Dental school admissions consulting can mean the difference between being a qualified applicant who gets accepted to dental school and one who doesn’t. With admission to dentistry programs becoming more competitive every year, students need to submit an outstanding application to be considered, and the right admissions consultant helps you do just that. This post will cover everything you need to know about dental school admissions consulting. We’ll talk about the cost of hiring one and the services they offer. We’ll also give you some tips to help you find one worth the money, and we’ll answer some of your most frequently asked questions. So, whether you’re getting ready to apply to a dental school or still trying to understand how to become a dentist, this blog will have some valuable information for you.
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How Competitive Is Dental School?
Every year, more students from all over the world are applying to dental school, and because of that, the admissions landscape of dental schools is getting more competitive. Over the years, the profession has gained popularity because it has a shorter training period than medical school, and it usually has a more favorable work-life balance. Another thing that appeals to many applicants is the fact that dentists have a low unemployment rate and are some of the highest-paid doctors in Canada and the US. The number of schools that offer a dentistry program has risen, but so has the number of applicants.
Consequently, dental school acceptance rates are relatively low, even at the easiest dental schools to get into. In the US, there are only 70 dental schools, and the average acceptance rate is around 6.4%. In Canada, there are even fewer dental schools. There are only 10 total, offering programs in both French and English. The average acceptance rate for dental schools in Canada is only 12.1%. Dental schools are often as selective as medical schools in their admissions, the application requirements are just as rigorous at dental schools as they are at medical schools, and there are comparatively far fewer dental schools out there. This means that to get accepted into a dentistry program, students need to submit a stellar application that stands out.
What Is Dental School Admissions Consulting?
Essentially, a dental school advisor helps students navigate the lengthy, complex admissions road to dental school. This can include helping you plan your path to dental school, getting ready for the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) and CASPer test, deciding which schools to apply to, preparing your dental school applications, and practicing for your interviews.
The dental admissions process requires time, effort, and preparation. Applicants need to ensure that every component of their application is compelling and tailored to the school that they are applying to. That’s where dental admissions consultants come in. They know this process inside and out, so they can provide guidance, tips, and strategies that will help students create the strongest application possible. Furthermore, they are more familiar with the process and timeline of applying to dental school through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) dental school application or the Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service (TMDSAS).
Interested in seeing an overview of some key points covered in this blog? Check out this infographic:
How Does Dental School Admissions Consulting Help Applicants?
Dental school admissions consulting is supposed to prepare you for the next important step in your journey to becoming a dentist. These advisors provide invaluable feedback on your application, from helping you find the best dental school extracurriculars to writing your dental school personal statement. Dental school admissions consulting, when done right, can make a huge difference for students at different points in their academic journey:
Would you like to test yourself with some of the toughest dental school interview questions? This video is for you:
How Do You Find the Right Dental School Admissions Consultant?
If you do decide to use the services of a dental school admissions consultant, then you should make sure that you’re selecting a qualified professional that will be worth your time and money. There are many consulting firms and private consultants out there, but not all of them have the credentials or experience necessary to help you put your best foot forward. To help you find and select the best consultant, we’ve put together a list of things to keep in mind as you begin your search for the person that will guide you through this critical step of your academic journey.
1. Qualifications matter
We’ve already established that an admissions consultant can help you maximize your chances of gaining admission to dental school. Still, you need to remember that that’s only true if they are qualified to do so. We recommend that you check their website for their credentials. This includes their academic background, the services offered, and their success rate. Good consulting firms will be transparent with this information, so you should have no trouble finding it on their website. For instance, here at BeMo, we don’t want prospective students wondering if BeMo Academic Consulting is worth it. We’re very proud of our success rate and the rigorous training that our consultants go through to make sure they can help students and keep that rate up. This information is therefore easily accessible for you to review.
2. Reviews matter
If you know someone who has worked with the admissions consulting firm you’re considering, ask them about their experience. If you don’t, then seek out reviews from past applicants who used that service. You should check their website to see if they have any success stories and look for independent reviews on reputable websites like Trustpilot to see what other students have to say about them. This will give you a more unbiased idea of the services they offer, and it will also give you a better idea of the kind of experience that they have – the more reviews, the better.
If you are applying through AADSAS, you’ll want to know these helpful AADSAS personal statement tips:
3. Price matters
We can’t deny that money is an important factor, especially when in addition to the cost of an admissions consultant, you have to consider application fees and tuition for dental school. That’s why we think it’s important to ensure that your consultants are transparent when it comes to money. If they are hesitant to talk about money from the very beginning, it’s usually a sign that there are hidden fees that you’ll have to pay later.
You should look for a company that either has their prices available for you to see on their website or, even better, one that offers a free initial consultation during which you can discuss your needs. They can then tell you how they can help and how much it would cost to do so. Additionally, there is always the possibility that you will follow all their advice but not receive an acceptance letter. In that case, what happens? We encourage you to inquire about their policies and see if they make any guarantees. At BeMo, we offer a Get In or Your Money Back guarantee for all our dental school application students.
4. Philosophy matters
When you use dental school admission consulting services, you are paying for a service, so of course, it’s a business transaction. That said, you should make sure that you’re dealing with a business that actually cares. Your consultant is not the one going to dental school, so they are not as invested as you, but if you are dealing with student-focused professionals, then they genuinely want you to succeed, and that means you can rest assured that they will do the best that they can for you.
For example, here at BeMo, one of the ingredients in our recipe for success is our passion for helping our students. We genuinely believe that everyone has a right to choose and study for their profession based on their intrinsic motivation instead of being limited by some of the hurdles and biases that come with admissions practices. This philosophy helps us keep our eye on the prize with each and every student.
Conclusion
In short, everyone applying to dental school should hire a dental school admissions consultant. The truth is that a good GPA, a high DAT score, and some extracurriculars are just not enough to guarantee admission to dental school. For example, you might have an excellent academic record, but your writing or interview skills may be lacking. Not every student needs an admissions consultant, but we simply don’t recommend taking your chances and hoping for the best in the increasingly competitive dental school admissions landscape. Instead, you should do everything you can to improve your application and maximize your chances of getting accepted to dental school.
FAQs
1. What's a dental school admissions consultant?
In short, it's an admissions expert who guides and advises students on every aspect of their dental school application prep.
2. How hard is it to get into dental school?
We can't sugar-coat it; it’s hard. That said, with the right person in your corner, you can create a winning application and become a dental school student.
3. Do I need a dental school admissions consultant?
That is up to you. Not every student needs one, but we recommend that you get one because they significantly improve your chances of getting into dental school.
4. What should I look for in a dental school admissions consultant?
Look for a qualified, experienced, and student-focused dental school advisor with good independent reviews.
5. Are dental admissions consultants expensive?
The average cost is $150 per hour, but most advisors have application review packages and private payment plans.
6. Does using an admissions consultant guarantee admission to dental school?
Even if you follow every single tip that your advisor gives you, there is still a possibility that you might not get admission to your chosen school. That said, a good consultant will at least offer to give you your money back if that happens. That's what we do at BeMo.
7. Does BeMo Academic Consulting have Dental school admissions consultants?
Yes, we do! We have dental school admissions experts who are ready to help you. Book a free consultation now to get more information.
8. Can I get into dental school without a dental admissions consultant?
Yes, you can, but it can be long and challenging. With dental school admission getting more and more competitive, you should do everything you can to improve your chances of getting in.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
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2 Comments
Yelena
Hello, I am looking to enlist your services to assist my son with the application process to the Canadian schools. His holds 4.08 /4.3 GPA , his DAT is 21 and he is a versatile individual who has been also working for 3 years in a dental office and as a Calculus TA at DAl. How can we optimize his chances ?
ReplyCarlos Borjas
HI, I'm applying to dental school, and I need to write and essay about my self and why I'm applying to dental school, they also ask me to get 3 letters of recommendations from dentists I've worked with, I already have the Dr's, but they want me to write the letters / I'm applying to an international program for foreign trained dentists in the USA through ADEA CAAPID. Thank you please let me know if you can help me.
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