The AADSAS application

The AADSAS Application opens the first week of June. Dental schools look at applications on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it is very important that you submit your applications early. (Early means end of July and before August). In order for your application to be complete, you need 3 things: Your official transcripts sent from your school, your letters of recommendation, and your Official DAT scores.

The online application is divided into four sections:
1. Background Information - Name, address, contact information, etc.
2. Academic Profile - Coursework, grades, standardized testing scores
3. Evaluations - Letters of recommendations
4. Experiences - Extracurricular activities and achievements

3 weeks after you take your DAT, you can call AADSAS and they will match your official scores to your application that day. If you do not call them, it may take months to get your scores verified, therefore delaying your application submission and review by schools. You can call them here: 617-612-2045.

Dental schools primarily filter applicants by DAT scores and GPA. Thoroughly research individual schools' requirements! Some schools have additional requirements for additional letters, extra classes, or minimum requirements for shadowing and volunteering hours. Admissions will also look at your extracurriculars, the strength of your curriculum and look for improvement and honesty. After you've completed the application, set it aside for a few days and then re-read it with fresh eyes. Review for errors and assess the overall tone. Verify your grades and GPA calculation. Look at your application through the eyes of the admissions committee. Does this application highlight my strengths and passion for dentistry?

Most schools require a second essay that asks why you are interested in their school. Make your supplemental essays specific and well-researched. It's a good idea to take to current students, alumni, and online forums to get a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of each school. I recommend checking out the Pre-Dental threads at Student Dental Network.

NOTE: Admissions will definitely ask you about the things listed on your application, so don't lie or embellish to appear to be a more attractive student, as this will come back to haunt you.

Once you begin the application process, it's a good idea to manage and cleanse your social media presence. You want to make sure that your email username and phone voicemail sound professional. Remove any photos or posts on social media that you wouldn't want admissions to see.

After you submit, sit back and relax! Monitor the status of your applications periodically over the summer. Congratulate yourself for completing this very stressful step!