"Going an extra mile" with admissions

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ULTRON

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Hello applicants,

You may have heard that "if you visit the dental school, arrange for a visit to a faculty/admissions member, and show keen interest in attending that dental school", you may get accepted.

Is this true? Can someone share their experience? I'm from Chicago, but REALLY want to go to SIU dental school. How should I arrange a meeting with an admissions member...and what shall I ask/do? What should I talk about? Is there anything else I can do? I want to call SIU...but I'm nervous...don't know what do do..

thanks

ULTRON
 
Bump Bump Bump Bump
 
Hey Ultron,

I'm answering because your thread has gone unanswered for a while. I would recommend calling the admissions office and arranging for a tour and a meeting with someone in the admissions office. I think a lot of schools do this and express how interested you are in the school when requesting. The person you would talk to is probably a secretary so don't be nervous...just make sure you are really nice to EVERYONE. And wear a suit and ask lots of (positive) questions.

I don't think this would get your foot in the door. However, it will accomplish a couple of things. First, you will have a better idea if this this the school that you want to attend. Second, it would give you a slight advantage if they remember who you are. (In a situation where an adcom is debating between two people of equal stats, I would hope they would choose someone they have met and like).

Hope that helps.

Jessica
 
ULTRON said:
Hello applicants,

You may have heard that "if you visit the dental school, arrange for a visit to a faculty/admissions member, and show keen interest in attending that dental school", you may get accepted.

Is this true? Can someone share their experience? I'm from Chicago, but REALLY want to go to SIU dental school. How should I arrange a meeting with an admissions member...and what shall I ask/do? What should I talk about? Is there anything else I can do? I want to call SIU...but I'm nervous...don't know what do do..

thanks

ULTRON

Ultron,
Call the school, set up a visit, and they'll take it from there. Very nice people, and you'll meet with the dean for a while (informal interview) wear a shirt/tie and just be polite... and yourself. SIU is a good school if you don't mind living in Alton for four years. Good luck. What are your stats like, btw??
 
Do u have to schedule appointments with all the schools u are applying to??? I mean do u have to travel to other places from ur state?? 🙁
 
On a related note. How frequently have you contacted admissions people? I don't want to contact them for the sake of just contacting them.
 
Contact them if you have questions about your application, or if you know that you'll probably get an interview (when schools start interviewing). I did this, and was able to schedule a few interviews over the phone, even before I received a letter inviting me. Be very polite, though. Anu D, you do not have to do this with all schools, SIU, Marquette, Creighton, and a few other schools do not require interviews, so it is in your best interest to schedule an apointment like Ultron is doing.
 
Hi Ultron,
I will be attending SIU this fall and so far everyone I have met at the school has been extremely friendly. I would suggest calling and asking for an informal meeting. I received a letter telling me to set up an interview. It was very relaxed and I was basically admitted while I was there. Good Luck. BTW I am from out of state so you will have even better chances than me!!
 
I'm seeing a faculty practioner at Tufts but he deals with only post-doctoral prothodontics program. I'm feeling a little out of place dealing with this professor it's just a bit intimidating when he is looking for people who have excelled at dental school while I'm trying to get to dental school. Anybody have any suggestions as to what I should ask and what I should get out of this ?
 
For all of you who will be interviewing this fall for the class of 2009 remember that it is customary and expected for your interview group to get together and buy pizzas for the current sophomore class. Sort of a dental tradition throughout the U.S. Last year there were two interview groups at my school who didn't do this and not a single one of those applicants got in. Just giving you all a heads up.
 
Dr.SpongeBobDDS said:
For all of you who will be interviewing this fall for the class of 2009 remember that it is customary and expected for your interview group to get together and buy pizzas for the current sophomore class. Sort of a dental tradition throughout the U.S. Last year there were two interview groups at my school who didn't do this and not a single one of those applicants got in. Just giving you all a heads up.

😱

I was planning on lobster, would that gurantee admission :laugh:
 
Dr.SpongeBobDDS said:
For all of you who will be interviewing this fall for the class of 2009 remember that it is customary and expected for your interview group to get together and buy pizzas for the current sophomore class. Sort of a dental tradition throughout the U.S. Last year there were two interview groups at my school who didn't do this and not a single one of those applicants got in. Just giving you all a heads up.

Haha, lol...
 
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