Things to do before applying for 2011 cycle

[sarora11]

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Hey all, i'm applying this summer for the 2011 cycle and just want to make sure that i'll be prepared come June when the cycle opens up, and i'm not held back for any reason. If you guys could just check that i'm on the right track, and of course add anything that i've forgotten and fix what needs to be fixed.

-Personal statement, don't wait till last minute (going to start soon)
-Decide what schools to apply to and send DAT scores to the schools by early May (since I heard it takes 3-4 weeks to send)
-Make sure (4) professors agree to write me a LOR, and make sure they'll have it written by the time the cycle opens so when AADSAS emails them, they'll be ready to send it.
-Send college transcripts to AADSAS? (someone explain how this works please)
-Gather up resume and information asked on the application.

This is what I came up with at the moment, am I missing anything? Any advice for the people who are about to apply? Thanks all 😎

 

[Predent68]

Let me see if I can help you out a bit.

-Personal statement, don't wait till last minute (going to start soon)
YES! definitely start on it. Make sure you highlight as many characters as you could. Try to be concise. Ask a lot of people to critique your essay. (Remember its 4500 characters with space; the prompt is usually why dentistry)

-Decide what schools to apply to and send DAT scores to the schools by early May (since I heard it takes 3-4 weeks to send)
I wouldn't send scores until on or post June 3rd. It really doesn't matter because AADSAS is probably not going to send the first batch until early July, which means school will not get the app until second week of July. I don't even think school start looking at your apps until mid July. Therefore, it's about right if you order your score report in early June.

-Make sure (4) professors agree to write me a LOR, and make sure they'll have it written by the time the cycle opens so when AADSAS emails them, they'll be ready to send it.
I would tell them to have them by 3rd week of May.

-Send college transcripts to AADSAS? (someone explain how this works please)
So before June 3rd, I would order transcripts for all the colleges you have attended (even one class). The coureswork section requires you to enter all the course titles and abbreviations according to how your transcripts show!!! YOU NEED TO BE ACCURATE!!

So the way AADSAS works is you have to input all the colleges attended in that section. After that, they will ask you to print out a transcript matching form for a corresponding school that you input. You will have to bring this matching form to the Registrar/Transcript Services and have them include with your transcripts before mailing it to AADSAS for verification. Do this on June 3rd/after. Not earlier than June 3rd.

NO TRANSCRIPTS = NO VERIFICATION = NOT READY TO SEND TO SCHOOLS!!! You can technically send your transcripts out even before you complete your actual application because it takes time for your registrar to send out (end of school year!!)


One other thing you might have forgotten is to check all the schools that you will be applying to for secondary apps. Some schools want you to send it DAT score reports/ pictures/ deposits (secondary fees)/ or secondary apps (more essay/personal information) posted on school website. Don't think you are done because you send it AADSAS.

Also I would suggest practicing on this cycle's AADSAS app. Type in everything and print a copy for reference - it will make your life easier!!!. MUST PRINT A COPY BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VIEW AGAIN ON THE CURRENT APP SERVER AFTER MAY (I believe)!!!!

Hope this helps.

 

[bmstew]

A couple of quick questions...

Do we need to send our DAT score report to the school again if we had them send it when we initially signed up for the test? Or are we good to go?

And is it all right to submit the app and then have our transcripts sent in? Or do I have to wait to submit the app until they get all of my transcripts?

Thanks so much for clearing this up for me. Good thread by the way too!

 

[joonkimdds]

Take DAT and send you application and DAT no later than mid June.

 

[FutureDent020]

A couple of quick questions...

Do we need to send our DAT score report to the school again if we had them send it when we initially signed up for the test? Or are we good to go?

No, but if you want to send the report to additional schools, not on the original list, you have to submit an additional score report. Otherwise, every school you checked off during the DAT registration will receive your scores.

And is it all right to submit the app and then have our transcripts sent in? Or do I have to wait to submit the app until they get all of my transcripts?

Yes, but do it in the same week to help speed up the process

Thanks so much for clearing this up for me. Good thread by the way too!

answers above

 

[FutureDent020]

Let me see if I can help you out a bit.

-Personal statement, don't wait till last minute (going to start soon)
YES! definitely start on it. Make sure you highlight as many characters as you could. Try to be concise. Ask a lot of people to critique your essay. (Remember its 4500 characters with space; the prompt is usually why dentistry)

-Decide what schools to apply to and send DAT scores to the schools by early May (since I heard it takes 3-4 weeks to send)
I wouldn't send scores until on or post June 3rd. It really doesn't matter because AADSAS is probably not going to send the first batch until early July, which means school will not get the app until second week of July. I don't even think school start looking at your apps until mid July. Therefore, it's about right if you order your score report in early June.

-Make sure (4) professors agree to write me a LOR, and make sure they'll have it written by the time the cycle opens so when AADSAS emails them, they'll be ready to send it.
I would tell them to have them by 3rd week of May.

-Send college transcripts to AADSAS? (someone explain how this works please)
So before June 3rd, I would order transcripts for all the colleges you have attended (even one class). The coureswork section requires you to enter all the course titles and abbreviations according to how your transcripts show!!! YOU NEED TO BE ACCURATE!!

So the way AADSAS works is you have to input all the colleges attended in that section. After that, they will ask you to print out a transcript matching form for a corresponding school that you input. You will have to bring this matching form to the Registrar/Transcript Services and have them include with your transcripts before mailing it to AADSAS for verification. Do this on June 3rd/after. Not earlier than June 3rd.

NO TRANSCRIPTS = NO VERIFICATION = NOT READY TO SEND TO SCHOOLS!!! You can technically send your transcripts out even before you complete your actual application because it takes time for your registrar to send out (end of school year!!)


One other thing you might have forgotten is to check all the schools that you will be applying to for secondary apps. Some schools want you to send it DAT score reports/ pictures/ deposits (secondary fees)/ or secondary apps (more essay/personal information) posted on school website. Don't think you are done because you send it AADSAS.

Also I would suggest practicing on this cycle's AADSAS app. Type in everything and print a copy for reference - it will make your life easier!!!. MUST PRINT A COPY BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VIEW AGAIN ON THE CURRENT APP SERVER AFTER MAY (I believe)!!!!

Hope this helps.

This should actually answer everyone's questions. I didn't see it before I responded. Good info.

 

[kapmann]

I've found that all the "6-8 week", "2-4 week" etc waiting periods are definitely on the short end if you apply very early (aka the first week or so of June). I applied twice and never had to wait as long as they said it would take. On the other hand, don't rush through your application, make sure its thorough, correct and interesting! It's better to submit it June 10th when you've proofread everything, filled up the space with enlightening details, and made sure you've sent transcripts/LOR to the right place with correct attachments, then it is to rush and send it on June 2nd even with only a small mistake or two.

Good Luck!

 

[redchesus]

EDIT: nvm

 

[toothsuccess]

make sure to check the letter of recommendation requirement for each school you apply to. (some are very specific, ie. professor from chem &/or bio, three science professors, or two science professors and one non-science.. etc. etc)

**also, you NEED one letter from a dentist** this is true for almost all schools.

 

[sarora11]

Let me see if I can help you out a bit.

-Personal statement, don't wait till last minute (going to start soon)
YES! definitely start on it. Make sure you highlight as many characters as you could. Try to be concise. Ask a lot of people to critique your essay. (Remember its 4500 characters with space; the prompt is usually why dentistry)

-Decide what schools to apply to and send DAT scores to the schools by early May (since I heard it takes 3-4 weeks to send)
I wouldn't send scores until on or post June 3rd. It really doesn't matter because AADSAS is probably not going to send the first batch until early July, which means school will not get the app until second week of July. I don't even think school start looking at your apps until mid July. Therefore, it's about right if you order your score report in early June.

-Make sure (4) professors agree to write me a LOR, and make sure they'll have it written by the time the cycle opens so when AADSAS emails them, they'll be ready to send it.
I would tell them to have them by 3rd week of May.

-Send college transcripts to AADSAS? (someone explain how this works please)
So before June 3rd, I would order transcripts for all the colleges you have attended (even one class). The coureswork section requires you to enter all the course titles and abbreviations according to how your transcripts show!!! YOU NEED TO BE ACCURATE!!

So the way AADSAS works is you have to input all the colleges attended in that section. After that, they will ask you to print out a transcript matching form for a corresponding school that you input. You will have to bring this matching form to the Registrar/Transcript Services and have them include with your transcripts before mailing it to AADSAS for verification. Do this on June 3rd/after. Not earlier than June 3rd.

NO TRANSCRIPTS = NO VERIFICATION = NOT READY TO SEND TO SCHOOLS!!! You can technically send your transcripts out even before you complete your actual application because it takes time for your registrar to send out (end of school year!!)


One other thing you might have forgotten is to check all the schools that you will be applying to for secondary apps. Some schools want you to send it DAT score reports/ pictures/ deposits (secondary fees)/ or secondary apps (more essay/personal information) posted on school website. Don't think you are done because you send it AADSAS.

Also I would suggest practicing on this cycle's AADSAS app. Type in everything and print a copy for reference - it will make your life easier!!!. MUST PRINT A COPY BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VIEW AGAIN ON THE CURRENT APP SERVER AFTER MAY (I believe)!!!!

Hope this helps.

That helps so much i'm so thankful towards you for writing that all out! And to everyone else whose chipping in. The thing I was most worried about was getting surprised by something on the application, and having it slow me down. You say there's a way to practice to the AADSAS app? How would I go about doing this? Do I just make up a login name/information and just mess around with it? Thanks again everyone 🙂

 

[Blue Panther]

Your application is considered incomplete without the secondary application. For vast majority of dental schools, secondary application is basically a fee. The fee various from school to school from $40-75. So make sure you have the money for secondary fees after you pay AADSAS and ADA for DAT scores.

 

[Predent68]

I believe you can still mess around with the 2010 application online. Again, make sure you print out a copy after!

 

[sarora11]

I believe you can still mess around with the 2010 application online. Again, make sure you print out a copy after!

Since the cycle is closed I dont believe I can take a look at the application anymore. Is there anyone who has their application saved, that I can take a look at? Thanks all.

 

[luv8724]

So... For secondary cycle, that is after AADSAS sends out their application to each schools we applied right? then if we get a call from individual schools we send out the rest of supplementary stuff as in more LOR and pictures and etc