As a pre-dental student, you've already overcome the first hurdle by submitting your primary application to dental school. Now, it's time to tackle the secondary application questions that will set you apart from other applicants. These questions are designed to give dental schools a deeper understanding of your motivations, experiences, and qualifications. In this article, we'll provide you with 7 tips to help you ace dental school secondary application questions.
Understand the Purpose of Secondary Application Questions
Before we dive into the tips, it's essential to understand the purpose of secondary application questions. Dental schools use these questions to assess your fit with their program, your level of commitment to the field, and your potential for success as a dental student. The questions may vary from school to school, but they usually cover topics such as your motivation for pursuing a career in dentistry, your experiences, and your personal qualities.
Tip 1: Start Early and Research the School
The first tip is to start early and research the school. Don't wait until the last minute to begin working on your secondary application questions. Take time to research the school's mission, values, and curriculum. Understand what sets them apart from other dental schools and how you can contribute to their community. This will help you tailor your responses to each school and show your genuine interest in their program.
Tip 2: Review Your Primary Application
The second tip is to review your primary application. Your primary application provides a snapshot of your academic background, extracurricular activities, and work experience. Reviewing your primary application will help you identify areas that you may need to elaborate on or provide additional context. This will also help you ensure consistency in your responses and avoid repeating information.
Tip 3: Use the STAR Method
The third tip is to use the STAR method when answering behavioral questions. The STAR method is a framework for answering behavioral questions that includes:
- Situation: Set the context for the story
- Task: Describe the task or challenge you faced
- Action: Explain the actions you took to address the challenge
- Result: Share the outcome of your actions
Using the STAR method will help you structure your responses and provide a clear and concise narrative.
Tip 4: Show, Don't Tell
The fourth tip is to show, don't tell. Instead of simply stating your qualities or experiences, use specific examples to demonstrate them. For example, instead of saying "I'm a strong leader," describe a situation where you led a team or project and the results you achieved.
Tip 5: Use Active Language
The fifth tip is to use active language. Using active language will help you convey confidence and enthusiasm in your responses. Avoid using passive voice or vague language that can make your responses seem weak or unconvincing.
Tip 6: Get Feedback
The sixth tip is to get feedback. Ask a pre-dental advisor, mentor, or colleague to review your responses and provide feedback. This will help you identify areas for improvement and ensure that your responses are clear and concise.
Tip 7: Proofread
The seventh and final tip is to proofread. Typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues can make a negative impression on the admissions committee. Take the time to proofread your responses carefully and ensure that they are error-free.
Gallery of Dental School Secondary Application Questions
FAQs
What is the purpose of dental school secondary application questions?
+Dental schools use secondary application questions to assess a student's fit with their program, motivation for pursuing a career in dentistry, and potential for success as a dental student.
How do I research a dental school?
+Research a dental school by visiting their website, reviewing their mission and values, and reaching out to current students or faculty members.
What is the STAR method?
+The STAR method is a framework for answering behavioral questions that includes Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
By following these 7 tips, you'll be well on your way to acing dental school secondary application questions and increasing your chances of getting accepted into your top-choice program. Remember to start early, research the school, review your primary application, use the STAR method, show don't tell, get feedback, and proofread. Good luck!