How do supplemental applications look like?

[Bigbirdo]

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Hello, everyone. I am applying in the summer, so I want to be more familiar with the application process. Here are a few of my questions about the supplemental application.
1. Is supplemental application the same as secondary application?
2. How does it look like and where can I find them? I want to submit my application soon after it opens, so I would like to see what questions the schools ask and what essays I need to write for the supplements.

 

[sbdento]

1. yes
2. The schools will contact you but not every school requires them. The apps range from just paying a $50-$80 fee to 10+ essays and a fee. Each school is different. Essay topics are usually why you want to be a dentist or why do you like x school, etc. usually pretty easy questions to answer.

 

[Bigbirdo]

1. yes
2. The schools will contact you but not every school requires them. The apps range from just paying a $50-$80 fee to 10+ essays and a fee. Each school is different. Essay topics are usually why you want to be a dentist or why do you like x school, etc. usually pretty easy questions to answer.

Is there any way to see the supplements beforehand?

 

[Glimmer1991]

Well, some schools might have them posted online beforehand, like UNC: https://www.dentistry.unc.edu/academic/dds/supplementalapplicationinformation.cfm

UNC's was pretty dang in-depth--I don't think all schools are like that. However, it at least gives you an idea of what kind of questions you might be asked.

Don't worry about writing anything too early. They don't require as much "soul searching" as your personal statement. It should only take you a week max to finish a supplement.

Also, a supplement and secondary are used interchangeably. Not all schools require a "written" supplement where they ask you question, but I think they all charge a supplementary "fee" to process your application. So, yeah. You pay AADSAS, and then you pay the schools. 🙂

Also, if you're wanting to become more familiar with the application, check the AADSAS FAQs link in my signature. 🙂 I'm actually going to add your questions to it, since they're good!

 

[sbdento]

I'm pretty sure the ADEA website has a list of all the schools with a link that will describe to you what the supp app entails.

 

[sgv]

Schools will contact you about submitting a secondary. Some schools have long secondaries and others just ask you to repeat what is already on your application. I think for one school, I spent longer answering its questions that I did for my personal statement. I certainly didn't have to go spend this much time but I felt like it because I really wanted to get in.

By the way, you might not be allowed to disclose the questions on the secondaries if they don't post it for everyone to see.