When do Medical School Applications Open?

TMDSAS Application Opening Dates (Texas Medical Schools)

What is TMDSAS?
The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) is used by all public medical schools in Texas, including both MD and DO programs. If you're applying to Texas schools, you must use TMDSAS—these schools don't participate in AMCAS or AACOMAS.

Key Dates:

• Application Opens: May 1, 2026
• Submission Window Opens: May 15, 2026
• Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
• Supporting Documents Deadline: October 15, 2026

What Makes TMDSAS Different:

TMDSAS has a much shorter waiting period: only 14 days between opening and when you can submit. This is advantageous if you're only applying to Texas schools. However, TMDSAS also has hard deadlines (October 1st), unlike the other systems which technically stay open much later.

Another unique feature: TMDSAS uses a match system similar to the residency match. After interviews, you rank your school preferences, schools rank applicants, and a computerized match pairs applicants with schools in mid-February. Some applicants to TMDSAS will get "prematch offers" as well that come in early winter.

Processing time for TMDSAS is generally 2-4 weeks after submission, which is faster than AMCAS during peak times.

Official Source: TMDSAS

AACOMAS Application Opening Dates (DO/Osteopathic Medical Schools)

What is AACOMAS?
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is the centralized application system for 38 osteopathic (DO) medical schools in the United States.

Key Dates:

• Application Opens: May 5, 2026
• Submission Window Opens: May 5, 2026 (same day)
• Typical Processing Time: 2-6 weeks

What Makes AACOMAS Different:

Unlike AMCAS, AACOMAS allows you to submit immediately when the application opens on May 5. There's no waiting period. This means if you're ready, you could theoretically submit on day one.

However, most successful applicants still take a few weeks to carefully review and refine their applications before submitting. Just because you can submit immediately doesn't mean you should rush.

AACOMAS processing times vary widely depending on when you submit. Early submissions (May) often process in 2-3 weeks, while late submissions (July-August) can take 4-6 weeks or longer.

Official Source: AACOM AACOMAS

What "Opening" Actually Means: Understanding the Three Phases

Many applicants don't realize that "when applications open" doesn't mean you can immediately submit and have schools review your application. There are actually three distinct phases:

Phase 1: Application Opens (Early May)

This is when you can access the application portal and begin entering information:

• Personal and biographical information
• Educational history
• Coursework (tedious but extremely important)
• Experiences and activities
• Personal statement
• School selection (you can add schools after submission)

Time needed: Most applicants need 20-40 hours to complete all sections thoughtfully. Don't underestimate this.

Phase 2: Submission Window Opens (Mid to Late May)

This is when you can click "submit" and pay your application fees:

• AMCAS: May 27
• TMDSAS: May 15
• AACOMAS: May 5 (same as opening)

After submission, you cannot make changes to most sections. Your application enters the verification queue.

Phase 3: Verified and Transmitted (Late June Onward)

This is when medical schools actually receive and can begin reviewing your application:

• AMCAS: First batch transmitted June 27
• TMDSAS: 2-4 weeks after your submission
• AACOMAS: 2-6 weeks after your submission

Critical point: Schools cannot see your application during verification. A June 1 submission might not reach schools until mid-July if verification is slow. This is why submitting in the first week of the submission window is ideal.

How to Use the "Open But Not Submittable" Window Strategically

The period between when AMCAS opens (May 1) and when submissions begin (May 27) is 26 days of valuable time! Here's a proposed calendar to use:

Days 1-3 (May 1-3): Enter Biographical Information

• Complete all personal information sections
• Enter your MCAT scores (release them to AMCAS if you haven't)
• Request official transcripts through the system

Days 4-10 (May 4-10): Coursework Entry

This is the most tedious part. You must enter every. single. course. from your transcript.

• Enter all courses exactly as they appear on transcripts
• Double-check for accuracy—errors delay verification
• Use AMCAS course classification correctly

Days 11-18 (May 11-18): Experiences and Personal Statement Sections

• Enter all your experiences (up to 15 for AMCAS)
• Write compelling 700-character descriptions
• Designate your 3 "most meaningful" experiences
• Write 1,325-character reflections for those three
• Enter your personal statement (up to 5,300 or 5,000 characters depending on the system. Use a text editor and don't copy and paste from Google Docs, Pages or Word).

Days 19-24 (May 19-24): Final Review

• Read through your entire application
• Check for typos and inconsistencies
• Verify all dates and hours are accurate
• Verify all coursework and grades are accurate
• Have someone else review it

Days 25-26 (May 25-26): Ready to Submit

• Have your credit card ready
• Know exactly which schools you're applying to
• Be prepared to click submit at 9:30 AM EST on May 27

May 27: Submit!

Submit as early in the day as possible. Early morning submissions often get verified faster than end-of-day submissions simply because of queue position.

Why Early Submission Matters: The Data

Let me share some insights from my years in admissions about why early submission is so critical.

Rolling Admissions Reality

Medical schools don't wait until they have all applications to start reviewing. They begin as soon as verified applications arrive in late June. Interview invitations start going out in July and August, with the heaviest wave from August through December. Applicants who submit early get early interviews, early acceptances, and experience less stress than applicants who submit later.

What this means:

• Interview slots are finite
• Schools fill their class throughout the cycle
• By December, many schools have filled 50-80% of their class
• Late applicants compete for fewer spots

Verification Timing Advantage

June submissions:

• Verification time: 1-3 weeks typically
• Transmitted to schools: Late June to mid-July
• Interview invitations: July-September

August submissions:

• Verification time: 4-6 weeks (peak processing)
• Transmitted to schools: Mid-September to October
• Interview invitations: October-December (fewer slots available)

The Numbers Don't Lie

While I can't share specific institutional data, national trends show that applicants who submit within the first month of the submission window have notably higher acceptance rates than those who submit later even when controlling for MCAT and GPA.

This isn't because late applicants are less qualified. It's purely a function of opportunity. More interview slots are available early in the cycle.

Common Mistakes Applicants Make with Medical School Application Timing

Over the years, I've seen the same mistakes repeatedly. Here are the ones that hurt applicants most:

Mistake #1: Waiting for the "Perfect" MCAT Score

The scenario: An applicant takes the MCAT in June or July, hoping to improve their score before applying. By the time they get their score back and submit, it's August or September.

The reality: Unless you're applying exclusively to top-tier schools where a 520+ is expected, waiting for a slightly better MCAT score isn't worth the massive timing disadvantage. A 512 submitted in June often outperforms a 516 submitted in September.

Mistake #2: Treating May 27 as a "Deadline" Rather Than an Opportunity

The scenario: Applicants think, "The deadline is technically in fall, so I have plenty of time. I'll submit in late June or July."

The reality: Medical school admissions has no real "deadline" in the traditional sense. Every day you wait after the submission window opens, you're competing for fewer interview slots.

Mistake #3: Not Using the May 1-27 Window

The scenario: Applicants wait until May 27 to even look at the application, then realize they need 40+ hours to complete it.

The reality: The 26 day pre-submission window exists for a reason. Use it to have everything perfect and ready to submit on day one of the submission window.

Mistake #4: Submitting Without Having Letters of Recommendation Ready

The scenario: An applicant submits their primary application but their letters of recommendation don't arrive until August.

The reality: Your application isn't complete, and schools won't review it until all letters are received. If your application is verified in early July but letters don't arrive until August, you've lost your early advantage.

Mistake #5: Starting the Personal Statement in May

The scenario: An applicant tries to write a compelling personal statement in the 2-3 weeks before submission.

The reality: Great personal statements require time, reflection, and multiple revisions. Starting in May means you're rushing one of the most important parts of your application.

Historical Application Opening Dates: Spotting the Pattern

Looking at historical data helps you predict future years. Here's when applications have opened for the past several cycles:

The Pattern:

• TMDSAS: Almost always opens May 1st
• AMCAS: Opens the first or second day of May, always at 9:30 AM EST
• AACOMAS: Opens within the first week of May, often on a Monday

Submission Windows:

• AMCAS: Always opens approximately 26-27 days after the application opens
• TMDSAS: Always opens May 15th, exactly 14 days after opening
• AACOMAS: Submissions allowed immediately upon opening

Planning tip: If you're applying in future cycles (2027-2028 or beyond), you can safely assume applications will open the first week of May. Plan your MCAT and preparation timeline accordingly.

What to Do if You're Not Ready When Applications Open

Life happens. What if you're not ready by May 1st? Here's my honest advice:

If You're Close (Ready by Mid-June):

Go ahead and apply this cycle. A mid-June submission still puts you in good shape. Many successful applicants submit in mid to late June.

Focus on:

• Submitting the absolute best application you can
• Not rushing sections just to be "early"
• Having compelling personal statement and experiences

If You Need Until July-August:

Carefully evaluate your competitiveness. If your stats (GPA and MCAT) are strong and you're applying broadly, you can still succeed with a July submission. However:

• Your chances decrease compared to early submission
• Apply more broadly than you otherwise would
• Make sure every aspect of your application is excellent
• Consider whether waiting until next cycle might be smarter

If You're Not Ready Until September or Later:

Strongly consider waiting until next cycle. I know this is hard to hear, but I've seen too many qualified applicants waste time and money on late applications.

Exceptions:

• You have exceptionally strong stats (520+ MCAT, 3.9+ GPA)
• You're applying to schools with late rolling admissions
• You have strong connections to specific schools
• You're applying to schools where you're significantly above the median

Better approach: Use this year to strengthen your application and apply early next cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit my application the day it opens?

For AACOMAS and TMDSAS, technically yes. AACOMAS allows immediate submission on May 5, and TMDSAS allows submission starting May 15. However, for AMCAS, you must wait until May 27 to submit, even though the application opens May 1.

That said, just because you can submit immediately doesn't mean you should. Take the time to craft a thoughtful, polished application. The difference between submitting May 5 vs. June 1 is minimal; the difference between a rushed application and a polished one is enormous.

What if I'm not ready when applications open?

This depends on how "not ready" you are. If you're waiting for:

• MCAT scores from April/June test: That's fine. You can submit an application without an MCAT score and get verified. 
• One letter of recommendation: Submit anyway. Letters can be added after submission.
• To improve your personal statement: Take the extra time. A slightly delayed submission with a great personal statement beats an early submission with a mediocre one.

However, if you won't be ready until August or September, seriously consider waiting until next cycle.

Do all medical schools receive applications on the same date?

For schools using the same application service, yes—once your application is verified:

• AMCAS: All MD schools you selected receive the first wave of verified applications simultaneously when they are transmitted to medical schools at the end of June. After that date, applications are sent to medical schools as they are verified.
• AACOMAS: All DO schools receive it after processing
• TMDSAS: All Texas schools receive it after processing

However, schools can start reviewing at different times. Some begin reviewing in late June, others wait until July or August.

When should I have my MCAT score by?

Ideal scenario: Score available by late May (tested in March or April)

This allows you to:

• Include your score in your initial application
• Create an appropriate school list based on your actual score
• Avoid waiting in uncertainty

Acceptable scenario: Score available by late June or July (tested in May or June)

You can still apply successfully, but you'll need to:

• Create a preliminary school list
• Potentially add/remove schools once you get your score
• Accept some uncertainty during application preparation

Risky scenario: Taking the MCAT in July or later

This significantly delays your application timeline and is only recommended if you're taking a gap year and applying the following cycle, or if you're retaking after an initial attempt.

What's the latest I can realistically apply and still be competitive?

This is the question I get most often, and the answer depends on your competitiveness:

Strong candidates (520+ MCAT, 3.8+ GPA):

• Can succeed submitting through July
• August submissions become risky but possible
• Apply more broadly if submitting late

Average candidates (510-515 MCAT, 3.5-3.7 GPA):

• Should submit by late June or early July
• July submissions require broader application
• August or later = strongly consider waiting

Below-average candidates:

• Should submit as early as possible
• Every day matters more when stats are below median
• Late submission significantly hurts already challenging odds

The hard truth: While application systems stay open through fall, competitive applicants should aim for June submission. September is generally too late unless you have exceptional circumstances.

Do I need to have my letters of recommendation before submitting?

No, you can submit your primary application before all letters of recommendation arrive. However:

Your application is not complete until all letters are received.

Schools won't review your application until it's complete, which means:

• Submit your primary application in early June
• But if letters don't arrive until August, schools won't start reviewing until August
• You've lost your early submission advantage

Best practice: Have letter writers submit by early June, shortly after you submit your primary application. Your application should be complete by late June or early July at the latest.

Need Personalized Guidance?

As a former medical school admissions officer, I've helped thousands of applicants navigate the medical school application process successfully. If you're feeling overwhelmed or want to make sure you're maximizing your chances, we're here to help.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific situation and timeline.

Final Thoughts

Understanding when medical school applications open is just the first step. The real key to success is being prepared to take full advantage of the application window.

Remember these critical points:

1. Applications open early May, but submission dates vary: Know your specific system
2. Early submission matters:  Rolling admissions means earlier is better
3. Use the pre-submission window strategically: Don't wait until submission day to start
4. Verification takes time: Factor this into your planning
5. Complete is better than early: But aim for both

You can do this too. Start preparing now, understand the timeline, and you'll be ready to submit a compelling application as soon as the submission window opens.

Good luck with your medical school application journey!

Have questions about when to apply or how to prepare? Contact us for personalized guidance from our team of former medical school admissions officers.