42 - Reframing the Essays for Admissions Committee Review
Applicants take great care with writing their essays by teaming up with advisors and mentors that can help with their writing, but how does the admissions committee look at this section?
Essays
Essays CANNOT be changed after submitting under any circumstances.
This is your opportunity to shine in a way that is less driven by data and more driven by your personal experiences and your unique perspective.
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Not sure what to include in your personal statement? |
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AppTips/IHE Podcast/TAMU COM/TTUHSC SOM |
4 Things to Remember About Essays
- Timing - The application can time out on you, especially when completing this lengthy portion. Avoid losing your essays or other data by saving frequently!
- Spacing - Watch your spacing! Remember that the character count includes spaces.
- Abbreviations - Spell out all words. Do not use shorthand or abbreviations.
- Formatting - Avoid formatting issues by typing your essay directly into the TMDSAS application, rather than copying and pasting your essay from word processor programs. Copying formatted text into the application may result in issues that cannot be edited once your application has been submitted.
Dental Applicant Personal Statement 
The personal essay asks you to explain your motivation to seek a career in dentistry. You are asked to discuss your philosophy of the dental profession and indicate your goals relevant to the profession.
The essay is limited to 5000 characters, including spaces.
Medical Applicant Personal Statement 
The personal essay asks you to explain your motivation to seek a career in medicine. You are asked to include the value of your experiences that prepare you to be a physician.
The essay is limited to 5000 characters, including spaces.
Podiatry Applicant Personal Statement 
The personal essay asks you to explain your motivation to seek a career in podiatry. You are asked to include the value of your experiences that prepare you to be a physician.
The essay is limited to 5000 characters, including spaces.
Veterinary Applicant Personal Statement 
The personal essay asks you to 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.
The essay is limited to 5000 characters, including spaces.
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Check out this episode of the TMDSAS Podcast! |
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AppTips/IHE Podcast/TAMU COM/TTUHSC SOM 42 - Reframing the Essays for Admissions Committee ReviewApplicants take great care with writing their essays by teaming up with advisors and mentors that can help with their writing, but how does the admissions committee look at this section? |
Personal Characteristics
Required of All Applicants - NEW Prompt for EY 2026!
A key aspect of holistic review includes the consideration of applicants' attributes within the context of their experiences and academic metrics.
Describe any personal qualities, characteristics, and/or lived experiences that could enrich the educational experience of others. (5000 Characters)
Optional Essay
There is one optional essay available for all applicants. This essay is an opportunity to provide the admissions committee(s) with a broader picture of who you are as an applicant. The essay is optional; however, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
Optional Essay:
Briefly discuss any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to
your application, which have not previously been presented. Optional Essay is limited
to 2500 characters, including spaces.
Attention Veterinary Applicants!
While traditionally the third essay has been optional, all three essays are now required
and will be read and scored by the review committee. Therefore, take advantage of
the unique opportunity that essay #3 provides by presenting the review committee with
a more complete picture of who you are and what you can bring to the veterinary program.
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Additional Essays
DO/PhD & MD/PhD Program Essays
- Explain your motivation to seek a MD/PhD or DO/PhD dual Discuss your research interests and career goals as an applicant to a dual degree program.
- Describe your significant research Include the name and title of your research mentor as well as your contributions to the project. List any publications that have resulted from your work.
Each essay is limited to 5000 characters, including spaces.
DDS/PhD Program Essays
- Explain your motivation to seek a DDS/PhD dual
- Describe your significant research experiences, research interests and career goals as appropriate for an applicant to the DDS/PhD dual degree program.
Each essay is limited to 5000 characters, including spaces.