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/