Applying to dental school is an exciting chapter of life, but also very nerve wracking because of the complexities of the dental school application and admissions process. Even worse, dental school admissions has only been getting more and more competitive over the years. The good news is that partnering with the right dental school admissions advising company can make all the difference in helping you not only get accepted to dental school, but also help you get accepted to your top choice dental schools, and maximize scholarship opportunities. With options available, it’s essential to select a dental school admissions advising service that aligns with your goals and is proven to work. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a dental school admissions advising company.
Expertise and Credentials of Advisors
Specialization: Choose a company that exclusively specializes in dental school admissions, because the dental school application process and requirements differ significantly from other health profession schools. Much like medical and dental patients seek doctors who specialize in certain procedures that they need instead of going to a general practitioner for all treatments, it's important to choose a company that is exclusively focused on, and specializes in, dental school admissions. By choosing a company that only focuses on dental school admissions, like Predenting, you can be assured that they know everything about the dental school admissions process, and are experts on helping you achieve your dream of getting accepted to dental school. The adage, "jack of all trades, master of none," remains true in the world of admissions advising.
Experience in Dental Admissions
A lot of companies advertise that they help with dental school admissions, only to pair students with an advisor who has not served on the other side of the dental school admissions process. Make sure that the specific advisor, or person who you will be working with, has worked alongside dental school admissions officers and has experience running the dental school application service. At Predenting, our team of advisors includes the only advisor in the world who has served on the dental school application (AADSAS) Advisory Board. It also includes other advisors who have served on the admissions committees at dental schools, including at the top ranking dental schools in the U.S. An advisor who has served on the AADSAS Advisory Board can provide you with much more valuable insights than someone who has not served on the AADSAS Advisory Board. Moreover, working with an advisor who has served on the AADSAS Advisory Board means that you can get insights from a large number of admissions committees, rather than just one perspective.
Educational Background
Advisors who are dentists and have firsthand experience getting accepted to top-ranking dental schools, and being connected with faculty members, can offer a deeper understanding of what schools are looking for in applicants. With Predenting's admissions advising services, you have access to dentists who are connected with faculty members, and have worked alongside dental school admissions committees.
Full-time Advisor
Working with a dental school admissions advisor who advises students full-time, instead of part-time, is important to make sure you have easy access to your advisor. One of the biggest mistakes pre-dentals make is working with a student, or dentist who only advises on evenings or weekends. The problem with having a student as your advisor is that they will only be available during very limited hours. For example, dental students are typically required to attend 40 hours or more of lectures, lab courses, and clinical rotations per week. That leaves very little time to get the attention from your advisor, if they are a dental student. When hiring an advisor who will play a major role in the trajectory of your future, life, and career, it's best to choose someone who does the job full-time, instead of as a "side gig." At Predenting, we have full-time dental school admissions advisors who are readily available to help.
Guarantees
The best dental school admissions advising services will stand behind their service with a guarantee. For example, Predenting's admissions advising services offer an Acceptance Guarantee that is essentially a "get accepted, or we work for you for free" deal. Guarantees like that incentivize the advisor to go above and beyond to ensure you get accepted to dental school.
Success Rate and Track Record
Look for companies with a strong history of helping students gain admission to top dental schools. At Predenting, we have a 99% acceptance rate for our comprehensive advising students, based on our students' reported results. Predenting's average pre-dental client in a comprehensive advising program gets about 4 acceptances, based on student-reported results.
Reviews and Testimonials
Watch video testimonials from past students, which are the most reliable. You can also read written reviews, although written reviews are less reliable than video testimonials.
Comprehensive Services Offered
Personal Statement and Secondary Essays: Does the company help you craft compelling, authentic, and polished dental school application materials?
Interview Preparation: Mock interviews and feedback can significantly boost your confidence and performance. Even more important is choosing a dental school admissions advising company that has advisors who have served as dental school interviewers. With Predenting's dental school interview coaching, you can work with dental school admissions advisors who have served as interviewers on the admissions committee. That way, you get the best advice and insights to acing your dental school interview.
School Selection Guidance
An advisor who knows the unique strengths of each dental schools can help you create a balanced school list. This is why working with an advisor with a lot of experience, and someone who has worked with dental schools across the entire U.S. is so important. At Predenting, our team includes Dr. Andrew, who has served as the National Pre-Dental Liaison for the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), where he worked with dental schools, and admissions officers, across the U.S. Moreover, having ran the dental school application service, AADSAS, as part of the AADSAS Advisory Board, Dr. Andrew has learned unique insights about each dental school, their admissions factors, and admissions process.
Return on Investment
While admissions advising can be expensive, consider the value it provides. Having the best dental school admissions advisor can help you get a scholarship offer and improve your chances of getting accepted to cheaper dental schools, like public universities or in-state dental schools that are oftentimes more competitive than expensive, private dental schools. A successful application can also lead to a lifetime career as a dentist. Moreover, getting accepted to prestigious dental schools, which are oftentimes more competitive, can help you get accepted to a residency program in the future. Dental school admissions advising is an investment that typically pays itself back. For example, many Predenting clients have mentioned in their testimonial videos that it was their "best investment," and that they don't believe they would have gotten the same results if they did not use Predenting.
Red Flags to Watch For
Pressure Tactics: Avoid companies that use high-pressure sales techniques or force you to make a commitment on the spot. One example of this is when a company tells you that if you enroll during the consultation, you get an alleged significant discount, despite the discounted amount being their true, regular price. Another example is when the company tries to coerce you to make a decision on the spot. In either case, we recommend avoiding those companies.
Lack of Video Testimonials: A lack of video testimonials is a warning sign. Nowadays, companies and products can get fabricated written reviews because it's so easy to do. Instead of written reviews, look for video testimonials. For example, Predenting not only has 100+ 5-star Google Reviews, with no ratings below 5 stars, making it the highest-rated dental school admissions advising company, but also has over 20 video testimonials from pre-dentals who have used the service. There is no other dental school admissions advising company in the world that has as many video testimonials from pre-dental students, which is why so many pre-dentals trust Predenting for their dental school admissions advising needs. Additionally, ensure that the video testimonials are from pre-dental students, and not from pre-medical students, pre-PA students, pre-vet students, or pre-law students. At the end of the day, a company may be able to provide great medical school admissions advising or law school admissions advising, but that's not what you're looking for. This is especially important because dental school admissions is so intricate and complex, that you need a specialized dental school admissions advisor to properly navigate the process and help you stand out.
Company versus Your Specific Advisor: Stay away from advisors who have only helped a handful of students. Even if a company advertises that they have helped hundreds, or thousands, of clients, it's extremely rare that the advisor who you will work with has helped even a fraction of those clients. Instead, ask how many clients the specific advisor has helped, not the entire company. At Predenting, Dr. Andrew has personally helped over 400+ pre-dental clients. If your specific dental school advisor does not have a lot of experience, they will only be able to give you cookie-cutter advice based on the limited knowledge they have. Look for advisors like those at Predenting, who have personally helped hundreds of pre-dentals.
Conclusion: Make an Informed Choice
The right dental school admissions advising company can be your partner in navigating the complexities of the dental school application process. Take the time to research, ask questions, and choose a service that understands your unique needs and aspirations. Remember, the goal isn’t just to get into any dental school—it’s to get into the best dental school for you, and your dream dental school.
By considering the factors above, you’ll be better equipped to select a dental school advising company that helps you put your best foot forward. Your future in dentistry starts with making the right choices today!
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