Networking

Networking was essential to a successful military/civilian transition and gaining admission into dental school. Not only did building a “transition team” of sorts reassure me that this type of transition could be done, it assisted in providing a template to model my own transition. We have all used the term “shift from a known point,” the reason this is effective because if you already have a reference point, it is easier to deviate from a templated track or point rather than plot or blaze your own trail. If dental school, nursing school or medical school is your goal, GO FIND SOMEBODY WHO HAS DONE IT!

There is a common misconception that “networking” requires getting coffee with an old, wealthy CEO, School Dean or board member. While this doesn’t hurt, and I met with some of these people, the majority of my networking was with near peers: current dental students and/or recent graduates. I found that they were current on application requirements, could introduce me admission directors and assist with the slightly complicated ADSASS interface which most dental schools run their application process with.

Network that helped me successfully transition and gain admission to dental school

  • Person 1: Former Infantry Officer current Army Dentist. Introduced through a mutual friend. Assisted me in timeline planning and introductions to dean of admissions at his alma mater dental school.

  • Person 2: Naval Academy Grad (Beat Navy), introduced to me through my cousin. Advised me on school selection, reassurance on dental path and DAT prep.

  • Person 3: Former Marine Pilot, introduced to me by an admissions advisor after I reached out to the school and asked to speak to veteran students in the program. Helped me develop a personal statement and introduced me to additional admissions advisers at his school.

  • Person 4: Military Oral Surgeon, introduced through a friend. Advised me on the importance of networking with admissions advisors and administration at target schools. Introduced me to, and personally emailed dean and admissions on my behalf.

  • Person 5: Fellow Army Captain/Pilot I met in my reserve unit who was also applying to dental school. He introduced me to a member of the administration at my current school. I drove 8 hours to take a meeting with him and was offered an interview shortly after and am currently attending this school.

  • Person 6: Orthodontist in my hometown, family friend and current mentor. Wrote an outstanding letter of recommendation which I believe was a critical piece of my application packet.

There were many more who let me pick their brain, introduced me to key people and were essential in my transition. My point of this section is to reinforce the importance of networking. To be honest, if my application slid across the desk of the admission department and I wasn’t known to them in some capacity, I highly doubt that I would be admitted to dental school on my first application attempt.