Leland+ for Dental School

Your Dental School Personal Statement: What to Say, What to Avoid

Learn how to craft a powerful personal statement that showcases your passion for dentistry and gets you accepted.

Gain Competitive Advantage as a Non-Traditional Applicant

Standing out as a non-traditional dental school applicant requires more than explaining your path—it requires positioning it as an advantage. In this session, you’ll learn how to frame career changes, academic gaps, or time in the workforce as strengths, address common admissions concerns, and build a cohesive narrative across your application and interviews. Whether you’re pivoting careers or applying later than your peers, you’ll leave with a clear strategy to turn your unique background into a competitive edge.

Building a Dental School Personal Statement That Stands Out

A compelling dental school personal statement goes beyond listing shadowing hours and coursework, it clearly conveys your motivation for dentistry, your readiness for clinical training, and the experiences that shaped your commitment to patient care. In this session, you’ll learn how to structure a focused narrative, highlight meaningful experiences, and avoid common pitfalls that make essays blend together. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining a draft, you’ll leave with practical strategies to craft a personal statement that feels authentic, polished, and memorable.

Rounding Out Your Activities Section

Dental schools look closely at how your experiences show real commitment to dentistry—not just what you’ve done, but how you’ve grown. In this session, you’ll learn how to choose and describe your shadowing, clinical work, service, and extracurriculars so they tell a clear, cohesive story. We’ll cover common mistakes and simple ways to highlight impact and readiness. Whether you’re polishing your application or still building experiences, you’ll leave with a practical framework to strengthen your activities section with confidence.

Prepare Now: Acing Your Dental School Interviews

Your dental school interview isn’t just a conversation—it’s your opportunity to bring your application to life. This is where passion, purpose, and personality set you apart. The right preparation can be the difference between a polite interview and a powerful impression. In this session, you’ll learn how to craft memorable answers, tell your story with confidence, and think on your feet when the pressure’s on. We’ll break down what interviewers are really listening for and how to show up as a future clinician they can already envision in their program. If you’re ready to turn interview invites into acceptance calls, this is where it starts.

Deep Dive into Dental School Personal Statements

Your dental school personal statement can be the difference between an interview and a rejection—it’s where admissions committees assess your motivation, maturity, and fit for the profession. In this session, you’ll learn how to structure a compelling narrative, highlight meaningful clinical and service experiences, and avoid the common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications. Whether you’re drafting your first version or refining a final draft, you’ll leave with a clear framework to communicate your story with clarity, authenticity, and purpose.

AMA with a Former Dental School Admissions Committee Member

Curious what really happens behind the scenes in dental school admissions? In this open AMA session, hear directly from a former dental school admissions committee member about how applications are evaluated, what makes candidates stand out, and the common mistakes that raise red flags. Bring your questions about personal statements, DAT scores, interviews, school selection, and more, and leave with insider insights to strengthen your dental school strategy.

Dental School Week Kickoff 2026

Dental School Week is here—and this kickoff session sets the stage for a week focused on navigating the dental school admissions process with confidence. Join us for an opening event designed to introduce the week’s themes and help you make the most of the events ahead. In this session, we’ll preview upcoming workshops, share how to approach the application journey strategically, and discuss what it takes to build a strong dental school application. Whether you’re early in the process or preparing for an upcoming cycle, this kickoff will help you start the week with clarity and momentum.

Build Your Dental School Application Plan

A strong dental school application starts long before you hit submit. In this session, you’ll learn how to map out your timeline, prioritize key components like shadowing, DAT prep, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, and build a strategy that strengthens your candidacy from start to finish. Whether you’re applying this cycle or planning ahead, you’ll leave with a clear, organized game plan to approach the dental school process with confidence.

AADSAS Experiences & Letters of Rec

Your AADSAS experiences section and letters of recommendation play a major role in how dental schools evaluate your readiness for the profession. In this session, we’ll break down how to choose, frame, and write experiences that show commitment to dentistry, service, and leadership, as well as how to secure strong letters that truly strengthen your application. You’ll learn what admissions committees look for, common mistakes to avoid, and how to make every component work together to tell a cohesive story.

Turning Your Journey into a Strong Dental School Personal Statement

A strong dental school personal statement isn’t just about listing achievements—it’s about telling your story with purpose. This session is designed to help you transform your experiences, motivations, and journey into a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions committees. In this event, you’ll learn how to choose the right themes, structure your statement effectively, and communicate your passion for dentistry with clarity and authenticity. We’ll also cover common pitfalls to avoid and strategies for making your essay memorable without sounding generic. Whether you’re starting from a blank page or refining a draft, you’ll leave with clear guidance and greater confidence in your personal statement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Writing

Many people have asked me a set of questions frequently. These questions will answer some of your questions quickly!

So You've Been Waitlisted... Now What?

Being waitlisted by a dental school can feel uncertain—but it’s not the end of the road. This workshop is designed to help you respond strategically and maximize your chances of turning a waitlist decision into an acceptance. In this session, you’ll learn how dental school waitlists work, when and how to communicate with admissions offices, and how to craft effective letters of intent or update letters. We’ll also cover common mistakes to avoid and how to stay proactive while managing timelines and expectations. Whether you’ve just received a waitlist decision or are navigating multiple outcomes, you’ll leave with clear next steps and a confident plan forward.

Beyond the Checklist – Shadowing, Volunteering & Experiences That Actually Matter

Dental schools look for far more than hours logged on a checklist. In this session, expert Leland coach and former Dean at Columbia Ellen W. will break down which shadowing, volunteering, and hands-on experiences actually move the needle in admissions—and how to approach them with intention. You’ll learn how to choose opportunities that align with your story, reflect on them effectively, and avoid common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong applications.

Guide to Exploring Dental Residencies

A guide to the competitiveness and scope of dental residencies in the US.

How To Finance Dental School

Various ways to meet the high cost of a dental education: from scholarships to loan payback.

Don’t Guess—Ask an Admissions Insider (Dental School Q&A)

Join us for an open Q&A with UMD Admissions Insider and expert Leland coach Heywan G. who has guided countless applicants through the process. You’ll get candid answers about what committees really evaluate, how to present your clinical and academic experiences, and the pitfalls that hold applicants back. Bring your questions and walk away with clarity, confidence, and a stronger strategy for your dental school path.

DDS Admissions: We're In It Together! Ask Me Anything

Join me for an engaging "Ask Me Anything" session on DDS Admissions, where we're truly in it together! You are, and always will be, more than any number, score, or vote by complete strangers. Let's unpack your questions and the mysteries surrounding the selection process. With nearly a decade of experience as the Director of Dental Student Admissions, I've orchestrated the selection process for over 1,000 applicants annually and have been deeply involved with the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). My passion lies in helping you navigate the dental school admissions process with personalized strategies and insights. Whether you're curious about application strategy, interviews, or crafting a standout personal statement, this is your chance to get answers to your most pressing questions. Having coached thousands of individuals, I'm here to support you in achieving your dreams. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and let's work together to make your dental school application shine!

Dental School Interviews & The Wait: What to Do (and Not Do)

​Waiting for a dental school interview or decision can feel like one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the process—and many applicants struggle with how to stay proactive and grounded. ​In this session, Sreya P., incoming DMD student at UPenn and former pre-dental mentor at University of Virginia who gained admission to six dental schools, will guide you through what to do — and what to avoid — during the interview stage and post-application wait. ​You’ll learn how to prepare effectively for interviews, handle the emotional ups and downs of waiting, keep your application momentum going, and set yourself up for the best possible outcome. Whether you’re prepping for your interview invite or already in the waiting stage, this session will give you clarity, confidence, and practical next steps.

DDS Admissions: Ask Me Anything with Admissions Directors

Join us for an exclusive "Ask Me Anything" session with Ellen W. & Rachael K, seasoned experts in dental school admissions! With decades of DDS admissions experience between them, they can't wait to field the basic inquiries to most strategic interview & selection tactics. Let them empower you! This is your chance to get personalized advice on acing your interviews and crafting a standout application. Ellen & Rachael are passionate about helping you achieve your dreams and they are ready to share their joint expertise with you. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and gain invaluable insights into the dental school admissions process!