The Polished Predent your guide to

being a star applicant

Kayla Roe
Associate to the Council on Membership

#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

10,000 applicants. 5,000 spots.

How will you stand out?

How can you set yourself apart early, and secure your
position in a dental school class in the sea of overstressed
overachievers?
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@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Organizing the Chaos

1.Timeline

2.Research

3.DATPrep

4.AADSAS
#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Timeline
WhenshouldIapply?

WhenshouldItaketheDAT?

WhenshouldIschedulecertainclasses?

WhatshouldIdoduringmygapyear?

WhenshouldItaketheDAT?

#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Research
Which programs will you apply to?
Deadlines
Prerequisites
Shadowing hours
Average scores
Tuition

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@dentalstudents

Prepare for the DAT

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@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

AADSAS

#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Social Media Success

Google-ability
Build your network
Inappropriate pictures or posts
Hurting your professionalism

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@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Email Etiquette

Address
Opening Line
Research
Timing

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@dentalstudents

Letters of Recommendation

1. Be Proactive

2. Be Timely

3. Make Sure They Know You

4. Be Sincere

#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Be Proactive
Start thinking of who you want to ask early on
Research
Teaching Assistant
Office Hours
Independent Study
Dentist

Committee letter vs. individual letters

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@dentalstudents

Be Timely

8-10 weeks in advance

Never too early to start thinking about who you want to ask

#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Make Sure They Know You

What is the letter for?
If they dont know you, or dont like you, a bad letter could
hurt your application
Copy of your CV
Personal statement
Arrange a meeting

#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Be Sincere

1. Write a thank you note

2. Follow up!

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@dentalstudents

Interview Inspiration

Do Your Research
Practice Makes Perfect
Video Recording
Thank You Notes

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@dentalstudents

Do Your Research
Whereareyoustaying?
Whattimeshouldyouarrive?
Whatkindofinterviewisit?
Whatmakesthisschoolunique?
#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Practice Makes Perfect

Create your elevator pitch
Think about answers to common questions
Tell me about yourself
Why dentistry?
What makes you unique?
Strengths and weaknesses

On campus interviews
Record yourself
#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents

Questions?
Roekm2@vcu.edu

#NLC15
@ASDAnet

@dentalstudents