SUCCESSFUL A

DMISSIO

NS

TO D

ENTAL S

CHOOL

L ES

L EY

RI L

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DI R

EC

TO

R,

HE

ALT

H P

RO

F ES

SI O

NS

OF F I C

E

Self-Awareness Character and

integrity Self-discipline *Good judgment Compassion and

empathy Intellectual curiosity

and enthusiasm

Motivation and persistence

Reliability, dependability, and resilience

Leadership skills and accountability

Maturity Cultural competency

QUALITIES SOUGHT

COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS

Everything from the previous slide plus:

Strong GPAs: both Science & Overall Solid DAT Scores Excellent Communication & Interpersonal Skills Knowledge of and Experience in the Field

Volunteering, Shadowing Reading current events, Listen to guest speakers

Ability to articulate why this is the right career for you Leadership Recommendations from Faculty and Mentors

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Fall Work on PS ID Faculty for Letters of Eval

Prepare for Intvs!InterviewNotification: Dec 1

SpringTake the DATFinish up PSManage Ltrs of Eval

Notifications continue

Summer

Apply early – Submit in June

Do… Create a solid opening line Use logical order and

provide a conclusion Use active voice and

positive language Be concise and be specific Use your own vocabulary Check spelling, grammar,

and punctuation Write about yourself

Attend the PS WorkshopNovember 9 1:00 – 2:30 WEL 1.316

Don’t… Overuse “I” Re-state your application Use most of essay

describing your initial inspiration

Insult the profession you want to join

Exaggerate Dwell on suffering

TIPS FOR YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT

LETTERS OF EVALUATION

Identify potential letter writers have more evaluators in mind than you actually need Casting the net wide (and early) allows you to replace anyone who

is not willing or able to write you a letter Select appropriate evaluators based on requirements

Academic: Relationship in an Academic Context, Preferably Letter Grade/Course Credit

Dentist: Someone you have shadowed

PREPARING FOR THE REQUEST

Always ask for a letter of evaluation/recommendation in person.

Make your request early (at least one month before the date needed)

For dent school apps, ask earlier! (Lots of competition for faculty letters – allow contingency time)

Request an appointment Be on time for the appointment Look nice (you don’t have to wear a suit, but give the

appt the respect it deserves!)

WHAT TO ACTUALLY SAY

Tell them the purpose of the letter you are requesting. Personalize the request. Ask if they will consider writing a letter on your behalf. If no, thank them for their consideration and depart –

quickly! If yes,

Set date of completion Ask what would be helpful for them in writing the letter Commit to a date to get the supplemental materials to them Ask if they have worked with the Interfolio system before

SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS

Cover Sheet – thank them again, list the completion date you agreed upon and your contact information

Possible items to submit Personal Statement – Rough draft is okay Current Resume Transcript DAT Scores (if available) More detailed instructions for how to submit the letter Photo

Professional looking head shot

GENTLE REMINDER & GRATITUDE!

About three weeks before the completion date, touch base with your writer

Allows contingency if they are unable to write the letter Send a thank you note as soon as you know it’s

submitted and another one when you get admitted! If you are not admitted – send a thank you note with plans going

forward

INTERVIEW TIPS

Know the School What do you want in your dental school experience? Ask high quality questions!

Know the Profession Current Issues in the Field Personal experience through shadowing

Know Yourself Go over application materials Explain why you are a good fit for the profession!

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF & “NEGATIVE” ?S Icebreaker (Tell me about yourself)

Hobbies Interesting facts Family / Hometown / Major

“Negative”: Tell me about a time when you made a mistake.

Integrity/Responsibility What did you learn? Are you resilient?

“Negative”: What is one of your weaknesses? Self Awareness What effect does it have on you? On others? How are you monitoring?

APPROPRIATE ATTIRE Dress professionally Wear a traditional, conservative business suit Hair should be nicely groomed Scents should be very subtle Minimal/conservative jewelry Shoes should be clean and in good repair

NEXT STEPS

Career Design Center & the Health Professions Office

Meet with a Health Professions Coach Attend Workshop on Personal Statements in

November Identify potential letter writers and ask early! Get your application in by the end of June Do a mock interview or use Interview Stream

http://cns.utexas.interviewstream.com/