Sheream James Reed  |  Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Sheream James Reed after his first year of dental school at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Watch to find out where he is on his journey to becoming a dental professional.

Frank Perez  |  State University of New Jersey, School of Dental Medicine 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Frank Perez after his first year of dental school at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, School of Dental Medicine. Watch to find out where he is on his journey to becoming a dental professional.

Genesis Perez  |  State University of New Jersey, School of Dental Medicine 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Genesis Perez after her first year of dental school at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, School of Dental Medicine. Watch to find out where she is on her journey to becoming a dental professional.

Miles Woodard  |  Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Miles Woodard after his first year of dental school at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. Watch to find out where he is on his journey to becoming a dental professional.

Nisa Far  |  University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Nisa Far after her first year of dental school at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Watch to find out where she is on her journey to becoming a dental professional.

Taylor Cone  |  University of the Pacific Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Taylor Cone after her first year of dental school at the University of the Pacific Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry. Watch to find out where she is on her journey to becoming a dental professional.

Andrew Mina Slupek  |  University of Maryland College Park 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Andrew Mina Slupek, a post-bac student at the University of Maryland College Park, after the 2021 ADEA AADSAS^® Application Cycle.

Read on to find out where he is on his journey to a dental profession.

ADEA GoDental (GD): Since we spoke in the fall, has the transition to mostly online learning and/or work gotten easier? Harder? Stayed the same? Tell me about your experience this year.

Andrew Mina Slupek (AMS): The transition to an online-learning setting has continuously adjusted to fit the needs of the students. Many of the issues at the beginning of the pandemic were resolved by the end of the last semester.

GD: What are your plans this summer and fall?

AMS: I will likely be retaking the Dental Admission Test (DAT) this summer, so I am in high gear studying mode currently. I scored well on my first attempt, but I am seeking an exceptional score on my second attempt. I have also reapplied during this upcoming cycle while I wait on several waitlist opportunities.

The plans for this fall are unclear in terms of coursework, but I will be continuing to shadow at several different offices as they open back up to students. I have also been working with a dental office to produce a video series on oral health and dental procedures that I hope to complete this fall.

GD: Looking back on applying to dental school during a pandemic, would you do anything differently? If so, what?

AMS: As it stands, there is not much that I would have changed. One thing that I would have done slightly different is apply to a few more schools in my ADEA AADSAS^® (ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service) portal. I had a small, focused group of schools and that could have been slightly broader.

GD: Any words of wisdom for students in the current application cycle?

AMS: Be prepared for anything. Many schools will likely be doing in-person interviews again, but if this year has taught me anything, err on the side of being overly prepared. Make plans that account for all options and make sure that they are malleable enough to change quickly, if needed. Lastly, find something to do in your free time that helps clear your head. The application process can be very stressful and consuming, finding an outlet to relax and recenter yourself is extremely important.

Camila Cardona  |  University of Illinois at Chicago 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Camila Cardona, a recent graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, after the 2021 ADEA AADSAS^® Application Cycle.

Read on to find out where she is on her journey to a dental profession.

ADEA GoDental (GD): Since we spoke in the fall, has the transition to mostly online learning and/or work gotten easier? Harder? Stayed the same? Tell me about your experience this year.

Camila Cardona (CC): I took a gap year after graduating in 2020 so I have not been as exposed to online learning as those who graduated in 2021. I do imagine it would stay the same or even get harder though just because it is not my ideal form of learning.

GD: What are your plans this summer and fall?

CC: My plans for this summer are to really enjoy my time with my friends and family because in the fall, I begin dental school at University of Illinois at Chicago!

GD: Looking back on applying to dental school during a pandemic, would you do anything differently? If so, what?

CC: Looking at the outcome of that timing, I would not do anything differently. I think the fact that there were fewer social distractions really helped me focus more on studying for the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and helped me learn more about my study style and my passion for dentistry since I was not letting the pandemic affect whether I would try applying again.

GD: Any words of wisdom for students in the current application cycle?

CC: Trust and have confidence in yourself! Also, try to have your application ready early so that when you take your DAT, you can submit right away. I know after I took the DAT the first time, I thought the hardest part was over and procrastinated finishing my application and submitted later than I would have liked, so definitely the earlier, the better!

Felicia Der  |  State University of New Jersey, Newark 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Felicia Der, a master’s of biomedical science at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Newark campus, after the 2021 ADEA AADSAS^® Application Cycle.

Read on to find out where she is on her journey to a dental profession.

ADEA GoDental (GD): Since we spoke in the fall, has the transition to mostly online learning gotten easier? Harder? Stayed the same? Tell me about your experience this year.

Felicia Der (FD): The master’s program I attended is an accelerated program, so I actually graduated in December! Since graduating, I have just been working and spending time with friends and family before preparing to start dental school in the fall.

GD: Congratulations on getting accepted to dental school! What are your plans this summer before matriculating?

FD: Thank you! I just plan to spend as much time with friends and family as I can before starting dental school. I also plan to safely travel! I am trying to use this time to relax and have fun before dental school since I understand dental school will be very busy.

GD: Looking back on applying to dental school during a pandemic, would you do anything differently? If so, what?

FD: I am happy with the decisions I made and think my preparation and hard work paid off!

GD: Any words of wisdom for students in the current application cycle?

FD: My advice is to apply when you are truly ready and feel confident in all areas—grades, shadowing, volunteering, and Dental Admission Test (DAT). Also remember that schools are receiving a copious amount of applications and there are plenty of qualified applicants, so make sure your application encompasses your unique story! Be honest in your application and try to show schools who you are as a person through your experiences and interests.

I also advise putting in the effort to build strong relationships with your professors and other faculty members. Having a close relationship with the Dean of my program and other professors not only helped my application, but they also provided me with the support, guidance and encouragement I needed to be confident during the application cycle.

Kyle Harvey  |  University of Central Florida 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Kyle Harvey, health sciences student at the University of Central Florida, after the 2021 ADEA AADSAS^® Application Cycle.

Read on to find out where he is on his journey to a dental profession.

ADEA GoDental (GD): Since we spoke in the fall, has the transition to mostly online learning and/or work gotten easier? Harder? Stayed the same? Tell me about your experience this year.

Kyle Harvey (KH): Since we spoke in the fall, the transition to online learning has gotten easier. In my experience, the faculty did well listen to students’ concerns and developed ways to accommodate as many students as possible.

GD: What are your plans this summer and fall?

KH: Before matriculating into University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry (UNC SOD) in the fall, I have been getting everything organized to make the moving process simpler come July. Lastly, I have been making an effort to see all of the friends I have made along the way. I would not be in the position I am without the continuous support of my friends and family. With that being said, I am making an intentional effort to spend quality time with them before I enter dental school.

GD: Looking back on applying to dental school during a pandemic, would you do anything differently? If so, what?

KH: The pandemic certainly made the application cycle unlike previous cycles. One of the changes being the interview format. If you live with roommates (in my case six), setting up your room for professional interviews can be quite challenging. Fortunately, my roommates were very respectful of my schedule and made the process go very smoothly. However, the one thing I overlooked in setting up my environment was my chair. It may seem like a small detail, but for someone who deals with lower back pain after sitting for long periods of time, it is worth investing in a chair with proper support.

GD: Any words of wisdom for students in the current application cycle?

KH: For the students applying in the current cycle, the best advice I can give is surely the advice you have heard a plethora of times: Be yourself. All of you have put in the hard work demonstrated in your applications and that is something you should be proud of. In terms of interviews, enter them with a relaxed mindset. You have earned the right to be there, and this is your opportunity to demonstrate how your goals and aspirations align with the mission statement of the program. I wish the best of luck for all the current applicants!

Jordan Cohen  |  North Carolina State University 

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ADEA GoDental caught up with Jordan Cohen, a recent graduate of North Carolina State University, after the 2021 ADEA AADSAS^® Application Cycle.

Read on to find out where he is on his journey to a dental profession.

ADEA GoDental (GD): What are your plans this summer and fall?

Jordan Cohen (JC): I was accepted to Meharry Medical College in their master’s in medical health science post-baccalaureate program. With this additional coursework, I plan to apply to dental school again next cycle in June.

GD: Any words of wisdom for students in the current application cycle?

JC: I would say trust your journey and make sure you stay positive all the way through.