IDP Re-applicant Checklist: How to Strengthen Your CAAPID Application

Gaining admissions to an International Dentist Pathway or Advanced Standing Program is among one of the most competitive application processes in the United States today. Now, what is more difficult than getting accepted on first attempt? It is gaining admissions as a reapplicant.

Why? Not only are you compared to highly qualified internationally trained dentists, but you are also being compared to the past application version of you. For this reason, sometimes it's even best to delay an application to ensure that your first attempt has optimized every wholistic categorical review the admissions committee can evaluate.

Every year, our inboxes are inundated with passionate, resilient, and intelligent international dentists from all over the world seeking guidance on what they can do to achieve their goal of practicing dentistry in the US.

Have you heard the quote of the famous Albert Einstein:

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result".

It truly breaks my heart to see reapplicants share they have applied 2,3, even 4 times in a row with minimal to no changes in their application because I understand just how extremely emotionally, physically, and financially demanding this process can be.

My hope for all IDP applicants whether they are first time or reapplicants is to dutifully read this blog post to ensure you are checking off all the immediate barriers of entry in this competitive process. To have a chance at acceptance, I highly recommend you meeting or exceeding the following criteria:

1. TOEFL score >100

   1. It's ok to retake the TOEFL if your score is <100, but caution to not show a consistent pattern of retaking the exam with minimal improvements. To ace the TOEFL the 2nd or 3rd attempt, ensure ample reflection and studying in between attempts.

2. Letter of Recommendation

   1. Typically, this will be from your BDS dental school dean and 2 current dental professionals in the US.

   2. If you are a reapplicant, LORs must be updated by either

      1. requesting LOR from new letter writers

      2. requesting original letter writers to refresh your existing letter with supporting evidence on how you've improved your weak spots in your application

      3. Themes letter writers can focus on:

         1. recent clinical/academic achievements

         2. professional maturity and work ethic

         3. teachability and teamwork

3. REVISED Statement of Purpose

   1. Y'all, please do not copy and paste your last SOP into this new application. It is the easiest way to invite rejection.

   2. As a reapplicant, it's imperative your SOP clearly captures why pursuing dentistry in the US would be fulfilling for your, how this goal of additional schooling aligns with your values, identity, and long term goals, and what you have learned as a reapplicant

4. Continued Academic/Clinical Experiences

   1. Are you showing your are continually engaged in dentistry? Doing so in diverse environments demonstrates teachability, adaptability, and openness to learning.

   2. Consider dental assisting in a general practice, research, or community based dental outreach programs.

5. Financial and Time Costly Options to Boost your Application

   1. Completing a restorative bench preparation course to show manual dexterity and knowledge in fundamentals

      1. Dugan's Restorative Course and Dr. Stevenson's Restorative Course have helped countless students in their bench exams

   2. AEGD Fellowship Programs

      1. contact with dental schools

      2. immerse yourself in academia and research

   3. Masters Programs ie. MPH (good option for applicants committed to serving underserved populations)

6. Apply to 20+ programs

   1. After advising IDP students for the last 6 years, it's seldom for a student to get accepted to a program who applied to just a handful of schools. Because the process is so competitive, I highly recommend applying to 20+ programs. With a well written application, you may expect to get 3-5 interviews, and 1-2 acceptances. These statistical odds work best in your favor.

   2. It is unideal to have prepared an excellent application but only apply to a select number of schools, only for programs to not get to see your potential harmonious fit to a school.

In summary, you can see the IDP/ADS appication process is dynamic and multifaceted. It changes every year. We are proud to have helped IDP first time and reapplicants gain admissions to programs every single year for the last 6 years. I welcome you to read our success story testimonials to see how we can support you in your journey. My closing thoughts are as follows:

As an already trained dentist, the most important trait to show is teachability. As a reapplicant, having reflected on your weaknesses and improve them demonstrates just that. While the road is challenging, it can absolutely be done.