Dental school is tough. It requires the same rigorous academics as applying to medical school. The application process is complex, detailed, and competitive. Here are some tips on what to expect when applying to dental school and how to prepare for a strong application.
prerequisite
Like medical colleges and many other graduate programs, dental colleges have course prerequisites. At a minimum, expect to need biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English (or an intensive course in writing). Schools may also require biochemistry, statistics, physiology, and microbiology. These may require laboratory elements. Always check the exact requirements of the school you are interested in to make sure you plan your coursework accordingly.
Dental Entrance Examination (DAT)
A general entrance exam called the Dental Entrance Examination (DAT) is required for those applying for dental programs. The duration of the test is his 4.5 hours and covers his four test areas of natural science inquiry, perceptual ability, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning. This test is offered year-round throughout the United States. For more information on testing, DAT website.
Letter of motivation
Also, dental schools require you to submit a personal statement. The American Dental Education Association (ADEA), which administers dental school application services, requires statements not to exceed 4,500 characters (including spaces). This should tell a story that shows your personal qualities, aspirations, and reasons for pursuing dentistry.
Not sure where to start your personal statement? It may be interesting to know that ADEA identified six of her competencies that are essential to dental practice. They define ‘competency’ as ‘a complex behavior or ability essential for a general dentist to initiate independent, unsupervised dental practice’. As you craft your statement, you should become familiar with these competencies and think about examples that best demonstrate your growth in one or more of these areas.
Six ADEA competencies are Critical Thinking. communication and interpersonal skills; health promotion; practice management and informatics; and patient care. Since you have not yet graduated from dental school, you are not expected to be competent in all these areas. Also, essays should not be structured around these abilities. Instead, keep them in mind when writing your personal statement. If you feel that an ability is particularly strong, be sure to include it in your story.
Submission of application
AADSAS (Associated American Dental Schools Application Service) is a dental school application service for most dental schools in the United States. Traditional applicants prepare to submit dental school applications in the summer after junior year. We encourage you to have your materials ready for submission when AADSAS opens in June. why? Dental schools in the United States have rolling admissions. This means that as applications come in they are reviewed and applicants are selected for an interview.
While most schools require students to submit their applications through AADSAS, Texas schools require State-specific application services.
driver licence
A license is required to practice as a general dentist. in the United States, License requirements Especially when it comes to lab tests, it varies from state to state.
Education: Must have a DDS or DMD degree from an accredited university-based dental education program. New York also requires her to reside for one year.
Written Exam: Must pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE). Note: The INBDE has recently replaced Part I and Part II of the written National Board Dental Examination (NBDE).
Clinical Trials: The clinical trial requirement is the main difference between licenses. Fortunately, the ADA maintains a licensing dashboard map showing which tests (there are more than one) and which types (manikins or patients) are approved by the state. Delaware conducts its own exams.
Final thoughts – DDS or DMD?
When searching for the right school for you, you will find that some offer the Doctor of Dental Surgeons (DDS), while others offer the Doctor of Dentistry (DMD), or Doctor of Dentistry (DDM). These degrees are equivalent. Dentists with DMD, DDS, or DDM have the same education and these degrees use the same curriculum requirements. So don’t let your degree title worry you in the slightest.
Graduate education is increasingly needed to advance careers, increase income, and enjoy employer-sponsored health insurance and retirement plans, and successful application for a graduate or professional degree requires: Careful planning is required. Elizabeth LaScala PhD, Founder of Doing College and Beyond, provides personalized guidance throughout the admissions process for graduate and professional degrees, whether you are currently studying at the undergraduate level or already pursuing a career. Call (925) 385-0562 or visit her at her home in Elizabeth. website you can know more.
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