15 Pre-Dent Musts
Time to get pro-active! If you want to be one of among the few students that are accepted to dental school you must:
1. Make sure you really want to be a dentist, and not a physician, or astronaut, or cowboy, etc.:
Pre-dental students spend several thousand hours preparing to apply to dental school; but most spend few or no hours investigating the field itself (now that’s insane.) Save your time, money, and energy by figuring out if becoming a dentist is something you want to do. And if you’re still not sure, then give us a call at Dental Admission Strategies® and we’ll help you get to the heart of the matter.
2. Spend time with dentists:
Dentists work in a wide variety of fields (private practice, public practice, general practice, specialty practice, academia, research, public health policy, etc.). So get to know several by simply introducing yourself and asking if you can observe them or simply pick their brain over a cup of coffee. Sure, some will say that they’re too busy but most will be happy to help you. Your very own personal dentists are a great place to start.
3. Find clinical experience:
This can come in the form of a paid or volunteering position as a dental assistant, receptionist, or observer. The point is to try it out for yourself.
4. Find a mentor who is a dentist or at least a current dental school student:
You don’t simply find a mentor like you find a policeman – instead, you develop a long term relationship that leads to mentorship. Treat your mentor professionally and remember to thank them for serving as your mentor.
5. Develop your people skills in college:
This is dentistry, not forensics, or veterinary science, so you’re going to have to be able to relate to real people with real problems in order to be a good dentist. Most people think they have good people skills, but obviously this is not the case. Having people skills involves being able to listen, empathize, and pick up on non-verbal cues from all different types of people.
6. Look at the AADSAS® or TMDAS® application now:
Your entire college and life experiences will eventually be filtered down into this application, which will represent why you and not two other qualified students should be admitted into the profession of dentistry. You should look at the application now to visualize how your application will come together as you progress through undergrad.
7. Do not focus on grades to the exclusion of other aspects of your application:
Spend a couple months writing a good essay and don’t put your letters of recommendation off to the last minute – start developing authentic relationships with your professors now. Also, get a feel for the DAT including the perceptual ability section which has prevented thousands of students from gaining admittance to dental school.
8. Get to know your professors:
Hard to believe, but professors are real people. While some of them have better people skills than others, almost all of them can tell when someone is truly interested in talking to them about something they are passionate about, versus when someone is simply going through the motions so that they can get a letter of recommendation from them. So visit your professors early and often, and most important, be genuine!
9. If you pursue research, pursue research which interests you:
Try to get it published (a lot more difficult than it sounds) or at least be able to speak eloquently and passionately about your area of research. Simple participation in research is like listing membership in a club on your application – no one cares.
10. Develop public speaking skills:
Much of your time as a dentist will be spent communicating with colleagues and patients. Dental schools look for leaders and all leaders excel in public speaking.
11. Develop your business skills:
Most dentists are small business owners that have to successfully manage their staff and control their overhead expenses. Did you know that many dental practices gross over one million dollars a year? The difference between one million dollars and the net amount you take home in pay is the result of your ability to manage your office’s overhead costs.
12. Be creative about your choice of a job, if you choose to work during undergrad:
All jobs will pay you a wage, but not all jobs will pay you a wage and garner you experience that will help you get into dental school. So look for jobs that kill two birds with one stone. If you qualify for a federal work study job, there are plenty of unique experiences that will satisfy both criteria.
13. Relax a little bit:
We all love motivated people, but too much intensity can make you miserable. If it spills over into your dental school interview, it will hurt your application. If it spills over into your dental practice, it can compromise your patients.
14. Help your fellow pre-dental students:
A lot of pre-dental courses are graded on a curve; don’t be afraid of helping out your fellow pre-dental students as there is virtually no class too small, that it would somehow compromise your performance. It’s quite the opposite; the best way to learn is to teach, so go out there and earn some karma.
15. Retain your humanity:
If you require an “A” to be happy in life, then you will eventually by a miserable person. While I’m not advocating that you strive for “B”s, just don’t tie your self worth to your academic performance. |
