This week we invited Parham to share some things you need to know about the dental school application process. Parham is founder of DentalGoal.com, a team of highly successful Harvard and Boston dental students who know exactly how to take your dental school application to the next level.
Being a dentist is a lifelong dream for many people. Yet, few are able to make this dream a reality. Year by year, the application pools for dental schools has become more competitive, and selection committees have a more difficult time choosing the best candidates. The US news/money report has rated dentistry as a top profession year after year. As the number of applicants increase, it has become more vital to stand out amongst others. I want to focus more on factors other than GPA and DAT scores in this blog. The statistical aspect of the application process is purely a numbers game. Apply within your range of GPA and DAT score to maximize your chances of getting interviews. It is important to know the averages of all schools to make the best decision. You can find the average BCP grades, the science GPA, overall GPAs, along with the average scores for AA, PAT, and DAT reading comprehension of all dental schools at can be found here.
Mission trips are a great way to stand out. Mission trips have become increasingly more common among pre-dental students trying to give back to communities and standout within competitive applicant pools. The experiences of students are undoubtedly valuable, but unfortunately, many students perform dental services that border the grey zone of the US legal system or are sometimes outright illegal. These well-intended acts can set off alarms by admission committees. When searching for such programs, make sure to avoid any program that promotes these actions.
Research is another extremely valuable experience as a pre-dental student. The majority of top dental schools in the country place heavy emphasis on students who have had experiences as volunteer researchers, paid researchers, and published scientists. Not only are these experiences valuable for a solid foundation in science, but they can also lead to more opportunities. When looking into doing research, I think that it is very important to not only find a research field that you’re passionate about, but it is also important to find a supervisor/professor with whom you can bond. This critical tip will significantly boost what you get out of the experience. It is very probable that they will be one of the references for your dental school applications, so you want someone with whom you can form a great relationship.
Getting involved in leadership positions is another great way to stand out. There are leadership programs that you can find in your local area or in your university. The value of these programs is that they are structured. They are also a great way to learn from mentors and to meet likeminded individuals. You can also choose to participate in student organizations, athletic clubs to improve your leadership skills and to get more involved outside of the academic environments. Admission committees show great interest in individuals with community involvement experiences and strong leadership skills.
I have been heavily involved in the admission processes of many pre-dental students. The three tips which I have just talked about are amongst many other factors that make a student stand out. Given the competitive nature of applicant pools, it is critical to stand out in one form or another.
