“Applying to dental schools typically requires extensive job shadowing hours to submit with your application,” says Brianna Kosecki, a third-year dental student at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. “Generally, people shadow at a handful of private practices before applying to dental school, and while there is nothing wrong with that, shadowing can be a creative and unique aspect of your application! Read on to learn Kosecki’s general ideas on shadowing opportunities outside of general private practice that can help you set yourself apart from your peers. ... See More

“If you are planning to apply to dental school in the United States, ADEA AADSAS^® (ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service) is the main platform that simplifies the application process, allowing you to save time and energy by completing just one application for multiple dental schools,” says Parinaz Esteghamat, a first-year dental student at Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. “If you are aiming to apply for dental school right after your undergraduate degree, ADEA AADSAS should be filled out during your junior year. Otherwise, please keep in mind that the application to dental school is a year-round process which opens in early May and closes in February, and it is on a rolling basis (first come, first served). The earlier you apply by submitting the complete application, the higher your chance of getting an invitation for early interviews.” ... See More

“If you only retain one thing from this article, it should be that when deciding whether to apply to a certain school, ask yourself if you would attend that school if it was the only one that accepted you,” says Brian Chang, a second-year dental student at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. “Turning down an acceptance to reapply elsewhere can easily be a red flag!” 

Read on for more advice on how to carefully select your dental school designations ahead of the June ADEA AADSAS^® (ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service) submission date. 

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“If you’re applying to dental school this year, you’re probably anxiously counting down the days until the ADEA AADSAS^® (ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service) application opens this year on May 11,” says Kristen Horstmann, a third-year dental student at University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry (UCLA SOD). “And who can blame you! It’s an exciting time filled with reflection and hope. But instead of scrolling away the hours until then, consider preparing for your application now to alleviate stress later. Without even opening the application, read on to learn what you can do to prepare the strongest application possible.” ... See More

“Choosing a dental school can be quite the daunting task. It’s where you’ll spend the next four years of your life, so it’s important to find a program that challenges you yet makes you incredibly happy,” says Elyse Estra, a second-year dental student at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine.  

“Now the question is, how do you find that school? The answer is different for everyone. As a predental student, you need to decide what you’re looking for in a program, including what you’re willing to compromise on and what is non-negotiable. You can apply to as broad a range of schools as you would like, but remember, the application process is a time, financial and emotional investment. Keep reading for a guide of some factors to consider while applying to dental school.” 

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“By April or May, I’m sure predental students will want to take a break from studying and enjoy the nice weather outside in the spring and summer,” says University of Michigan School of Dentistry student Tommy Lau. “While you should take a break, the summer is also the perfect time to gain more experience and exposure to dentistry and health care while conducting research to make yourself a more competitive applicant.” Read on to learn some of the things Mr. Lau would recommend all predental students explore. It’s certainly not too early to start planning your summer now.

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“The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly altered the traditional predental experience. Due to this public health crisis, there are a number of requests from community-led initiatives, government agencies, charitable organizations and nonprofits in public health for volunteers in a variety of roles,” says Poonam Furmah, a second-year dental student at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. 

“This pandemic, although dreadful, offers unique opportunities for prehealth students to serve their local community. However, students must make informed decisions and maintain a superior standard of care to prevent further community spread to themselves and others,” Furmah said. “Not only will this add valuable skills to your repertoire, but it will also benefit those who need it most during this uncertain time.” 

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Wendi Clanton, third-year dental student at Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, recently connected with the ADEA GoDental team to share her experiences and advice as someone who recently made a career change to dentistry. Read on to learn how she made her way back to her first love of the dental professions later in her career. 

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As a predental student, dental school “Decision Day” is the day solidifying all your hard work and achieving the first step on the path to the dream you have been working toward. Now it’s time to ask, “How do I navigate it?” Joan Daniel, a third-year dental student at the University of New England College of Dental Medicine, has advice to share based on her recent experiences when she was in your shoes. ... See More

“Striving for balance and maintaining positive mental health amidst the COVID-19 crisis can be a daunting task. The uncertainty and stress accompanying the pandemic impacts all of us and poses a threat to our mental health and well-being,” says University of Michigan School of Dentistry postgraduate student Jisha T. Panicker, B.D.S., M.P.H. “As we seek certainty where it does not exist, our brain reprograms itself to protect our body by increasing our attention to risk and threat. So, I’ve penned some healthy ways to navigate this uncertainty, anchored with quotes from Dr. Maya Angelou to help us sail smoothly in our daily lives. May her words give your days a hearty dose of beauty and inspiration.”

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