So, what are you guys doing between now and June first?
I know that we have wait for June First for ADDSAS application.
I'm thinking
about reviewing/taking the DAT, start requesting for LOR's, working on volunteer experience/s, deciding which possible schools we're going to apply/fit, personal statement, and shadowing.
What else can we do?
The AADSAS app should actually come out mid-May. Last year it came out on May 15th. The first day to SUBMIT the app is June 1st. AADSAS takes freakin' forever (~6 wks) to process the apps before they sent copies to the schools you designate, so apply early!! Some schools fill their classes by December 1st (like Pacific), so apply early early early!
DEFINITELY get those letters of recommendation. 4-6 is good. MUST have one from a dentist who knows you... better not to have a parent write one, even if you worked for him/her for X years. Turned out into a living nightmare for a friend of mine.
If your school has a committee letter system, look into their timeline. For UC Davis, we had to complete all these requirements, like filling out a separate profile form, submitting our latest draft of the personal statement, and scheduling a practice interview with a faculty. THEN they'd send out their committee letter to AADSAS.
You should already have your volunteer and shadowing experiences done by now... but in case you don't, it's not tooo late. Get on it quick. It'll be almost impossible to write a good personal statement with some experience in the dental field, and some decent community service.
Personal statement personal statement personal statement. Brainstorm your activities, experiences, goals, skills, etc. Make sure you answer the prompt, and don't waste space. Try different approaches. Ask friends, parents, relatives, mentors, advising to read it, so you can get different opinions. My PS went through tons of changes up until the very end of May.
Taking the DAT after you apply... Lots of predents take it the summer they apply so it's totally doable. It just doesn't give you the flexibility of retaking it, if you take it too late in the summer. I don't really know how that all works since I took mine the summer before applying.
I'd say worry about picking dental schools last. It's good to have visited dental schools already so you have an idea, but if you haven't, no biggie. You can buy/check out the ADEA: Official Guide to Dental Schools for about $35 to get an idea of what the schools' stats are.
Good luck applicants of 2007-2008. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. =)
