There are three primary centralized medical school application portals.

American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

The American Medical College Application Service® is the AAMC's centralized medical school application processing service. Most U.S. medical schools use AMCAS as the primary application method for their first-year entering classes.

American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services (AACOMAS)

AACMOAS is the centralized online application service for the US colleges of osteopathic medicine.

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services (AACOMAS)

Texas Medical and Dental School Application Services (TMDSAS)

Texas medical schools use their own portal, and are not affiliated with AMCAS. There are several differences including an earlier timeline. Please go through the details below very carefully. It is recommended that you submit your application as close to the open date as possible.

Resources

• TMDSAS Application Handbook
• 2023 Application Guide

Deadlines & Important Dates

• Application becomes available: May 3, 2022
• Submissions open: May 16, 2022
• Full Timeline

Details & Information

• Guidelines: Read through before you apply.
• Test Scores (MCAT): Applicants must release their MCAT scores to TMDSAS as soon as they are available. This is done via the MCAT testing history (THx) System.
• Transcripts: sent after requested from TMDSAS
• Coursework, Course Definitions, and BCPM

Differences between TMDSAS and AMCAS

Activities/Experiences Character limits:

• AMCAS: 700 character limit for your 15 activites entries, plus 1325 for your three most meaningful experiences
• TMDSAS: 300-character limit, plus 500 for your three most meaningful experiences using the following categories: Academic Recognition, Non-Academic Recognition, Leadership, Employment, Research Activities, Healthcare Activities, Community Service, Extracurricular & Leisure Activities, Planned Activities

Essays/Personal Statement:

• AMCAS:
  • One personal statement, 5300 character limit
• TMDSAS:
  • Personal statement; 5000 character limit
  • Personal characteristics essay; 2500-character limit;
  • Optional essay (2500-character limit)