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What I wished I’d known when applying as an international student

man on laptopAs an international dentist, when you make a decision to pursue a DDS in another country rather than opting for the conventional masters program in your home country, you are choosing the road less traveled. No one ever told me about the struggles, goof-ups and road-blocks that can derail your enthusiasm in getting into a DDS program. Here are a few pointers when you embark on this wondrous journey:

  1. Get organized: Once the application cycle opens, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed and confused with all the paperwork that needs to be ordered and supplemental documents to be sent. So make sure you’re organized to avoid getting stressed. Here are a few tips on getting organized:
  2. Decide where to apply: Some people are okay with any school they get into, as long as they get into one. For others, there are quite a few restraints like location and proximity to loved ones, type of learning, weather etc. Make a well-informed decision on which school you want to apply to and what its requirements. To learn more about each of the 65 dental schools, and which have IADA programs, read ASDA’s handbook for predental students (you must be a member to download).
  3. Too many resources can be counterproductive: Thanks to the Internet, there are numerous Facebook groups, smart phone apps and websites that promise to provide sufficient ‘help’ for your boards preparation. But having too many resources for NBDE preparation can lead to a lot of confusion. I personally preferred the Dental Decks, First Aid and my dental school notes while preparing for National Boards Part I. ASDA’s reprints of the tests are a must to get yourself oriented to the American format of examination.
    • My NBDE preparation strategies: One of the biggest tips I can give you is to practice sitting at a place for long hours. It may sound silly, but usually in most of our home countries we are only used to 3-4 hour examinations where as the NBDE is around 8.5 hours with a few optional breaks. Make sure to understand the NBDE examination format given explained here. Also, be conscious of your time. Make sure you don’t spend too much time on one question as it will compromise the time you have left for the others. Another big tip is pick a few resources and review them. Preparation materials are usually vast & review is the key to be able to recall and answer efficiently on your exam day. Mindlessly going through every available resource will only lead to confusion, so make sure to avoid it.
  4. Be sure: You have to be absolutely certain this is what you want to do. It’s not easy to pack your bags, leave everything you’ve known and start anew in a different country. Also, redoing two years of dental school is not easy. You should be ready to commit yourself to being a student again which means revisiting your books, running to meet deadlines, attending lectures, and being reminded of how long it takes to finish a complete denture. The American culture is a little different from what I’ve seen in Hollywood movies, so prepare yourself for some culture shock. Try to connect with other international dental students who are now being trained in America, and shadow a few American dentists so that you have a feel for what’s to come after dental school.
    • The ADEA CAAPID Directory is a good resource to find all the information you need when you have to apply to a school. Also be aware that certain schools do not participate in CAAPID.
    • Know your deadlines so that you are well prepared in advance. You wouldn’t want to lose a chance of getting into your dream school because you didn’t pay attention to the deadlines.
    • Form of payment- Make sure you know in what form each school accepts its application fees. For example, some accept money orders while some require an online payment. Do it right the first time and save yourself from the hassle.
    • Paperwork – Know what paperwork has to be ordered for each school. Some may need only National Boards Part I scores while some require both. Some need an ECE evaluation while others need WES. You’ll also need some paperwork like transcripts and letters of recommendations from your home country. Be aware of the fact that many schools require additional documents to be sent to them directly besides the paperwork sent via CAAPID.
  5. Financial Aid: Dental school debt may stress you out by the time you’re done with school, so it’s always smart to look at all your financial options. There aren’t many scholarships available for international dental students but if you’re a minority, your community might have a few available. One of the other options is taking out a loan. Make sure to compare the interest rates in your home country and in the US so that you can make the best-informed decision possible.

Whether you’re just getting started or if you’re halfway there, always remember that life is a journey. Cherish the time you have with the people you met along this adventure, remember that all your struggles are temporary and you will end up not only with a DDS, but also with a better insight on yourself and with lifelong friends.

~Sirisha Mahesh, international dentist

Sirisha Mahesh

Sirisha is an international dentist who is currently planning on pursuing preceptorship before applying for advanced placement programs. She aims to make dental healthcare more affordable through economies of scale. When not studying or volunteering with children, Sirisha loves to sketch & work on 'powder art' projects. Fun fact about Sirisha: she knows 6 different languages! You can read about all her musings on her blog.

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2 Comments

  1. Virginia says:

    Thanks for sharing this article. It’s very comforting to read, specially since I am just starting my journey. I’ve lived in the US for 3 years and have recently decided to go back to school. I am absolutely sure this is what I want. I am an international dentist from Argentina. Do you recommend I buy my study material from a specific site? Is there a guide I can study from?

    1. Sirisha Mahesh says:

      Hi Virginia, it’s good that you’ve made a firm decision on what you want to do. Like I said, I personally found the dental decks useful (you can Google it to purchase the material from their website) & I highly recommend going back to your dental school lecture notes & textbooks. Also, practicing ASDA’s reprints is extremely resourceful. As far as guides go, I’m not aware of any for studying but do go through the ADA NBDE examinee guide,it gives you a lot of information about the exam. Good luck! 🙂

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