Let's Break it Down: ADEA AADSAS Application Part I

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I remember when I first set up my account on ADEA AADSAS, I was confused at what I had to do. So I wanted to make the process as clear to all those applying during the next cycle--though now looking back, it is quite straightforward. But regardless, I'm sure this will still serve as a good purpose just to let you know what to expect & prepare. 

For starters, you will need a DENTPIN. Think of it as a code that automatically links your incredibly awesome DAT scores with your AADSAS application. You should already have a DENTPIN if you registered to take your DATs or have already taken the exam. 

(note: when is a good time to prepare and take your DAT exam? Option great: study in the summer (a year before you want to apply) when you don't have the stress of school. Then take the exam September. This also leaves you room to retake your DATs if necessary, which you won't have to if you efficiently studied your summer away. Option good: choose a lighter Fall Semester/Quarter load and be sure to schedule into your agenda when to study your DATs (follow through & don't fall behind the schedule). Then comes the lovely 2 weeks of Winter Break, the time for no study breaks (besides Dec. 24th & 25th). This is when studying hardcore will take over. These 2 weeks of winter break would be good time to do practice exams, one after another. Then take your official test at the beginning of January.) 

When you are creating an AADSAS account, fill out the account information where your DENTPIN will be recorded and a username is created. Once you are done, there will be a list of things to do in the center (as seen above). It is color coded at the top of what is required, completed, or in progress. 

Hopefully and ideally by the time you've started filling out AADSAS (most likely June 1st), you have already started your personal statement at least a month prior with plenty of drafts (basically write about why dentistry is right for you) and have asked all your professors for Letter of Recommendations (LORs). You need to figure out how you want to save your LORs. Either you can use your school's system if they have the "Committee Packet" / "Committee Letter" option or you can use AADSAS itself. I liked using my school's Committee Packet because I was able to max out on LORs (6--allowing me to have a variety of teachers from different majors) and if I had to reapply, it would have been saved and ready to be submitted again for the next cycle. The downside to using my school's system is the time it takes to send out the LORs to AADSAS because they have so many other students to also process and send out. I'm not too sure, but I think if you use AADSAS and you had to unfortunately reapply the next cycle, your letters will be gone and you have to ask the professors to resubmit (which could be a hassle).
++You can always contact AADSAS with any inquiries about the application, they are really good at responding to you in a timely manner.

Next, have a print out of your (unofficial) transcripts so that you are ready to type in every single class and grade you have taken during your undergraduate career.

A tip for freshmen: have an excel spreadsheet documenting the clubs/organizations you participated in, the hours you volunteered, the date you participated, etc. so that you can remember everything when you apply.

Okay, and the last two thing you should have prepared in documents: 1) After figuring out what method you're going to submit your LORs and filling out the Letters of Evaluation information, is to print out LOE Matching Form and 2) After filling out the colleges you have attended, print out the Transcript Matching Form. Transcript Matching Form is used as a matching system, for your schools to send your transcripts to your AADSAS account so that AADSAS can verify your grades and calculate your GPA. LOE Matching Form should be given to your school's committee or to the individual teachers (if you plan on using AADSAS's LOR system) in order for your LORs to be sent correctly to your account. Simple enough? I probably made it seem more convoluted than it really is.

You are now ready to fill out your application!

More to come: Part II will be detailing on what information is needed to fill out in each area.

Best of luck,
Olivia