2014 AMERICAN DENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (ADEA)
GODENTAL WORKSHOP AND RECRUITMENT FAIR
SAN ANTONIO

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.
Director of Student Admissions
Georgia Regents University College Dental Medicine
Corky Cacas
Director of Admissions
University of Pennsylvania
School of Dental Medicine

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Timeline for application
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Current GPA readiness
Summer classes
DAT
Request letter of recommendation
Supplemental application
Predental curriculum
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Coursework
GPA
BCP
Non-cognitive variable
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Shadowing
Research
Extracurricular activities
Work experience
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Essay Tips
Application sections
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Ethnicity
Disadvantaged background
Application fee waiver
Background checks
Disclosure on application
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Interview preparation
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Phone/email etiquette

AADSAS DEADLINES
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June 1: Application service available
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February 1: Application cycle closes
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Note – some schools have earlier deadlines

12 months prior:
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Meet with pre-health advisor
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Follow ADEA GoDental
Create application spreadsheet
Attend open houses & recruitment fairs
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Financial planning
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DAT prep
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Application fees
Travel expenses
Interview attire

6 months prior:
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Request LOE; pre-health interviews for committee letters
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DAT preparation
Post-bac or Master’s application(s) if needed
3 months prior
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Personal statement – need at least 3 drafts
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Résumé
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Shadowing hours (varies by school)
Extracurricular activities
Request transcripts from non-degree-conferring schools

Major Areas of Undergraduate Study:
Dental School Enrollees
2.9% 3.9%
4.1%
Percentile
10.2%
16.4%
53.4%
Bilogical Science
Chemistry/Physical
Science
Social Sciences
Humanities/Arts
Engineering
Source: ADEA

Remember
Every school has slightly different requirements
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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

Upper Division Courses w/ Lab:
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Human Anatomy
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Physiology
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Biochemistry
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Histology
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Microbiology

RECOMMENDED NON-SCIENCE COURSEWORK
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Calculus/Statistics
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Psychology
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Economics/Business
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Communication/Speech
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Sociology
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Humanities

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE COURSEWORK
AND ACTIVITIES
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Ceramics
Sculpture
Mechanical Drafting
Drawing
Playing musical instruments
Playing sports

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Firm foundation: pre-dental sciences
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Strongly recommended: upperdivision science courses
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Demonstrated ability: full-time science curriculum over consecutive terms

Coursework
DAT
Course load sufficiency
GPA
LORs /
Essay
Extra-Curricular
/ Leadership
Dental
Experience
Manual
Dexterity

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Email Address
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Professional
 jsmith@gmail.com
Not Professional
 ilikesbeer@email.com
 harleydude@email.com
 crazyforcats@email.com
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Phone Messages
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Make sure your cell voice mail has been set up
Avoid funny message
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Out drinking call me later
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You know what to do – so do it

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Avoid calling too many times asking what your status is
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If in the application cycle avoid calling asking how you can strengthen your application
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Avoid sending long emails asking for requirements before you research school’s web-site

Boys and Girls Club
College Club memberships, fraternity/sorority
Hospitals activities, campus-wide initiatives, athlete,
Nursing Homes student services
After-school programs
Extracurricular / Leadership
Missions
Soup Kitchens Dental Exposure
Community Involvement
Shadowing in private practice,
Volunteering in public health
Hands-on in dental lab
Dental mission trips
EXAMINING
Recognition
Time Management
THE
NUMBERS
THE
APPLICANT
Dean’s List, Scholar, National or local recognition
Work, Caregiver,
Family, Dual Role
Research
• Student Research for credit, pay, publishing.
• TA as graduate student
• Scientists as biologist/chemist
BEHIND
Life Experiences
• Military
• Non-traditional
• Late Bloomer
• Well-traveled
Work Experience
Resident hall, TA, student services, offices, restaurants, tutoring, family business, dental office, etc.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT TIPS
Know your audience
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Use the personal statement as a form of introduction
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Perform a personal inventory of your unique experiences, influences, accomplishments and abilities to gather content
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Engage the reader from start to finish within the
4,500 character limit
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Have family, friends, and faculty advisor provide feedback before submitting statement

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Be honest and sincere
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Be positive and focus on your strengths or special talents
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Demonstrate your interest in the profession
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Write clearly
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Make sure you have edited for spelling, grammar, punctuation, format, etc.
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Allow time to write, re-write and edit

DON’T …..
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Write what you think the admissions committee wants to hear
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Use a gimmicky style or format
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Use clichés or use statements like “I have always wanted to be a dentist since I was ….”
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Summarize your resume or repeat information directly from the application
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Emphasize the negative
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Wait until the last minute to get started on your statement

APPLICATION SECTIONS
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Race and Ethnicity
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Background Information
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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
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Disadvantaged Student Section
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Yes, No
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Space for explanation
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Other application service features
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Fee Assistance Program (FAP)
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Background checks

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Interact well with others
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Effective communicator
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Good listener
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Establish relationships of trust
and confidence with patients
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Patient Management
Performance in Clinic
Leader
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Team player
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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

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Men:
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 suit / coat & tie
Socks – solid dark color that matches
/complements suit trousers
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Women:
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Suit or tailored dress, with stockings

GOOD HYGIENE!

If you snooze, you lose.

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Be on time
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Dress appropriately
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Ask questions
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Be yourself
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Be engaged
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Relax and have fun!

THANK YOU!