Leland+ for Dental School

Customizable Resume Template

With all the formatting done for you, just fill in your chosen experiences into this easy-to-use resume template!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Last Chance to Ask Questions for the Dental Early Admit… [6/1/2026] (Recording)

Dental early admission timelines move quickly, and many applicants reach the final stretch still unsure about how their application will actually be evaluated. This session is for students preparing to submit or finalize their dental early admit applications who want clarity before deadlines arrive. You’ll learn what admissions committees focus on most, the common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong applications, and how to make sure your essays, experiences, and overall narrative are working together effectively. Join live for an opportunity to hear directly from an experienced admissions coach who works closely with dental applicants throughout the process. You’ll be able to get real-time answers to key application questions and hear the kinds of insights and patterns typically discussed in 1:1 coaching conversations before submission deadlines.

Last Chance to Ask Questions for the Dental Early Admit… [6/1/2026] (Recording)

Dental early admission timelines move quickly, and many applicants reach the final stretch still unsure about how their application will actually be evaluated. This session is for students preparing to submit or finalize their dental early admit applications who want clarity before deadlines arrive. You’ll learn what admissions committees focus on most, the common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong applications, and how to make sure your essays, experiences, and overall narrative are working together effectively. Join live for an opportunity to hear directly from an experienced admissions coach who works closely with dental applicants throughout the process. You’ll be able to get real-time answers to key application questions and hear the kinds of insights and patterns typically discussed in 1:1 coaching conversations before submission deadlines.

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 - COVID Essay Example

I have attached an example of my COVID Essay which can be found on the Personal Information section of the ADEA AADSAS Application for Dental Schools. The prompt and character count are also showcased!

Letter of Interest Template

Letter of interest template for applicants who are in the process of submitting one to schools.

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.

Dental Interviews 101

Dental school interviews can feel high-stakes, but with the right preparation, they’re an opportunity to bring your application to life. In this session, you’ll learn what dental schools are really evaluating in interviews, how to answer common questions with confidence, and how to communicate your motivation, experiences, and professionalism effectively. You’ll walk away with practical strategies, preparation tips, and a clear game plan to approach your interviews prepared and poised.

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.

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.

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.

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!