To apply to dental school, you must complete the AADSAS application which is available electronically. The application must be completed before March 1st of the year you want to apply to dental school.

Courses Required:

General Biology with laboratory
Inorganic Chemistry with laboratory
Organic Chemistry with laboratory
General Physics with laboratory
English Composition

It helps to apply to dental schools as early as possible. DAT scores may be forwarded to individual dental schools. Some schools send out secondary applications if you meet their minimum requirements.

Personal Statement
Use the personal statement to highlight facts that would otherwise not be evident by looking at your application. The statement should be a well written, self-revelatory information about you. Consider the following when writing the statement:

Pick a theme or topic to carry throughout the essay. It makes the essay appear coherent. Do not list experiences, the rest of your application will allow you to list your work.
Use your experiences to backup your statements. Be specific. (i.e. Show how you are empathetic. Don't just claim you are empathetic without illustrating it.)
Discuss any inconsistencies in your record.
If you did interesting activities, describe how it impacted your career.
Maintain the word count length.
Have many people look at your essay for spelling and grammatical errors. Others can provide a valuable perspective.

Recommendations
Recommendations usually are needed from science professors and non-science professors. Other recommendations could come from employers or research preceptors you collaborated with on a paper. If you are applying as a non-traditional student different rules apply. You may still need a science recommendation from your university as well as your graduate program. Each individual school clearly sates recommendation criteria in the secondary application.

Approaching Evaluator:
Preparation for recommendations is important. In the beginning of sophomore year, applicants should talk to professors in the classes they did well in. It is important to foster relationships with professors outside of the classroom. Inquire about research opportunities, committees with professors, and independent study opportunities.

When approaching someone for a recommendation, it is important to give them the all necessary materials. When talking to them, ask them if "they would be comfortable writing a positive letter of recommendation for you. The recommendation is due on Sept 15." It is important to ask them months  before you need it. During application season, many people are vying for the professor's attention so be early in your requests.

Materials for Evaluator:
Include a cover sheet that includes instructions. The cover sheet should mention your name and phone number for them to call if they have further questions.  Make it as simple as possible for them. Include the addresses and deadlines for all recommendations. (Deadlines given to the evaluator should be three weeks before they are actually due.) Include pre-addressed envelopes with stamps to all schools. 

Curriculum vitae
List of honors/awards/
List of extracurricular activities (including which activities you had a leadership role and describe duration if it was a long term association)
AADSAS essay for dental school
Transcripts

Most recommendations tend to regurgitate your personal information so establish a good relationship with the evaluator. It helps to have a recommendation that singles you out as an exceptional candidate. Most interviewers and admission committees have only a few moments to assess your personality so they look to the recommendation to get a better sense of the student.

Follow-Up:
Follow up, to make sure recommendation is well on it's way.  An applicant can call and say, "Dr. B, hope you are doing well. I was calling because I wanted to confirm whether you have sent my recommendation for dental school. Also, I wanted to follow up to see if you have any additional questions for me."

Send a thank you note! After you are accepted into medical school contact everyone who helped you and thank them. Let them know you would not have gained admission without their help and let them know which school you will attend. Good manners are important. 


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