The document provides guidance for dental school applicants on qualities and competencies sought in candidates, including strong academics, communication skills, experience in dentistry, and leadership abilities. It outlines the application timeline and process, with tips for writing a personal statement, obtaining letters of recommendation, preparing for interviews, and following up after interviews. The overall message is that competitive applicants demonstrate excellence in both academics and soft skills, and thoroughly prepare all aspects of their application.
2. QUALITIES SOUGHT
Self-Awareness
Character and integrity
Self-discipline
*Good judgment
Compassion and
empathy
Motivation and
Intellectual curiosity
persistence
and enthusiasm
Reliability,
dependability, and
resilience
Leadership skills and
accountability
Maturity
Cultural competency
3. 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
4. APPLICATION TIMELINE
Fall Spring Summer
Take the DAT
Work on PS
Finish up PS Apply early –
ID Faculty for Submit in June
Letters of Eval Manage Ltrs of
Eval
Prepare for Intvs!
Notifications
Interview continue
Notification: Dec 1
5. TIPS FOR YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT
Do… Don’t…
Create a solid opening line Overuse “I”
Use logical order and
provide a conclusion Re-state your application
Use active voice and Use most of essay
positive language describing your initial
Be concise and be specific inspiration
Use your own vocabulary Insult the profession you
Check spelling, grammar, want to join
and punctuation
Write about yourself Exaggerate
Dwell on suffering
Attend the PS Workshop
November 9
1:00 – 2:30
WEL 1.316
6. 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
7. 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!)
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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!
12. 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?
13. 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
14. 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/