UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
C O L L E G E O F D E N T I S T RY
SUMMER LEARNING 2010
P O RT FO L I O
STUDENT NAME
Summer Learning
2010 Portfolio
IN THIS SECTION:
1. Draft AADSAS Application (Exposure to AADSAS,
Discussed in Interview workshop)
2. Draft Personal Statement (Fear factor, advising.
Reviewed and edited in Personal Statement
Workshop)
3. Homework: Factors to consider in Choosing a Dental
School (Self-reflection, Homework nite before program
begins)
4. Homework: My Strengths and Weaknesses as an
Applicant (Self-reflection, Homework nite before
progam begins)
 Here is the material we asked you to prepare before you came to
the Summer Program in July. Your preparation will help you get
the most out of your time here. It also is an indication of your
motivation, organizational skills and time management. These
are all things that play a role in gaining admission to dental
Before
Preparation for the Program
 1. Draft AADSAS Application:
 Put your draft AADSAS Application Here.
We asked you to complete a mock AADSAS application because
you will be doing that when you really apply to dental school.
Being familiar with the application now will help you figure out
your strengths and weaknesses now as a future applicant.
It will also help you make your personal action plan
on things to do to strengthen your real application for
the future.
IN THIS SECTION:
 2. Draft Personal Statement: Put your personal statement here.
When you apply to dental school you will write several essays. Your
AADSAS personal statement will go to all dental schools to which
you apply. Most dental schools also have secondary, supplemental
applications which can include several essays also. Those essays
only go to the one school requesting them. Your AADSAS personal
statement should be a reflective autobiographical essay:
This essay will allow you to communicate your skills, abilities,
strengths and qualities that will make you a successful dentist.
Try to express what makes you unique and why you think you
will make an excellent dentist. In other words, what physical
and behavioral skills do you possess that will enrich your
career as a dentist. The essay should be no more than 500 words,
Include: The skills, attitudes, knowledge and strengths you feel
you possess, A description of where, when and how you developed
these attributes, Reflection on how your attributes are meaningful
and related to the role of a dentist. What are your strongest skills?
What are your major accomplishments? What are your greatest
strengths? How do your skills and strengths relate to becoming a
dentist? What sparked your interest in dentistry?
 3. What’s Important to YOU? Rank The Factors You will
Consider in Choosing a Dental School
o Homework Assignment
We want you to explore the things that you value in your personal decision making regarding dental
school. Here are some factors that other people have said are important to them. Choose and rank the
ones that are important to you. Add anything that we left out.
Common factors: FAMILY, WEATHER, LOCATION, TECHNOLOGY, SCHOOL FACILITIES, TUITION, COST
OF ATTENDANCE, COST OF LIVING IN THAT CITY, QUALITY OF LIFE, LEISURE ACTIVITIES, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES,
PRESTIGE, QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION, RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS, TUTORING, COUNSELING,
COMMUNITY ISSUES, BOARD PASS RATE, FACULTY TO STUDENT RATIO, SCHOOL REPUTATION, ACCEPTANCE
INTO SPECIALTY PROGRAMS AFTER GRADUATION, SIMULATION LAB, CEREC, PATIENT AVAILABILITY, DIGITAL
RADIOGRAPHS, RESEARCH EMPHASIS, FRIENDLINESS, MAKE-UP OF STUDENT BODY, DIVERSITY.
1___________________________________________________
2.__________________________________________________
3__________________________________________________
4.__________________________________________________
5__________________________________________________
6.__________________________________________________
7__________________________________________________
8.__________________________________________________
9__________________________________________________
10__________________________________________________
 4. My Strengths and Weaknesses as an Applicant:
o Homework assignment
We want you to take a little time to think about yourself, not as a person, or a friend, but as an
applicant. Think about what you wrote in your personal statement and your AADSAS application.
What parts of your application already shine? Where are your real strengths as an applicant? List them
below. DO THAT FIRST!!! Some people find that thinking about their strengths is really hard, so don’t
give up. This is not the time to be polite or modest about yourself. If you don’t see yourself as having
strengths, then admissions committees might not either. 
Ok, now think about your application and the areas that are weak for you. People are different and
have different weaknesses. What are your weaknesses? Write them down below.
Strengths as an Applicant
Weaknesses as an Applicant
1________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
 4. WORKSHOP
 My School’s Strengths and Weaknesses as a URM/LI Applicant:
o Homework assignment
We want you to take a little time to think about your school from the perspective of a URM/LI
applicant. Think about what they might see and experience as they visit your school and learn more
about your program. Think about the outside messages they receive about your school. Where are your
real strengths as a school? List them below. DO THAT FIRST!!!
Ok, now think about your college and the areas that are weak. Schools are different and have different
weaknesses. What are your school’s weaknesses? Write them down below.
Strengths
Weaknesses
1________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6.________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7.________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Summer Learning
2010 Portfolio
Materials from the Program
IN THIS SECTION


Journal Club Articles (2 journal clubs, students paired & present together, topics: Access
to Care and Dental School Admissions)
a.
a.
Clinical Rotation Reflection
b.
Simulation Lab Reflection
c.
General Practice Visit Reflection

DAT Practice Test Scores & Workshops (Kaplan practice test and PAT review, Math
workshop, DAT issues lecture)

Values assessment (Self-reflection, reviewed in group)

Financial Aid Workshop (2 Workshop, one on expenses of applying to dental school,
HIGHLY RECOMMEND something like this, one on total cost of dental
school/indebtedness, financial aid.)


a.
Cost of Applying to Dental School
b.
Total Cost of Attendance Calculation
c.
Budget worksheets
d.
Time vs Money Newsletter
Capstone Project (Pairs or individuals)
During
Review Sheet
Clinic Orientation (Students are asked to keep a non phi log of their clinical and
simulation lab experiences)
1. Journal Club Article and Review Sheet
You and a partner will be given a reprint of an article from the dental literature on
the topic either. You both should read the article and fill out the review sheet in the
portfolio in preparation for discussion at your Journal club session. You both will
present the article to the group using the review sheet as your guide. The purpose of
doing this is to expose you to tow important topics, “Access to Care” and “Dental
Admissions” to help you begin to become a more informed applicant in the future.
JOURNAL CLUB ARTICLE REVIEW
Journal: ____________________________ Year:______ Page #s:__________
Title:___________________________________________________________
________________________________
Answer “Yes” or “No” to the following items:
1. Look at the title, the first paragraph, and the last paragraph (or summary) at the
end of article, Could the summary or conclusions at the end possibly follow logically
from the hypotheses, introduction or plan at the beginning of the article?
Y_____________N___________
2. Is there a bibliography? Y_____________N___________
3. Does it appear current or comprehensive? Y_____________N___________
4. Has the author given you any clear reason to consider him/her an authority or
particularly well informed on the topic of the article?
Y_____________N___________
5. Characterize the article as one of the following:
a. anecdotal – tells a little story – “How I became a Doctor”
b. opinion – “Abortion is Wrong. Let’s Outlaw It!”
c. descriptive – “A Case of Caffeine Addiction in a Medical Student”
d. survey of the literature – “Current Treatment of Chilblains”
e. original research
6. Describe the population being studied.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________
a) What is the N of this population? ___________________________
b) Do you feel this is a large enough sample to support conclusions?
Y___________N___________
c) What conclusions are made in this article.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
d) What did you learn from this article?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
7. Do the reasoning and factual data lead soundly to the conclusions given?
Y_____________N___________
8. Will you alter your thinking or practice because of this article?
Y_____________N___________
9. Please sum up the number of check marks in each column. This will give you some
criteria for deciding whether this article is worth remembering.
10. Please put a very (2-3 sentences are OK) brief summary of the article and your
impressions of it on the back of this sheet.
2. A. Clinical Orientation & Clinical Rotation
Reflections
You will be given an orientation to the dental clinics so that you can know more
about the dental student clinics here.
Write about your observations as you observe in the dental student clinics.
What is exciting to you? What are you doing well? What seems like a natural
and good fit for you?
Did anything surprise you? Pleasantly? Unpleasantly? Are you worried about
anything that you observed?
2B. Simulation Laboratory Reflections
You will participate in dental laboratory experiences in the Simulation Lab
while you are here. These are very similar to the types of experiences that
dental students have in dental school.
Write about your observations as you work in the simulation lab. What is
exciting to you? What are you doing well? What seems like a natural and
good fit for you?
Did anything surprise you? Pleasantly? Unpleasantly? Are you worried about
anything that you’ve experienced?
2C. General Practice Visit Reflection
You will visit a practicing general dentist in his or her office to give
you another view of the dental profession. To make the most of
this experience, we want you to come prepared with questions
about setting up and running a practice. Also think about
questions about the type of dental procedures that are done and
the type of support needed to do those things. Also ask about
lifestyle, community involvement and how the dentist balances
their time.
3. DAT Practice Test, Overview, Quantitative
and Perceptual Ability Workshops
You will take a short version of the DAT to give you the “feel” of the DAT without
costing hundreds of dollars or giving you a set of poor scores that follow you when
you apply to dental school. Kaplan centers offer this practice test for free once a
semester at their centers. It is a great way to get a feel for the test without spending
a dime.
You will also attend three DAT workshops to help you learn more about preparing
for the DAT, and tips on taking the Perceptual Ability and Quantitative Reasoning
section of the test.
Put your DAT practice test scores and handouts from the DAT workshop here to
save for later.
4. Values Assessment
You will complete an assignment to explore the things that are important to you, things
that you value. You will use this later on when you are deciding where to apply.
All of the following values are worthwhile. Put a check mark next to the TEN most
important to you. You may write in other values if your top values are not on this list. After
checking off your top TEN choices, circle FIVE that are most important to you.
____ACHIEVEMENT (sense of accomplishment by means of skills, practice, perseverance, or exertion)
____ADVANCEMENT (Moving forward in your career through promotions)
____ADVENTURE (work which frequently involves risk taking)
____AESTHETICS (involved in studying or appreciating the beauty of ideas, things, etc.)
____AUTONOMY (working independently, determine the nature of your work without significant
direction from others)
____CARING (love, affection)
____CHALLENGE (stimulates full use of your potential)
____CHANGE & VARIETY (varied, frequently changing work responsibilities and/or work settings)
____COMPETITION (Pit your abilities against others where there is clear win/lose outcomes)
____COOPERATION (opportunity to work as a team toward common goals)
____CREATIVITY (being imaginative, innovative)
____ECONOMIC SECURITY (having enough money)
____EXCITEMENT (experience a high degree of, or frequent excitement in your work)
____FAMILY HAPPINESS (being able to spend quality time and develop relationships with family)
____FRIENDSHIP (develop close personal relationships)
____HEALTH (Physical and psychological wellbeing)
____HELP OTHERS (be involved in helping people in a direct way, individually or in a group.)
____HELP SOCIETY (do something to contribute to the betterment of the world)
____INNER HARMONY (being at peace with oneself)
____INTEGRITY (sincerity and honesty)
____INTELLECTUAL STATUS (Be regarded as an expert in your field)
____KNOWLEDGE (understanding gained through study and experience)
____LEADERSHIP (influence over others)
____LEISURE (have time for hobbies, sports, activities and interests)
____LOCATION (place conducive to your lifestyle and allows you to do the things you enjoy most)
____LOYALTY (steadfastness and allegiance)
____PLEASURE (enjoyment)
____POWER (authority)
____PRECISION (work in situations where there is little tolerance for error)
____RESPONSIBILITY (being accountable for results)
____RECOGNITION (getting acknowledged for your contribution)
____STABILITY (Work routine and duties that are largely predictable, not likely to change over a long
period of time)
____SPIRITUALITY
____TIME FREEDOM (Work according to your own time schedule, no specific work hours required)
____WEALTH (Profit, gain, making a lot of money)
____WISDOM (understanding based on accumulation of knowledge)
5. Financial Aid Workshop
a. Cost of Applying to Dental School
b. Total Cost of Attendance Calculation
c. Budget worksheets
d. Time vs Money Newsletter
What is Cost of Attendance (COA)?
Colleges or Universities will generally publish on their Web site or in its
financial aid office the college's cost of attendance. This is an estimate of how
much money will be required to attend school for one year at that college,
including all reasonable expenses. Most people, when budgeting for college,
look at the tuition and assume that tuition is more or less the "price tag" for
that school, when the reality is that tuition may be as little as 50% of the
overall budget.
Here is an example of items that make up the Cost of Attendance (COA):
Tuition/Fees
Fees for undergraduate students are based on an average of 30 credit hours
of 0-4999 level courses. Graduate tuition fees are based on 24 class hours
from 5000-9999. Graduate students in dentistry, medicine, and veterinary
medicine pay block fees.
Books and Supplies
Costs are determined by averaging the total cost of books and supplies for a
four-year accounting curriculum at the Campus Shop and Bookstore (with
25% of books purchased used at 75% of new book price, and assuming resale
of 50% of texts at 50% of cost).
Computer Costs
Computer costs built into student budgets are “annualized.” This means the
figure is derived from one year’s monthly costs for purchase or lease of
equipment (including printer, modem/ethernet, CD ROM drive) and annual
software purchases/upgrades. These costs are figured over a two-year
period.
Housing and Meals
Housing costs for undergraduate students living on campus are based on
costs of living in an air-conditioned double room (utilities and a refrigerator
rental allowance are included). On-campus graduates costs are based on an
average of rents for available graduate housing. Off-campus costs are based
on an average of rates quoted by local apartments by phone survey
(allowances are included for phone service and utilities). Food costs are
based on costs of meals established by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Transportation
On- and off-campus transportation costs allow for three round-trips to
Miami per two semesters.
Personal/Health Insurance
The personal budget is based on the U.S. Department of Labor's established
personal costs, including laundry, toiletries, and miscellaneous expenses.
Health insurance costs are based on literature from UF’s Insurance Director
and Committee Chairman.
Clothing Maintenance
The budget for clothing maintenance is based on the U.S. Department of
Labor's established clothing maintenance costs.
Summer Learning 2010
Capstone Project
You and your partner will prepare and
present a 5 minute, oral capstone
presentation as a project at the end of the
program. This is an evaluation of 2
schools you would consider applying to.
IN THIS SECTION:
 Presentation Outline
 Financial Evaluation
 Location
 Program Quality
o Research
o Clinical
 Prestige
 Personal Factors
Capstone
o Summary of Schools Selected
Capstone Project Reference Materials.
You are free to use any materials you like to gather information about the school
that you choose to review. We will provide each group with a current copy of the
ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools as a starting point for your research. You will
need to return these at the end of the program. You are welcome to use the school
websites, www.adea.org has a page with links to all of the dental school websites
which you may want to bookmark to help you find schools. You can also use
references like Kaplan, Barron’s and Princeton guides. Sites like SDN.com and
predents.com also are sources of information.
Here is the format we would like you to use for your presentation. You can make a
PowerPoint or a poster or you can just speak to the group from your report. That is
up to you. On presentation day, we would like you to hand in your project and we
will duplicate it so that you can keep a copy in your portfolio.
1. Summary/School Name: School selected for review and why
2. Financial Evaluation – Total cost of attendance, indebtedness of
graduates, above or below national averages
3. Location – where is it located, weather conditions, city, suburbs, rural,
cost of living (rent, food, distance to school)
4. Program Quality – evaluate the quality of clinical instruction, the
research program and the service component of the curriculum
5. Prestige – compare the prestige of this school to other schools
6. Personal Factors – what’s important to YOU?
a. The goodness of fit – for YOU. Discuss your values and goals,
what is important to you. Then discuss how this school does or does
not fit with what you want for yourself and your professional future.
b.
Rate the goodness of fit – for YOU.
On a school of 0 to 10,
rate the school in terms of how it meets you and your desires for a
professional education. EXPLAIN what factors caused you to score it
the way you did
Action Plan
On the last day of the program you will spend some
time thinking about the next actions you need to
take in order to start using some of the great stuff
you have learned during the program. Use the
Action Plan on the next page to organize your
thinking, and write down what YOU need to do to
make your dream of becoming a dentist REAL.
Dental School Admission
Action Plan
What additional steps should I take before submitting
my dental school application?
Additional Research I Need to Do:
Clinical Experience
DAT Preparation
Academic Foundation
Research Opportunities
Phone Calls I Need to Make:
Clinical Experience
DAT Preparation
Academic Foundation
Paperwork (Resumé, etc.) I Need to Do:
Clinical Experience
DAT Preparation
Academic Foundation
Extracurricular Activities
People I Need to See:
Clinical Experience
DAT Preparation
Academic Foundation
Other Actions:
Clinical Experience
DAT Preparation
Academic Foundation
Research
Summer Program
Action Plan
Target Audience
Human Resources: Who would work with
you to develop this program?
Calendar/Activities
Funding Sources:
Timeframe: