Leland+ for Dental School
Popular on Leland+
Top 5 Tips for the Dental School Admissions Process
Dental school admissions are competitive, and success requires more than strong grades and a solid DAT score. In this session, we’ll break down five high-impact strategies to strengthen your candidacy, from building meaningful shadowing experiences to crafting a compelling personal statement and preparing for interviews. Whether you’re early in your journey or applying this cycle, you’ll walk away with practical, actionable guidance to approach the dental school process with clarity and confidence.
Letter of Intent Template
Letter of intent template for applicants looking to submit one to schools.
Personal Statement Jumpstart
Get a strong start on one of the most important parts of your dental school application. In this session, you’ll learn how to choose the right story, structure your personal statement, and clearly communicate your motivation for dentistry in a way that resonates with admissions committees. You’ll leave with proven frameworks, common pitfalls to avoid, and concrete next steps to begin drafting a compelling, authentic personal statement.
ADEA AADSAS - Activity List Examples
I have added example descriptions for each of the different categories for the experiences section of the Dental School Application portal.
Developing a Compelling Dental School Personal Statement
A compelling dental school personal statement clearly communicates your motivation for dentistry, your commitment to patient care, and the experiences that shaped your path. In this session, you’ll learn how to identify meaningful clinical and academic moments, structure your narrative for clarity and impact, and avoid common mistakes that make essays feel generic. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining a draft, you’ll leave with a practical framework to craft a thoughtful, authentic, and memorable personal statement.
Anatomy of a Standout Dental School Personal Statement
Writing a dental school personal statement that actually sounds like you—while still hitting the themes admissions committees care about—is harder than most applicants expect. This session is for pre-dental students who want to understand what separates a compelling personal statement from one that reads like every other application. You'll leave knowing how to structure your narrative arc, how to weave in clinical experiences without listing them, and how to convey genuine motivation for dentistry in a way that feels specific rather than generic.
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!
Filling in the Gaps: What Pre-Dentals Need to Know
The path to dental school is competitive, and even strong candidates often overlook key areas that admissions committees care about most. In this session, we’ll cover the “gaps” that pre-dentals need to address—whether in academics, clinical exposure, extracurriculars, or personal narrative—and how to strategically strengthen your application. You’ll gain clarity on what dental schools are really looking for and how to present a balanced, compelling profile. The session will be led by Christian N., a Leland coach who has guided aspiring dentists through every stage of the application process. Drawing from his own experiences and insights, he’ll share actionable advice to help you identify blind spots, build confidence, and maximize your chances of admission.
STAR Assessment Model
The STAR assessment model is a structured method used to answer behavioral interview questions by outlining a specific past experience.
Back to School for Pre-Dentals Panel
In this panel, you’ll hear from dental school experts Rachael K., Ellen W., and Amy L., as they answer key questions on how to prepare and position yourself as a strong pre-dental applicant. The conversation will cover everything from course planning and extracurriculars to application strategy, shadowing, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re just starting your pre-dental journey or gearing up to apply soon, this session will give you actionable insights and clear next steps to help you succeed in the classroom, on the DAT, and beyond.
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!
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.
Guide to Exploring Dental Residencies
A guide to the competitiveness and scope of dental residencies in the US.
Personal Statement Example that Worked
From patient to practitioner: See how one student's personal health challenges and research background helped them craft a successful dental school application.
Harvard, OOS TX, and OOS CA Essay
This personal statement gained admission into top dental schools including Harvard, UCLA (OOS), and UT Houston (OOS.
Dental School Applications: Ask Me Anything
Have questions about the dental school application process? Join us for Dental School Applications: Ask Me Anything, an open Q&A session where you can get your questions answered live. Whether you're just getting started or deep in secondaries, this is your chance to get personalized advice in real time. Ellen W., Former Director + Assistant Dean at the Columbia College of Dental Medicine and Fordham University will be leading this session. She's helped hundreds of successful applicants get into dental school. Bring any and all questions! Ellen will cover topics such as: How to approach and write compelling secondaries Strategies for standing out with your personal statement DAT prep timelines and best practices Building a strong activities section Letters of recommendation and how to guide your writers Application timelines and submission strategy What to expect in interviews No question is too small—stop by, get clarity, and feel more confident in your next steps.
Dental School Personal Statement Example
Learn how to write a dental school personal statement that stands out from the crowd with a real-life example that got an applicant accepted.
How to Write a Unique Dental School Personal Statement
A detailed breakdown of a compelling personal statement that got an applicant into dental school, with key strategies for making your own application stand out.
