Important points for new applicants

[Gargamel]

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I thought it might be nice to generate list of important points for the next group applying. Please add to the list as you see fit. I cannot stress points 1-3 enough.


1. Apply Early (this means as soon as AADSAS opens the cycle)
2. Apply Early (this means as soon as AADSAS opens the cycle)
3. Apply Early (this means as soon as AADSAS opens the cycle)
4. Verify with AADSAS and the schools the status of your application (call them, be nice, do this early, don’t wait till November to find out AADSAS “forgot” to mail your letters of recommendation)
5. Ask professors for letters of recommendation now. (include an addressed and stamped envelope to send them in, follow up till you know they have been sent, check AADSAS to verify this, be nice)
6. Know your chances of getting in out of state before your throw your money away (for some schools out of state means only the immediately surrounding states, if you don’t live in them forget about it)
7. Proper attire for an interview is a suite (usually dark in color) and for men a tie (conservative but not dull).
8. Thank you notes to interviewers are not mandatory but make a nice impression (hand written or e-mail are fine)
9. One or two points on the DAT is worth thousands of shadowing hours (use your time wisely)
10. Some schools have pre-requisite requirements such as biochemistry or that pre-requisite classes be taken at a four year university know the requirements before you apply.
11. You can submit your application before the DAT is taken or prerequisites are completed (see point 1)

 

[whiskeysour]

5. Ask professors for letters of recommendation now. (include an addressed and stamped envelope to send them in, follow up till you know they have been sent, check AADSAS to verify this, be nice)

Isn't there a sheet the needs to be attached to the letter that cannot be obtained prior until the new application cycle opens up (mid may)?

I'm applying for the 2007 cycle and want to get this cleared up. I understand how early it is to apply early.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Gargamel]

I probably jumped the gun on that one a little. There is a sheet that gets attached, it is not something they fill out however. My point was really that you should ask early since professors are notorious for disappearing for weeks at a time during the summer. A 30 on the DAT (if that’s for real I take my hat off to you).

 

[whiskeysour]

I probably jumped the gun on that one a little. There is a sheet that gets attached, it is not something they fill out however. My point was really that you should ask early since professors are notorious for disappearing for weeks at a time during the summer. A 30 on the DAT (if that’s for real I take my hat off to you).

Ok, thanks... I will get those lined up.

No, the 30 isn't for real. I'm taking the DAT in early may.

Thanks again...btw, are these lessons you have learned or just passing on points that worked for you? A buddy of mine with awesome stats applied very late and is sitting on the waiting list at his top choice, so the point to apply early is KEY.

 

[kokobean]

great list! summarizes everything I've heard around here..

 

[duh?]

Good job! 👍

I thought it might be nice to generate list of important points for the next group applying. Please add to the list as you see fit. I cannot stress points 1-3 enough.


1. Apply Early (this means as soon as AADSAS opens the cycle)
2. Apply Early (this means as soon as AADSAS opens the cycle)
3. Apply Early (this means as soon as AADSAS opens the cycle)
4. Verify with AADSAS and the schools the status of your application (call them, be nice, do this early, don’t wait till November to find out AADSAS “forgot” to mail your letters of recommendation)
5. Ask professors for letters of recommendation now. (include an addressed and stamped envelope to send them in, follow up till you know they have been sent, check AADSAS to verify this, be nice)
6. Know your chances of getting in out of state before your throw your money away (for some schools out of state means only the immediately surrounding states, if you don’t live in them forget about it)
7. Proper attire for an interview is a suite (usually dark in color) and for men a tie (conservative but not dull).
8. Thank you notes to interviewers are not mandatory but make a nice impression (hand written or e-mail are fine)
9. One or two points on the DAT is worth thousands of shadowing hours (use your time wisely)
10. Some schools have pre-requisite requirements such as biochemistry or that pre-requisite classes be taken at a four year university know the requirements before you apply.
11. You can submit your application before the DAT is taken or prerequisites are completed (see point 1)

 

[PickMe]

ill add: dont let your letters of rec go through aadsas. the letters get lost, mishandled, whatever and may back up your application. my advisor told me this and im so glad he did because i saw people with problems on here. he said i HAD TO have the letters sent to the pre-health advisory committee, who then summarizes the letters, writes their own letters, and mails copies of everything directly to each school. i havent had a school complain, and they all got my letters quickly.

 

[teefRcool]

I say if you are going to send letters to aadsas get each one of them from your teachers (don't have them send it) and put them in a big envelope where all of your letters are together so the letters won't get sent one by one but together that way there is a less chance of aadsas losing them.

 

[kokobean]

What should an applicant do then, if their school doesn't have a pre-health committee?

 

[EyeAmCommi]

What should an applicant do then, if their school doesn't have a pre-health committee?

I would send the letters directly to each school and bypass AADSAS completely.

 

[PickMe]

I would send the letters directly to each school and bypass AADSAS completely.

exactly

 

[beezies]

ill add: dont let your letters of rec go through aadsas. the letters get lost, mishandled, whatever and may back up your application. my advisor told me this and im so glad he did because i saw people with problems on here. he said i HAD TO have the letters sent to the pre-health advisory committee, who then summarizes the letters, writes their own letters, and mails copies of everything directly to each school. i havent had a school complain, and they all got my letters quickly.

I agree! My advisor told me this and I think it totally saved me from some potential horror stories.

 

[futuredentist23]

ill add: dont let your letters of rec go through aadsas. the letters get lost, mishandled, whatever and may back up your application. my advisor told me this and im so glad he did because i saw people with problems on here. he said i HAD TO have the letters sent to the pre-health advisory committee, who then summarizes the letters, writes their own letters, and mails copies of everything directly to each school. i havent had a school complain, and they all got my letters quickly.

hmmm..i had a question. maybe you can help me out. but... what if.. i told the poeple i asked to do my LRC's to send it to dental school directly..let's say... by end of May right?...well at that time. the dental school wouldn't even know who i am..let alone know that i 'm even applying. will they still keep it?..or should i ask them to send it around june? july?..when the dental school actually has recieved my application and know i am interested....what do you think?

 

[dksnap]

hmmm..i had a question. maybe you can help me out. but... what if.. i told the poeple i asked to do my LRC's to send it to dental school directly..let's say... by end of May right?...well at that time. the dental school wouldn't even know who i am..let alone know that i 'm even applying. will they still keep it?..or should i ask them to send it around june? july?..when the dental school actually has recieved my application and know i am interested....what do you think?

thats a good question, I would like to know the answer to this as well.

 

[PDizzle]

hmmm..i had a question. maybe you can help me out. but... what if.. i told the poeple i asked to do my LRC's to send it to dental school directly..let's say... by end of May right?...well at that time. the dental school wouldn't even know who i am..let alone know that i 'm even applying. will they still keep it?..or should i ask them to send it around june? july?..when the dental school actually has recieved my application and know i am interested....what do you think?

Well, if I were to send my LOR's directly (not a bad idea other then asking your teachers to send out 8 or 9 copies) I would print out a cover sheet with your name, AADSAS#, SSN# and cycle you are applying for. In addition, I wouldn't send them in May but late June or even early July. ADDSAS takes so long that even if you start the process as early as possible, your app prob wont get there for some time. Having your application at the school and complete by the end of July is still considered super early.

 

[Chrono1984]

So prereqs don't need to be completed by time of application? For example, I won't have minium english credit hours taken by the time I apply for certain schools and won't have my BS until next year, do most schools give you your senior year to finish? Would they still accept me under the assumption that I will finish all minimum requirements by matriculation? I have been told most do..but wouldn't mind some reassurance.

 

[Sprgrover]

Isn't there a sheet the needs to be attached to the letter that cannot be obtained prior until the new application cycle opens up (mid may)?

I'm applying for the 2007 cycle and want to get this cleared up. I understand how early it is to apply early.

Thanks for your advice.

Yes, but it is good manners to ask your recommendors for a letter well in advance of the deadline. Not only does this allow them formulate a better letter it also doesn't make them (or you) feel rushed. When the form becomes available you'll have your letter and they can send it off.

 

[duh?]

So prereqs don't need to be completed by time of application? For example, I won't have minium english credit hours taken by the time I apply for certain schools and won't have my BS until next year, do most schools give you your senior year to finish? Would they still accept me under the assumption that I will finish all minimum requirements by matriculation? I have been told most do..but wouldn't mind some reassurance.

Some schools prefer that you have a bachelors degree by matriculation. Call the schools you wish to apply to. Some schools have different policies concerning that.

 

[PickMe]

i would collect the letters myself in sealed envelopes. then after aadsas sends your app to the schools, mail them to the schools yourself. i would not send them before you app gets there. my advisor had me email them when my aadsas app went out, and then they sent the letters.