1. Dental Application Workshop1
Dental Application Workshop
Entering Class 2012

2. WELCOME Office of Health and Legal Professions 204 Farrior Hall
M-F 8-4:30
Pre-health Professions Advisors/Staff
Naz Erenguc
Bobbi Knickerbocker
Christine Richmond
Becky Sandbach

3. Overview About AADSAS Application Process Timeline The Application
Monitoring your status
Verification Process

4. Dental Application Service
AADSAS Centralized Application Service
The Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS) lets you apply to multiple participating dental schools with one online application.
ADEA AADSAS simplifies the application process by providing one standardized form, relieving applicants of the need to complete multiple applications.
Dental schools benefit by receiving uniform information on all applicants. Currently 60 U.S. dental schools and one Canadian dental school participate in ADEA AADSAS.
ADEA AADSAS Fees:  The processing fee for the 2012 ADEA AADSAS application is $235 for the first dental school plus $75 for each additional school.
ADEA AADSAS offers a fee assistance program for applicants who demonstrate extreme financial need.

5. Centralized Application Service
Centralized application serves as the primary application to the schools you select.
Provides demographic, academic, activities and testing information
Personal statement is required
Letters of recommendation are submitted with the primary application.
Each school will then ask you to complete a secondary application to the school.
Complete additional essays providing more personal information

6. Timeline Beginning June 1 (Earlier the better) April/May
Research schools
Take the DAT test
Order transcripts (After spring grades post) – one for you and one for AADSAS
Ensure you have letters of reference or recommendation as required by each school
Complete personal statement
Beginning June 1 (Earlier the better)
Applicant submits to ADEA AADSAS Online Application, along with:
(1) Application Fee Payment
(2) All Official Transcripts
(3) Letters of Evaluation
(4) Application is considered complete and processing begins
Transcript Verification – 4-6 weeks - Application distributed to designated dental schools in electronic format
*Application processing time varies based on volume of applications being processed.
**ADEA AADSAS does not delay the processing of your application if letters of evaluation have not been received. Letters of evaluation received after your application has been processed are forwarded to schools in the next mailing.
*** ADEA AADSAS processes all applications received by a school’s deadline, but applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application, official transcripts, and fee payment well in advance of application deadlines.

7. Timeline July – August Complete secondary applications
Request to have your letters transmitted (upon request)
Fall term
Complete secondary applications & transmit letters
Interviews beginning in September (UF starts in July)
Offers of acceptance or notice of denials - December
Retake standardized test if needed
Spring term
Complete secondary applications & transmit letters (until Feb)
Interviews end in April – depends on school
Offers of acceptance or notice of denials
Summer term

8. Preparing for the ADEA AADSAS Application
Read the ADEA AADSAS Application Instructions
You will need a DENTPIN -If you registered for the DAT you will have one. If not you will be prompted to register for one when you create your application. To register for one or if you forgot your DENTPIN go to:
Learn about the Fee Assistance Program
Are you re-applying? See Information for Re-applicants
Review ADEA AADSAS Fees
Find Contact info for: ADEA AADSAS Customer Service
Register and take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)
Write your Personal Statement
Develop a Resume of Activities and Accomplishments
Request your transcripts (after spring grades post)
Arrange Letters of Evaluation

9. Applicant Responsibilities
Knowing the application process and admission pre-reqs
Arrange for all official transcripts to be sent to ADEA AADSAS Transcript Processing Dept. by the school’s application deadline.
Print Transcript Matching form for each institution attended
Complete application accurately and in timely manner
Respond to ALL notices, comments, instructions and questions received from ADEA AADSAS and each school to which you apply - CHECK your personal and application accounts
Print and retain your application
Submit correct application fee. Use ADEA AADSAS payment form if you submit by check. Credit card payment preferred
Make sure evaluator list is current and accurate at all times.
Update coursework and submit updated transcripts during the Academic Update period. Check Calendar of Events for dates
Provide all information requested
Respond promptly to either accept or decline interview invitations and offers of admission
Monitor your application online
Update ADEA AADSAS application of change in contact information by deadline date - notify schools directly after this date
Log off ADEA AADSAS after each entry to protect unauthorized access to your application

10. Elements of the Application
Personal Data - Separate address
Secondary School
DAT scores*
Ethnicity
Colleges Attended - all whether earned credits or not - degree or non-degree
Parent Information
Background Information*
Disadvantaged Status
Transcripts*
Coursework*
Resume Components - entered to application in separate categories
Awards, Honors, Scholarships
Dentistry Experience
Extracurricular/Volunteer/Community Service (8)
Work Experience
Research Experience
Academic Enrichment
Personal Statement*
Letters of Reference *

11. DAT Administered on computer.
Can take any time of the year, offered up to 5 times.
Permitted to take a total of 3 times in a LIFETIME.
Recommend take exam in May/June .
Maximum score of 30.
Academic portion.
Survey of Natural Sciences
Biology
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Reading Comprehension
Quantitative Reasoning
Perceptual Ability.
Competitive Score ~ (Academic Portion).

12. Background Information
Questions 1-8 (600 character each question)
Describe activities requiring manual dexterity
Do you have any relatives who are dentists, are in dental school, or who have studied or are studying Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting, Dental Laboratory Technology or related dental fields?
Have you ever been disqualified, suspended, dismissed or otherwise subject to a disciplinary action at an college or university in connection with your academic performance?
Have you ever been found to have violated a school rule, policy or procedure, or an honor code; or have yo otherwise been disqualified, put on probation, suspended, dismissed, expelled or otherwise been subject to disciplinary action at any college/university in connection with misconduct?
Have you ever applied to dental school prior to the present application cycle?
Have you previously or are you currently applying to a health professions school other than dental school?
Has your education ever been interrupted or affected adversely for reasons other than deficiencies in conduct or academic performance?
Indicate languages other than English you feel comfortable conversing with native speakers

13. Institutional actions/Felonies
Must be reported
Institutional actions should be reported regardless if there is an existing record on file.
Opportunity to accept responsibility for mistakes and errors in judgment
Better they find out from students and not others

14. Transcripts
Read Instruction carefully for specified types of coursework - US, Study Abroad, Overseas US institution or International
Need sealed official transcript with a Transcript Matching Form to be sent directly to ADEA AADSAS from every US/Canadian institution attended - AADSAS will NOT accept student transcripts or transcripts sent by applicant
Transcript Matching Form - Print one form for each institution, take to Registrar’s offices and ask that the matching form accompany the transcript. The barcode on the form allows AADSAS to match your transcript to your application.
Transfer credits on a transcript are not accepted in lieu of an original transcript
Be sure all transcripts are received by ADEA AADSAS Transcript Processing Dept by the application deadline set by your designated dental schools. AADSAS will verify coursework even if received late however dental schools may choose NOT to consider your application if transcripts are late.
Obtain a personal copy of your official transcript for you to complete the Coursework section of your application
Verify that AADSAS has received all of your transcripts - log in to your application, select status and then transcripts

15. Coursework
Enter in chronological order exactly as listed on your official transcript
Course Subject - Use the AADSAS guidelines in the Instructions even if a non-science class might have strong science content (PSB) these will not be used to calculate your BCP
Review ‘Special Classification’ for courses - repeated, incomplete, honors, study abroad, etc
Coursework planned or in progress - list courses in progress or planned in future semesters - during Academic Update period (typically mid November - Feb 1) students will be granted access to enter grades, indicate course changes, etc. These will be sent to designated schools. You will need to print the Transcript Matching Form and arrange for a new transcript to be sent to AADSAS.

16. ADEA AADSAS Grade Conversions
Grades
Grade point average
AADSAS calculates and reports:
BCP = Biology, Chemistry and Physics as identified by AADSAS
Science GPA = BCP plus math and all other sciences
Non-Science GPA = all undergraduate courses not used in calculating science GPA
Undergraduate GPA = all courses taken for undergrad credits
Graduate GPA = all courses for grad credits
Overall GPA = all courses – both undergraduate and graduate
College/University GPA = GPAs reported for each college/university attended
Grades (UF pre/post – summer 2009)
Standardized by AADSAS to help dental schools evaluate applicants using uniform and consistent criteria, regardless of institutional policies. Done on 4.0 scale using semester hours.
Includes all initial and repeated coursework
No grade forgiveness, all attempts are calculated into the GPA calculation
All punitive I and N grades count as E (F)
ADEA AADSAS Grade Conversions
A+ A A- AB B+ B B- BC C+
C C- CD D+ D D- DE F+ F

17. All grades are standardized to the AADSAS scale, regardless of the individual school system
B+ = 3.33
B = 3.0
B- = 2.67
C+ = 2.33
C = 2.0
C- = 1.67
D+ = 1.33
D = 1.0
D- = 0.67
E/F = 0.0

18. Extra Curricular Components
Post-secondary experiences:
Awards/honors/Scholarships (5): name, organization, dates
Dentistry Experience (4): Supervisor, position title, position type, description, total hours, dates
Extracurricular/Volunteer/Community Service (8): Organization, position title, description, total hours, avg. weekly hour, dates
Work Experience (3): Employer, position title, city/state, description, total hours, dates
Research Experience (3): Investigator, position title, city/state, description, total hours, dates
Academic Enrichment (4) (SMDEP): Name of Program, dates, description, total hours

19. Personal Statement
The ADEA AADSAS application requires a reflective essay on why you wish to pursue a dental education.  500 words or 4500 characters including spaces
Prepare in Word and paste to Notepad. - Check formatting after pasting into application
Admission committees are looking for individuals who are motivated, academically prepared, articulate, socially conscious, and knowledgeable about the profession. 
Include:
The skills, attitudes, knowledge and strengths you feel you possess
A description of where, when and how you developed these attributes
Reflection on how your attributes are meaningful and related to the role of a dentist
Provide examples of how you know you are making the right decision
Reflection questions:
What are your strongest skills? Major accomplishment? Greatest strengths and challenges?
How do your skills and strengths relate to becoming a dentist?
What three words best describe you?
What sparked your interest in dentistry?
Have you observed or worked in dental offices? Explain what you've done to demonstrate your interest in dentistry. Talk to practicing dentists to increase your understanding of general dental practices.
Express your commitment to helping others and mention any efforts made that enforce that commitment.
Did you have to work to pay for your education? How has that made you a stronger applicant?
TIPS:
Be honest about how you became interested in studying dentistry. If becoming a dentist wasn't a childhood dream, that's fine, but explain how you discovered dentistry as a career possibility and what you have done to research the career.
Illustrate your motivation, commitment and passion for the profession.
Opportunity to explain anomalies in academic record or personal challenges. Don’t make excuses!
First personal item before an interview is granted
NEW: Some CODs are asking students to submit PSs to You will need to check by COD – NOT UF for 2012

20. Have someone review your personal statement.
Ask a close friend or family member
Career Resource Center
Reitz Union
Broward Reading & Writing Center
Pre-health advisor
One read
Submit typed essay to OHLPA assistant along with Personal Statement Checklist found on website under ‘Forms/Handouts’
Students notified via once essay is read.

21. One from Dentist or other character letter
Letters of Evaluation Watch the Letter of Recommendation Workshop online at
Number required varies school – max of four individual letters;
On application student will indicate individuals and address, format (electronic/paper) and indicate NOT a committee letter
Electronic = Evaluator is sent from ADEA AADSAS directing to Evaluators Portal and recommenders follow step-by step process
Paper = Print LOR matching form with bar code and evaluator send both form and letter to AADSAS at the address on the form
In Evaluators section students must agree to waive or not waive rights to access to letters
Evaluate applicant
academic ability
motivation for the profession
maturity
intellectual curiosity
empathy
service
personal experience and knowledge of the profession UF
Two science
One from Dentist or other character letter

22. Dentistry Letters Covers most schools
Four total
Academic letters
2 science letters from faculty
1 non-science letter from faculty
Non-academic letters
1 healthcare related letter
shadowing experience
volunteer experience
related employment

23. Dental School Designation
Choosing schools – see video at ps.html
Designation not complete until fees are paid
Be aware of each school’s deadline
Apply early!!!!!!

24. Interviews Applicants are given 5 - 15 days notice on average
Vary from minutes in length
2-3 individual interview sessions
UF-COD gives 1 group interview – ½ day lunch/tout/timelines/fin aid and 20 minutes with 2-4 members of the committee – open file
Include tour and a meal
Opportunity to speak to current students
Orientation to student and financial resources
Not all dental schools require an interview
Watch How to Prepare for Interview at:
Question for interview: Why a Dentist?
Be PREPARED to state why you are choosing that particular school
Be WELL-INFORMED about current issues, trends, controversies associated with the profession and have a meaningful discussion about those topics

25. Watch the Interview workshop on the Pre-Health website
Interview Tips
Watch the Interview workshop on the Pre-Health website
Schedule a mock interview
Dress professionally.
Wear comfortable shoes
Behave professionally at all times.
Budget enough money to and from the interview.
Make preparation plans as early as possible.
Know your travel schedule
Know exactly how to get to the interview and back.

26. What are the Admissions Committee looking for?
Source of motivation
Examples of how you explored the profession (Extremely important!!)
Actions speak much louder than words
Sense of passion for the profession
Evidence of maturity
Compassion for others
Dedication to service
Value lifelong learning

27. Resources
American Dental Education Association Official Guide to Dental Schools
Pre-Health Professions Advising at Office of Health and Legal Professions Advising (OHLPA) – Farrior Hall
“Choosing Schools” and other workshops on the Pre-Health website
ADEA AADSAS Customer Service 
Contact Info: ADEA AADSAS Customer Service Representatives are available: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, except federal holidays Phone: