Don't be too picky, but don't be too easy.
Don't be too picky, but don't be too easy.
It isn’t rocket science, the more raffle tickets you buy, the better your odds are at winning the sweet sweet prize. My orthodontist cousin Chau told me to apply to as many dental schools as I could possibly afford because that increased my odds of getting in. Once I got through my interviews and received my acceptances, it was time to sit back, kick up my feet, and choose.
This was good advice, and I heard it from several dental students. “Don’t pigeonhole your application process by being too selective on where you apply. Give yourself the opportunity to leave your home state.” I took the advice and went overboard applying to 30 dental schools. There are 65 dental schools in the US. I just clicked and paid: “Automation the way of the future!” I was an application slut putting myself out there to half the dental schools in the country. And the schools knew, “why is this southern Californian applying to this small dental school in the midwest?” Admissions officers are not stupid! They will size you up knowing if their school is your first choice, safety, or back up. They will easily take your secondary application money, turn around, and throw your file in the reject pile if they think that they are not first prize.
Where did I go wrong? First, I didn’t do my research. And this is where I am going to help you.
Be Selective
Yes broaden your application pool by applying to schools out of state, but only if you are willing to leave. Otherwise it is a waste of time and money. Applying to dental school is like dating and trying to find that special someone to spend the rest of your life with. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you will meet someone. The more you swipe your thumb right, the more matches you will get. Great, you make a match and you decide to go out! Now you have to be selective, does he or she vibe well with you? You have to be picky because you are going to be in a relationship with this school for four long hard years with ups and downs, smiles and tears, and in sickness and health. Adding out of state schools to your application list is like increasing your swipes to the right. However, you want to add the right schools--the ones your see yourself with for the rest of your life. Happily ever after.
5 Tips:
- If you are not a Texas resident do not apply to a Texas school. Texas goes big on Texas pride and prefers to keep their schools Texan. If you want to go to a Texas school, it is best to move to Texas first and become a resident before applying. Texas also loves military.
- Private Schools Over Public Schools. Out of state private schools are worth applying to, out of state public schools are not. Public State Universities are funded with state money. Public universities need to fill their seats with residence first. You will be the backup prom date left stood up on the couch watching TV, while everyone is dancing with joy about their in state acceptances. Even if the out of state public school asks you for a secondary application and check, you still stand no chance against a resident applicant. Don’t chase a guy that doesn’t want you by spending a lot of money on him. “He’s just not that into you!”
- Keep within your league. The application process is like dating and when you make a good match you are in a committed relationship with the Dental School for four years. They won’t bother to ask you out by extending an invitation of acceptance if the school thinks it is not first choice. Even if you go on the interview the acceptance letter will not come until the school fills their seats with students in their league! It is all about the right match.
- Pick schools that vibe with you. You want to like the dental school you go to. Loma Linda University is a Seventh Day Adventist University, and the dental school focuses on a Christian mission. I heard down the grapevine that a student was counseled for caffeine addiction because she drank too much coffee. Every students must sign a code of conduct. I am not a raging partier, but I was not keen on restrictions. I felt that I already had good judgement and did not need a University to tell me how to behave.
I grew up Buddhist and consider myself spiritual As much as I loved the thought of attending a California dental school, I knew that going to a conservative Christian University was not for me. I was selective and I did not apply to Loma Linda because I did not think we would be a good match
I have found that my colleagues that graduated from Loma Linda Dental School are indeed very religious. They all had a great experience at Loma Linda because it vibed well with their personalities.
It’s A Lottery. The earlier you apply the better, however applying to Dental Schools is a lottery. Dental Schools send out acceptances, and need to fill their seats. Students will reserve their spot with a check, and decide not to attend last minute due to another school’s acceptance. This means a spot will open up for someone off the waitlist. This is happening for all 65 schools so have patience. It is a waiting game.
Tip #1: Send a thank you note after your interview showing that you are interested in attending dental school X.
Tip #2: If you really want to go to dental school X, tell dental school X that they are your first choice.
Tip #3: If it is late in the application cycle and you haven’t received any acceptances or rejections, start calling and emailing schools inquiring about your status. Hopefully good news got lost in translation.