Guide to Applying to Dental School for Non-traditional Students

Transcription

1 Guide to Applying to Dental School for Non-traditional Students Updated in October 2014

2 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Coursework... 3 Post-Baccalaureate Students... 3 Two-year Path... 3 Three-year Path... 4 Gap Year Professionals... 4 The DAT... 5 Study Materials... 5 Recommendation Letters... 5 Post-Baccalaureate Students... 6 Gap Year Professionals... 6 Committee Letter... 6 Shadowing... 7 Extracurricular Activities... 8 Involvement in ASDA... 8 Personal Statement... 9 AADSAS Dental School Application... 9 Resources Timelines Post-Baccalaureate Timeline Gap-year Professionals Timeline Member Profiles Master s Degree in Medical Science Career Changer Re-applicant Master s Degree in Public Health Career Changer

3 A non-traditional dental student can be defined as a student who takes time in between undergrad and dental school. Some students do this by choice to pursue work experience, a post-baccalaureate program or even military training. Others may not get accepted to dental school on their first or even second try so they look for opportunities to enhance their application. This guide will help non-traditional students evaluate their options and profiles some students who took a different path to dental school. Coursework All dental schools require you to complete two semesters of biology, two semesters of general chemistry, two semesters of organic chemistry and two semesters of physics, all with lab. Some schools will let you substitute one semester of organic chemistry for one semester of biochemistry, and many schools are now requiring biochemistry. Some schools have additional requirements, such as writing seminars, calculus or psychology courses. Research a school s specific requirements in advance so you have enough time to fulfill them, especially for the less common courses. Post-Baccalaureate Students As a post-baccalaureate student, there are two routes you can take to complete these courses. You can apply to a specific post-baccalaureate pre-health program (many are listed on the AAMC s site or ADEA s site). The AAMC website breaks down the programs into several different categories (i.e., improving your grades, changing careers, etc.) which may help you narrow down the program best suited for you. ADEA s site provides many enrichment program options. You can also register for courses at a local university without going through a program. If you choose to go this route, make sure to keep yourself on track. If you stay organized, this is very doable. If you have not taken any of the science requirements, there are two paths to complete them: a two-year path or a three-year path. As you plan out your dental school application timeline (see sample timeline at the end of this guide), it is important to note that applying to dental school takes an entire year after completing most of your necessary coursework. It starts with submitting your application in the summer, interviewing throughout the fall and winter and final decisions are usually made by April. Two-year Path If you choose the two-year path, you will need to complete majority of your coursework within a single school year and then take your DAT at the end of that year, around the time you wish to submit your dental school application. Most students who complete this path take general chemistry during the summer, biology, organic chemistry and physics during the school year, and then take the DAT and apply to dental school the summer after completing this coursework. This leaves the second year to complete any additional coursework, such as biochemistry, calculus, physics (if not yet completed) and any other requirements or advanced level science courses. Many students also spend time during this second year working (often in dental offices), volunteering or conducting research. 3

4 Three-year Path For some students, the two-year path is too condensed. These students usually take biology and general chemistry during the first school year, organic chemistry and physics during the second year and then take the DAT and apply to dental school during the summer following the second school year. This leaves the third year to complete additional coursework or participate in the activities mentioned above. Gap Year Professionals If you intend to apply to dental school after working for a few years, it is important to make sure that you plan your major, minor and dental school prerequisite courses well in advance so you can complete them before graduating. You can accomplish all of your ambitions and still graduate in time, but the more goals you have, the earlier you need to start planning for them. The process of applying for a job is vastly different from that of applying to school. Before starting, it is a good idea to approach your university career services center to get an idea of the necessary steps and expectations to prepare for. Depending on your university, undergraduates have access to a job submission and/or recruitment services. Once you get an idea of how the process works, start developing your CV and cover letters based on your past experiences and how they can be applied for a position at hand. Tips for writing your CV/resume can be found on ASDA s website at ASDAnet.org/cv. Deciding what kind of job to apply to can be a difficult and thorough process. Take into account what your short- and long-term goals are with reference to your ultimate goal of becoming a dentist. Some experiences that can help prepare for dental school include Teach for America, the Peace Corps, research or finance. Depending on your collegiate studies and/or desire to branch out, it makes sense to consider how applying to each job and gaining its respective learning experiences will enhance your future in dentistry. If you have decided to apply to dental school for the first time after having already graduated and worked elsewhere, it is not too late. Consider transitioning to a position appropriate for you that is closer aligned to dentistry. Applicants have successfully moved on to research, dental assistant positions and/or an ASDA leadership position to focus their work closer to dentistry. There are no limits as to how a transition like this can take full advantage of your diverse past work experiences, and prepare you for a future in oral healthcare. The best time to apply to dental school is dependent on your job positions as well as your personal story arc. This may be after a natural transitional period (for example, after a two year foreign service program) or concurrent with an accommodating job position (for example, dental assistant). Successful applicants have applied under both sets of circumstances, reflecting what works best in their individual situations. When it comes time to apply to dental schools, interviewers want to know about your nontraditional path. What is most pertinent is how you got from college to this current point, so be able to succinctly and logically describe this path. Usually, the first opportunity to do so takes place when interviewers ask you to talk about yourself at the beginning of an interview. Explain your thought process as you moved from position to position and further explain how 4

5 you have arrived at a point appropriate to apply to dental school. This response should also echo the sentiments of your personal statement, which in many cases the interviewers may read prior to the interview. More interview tips can be found on ASDA s website at ASDAnet.org/predental/interview-tips.aspx. The DAT Most students allot several months to study for the DAT. The academic subjects represented on the exam are biology, inorganic, and organic chemistry, as well as perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning. This means that you are able to take the exam before taking physics if this works better for your schedule. Most students prefer to take the DAT soon after completing these academic subjects so they are still fresh in their minds. It is also recommended that students take the DAT before submitting their application to dental school, as it takes several weeks for your score to be processed and even more time for it to register in AADSAS (the electronic dental school application system). Moreover, it is helpful to know your score before applying in case you are not satisfied with the outcome and wish to retake the exam. Study Materials Many students use test preparation companies to help them prepare for the DAT. ASDA has agreements with several of these companies to offer members a discount on their study materials. ASDA members receive a 10% discount on Crack the DAT materials and 25% on Chad s Videos. Visit ASDA s website at ASDAnet.org/benefits/#testprep to learn how to get this discount. There are many other resources available to help you prepare for the DAT. If you are looking for something more didactic, Orgoman s DAT Destroyer is quite popular. If you would like to take practice exams, two resources to consider are TopScore are DAT Achiever. There are several steps to complete before you can register for the DAT, so register several months in advance, as space fills up quickly. The first step is to acquire a DENTPIN, which will be necessary throughout your dental application process and even during dental school. Once you obtain this, you can apply to register for the exam, which is accompanied by a fee. Once granted permission, you can select the test date and location site. Learn more about registering for the DAT at: Recommendation Letters Recommendation letters are a quintessential component of your dental school application, and should be considered well in advance of submitting your application. Throughout college, students are encouraged to build relationships with their professors. When you take any class, be sure to interact with the professor as much as possible, whether that is during class, office 5

6 hours or through research opportunities. ASDA has put together tips for writing letters of recommendation that you can reference before you begin. Post-Baccalaureate Students As a post-baccalaureate student, it is important to be an active participant in your science courses and build relationships with your science professors early on, as you only have a few years to do so. Many dental schools like to see recommendation letters from multiple science professors, so it is important to keep this in mind as you are fulfilling your science requirements. Additionally, if you will be submitting a committee letter, you should decide well in advance if you would like the letter to come from your alma mater, or the school where you are completing your post-baccalaureate courses. Gap Year Professionals If you have a job in between college and dental school, consider asking your boss for a recommendation letter. Ask that they connect certain aspects of your job with your future career as a dentist. This may include your ability to work with others, leadership potential, your capacity to learn and grow, etc. It is helpful to have recommendation letters from dentists that you shadow. These are the individuals who know the most about the profession and can speak to your connection with dentistry and the passion that you have demonstrated during your hands-on experience. The dentists you shadow will also have spent the most one-on-one time with you, so engaging them and asking questions will be very useful when it comes time to write these letters. There are a few more important things to remember about letters of recommendation. As is the case with coursework, check to see what the recommendation requirements are for every school, as many are quite specific. Some schools require 2-3 letters from science professors, a certain number of letters from affiliates of that particular school and a certain number of letters from professors in your major. Check if they accept or require letters from dentists or career associates. Make sure you build the necessary relationships to fulfill these requirements. Finally, ask your letter writers well in advance of when the letters are due, and make sure to send them reminders and updates as the deadline approaches. Additionally, providing them with your CV and/or an outline describing your accomplishments and goals will be helpful as they compose your letter. As a general rule, the more in-depth and personal your letters are, the better they will demonstrate why you are a great dental school candidate. Letter writing can be a lengthy process, so make sure you are ahead of the game and stay abreast of their progress so your application proceeds smoothly. Committee Letter Ensure that you get involved in your school s committee letter office as early as possible in your undergraduate career (provided that your school writes committee letters). Set up a file and keep it updated each semester with recommenders that you intend to include in your committee letter. The earlier you have your individual letters compiled, the faster it is for your 6

7 committee letter to be processed. Keep in mind that the committee letter process can take months to be completed, before it is ready to be uploaded to your AADSAS. As such, make sure you get the ball rolling on your committee letter very early, at least around the winter of the year before you apply. Each school has its own unique process of assembling a committee letter. Most require at the minimum a CV and an autobiographical sketch, or short essay that you write describing your background and desires for applying to dental school. The sketch is something that will be of use to all of your recommenders as well as your committee letter, so it should be written with care. Some schools may go through several additional steps to get to know the applicants so they can write a letter that truly reflects their personality and achievements. However, this often means a lot of work on your part to present the committee with sufficient information to write a strong letter. These schools will have you complete questionnaires, write essays and even conduct interviews to get to know you better. The committee letter is such a vital part of your dental school application. Your AADSAS will not be complete and sent to schools until they receive this letter. As such, it is crucial to complete this as early as possible. You should reach out to your committee letter office and stay informed about their deadlines. They may need to write letters for many students, and you want to make sure you are at the top of the pile. More information about committee letters and letters of recommendation can be found on ASDA s website at ASDAnet.org/predental/recommendations.aspx. Shadowing Shadowing is a key component of applying to dental school. First, dental schools like to see that you have completed a great deal of shadowing, many requiring 100+ hours of shadowing experience. Second, shadowing is the best way to know if you really like the field of dentistry and if you could see yourself as a member of this profession. Finally, shadowing is a great way to gain exposure to different dental specialties before starting dental school. There is so much to know about dentistry that one cannot see from the patient perspective. Shadowing is the perfect way to learn what dentistry is all about from the professional point of view. Some colleges and predental societies will help their students arrange shadowing opportunities. If not, it is up to you to seek out these opportunities yourself. The best way to find people to shadow is to ask your own dentist, local dentists or dentists whom you know personally if you could spend time observing them in their office. You can also contact your local or state dental society at ASDAnet.org/state-associations to find dentists in the area. Most dentists are open to having students shadow them and will explain their work and answer questions. When you first meet with a dentist, be sure to bring along your resume and a brief letter discussing your plans to apply to dental school and what you hope to gain from the shadowing experience. For more information on this topic, download our Shadowing Guide and Log and other resources at 7

8 It is important to remain professional when shadowing. Before you begin, discuss with the dentist how you should dress (some prefer business attire, while others prefer scrubs), when it is appropriate to ask questions and if or how the dentist expects you to contribute to the office. Extracurricular Activities It is very important to be active in dental related clubs, such as the predental society at your school and ASDA. These clubs will help you get involved in dental activities, keep you informed about dental school topics (DAT, applications, shadowing, etc.) and keep you updated about national dental news. Other dental related activities to consider include research, shadowing, being a dental assistant, ADEA and dental volunteering (via a service trip, at a local clinic or dental school.). It is important to participate in activities that you are passionate about. They don t necessarily have to be related to dentistry, but should be engaging. You should be able to relate what you have learned from those experiences to your future dental career. Dental schools are looking for students who demonstrate leadership and a passion for service. Any involvement in these two areas will look great on an application, regardless of their connection to dentistry. Some examples include volunteering at an animal shelter, going on a service trip, getting involved in habitat for humanity or serving food at a local soup kitchen. The same goes for leadership in that it doesn t have to necessarily be related to dentistry. Find what you are passionate about and really go for it! Some places to find leadership positions include Greek life, religious/cultural organizations, your school s newspaper, athletic clubs, etc. For applicants working between college and dental school, some common jobs and activities of past successful applicants include finance, banking, consulting, Teach for America, U.S. Army/Navy/Marines and culinary school. The possibilities are unlimited and dental schools like to see well-rounded candidates with varied interests. Involvement in ASDA ASDA is an important part of a dental student s educational experience. In recognition of the growing predental membership, ASDA created predental positions that provide the opportunity to be involved in organized dentistry on a national level. These positions allow you to interact with other predental and dental student leaders to design and implement new programs and benefits for members. The opportunities to brainstorm new ideas and participate in national conferences are invaluable and prepare you for future leadership roles. Some accomplishments of the Predental Advisory Committee include creation of the Predental Toolkit, ASDA Predental Week, Shadowing Guide, contributions to national publications, and this guide. The application for all predental positions are due in each January and position descriptions and requirements are available at There are several other advantages to becoming involved in ASDA. You have the opportunity network with other passionate predental and dental students across the country at national and district events. Members receive many publications, including ASDA News, Mouth and ASDA s blog Mouthing Off, that keep you informed of current issues in dentistry. You also have 8

9 the opportunity to write for these publications if you are interested in doing so. You will have access to numerous resources, including discounts on test preparation materials, guides to applying to dental school, interview tips and much more. ASDA is an indispensable resource during your dental school application process and throughout your entire dental school career. Personal Statement Take a lot of time to refine what you want to talk about, even up to months before the personal statement is due. It should be a comprehensive, well thought out story about why you want to become a dentist. Reference the specific point you determined you wanted to be a dentist, what sets you apart as an applicant, why you are going to make a good dentist and what you can get out of dentistry in your life. AADSAS limits the personal statement to 4,500 characters including spaces, so keep this in mind while you are writing. The personal statement is the perfect place to include relevant anecdotes and explain how your experiences (undergraduate or post-baccalaureate) have influenced your decision to apply to dental school. Make the connection between your unique experiences and the desire to become a dentist. Have people you trust read through revisions of your personal statement, and explore the options available for people to look over your statement. If you are taking a test preparation course for the DAT, these instructors are trained to proof read personal statements and may be willing to look yours over. Health career advisors are often trained and willing to help with this as well, and they have many years of experience working with dental school applicants. In addition, trust your own instincts and writing ability, and stay true to the original message you are trying to convey. The longer you have to write and revise the personal statement, the better it will be when you are ready to submit it to AADSAS. It is encouraged that you go through several drafts before finalizing your personal statement, giving you an opportunity to make any necessary changes and refinements. Many students have written ten or more drafts before arriving at their final version, so try to stay positive throughout what may be a lengthy writing and revising process. AADSAS Dental School Application Like the personal statement, it is never too early to get started on AADSAS. Typically, the online portal opens in the beginning of June, but the questions on the application are available in PDF format earlier on ADEA s website. Take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the application before June and review ASDA s tips for applying. The AADSAS application has various categories for background information about yourself. Under the Professional Experiences section, you will have the opportunity to enter five to ten examples of different categories of your experiences. The categories include: academic enrichment programs, awards honors and scholarships, dentistry/shadowing experiences, extracurricular/volunteer/community service, research and work. Each entry requires a brief 9

10 summary (limited to 170 characters with spaces), average weekly hours and start and end dates. There is also a section for Background Information to enter information regarding any experiences you have had with manual dexterity or fine-motor hand skills. You should make sure to engage in activities that will build and demonstrate your manual dexterity skills, such as playing an instrument, knitting and/or athletic pursuits. AADSAS takes time to process the different components of your application. Your recommendation letters, DAT scores and transcripts can take weeks to process, so have all of these ready before the AADSAS online portal opens. Some of the first steps you should take include: contacting the ADA to send your DAT scores to AADSAS, requesting your transcripts and sending transcript matching forms to your university so they can forward these together to AADSAS. If you took courses at more than one undergraduate university, you will be required to submit your grades and transcripts from each school. One of the most time consuming aspects of completing your AADSAS application is entering every class you have taken, its category and the grade you received. AADSAS will verify each entry against your transcripts, so it is crucial to enter this information accurately or you will be forced to correct and resubmit your application, delaying the process. Many applicants choose to enter their grades and send out their transcript matching forms first, before completing the rest of their AADSAS application to expedite this process. The earlier you are able to have your application components processed, the earlier your application is reviewed by dental schools. Prepare all materials and your personal statement months before AADSAS opens in June. This way, you will be prepared to submit your application as soon as possible, optimally by the end of June, to guarantee that your application will be among the first read by admissions committees. As with the rest of the application process, the earlier you start, the more time you will have to perfect your application. Resources Below is a list of resources available to help you prepare for dental school. National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions AAMC Premedical Post-baccalaureate Programs ASDA s Guide to Getting into Dental School ADA Career Mentoring Health Professions Enrichment Programs ADEA AADSAS es/default.aspx 10

11 Post-Baccalaureate Timeline This is a sample timeline for those individuals who plan pursue a post-baccalaureate program before applying to dental school. This timeline is intended to act meant to act as a basic framework throughout your application process. However, every individual has a unique path and needs to adjust his/her timeline accordingly. Spring before starting post-baccalaureate education Research different post-baccalaureate program options and apply to several. Research the specific requirements of dental schools you are interested in applying to and try to match those with the best post-baccalaureate program. Meet with a health career advisor to discuss two-year vs. three-year path, how their committee letter process works and to ask any other questions you may have about the application process. Two-year Path Year 1 Take general chemistry 1 & 2 Start shadowing. Fall Take organic chemistry 1, biology 1 and physics 1. Join ASDA and your school s predental society. Continue shadowing. Make sure you start building relationships with your science professors, as you will be needing letters of recommendation by the end of the spring semester. Reach out to your committee letter office and start preparing the necessary materials for your application (essays, questionnaires, etc.). Spring Take organic chemistry 2, biology 2 and physics 2. Stay active in your school s predental society (attend meetings, participate in community service events, etc.). Continue fostering relationships with your science professors, and submit your letters of recommendation to the committee letter office by the middle of this semester. Continue shadowing and if you have established strong relationships with these dentists, ask for a letter of recommendation from one of them as well. Start studying for the DAT (by the middle of this semester at the latest). Apply for a DENTPIN and choose a date to take your DAT. Start working on your personal statement. Check ADEA AADSAS website for pre-release application questions. 11

12 Year 2 Work on AADSAS questions. Prepare official copy of college transcript, which will soon be sent to ADEA. Take your DAT and submit your scores to AADSAS. Send in official copy of college transcript to ADEA. Send in letters of recommendation and/or committee letter package. Submit your AADSAS application (ideally before the end of June). Start preparing for impending interviews. Fall Most likely you will be spending a significant amount of time interviewing during this season. Send appropriate updates to dental schools that accept them. Take any additional classes that you need or want to take. Some common choices include: calculus, biochemistry, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, genetics, etc. Renew your ASDA membership and try to get more involved (attend a conference, write an article, etc.). Stay active in your school s predental society. Spring Continue interviewing this season (if applicable). Send appropriate updates to dental schools that accept them. Complete any requirements that you have not yet fulfilled. Stay active in your school s predental society. Stay active in ASDA. Try to find a relevant part-time job to keep you busy until dental school starts, such as a dental assistant, volunteering at a local clinic or hospital, conducting research, etc. Relax and get ready for dental school to start in August! 12

13 Three-year Path Year 1 Start shadowing. Get ready for your science classes in the fall. Fall Take general chemistry 1 and biology 1. Join ASDA and your school s predental society. Start building relationships with your science professors. Continue shadowing. Spring Take general chemistry 2 and biology 2. Stay active in your school s predental society (attend meetings, participate in community service events, etc.). Continue fostering relationships with your science professors. Continue shadowing. Year 2 Find a relevant job, such as a dental assistant, volunteering at a local clinic or hospital, conducting research, etc. Continue shadowing. Fall Take organic chemistry 1 and physics 1. Renew your ASDA membership and try to get more involved (attend a conference, write an article, etc.). Stay active in your school s predental society. Solidify your relationships with your science professors and start asking for letters of recommendation. If you have established strong relationships with the dentists you ve been shadowing, ask for a letter of recommendation from one of them as well. Reach out to your committee letter office and start preparing the necessary materials for your application (essays, questionnaires, etc.). 13

14 Spring Take organic chemistry 2 and physics 2. Stay active in your school s predental society. Start studying for the DAT (by the middle of this semester at the latest). Apply for a DENTPIN and choose a date to take your DAT. Start working on your personal statement. Check ADEA AADSAS website for pre-release application questions. Work on AADSAS questions. Prepare official copy of college transcript, which will soon be sent to ADEA. Year 3 Take your DAT and submit your scores to AADSAS. Send in official copy of college transcript to ADEA. Send in letters of recommendation and/or committee letter package. Submit your AADSAS application (ideally before the end of June). Start preparing for impending interviews. Try to continue your work from last summer or start a new project. Fall Most likely you will be spending a significant amount of time interviewing during this season. Send appropriate updates to dental schools that accept them. Take any additional classes that you need or want to take. Some common choices include: calculus, biochemistry, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, genetics, etc. Renew your ASDA membership and try to stay actively involved. Stay active in your school s predental society. Spring Continue interviewing this season (if applicable). Send appropriate updates to dental schools that accept them. Complete any requirements that you have not yet fulfilled Stay active in ASDA and your school s predental society. Try to continue your work from past two summers or start a new project. Relax and get ready for dental school to start in August! 14

15 Gap-year Professionals Timeline This is a sample timeline for those individuals who plan to take a few years in between undergrad and applying to dental school. This timeline is intended to act meant to act as a basic framework throughout your application process. However, every individual has a unique path and needs to adjust his/her timeline accordingly. Sophomore Year Be introspective about types of opportunities appropriate for your post-graduation goals. Research the prerequisites and expectations of job positions, including preparation for different types of interviews (e.g. behavioral interviews, case interviews for consulting and finance, etc.). Meet with career advisor to discuss CV building and cover letters in preparation for job applications, as its nuances may be unique to that of dental school applications. Meet with health professions advisor to discuss long-term goals in dentistry. Optional: Prepare for DAT if taken appropriate coursework. Junior Year Fall - Spring Continually update CV with work and accomplishments. Based on summer introspection/research, begin submitting internship applications for next summer. If applicable, continue preparing for and attend interviews. Arrange with your committee letter office to set up a committee letter file. Sign up for or renew ASDA membership. Start forming relationships with your science professors. Participate in internship and update CV. At end of internship, ask supervisor for a letter of recommendation. Check in with committee letter office with regards to your committee letter file. Optional: Prepare for DAT if taken appropriate coursework. Senior Year Fall - Spring Use internship experiences to clarify job aspirations for immediate future. Prepare CV and cover letters accordingly. Apply to appropriate job positions. Check in with committee letter office with regards to your committee letter file. Continue forming strong relationships with past or current science professors. 15

16 Ask professors for individual letters of recommendation. Sign up for or renew ASDA membership. Non-application Post-grad Year If you haven t already, prepare for and take DAT as this is an optimal period prior to job initiation. Ensure that committee letter file has all relevant individual college professor letters of recommendation either already or in the process of being incorporated. Prepare for job responsibilities. Fall-Spring Sign up for or renew ASDA membership. If leaving workplace, ask supervisor for letter of recommendation. Application Post-grad Year 1 of 2 Fall Begin thinking about and drafting dental school personal statement. If you haven t already, prepare for and take the DAT. Check-in with committee letter office regarding progress of committee letter package. Spring Continue drafting and revising personal statement. Check ADEA AADSAS website for pre-release application questions. Work on AADSAS questions. Ask supervisor for letter of recommendation to be incorporated into your committee letter package. Prepare official copy of college transcript, which will soon be sent to ADEA headquarters. If you haven t already, prepare for and take the DAT. Application Post-grad Year 2 of 2 (Application and Interviews) This is your last opportunity to take the DAT if you have not already done so. Submit AADSAS application (ideally before the end of June). Send in official copy of college transcript to ADEA headquarters. Send in letters of recommendation and/or committee letter package. Start preparing for impending interviews. 16

17 Fall Most likely you will be spending a significant amount of time interviewing this season. Send appropriate updates to dental schools that accept them. Stay active in ASDA (attend a conference, write an article, etc.). Spring Continue interviewing this season (if applicable). Send appropriate updates to dental schools that accept them. Stay active in ASDA Try to find a relevant part-time job to keep you busy until dental school starts, such as a dental assistant, volunteering at a local clinic or hospital, conducting research, etc. Relax and get ready for dental school to start in August! 17

18 ASDA Member Profile: Master s Program Katie Richardson Texas State University '13 Mississippi College, MS in Medical Science ' ASDA Predental Advisory Committee I knew completing a Master s Program was the right choice for me because I would have a gap year while applying to dental schools after completing my undergraduate degree, and I wanted to gain more experience in graduate level science courses I d encounter in dental school. When choosing a post-bacc or master s program it is important that you fully analyze your options to find one that best suits your needs and interests. I knew I wanted a one-year program that awarded a degree and offered courses such as human gross anatomy. There are also many programs with direct linkage to dental schools. As a non-traditional applicant my greatest strength is having a unique application. It is important to choose activities you personally feel passionate about. Working in dental research has been a great experience, which I may not have been able to do had I gone straight into dental school. Having diverse volunteer experiences, from participating in local blood drives to assisting in low-cost dental clinics, enables me to draw from a different perspective as an applicant. I first heard about ASDA at Predental Day at the UT Houston School of Dentistry. I loved the enthusiasm of their ASDA chapter, and I wanted to get more involved as a predental member. After attending the ASDA annual session, I was excited about all the benefits ASDA can offer pre-dentals, and it has helped me stay connected throughout the application process. My advice for another non-traditional applicant would be to encourage them to be confident and highlight the unique aspects of their application. Continuing your education during a gap-year is a great way to prepare for dental school and better yourself as an applicant. 18

19 ASDA Member Profile: Career Changer Greg Luk UT Austin 12 UT Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry 16 My original career path... I spent 9 years in the military working with some of the best men and women I ve ever met. As a combat medic who served in multiple capacities across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, my job threw me into new and challenging experiences every day. It seemed like one day I was teaching counter-riot techniques to a battalion of Thai soldiers through an interpreter, and the next day I was coordinating a medical fair in the jungles of the Philippines. And of course, some days, I was picking up trash and changing the oil on the Humvees. I decided to switch to dentistry... Dentistry had never entered my mind as a career field until I was halfway through my Asian studies degree at UT Austin. I had entered college with a longterm goal of returning to government service in the form of foreign service or diplomacy. At some point, however, I decided I wanted a career that didn t involve being overseas for months away from my family and friends. I started looking for other options and dentistry was one of the things I had enjoyed doing as a medic. The more I learned about the career, the more set I was on becoming one myself. The most challenging aspect of pursuing dentistry... Doing homework again at 28 years old can be disheartening. It takes a dedicated mindset to relegate yourself to a classroom setting after having a successful career. Don t worry, these challenges can be overcome with the right motivation, time and effort. My advice to a future non-traditional dental school applicant would be to... Learn something new every day. Don t be afraid to make mistakes just try not to make the same mistake twice. Don t sell yourself short. Most amazing people are just regular guys and gals who never gave up on doing something amazing. Last but not least, apply early. 19

20 ASDA Member Profile: Re-Applicant James Kolstad University of Florida 04 Marquette University School of Dentistry 15 Chair, Council on Membership Chair, Leadership Development Workgroup Applying to dental school... I applied to dental school a number of times. When I did not get in after the first time, I went out and got a job. Working and staying a competitive applicant was tough. It was a challenge to work all day and then study at night. The worst thing about applying to dental school was the unknown. The best part about reapplying to dental school was I knew I still had a chance to live out my dream of becoming a dentist. When I found out I had to reapply to dental school... I think what made me a competitive reapplicant was that I went back school. I graduated in 04 and had not been in the academic setting for 6 years. I wanted to show dental schools that I still had what it took to do well in school. I signed up to take classes at night as a non-degree seeking major. I took science classes that I did not take before but would help me out when I started dental school. I also stayed involved in the community. I was the VP of my local alumni association and a volunteer leader for the American Cancer Society. Lastly, I continued to shadow, volunteer and work in the dental setting whenever there was an opportunity. I first heard about ASDA... on my first day of dental school during new student orientation. Our chapter president at the time gave us a presentation on why getting involved in ASDA was important. I was always involved in associations prior to starting dental school. ASDA seemed like the perfect fit. My advice to a dental school re-applicant would be to... make sure you are in communication with an admissions director. Get advice on what part of your application is weak. Try to stay in the academic setting whether it is by taking night classes, doing a post- bacc, a grad program, etc. Make sure you are performing well in those classes. Become a member of predental ASDA. It will give you a leg up on other applicants because you will know what is going on in the field of dentistry and will have good talking points during your interviews. It will show that you are invested in the profession. ASDA also provides its members a lot of tips to making yourself a better applicant. These will prove to be useful. Good luck and stay focused and positive. 20

21 ASDA Member Profile: Master s Program Tony Besse Saint Louis University 09, BA Saint Louis University 11, MPH The Ohio State University College of Dentistry 16 Chair, Council on Professional Issues I knew completing a master s program was the right choice for me because not gaining admission into dental school on my first attempt was difficult at first. I had put in the effort, taken the DAT, completed extensive shadowing, done research and volunteered I thought I had what it takes. Looking back, I was just not ready. I had not yet attained the study skills and discipline that it takes to succeed in dental school and a few course grades from early in my undergraduate career were really holding me back. Upon having a meeting with the OSU College of Dentistry admissions, they told me what I needed to do to better my application: I should obtain a master s degree of my choice, re-take two chemistry courses, re-take the DAT and take an additional science course, while continuing to shadow dentists. This seemed a bit daunting, but was actually rather doable over a two-year period. I was grateful they had outlined everything they expected me to complete in order to better my application to re-apply. It gave me a number of tangible goals toward which to work. When choosing a post bacc or master s program choose something you are interested in. Also, think about what courses you may need to take or re-take and if you need particular courses to raise your science GPA. Consider choosing something that can ultimately help you as a practicing dentist, not just something to help you get into dental school and then forget. As a non-traditional applicant my greatest strength was that I learned so much over my two-year master s program and while working for a year prior to dental school, both academically and personally. I feel that I really matured and grew during that period. My greatest strength was my work experience, maturity and determination that showed I truly wanted to be there. I first heard about ASDA from upperclassmen when I started dental school. They held pretty fun social events and I heard about national ASDA through upperclassmen who had also been national leaders and encouraged me to apply. I was amazed by how excited everyone was about organized dentistry. My advice to a future non-traditional dental school applicant would be to be thankful for the chance to better yourself before dental school. Dental school is tough; enjoy any and all time outside of school before embarking on the challenge. Embrace the uniqueness of your application. If you want to go to dental school, you ultimately will. It might just take more work and a different route than you had originally expected, and that s okay. 21

22 ASDA Member Profile: Career Changer Chelsea Fosse Rajagopalan The University of Texas at Austin 09 Rutgers School of Dental Medicine 17 My original career path was in the health care field, but I spent most of my time at a computer rather than with patients. While in college I worked part-time as a newborn hearing screener and became interested in public health and health care policy. Upon graduating, I pursued a position at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in the Division of Children with Special Needs. During my four years there, I staffed a wide variety of mostly grant-funded projects writing proposals, implementing programs, monitoring budgets, collaborating with other nonprofit organizations and learning from some of the world s best physicians with the primary goal of improving the quality of health care for children. I absolutely loved my job and colleagues, but there was something missing. I decided to switch to dentistry roughly one year into my career at the AAP. I was compiling comments from pediatricians and pediatric dentists for a policy statement on oral health care for children with special needs. I found myself so engrossed by the content that I had difficulty limiting my focus to just copying, pasting and editing. For the next six weeks, I thought about dentistry and what becoming a dentist would require the pre-reqs, the DAT, the age I d be upon graduation, even family planning came into consideration. When I realized this newfound dream wasn t going away, I finally talked to my fiancé (who was to become my spouse 2 weeks later). With his overwhelming support and encouragement, I headed to a nearby university to register for the prerequisites I needed. The most challenging aspect of going back to school has been the sense or reality of a lack of independence. After getting accustomed to providing for myself and contributing to me and my spouse s bottom line, it was tough to not see a paycheck with my name on it, and to know that I was consuming much of our now reduced income for my tuition. In addition, for the first time since first grade, someone else was making my lunch in the mornings so I could get in a few extra minutes of study time. I m fortunate to have an incredibly supportive spouse financially, logistically and most importantly emotionally. My advice to a future non-traditional dental school applicant would be to never underestimate the value of your experiences between undergrad and dental school. At times you may find it challenging to adjust to the classroom environment again or you may feel different from your younger classmates, but remember that your broadened perspective brings 22

23 value to the class as a whole. You have gained countless skills that you will utilize as a dental professional and have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to this field by making the difficult decision to return to school. I have never considered my time at the AAP as a detour, rather a step in the path that led me to this profession and provided me a foundation in health care. Without a doubt, you too will be thankful for your past experiences and the lessons you gleaned from them as you embark on your dental school journey. 23