Top Tips for a Successful ADEA AADSAS®

ApplicationRosa Chaviano-Moran, DMD, Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine

Annette McMurry, JD, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

Wes Parham, MBA, University of Missouri Kansas City College of Dentistry

Sean Rowan, MA, Western University of Health Science College of Dental Medicine

ADEA AADSAS = American Dental Education Association Associated American Dental Schools Application Service

Planning to Apply• When should you make your

plan?• Begin exploration of dentistry

early• Once you’ve decide dentistry is

for you, make your plan!• Could be in high school, early

college, or for some later! • What is important is that you

have a PLAN!

• Academic Goals:• GPA• DAT

• Courses:• Pre-Requisites• Needed for DAT

• Record of Activities (Living Resume)• List of Dental Schools with Important Information!

What should you include in your plan?

Important ADEA AADSAS Application Information to Include in Your Plan:

• Application Pieces & Parts

• Application Cost

• Deadlines & Important Dates:• Application Opens June 1, 2016• National Acceptance: December 1

Other Things to Include in Your Plan• The Cost of Applying—Save $$$ Now! • What to wear

• Professional Attire—Do you own a suit?• On-Campus Resources & Community

Resources• Writing Center• Mock Interviews—Practice Make Perfect• Career Services• Pre-Dental & Pre-Health Clubs

• Timing of interviews• Most likely in the fall• What will your schedule look like

Letters of Evaluation (LOE)• Each school has their own LOE requirements• You can have up to four on file with ADEA

AADSAS• Academic letters are a must—many schools

require a LOE from a science professor• Think long and hard about who you want to

write your letter• Give them plenty of notice—don’t rush them! • Timing is key—a missing letter can hold up

your file

Honesty is the best policy!

Put your best foot forward…but don’t exaggerate!

Your Personal Statement

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Personal Statement: The VOICE to your application. This is your best opportunity to let the committee hear who you are.

PERSONAL STATEMENT TOPICSADEA SUGGESTIONS

• How did you become interested in studying dentistry?

• What have you done to research the field?

• How do you envision yourself using your degree?

• What have you done to demonstrate your commitment to helping

others?

• What special talents or leadership skills do you have?

• What special experiences have you benefitted from (internships,

missions trips, research, etc)?

• What challenges have you overcome to reach your goal of

dentistry? How have those experiences influenced you?

For awesome essay topics

2 Essential Components

Themea unifying idea, image, or motif, repeated

or developed throughout a work

Implication a necessary circumstance, or something to be inferred

or understood.

Potential Narrative Topics

• Who are you? What/Who has shaped you be

the person you are today?

• How does dentistry mesh with your core

beliefs and values?

• How do you expect the dentistry education

process to change you?

Bad Essays• Generic

• Short Sighted

• Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

• Unprofessional vs. Personal voice

• Boring

Good Essay Tips

• Specific

• Be Honest

• Personal & Professional voice

• Deal with application difficulties

• Build a Narrative

The Dental School Interview

• Most dental schools require an in person interview.

• The interview is your opportunity to impress the interviewer and learn more about the program.

• Take time to prepare for your interview.

• Every school’s interview process is unique!

Preparation is key!

What kind of interview is it?

• Do your homework, find out what type of interview it will be?

• Closed File?

• Open File?•

• Multiple Mini Interviews/MMI?

• Do a mock interview that matches the type of interview you're going on.

• Start saving $$$$ early, interviewing can be expensive.

• Invest in professional attire.

• Plan your interview travel and overnight arrangements.

• Arrive for the interview with plenty of time to spare.

Financial planning for travel,housing and wardrobe

Dress professional.

Be ready to talk about you!

Know yourself, what’s unique about you?

Treat the entire day as an interview!

Interview Day

Be yourself and smile.

Anticipate and prepare for common questions: Why do you want to become a dentist? What is your greatest weakness and/or strength? Tell me about a time when…

Ask your own questions.

Follow-up. Send a thank you card (or e-mail) to the admissions director and interviewer.

The Interview

Additional Information:

http://www.asdanet.org/predental/interview-tips.aspx

http://www.adea.org/GoDental/Dental_Blogs/Advice_from_admissions_officers/How_to_Prepare_for_Your_Dental_School_Interview.aspx

Avoid the Oop’s Moments….

Social media Voicemail messages Questionable usernames and email addresses Proofread

Tips for Navigating the ADEA GoDental Recruitment Fair

Successfully

The 2016 ADEA GoDental Recruitment Fair is an amazing opportunity for all of you today to interact and connect with admissions officers representing dental schools from a variety of locations and sizes.

Take advantage and learn about all of the options that these schools have to offer you.

START WITH A PLAN!If you haven’t done this already for today’s event, before the recruitment fair opens look through the flyer and the list of all the dental school that are here today. -Spend at least 5 minutes writing down questions for each school you want to visit.

• Dental School Preferences –• Private vs Public• Urban vs Suburban campus

Then add 5 schools that aren’t on your list. You never know what opportunities you could be missing unless you do some exploration out of your “comfort zone.”

Use the recruitment fair floorplan to navigate the event and use your time successfully/efficiently.

If you see a long line at one of the schools you want to speak to, review the floorplan and move on to the next school on your list that is in close proximity.

Do not waste time standing in long lines.

Professionalism is critical and noticed.

Think about how you present yourself, and not just during your introduction. Dental school recruiters are paying attention to this. Remember, first impressions matter!

-Be careful not to interrupt another student/ or a conversation, and consider listening to others’ questions as it might spark a question or two on your end. -Make notes to self…. about the strengths…weaknesses

Go beyond the “Hi, my name is.”

Make sure you share at least one additional item about yourself to dental school recruiters besides your name.

• Ideas include what school you attend. • Your status, undergraduate /graduate level.• Know why you want to go to dental school.• Why you may be interested in their program.• Ask about their specific requirements.• Ask about scheduling a visit or consultation opportunities.