Leland+ for Dental School

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Customizable Resume Template

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

Nailing the Personal Statement

This guide walks a client through the reasons behind a Personal Statement along with examples of each section & what should be included.

Letter of Intent Template

Letter of intent template for applicants looking to submit one to schools.

ADEA AADSAS - Manual Dexterity Essay

I have included an example of my manual dexterity essay for the ADEA AADSAS application. Please feel free to take a look for formatting and ideas!

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.

The Ideal Dental School Application Timeline

Applying to dental school requires careful planning, but many applicants aren’t sure when each piece of the process should actually happen. This session is for prospective dental students who want a clear, realistic timeline for building and submitting a competitive application. You’ll learn when to prepare for the DAT, how to sequence shadowing and extracurriculars, and how to plan essays, recommendations, and submissions so nothing important gets rushed.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.