AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS Med School Application Differences

While you don’t have to create an individual medical school application for each school you apply to, different schools and programs use different application services. In general, all three of these application types follow a similar format, but there are important differences to be aware of. The sooner you decide which schools you want to apply to, the sooner you can begin tailoring your application by learning the differences between AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS for personal statements, letters of recommendation, activities, and scores.

AMCAS: The American Medical College Application Service

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is the AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service. It’s the primary application method for entering first-year classes at the vast majority of US medical schools. AMCAS simply collects, verifies, and delivers your application materials and MCAT score to the schools you apply to. If you intend to apply to Stanford Medical School, Johns Hopkins, or the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, for example, you need to apply through AMCAS. It doesn’t matter how many different schools you intend to apply to; you only need to submit one set of application materials to AMCAS.

AACOMAS: The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service

AACOMAS is the centralized online application service for the US colleges of osteopathic medicine. It’s the primary application method for students pursuing osteopathic medicine. AACOMAS simplifies the process of applying to osteopathic medical schools by only requiring students to submit one set of application materials. Osteopathic doctors (DOs) distinguish themselves from regular doctors (MDs) with a whole-body, holistic approach that treats the person—not the symptoms. The focus of osteopathic medicine is on recognizing the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and organs and their mutual influence.

Reasons to Apply Through AACOMAS

• You don’t have the GPA or MCAT scores to get into allopathic (MD) schools.
• You plan only to practice medicine in the United States.
• You had a DO as a mentor or worked closely with osteopathic doctors.
• You have a passion for osteopathic medicine.

TMDSAS: The Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service

TMDSAS is the primary application service for most medical schools located in Texas, including dental and veterinary schools. Every first-year class in Texas is composed of 10% out-of-state applicants and 90% in-state applicants. Since the vast majority of medical school applicants come from Texas, they have their own centralized medical school application service. It also means that native Texans have a significant advantage when applying to schools in their home state, whereas anyone from outside of Texas has a significant disadvantage.

Reasons to Apply Through TMDSAS

• You wish to attend a Texas medical school that uses TMDSAS.
• You live in Texas.
• You have extracurricular or work experience in the Texas medical system.

Application Service Comparison Summary:

• AMCAS: Standard for MD schools; used by the vast majority of US medical schools.
• AACOMAS: For DO schools; focuses on holistic, whole-body osteopathic medicine.
• TMDSAS: For Texas schools; prioritizes 90% in-state applicants for first-year classes.