Top Tips for a Successful ADEA AADSAS® Application

Top Tips for a Successful
®
ADEA AADSAS
Application
Rosa 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!
What should you include in your plan?
•
Academic Goals:
•
•
•
Courses:
•
•
•
•
GPA
DAT
Pre-Requisites
Needed for DAT
Record of Activities (Living Resume)
List of Dental Schools with Important Information!
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
Put your best foot
forward…but don’t
exaggerate!
Honesty is the best
policy!
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 TOPICS
ADEA 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
Theme



a 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
Preparation is key!
• 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!
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.
Financial planning for travel,
housing and wardrobe
• 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.
Interview Day
 Dress professional.
 Be ready to talk about you!
 Know yourself, what’s unique about you?
 Treat the entire day as an interview!
The Interview
 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.
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.