Points to ponder
If you read the previous posts, you get almost the whole picture of what to expect. Let me try to add some more details.
1. Every year they change rules, making it more difficult for foreign-trained dentists to get into a dental program. It is going to become more challenging with the recent changes in the application selection process, since NBDE score are no longer available.
2. Apply early as soon as application starts & before June for Caapid. Caapid applications usually start in April. But there are other schools that do not participate in Caapid & have different application dates. I believe ada.org requires you to purchase an ebook to get the complete details about licensure and schools offering advanced standing programs. I am aware of around 20 schools eligible for those on visa and another 15 more for only those who are permanent residents or citizens. Of these, some have already discontinued or are planning to discontinue the AS program. NYU has changed to 4 year AS program.
3. Personal statement/Statement of purpose The most important factor in your application. Use this area wisely to let them know who you are as a person and why you are applying. It would be good if you can modify it to fit individual schools needs. You can tell your whole life history or pick an incident & elaborate on it. It should ideally show your passion for dentistry and how committed you are to it. (Do not simplywrite Im passionate about dentistry)Use simple language as you would normally converse (not too casual, not too many thesaurus words either). Get it edited by a US dentist or any US professional, if you can. They will likely give you good suggestions. Or review with your friends & family for an honest opinion. I had to redraft mine for many months before I decided to finally send it.
4. Recommendation letter It goes without saying that you need to have exceptionally great letters. Try to get them from different specialty departments. Most schools ask you to get alteast one dean and one from your dental school professor or colleague/superior where you worked. Recommendations from US dental professional are extremely valued.
5. TOEFL Even if the school says 90, aim for minimum100. Toefl is a big deciding factor in applicant selection. They consider Toeflnot just as an English exam, but as a test of how well you are likely to fit in. Those aiming for east coast schools, the toefl scores need to be really high and you must be comfortable speaking English too. Apply with whatever eligible scores you have. You can always update it later, unless they specify not to. TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years. So apply with your best score, not necessarily the most recent one.
6. NBDE Now that there are no scores, it meansyou have to stand out as an applicant on the whole. Passing NBDE is reallyeasy; scoring high, not so much. So those of you not yet taken nbde, its a lot less to worry about. And those who already have a score; dont fret if it is low & dont be overconfident if they are high. Most schools are not going to consider your scores even if you have them.
References ASDA exam papers,Dental decks, Kaplan review book, Mosby, First aid, Google, Wiki, Youtube should be more than sufficient to just pass.
7. Volunteer/Observership There are many schools that offer various preceptorship/ observership/ externship/ certificate programs etc. for short/long duration. If you can get into any of these, its great as you can also ask for a recommendation letter.
Expand your search to not justdental clinics/non-profit organizations/ research but anything like, a library or church etc; till you get an opening. You will be asked what you did after coming here. They want to know that you are an active social person. They also want to know if you understand this culture & if you are comfortable with it. Engage in something where you get to meet & interact with the local people. You need to be able to talk about something other than your family and kids.
8. Work Experience & Post Grad Education Another important factor that will be looked into is your professional experience in your home country & US. US education & work experience,(not necessarily dental related) is given more preference. If your dentalschool GPA is low, you may try to make it up by getting a higher GPA in your Post-grad Ed. If you are a fresh graduate, the experience during school & internship; especially health camps etc. is taken into consideration.
9. CE course/workshop or paper publication/conference presentations can help to improve your resume. Some states you can work as a dental hygienist/assistant; if you qualify for it. Community work/public health etc. is given much importance.
10. Try to complete the application atleast 2 weeks ahead of deadline. Give minimum 2 weeks to process your application before enquiring about it. Emails are generally preferred.
11. Interview - Look & Be the Professional that you are!! Be genuine!
w Attire Conservative/Formal/Semiformal Business suit & attire preferred. I personally like navy blue/grey color- it helps to stand out in a sea of black.
- For women, skirt suits or pant suits work fine as long as you are comfortable in them. Comfortable shoes (Lots of walking, sometimes on slippery floor). Hair, make up & jewelry to be kept appropriate for a professional.
w Research about the school before interviewing & be prepared with some good questions to ask them.
w I believe nowadays most interviews are in a friendly atmosphere, where they try to make you feel relaxed. It is more of a conversation, rather than questionnaire most of the time. But be on your guard though you feel really comfortable; that you do not forget it is an interview & say something you shouldnt have.
w Likely questions asked
- Tellme about yourself and your experience; in its different variations.
- Anything from your personal statement / application
- What have you done since coming here
- Explain the gap in your resume if you have one
- If you are a mother, will you be able to manage personal life with studies
- Why this school, have you applied anywhere else
- Some schools are particular about ethical questions no right or wrong answer, justmake sure you have a logical explanation for it
- Some give clinical scenarios and ask you to explain your treatment plan
- General Dental topics prostho, perio, operative, public health etc
- Your strengths, weakness, hobbies, interests; in its different variations
- Why we should pick you
w Ultimately the 3 main things they want to know are
- Are you competent enough do you have the hand skills, soft skills etc..
- Can you fit in very important aspect in most schools
- Do you really want to join here ad-coms can sense it if you have applied just for the sake of application or to gain an experience before interviewing at your choice school. They want people who will be committed to their school.
12. Bench exam Practice! Practice! Practice!
w Most schools usually have one day for interview & school tour and the other for bench exam. Some have both on the same day and some do not have bench exams at all.
w Most commonly asked preparations Class II amalgam, metal crown prep/PFM crown prep on first molars.
w Practice to prepare on any tooth
- ClassII amalgam or composite MO, DO, MOL, MOB, MOD
- PFM crown
- Metal crown prep mostly posterior
- All ceramic crown mostly anterior
- some may ask CL III, CL IV, 3/4th crown
- restore Cl II with amalgam or composite
- restore Cl III or Cl IV with composite
- fabricate temporary crown
- Survey, design removable PD
- Most schools allow your own burs and provide matrix bands & wedges to use. Somemay not.
- Each school has different typodont teeth. Ive used both Kilgore & Columbia andthey have different texture and size.
w Prepare treatment planning and case history
w Evaluate your work
- Getyour work assessed by a US dentist.
- Set up the required assembly at home/request your dentist to practice there
- Join a course if you can afford it.
- Get ideal tooth prep models and compare your work.
13. Most schools prefer new applicants over re-applicants, unless you have significantly improved your resume the second time around.
14. Loans
w US federal loans are available to US citizens & permanent residents. I do not think those on EAD are eligible for it. Federal Stafford loan is 6.8% fixed interest rate.
w Most US private loans require a US citizen /permanent resident as cosigner.
w Your interest rate is based on your credit score, credit history & your cosigners.
w Fixed interest rate is always higher than variable interest rate. But variable interest rate changes with the market.
w Most banks require SSN to be able to apply, some accept ITIN. I am aware of Sallie Mae, Citibank, Citizens Bank that accepts applications without SSN. Citibank loans have been bought by Discover loans; hence from next year on they may change their policy to that of Discovers.
w Some banks have a limit to the total amount you can borrow as an international student. It varies from $100,000 to $250,000.
w Some banks allow the option of releasing cosigner after 12-36months of on-time payment. You need to be a citizen/permanent resident to be eligible.
15. Lastly - Do not blindly believe anything & everything. Get your facts checked!
