2014 AMERICAN DENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (ADEA)
GODENTAL WORKSHOP AND RECRUITMENT FAIR
SAN ANTONIO
DENTAL SCHOOL PANEL
Eugenia E. Mejia, Ph.D
Senior Director of Admissions
New York University College of Dentistry
Kathy Candito
Associate Dean for Student Services
Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry
Stephanie L. Perry M.Ed.
Corky Cacas
Director of Student Admissions
Georgia Regents University College Dental Medicine
Director of Admissions
University of Pennsylvania
School of Dental Medicine
AGENDA

Timeline for application





Current GPA readiness
Summer classes
DAT
Request letter of recommendation
Supplemental application

Essay Tips

Application sections



Predental curriculum





Coursework
GPA
BCP



Non-cognitive variable




Shadowing
Research
Extracurricular activities
Work experience
Ethnicity
Disadvantaged background
Application fee waiver
Background checks
Disclosure on application
Interview preparation

Phone/email etiquette
APPLICATION TIMELINE
AADSAS DEADLINES


June 1: Application service available
February 1: Application cycle closes
 Note – some schools have earlier deadlines
APPLICATION TIMELINE
12 months prior:
 Meet with pre-health advisor
 Follow ADEA GoDental
 Create application spreadsheet
 Attend open houses & recruitment fairs
 Financial planning
 DAT
prep
 Application fees
 Travel expenses
 Interview attire
APPLICATION TIMELINE
6 months prior:
 Request LOE; pre-health interviews for committee
letters
 DAT preparation
 Post-bac or Master’s application(s) if needed
3 months prior
 Personal statement – need at least 3 drafts
 Résumé



Shadowing hours (varies by school)
Extracurricular activities
Request transcripts from non-degree-conferring schools
PRE-DENTAL CURRICULUM
Selecting The Right Courses for
Dental School
Major Areas of Undergraduate Study:
Dental School Enrollees
Percentile
2.9% 3.9%
4.1%
Bilogical Science
Chemistry/Physical
Science
Social Sciences
10.2%
16.4%
53.4%
Humanities/Arts
Engineering
Source: ADEA
MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS FOR
DENTAL SCHOOL
Remember
Every school has slightly
different requirements





Biology: 2/4 semesters (general bio + 2 upper-level bio) + lab
General Chemistry: 2 semesters + lab
Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters
Physics: 2 semester + lab
English, communications, or speech: 2 semester
RECOMMENDED SCIENCE COURSEWORK
Upper Division Courses w/ Lab:
 Human Anatomy
 Physiology
 Biochemistry
 Histology
 Microbiology
RECOMMENDED NON-SCIENCE COURSEWORK






Calculus/Statistics
Psychology
Economics/Business
Communication/Speech
Sociology
Humanities
RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE COURSEWORK
AND ACTIVITIES






Ceramics
Sculpture
Mechanical Drafting
Drawing
Playing musical instruments
Playing sports
TRANSCRIPTS

Firm foundation:
pre-dental sciences

Strongly
recommended: upperdivision science
courses

Demonstrated ability:
full-time science
curriculum over
consecutive terms
GPA – TOTAL, SCIENCE & BCP
SELECTION FACTORS
Academic
Coursework
DAT
Course load
sufficiency
GPA
Non-Academic
LORs /
Essay
Extra-Curricular
/ Leadership
Dental
Experience
Manual
Dexterity
CONTACT INFORMATION

Email Address

Professional


Phone Messages

[email protected]
Not Professional
[email protected]
 [email protected]
 [email protected]



Make sure your cell voice
mail has been set up
Avoid funny message
Out drinking call me later
 You know what to do – so
do it

PHONE AND EMAIL ETIQUETTE
Avoid calling too many times asking what your
status is
 If in the application cycle avoid calling asking
how you can strengthen your application
 Avoid sending long emails asking for
requirements before you research school’s
web-site

The Non-Cognitive Factors
College Club memberships, fraternity/sorority
activities, campus-wide initiatives, athlete,
student services
Dental Exposure
Extracurricular / Leadership
Shadowing in private practice,
Volunteering in public health
Hands-on in dental lab
Dental mission trips
Time Management
Work, Caregiver,
Family, Dual Role
EXAMINING
•
•
Student Research for
credit, pay, publishing.
TA as graduate student
Scientists as
biologist/chemist
Soup Kitchens
Community Involvement
Recognition
THE
NUMBERS
THE
APPLICANT
Dean’s List, Scholar, National
or local recognition
BEHIND
Work Experience
Research
•
Boys and Girls Club
Hospitals
Nursing Homes
After-school programs
Missions
Life Experiences
•
•
•
•
Military
Non-traditional
Late Bloomer
Well-traveled
Resident hall, TA, student
services, offices,
restaurants, tutoring, family
business, dental office, etc.
PERSONAL STATEMENT TIPS





Know your audience
Use the personal statement as a form of introduction
Perform a personal inventory of your unique
experiences, influences, accomplishments and
abilities to gather content
Engage the reader from start to finish within the
4,500 character limit
Have family, friends, and faculty advisor provide
feedback before submitting statement
DO….






Be honest and sincere
Be positive and focus on your strengths or special
talents
Demonstrate your interest in the profession
Write clearly
Make sure you have edited for spelling, grammar,
punctuation, format, etc.
Allow time to write, re-write and edit
DON’T …..






Write what you think the admissions committee wants
to hear
Use a gimmicky style or format
Use clichés or use statements like “I have always
wanted to be a dentist since I was ….”
Summarize your resume or repeat information directly
from the application
Emphasize the negative
Wait until the last minute to get started on your
statement
APPLICATION SECTIONS

Race and Ethnicity

Background Information




Have you previously applied to or currently applying to a
health profession school other than dentistry?
Has your education ever been interrupted….?
Have you ever violated a school policy or procedure or an
honor code….?
Are you currently under charge or have you ever been
convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, other than minor
traffic violations?
APPLICATION SECTIONS

Disadvantaged Student Section



Yes, No
Space for explanation
Other application service features


Fee Assistance Program (FAP)
Background checks
THE INTERVIEW
COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Interact well with others
 Effective communicator
 Good listener

Establish relationships of trust
and confidence with patients
 Patient Management
 Performance in Clinic

Leader

Team player

Maturity
FIRST IMPRESSIONS …
ARE LASTING IMPRESSIONS
NO MATTER HOW DISTRACTED OR
NERVOUS YOU FEEL …
act and speak as if you’d rather be
there any anywhere else
be memorable
your personal style – humor,
dress, humility, and
presentation – will set you
apart
exude confidence
if you’re relaxed and smiling,
people will sense your positive
energy
DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Men:
suit / coat & tie
 Socks – solid dark color
that matches
/complements suit
trousers


Women:
 Suit or tailored
dress, with
stockings
GOOD HYGIENE!
It’s Your Big Day…
If you snooze, you
lose.
Stay Awake
For It!
DON’T FORGET
Be on time
 Dress appropriately
 Ask questions
 Be yourself
 Be engaged
 Relax and have fun!

THANK YOU!
Questions?