received. https://www.highered.texas.gov/institutional-resources-programs/public-universities-health-related-institutions/other-institutional-resources/bacterial-meningitis/ 


AAMC Release

16.) I understand that any medical school in which I enroll may release my relevant student records to the AAMC for inclusion in the AAMC Student Records System (SRS), a secure, centralized enrollment database on the national medical student population. Access to SRS is limited to medical school administrators and select AAMC staff. The student records released to the AAMC may include information about my enrollment status, attendance, degree program, graduation plans, and demographic and contact information. Released student records will not include information about my academic performance, such as coursework grades or test scores. The AAMC uses SRS data for accreditation purposes, data services, outcomes studies, program evaluations, research projects, and other data activities in support of the medical education community and may release the data to a limited number of third parties. All AAMC uses and release of data will be consistent with the AAMC’s privacy policies. https://www.aamc.org/privacy

I have read and agree to the AAMC Release statement.


Selective Service

17.) Federal law requires that most male U.S. citizens (regardless of where they live), age 18-25, register with the Selective Service. Generally, an male who is required to register with Selective Service must do so to receive federal student aid, and numerous institutions require Selective Service registration to enroll in publicly-funded institutions, or to qualify for state or institutional financial aid. The Veterans Health Administration requires Selective Service registration as an application requirement for males. While this requirement is not new, it is being rigorously enforced in VA Hospitals, so students who do not meet this requirement cannot participate in rotations at VA Hospitals.

I understand that by checking this box that I am providing my electronic signature to certify that I have received notification about the importance of Selective Service registration.