STUDENT What can I do now to
ORGANIZATIONS
strengthen my application
to dental school?
Alpha Epsilon Delta ‒ National
Pre-Health Honor Society (AED)
AED functions as a health preprofessional honor society encouraging
excellence in scholarship. It emphasizes
the importance of health education
and promotes cooperation and contact
among professionals.
Oral Health Student Association
(OHSA)
The Oral Health Student Association is
ETSU s pre-dentistry organization. This
group is committed to the advancement
of students interested in pursuing a career
in the field of dentistry. This organization
holds various events from speaker series
to volunteer opportunities, as well as
helps to cultivate relationships with
professionals in the field for shadowing
opportunities.
Health Occupations Students of
America (HOSA)
HOSA provides students with knowledge
and understanding of various health care
careers. It also provides opportunities for
students to compete against each other
in various state and regional events to
learn about current health issues.
Minority Association of PreHealth Students (MAPS)
This organization is open to all ETSU
students. MAPS aims to provide students
with valuable opportunities in the
community to enhance their knowledge
of the health care field they are planning
to enter. Opportunities include job
shadowing, volunteering, and research.
MAPS is also geared toward forming
friendships among members.
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Students are encouraged to explore the field of dentistry either through
employment or as a volunteer. Dental schools want to know that a student has
worked in the field, observed what is involved, and still has the desire to continue
in that profession. Students should gain as much experience as possible without
sacrificing grades. The majority of your shadowing experience should be in the
field of general dentistry.
In addition to shadowing a local practitioner, you may also consider applying
to the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP), a six-week
(SMDEP),
academic enrichment program for freshman and sophomore college students.
The SMDEP hosts students at 12 program sites across the county. Learn more and
apply at www.smdep.org..
www.smdep.org
EXTRACURRICULARS
The admissions committees of dental schools are interested in seeing a range of
extracurricular activities, especially those demanding a significant leadership role.
Students should demonstrate their ability to balance full academic schedules
with extracurricular involvement on and off campus and/or through employment
opportunities. ETSU has many and varied student organizations. Students should
visit the SORC located on the first floor of the Culp center or www.etsu.edu/
sorc for more information regarding extracurricular activities. It is not beneficial
to simply join an organization; you must demonstrate leadership qualities!
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Dental schools are looking for candidates who express a commitment to
community service. Students should seek volunteer projects that focus on giving
back to their community, especially those in the dental field.
ONLINE ETIQUETTE
Please consider personal email addresses when corresponding with professional
schools. First impressions are often based on correspondence and email
addresses should be appropriate for professional communication. Messages and
images sent electronically are reflections of judgment and potential suitability
for professional careers. Inappropriate behaviors shared on an accessible venue
can be viewed and shared by anyone, possibly compromising your admission to
dental school.
.org
EA
D
Visit the American Dental
Education Association at www.
adea.org for more information
about the profession and
about dental schools.
A
A
WATCH WHAT YOU POST!
AS
DS
A
Find the link for AADSAS (the
dental school application
portal) on the ADEA site or
visit the link directly if you
are viewing an electronic
version of this guide.
ETSU is an AA/EEO employer. TBR 260-197-13 2.3M