For anyone who knows me personally or has been following this blog, you may know of my goals to become an orthodontist. Well… things are (hopefully!) rolling and I am working on my ADEA PASS application for orthodontics residencies with hopes of pursuing the speciality starting after my graduation from dental school in 2026. I -CANNOT- believe that I’m already at this point in my dental journey.
It’s incredibly helpful that a majority of the applications for orthodontics residencies (and actually most if not all specialty residencies) are taken care of by ADEA PASS which is a general application for those who don’t know. Once I submit that, then I get to work through the supplemental applications for each school. I think that this is where the really time-consuming part comes in. That, and I have to be sure that I’m organized in keeping each of the different program’s requirements straight.
To answer a few questions:
How many programs? I am currently applying to 17 programs. I did a lot of research with each of the programs I’m applying too. There’s a whole spreadsheet of data, pros, and cons. It’s a lot! Biggest thing I want to say is that I’m determined to get into a residency. Orthodontics residencies are highly competitive and I really really want this.
Where are you applying? In terms of location: I’m looking at places I think may be fun to live and explore for the next 2-3.5 years. Of course I’ll be busy in residency, but I think that being happy where you are matters too! It helps that I have family/friends/family friends in a lot of these places, so that was a big factor. Cost is another factor, of course.
Match or non-Match? I am applying to a combination of Match and non-Match programs, with a focus on Match programs that are not exclusively Match.
What letters of rec are required? Depends on the program. I have 3 letters of recommendation as of now (2 from faculty, 1 from an orthodontist). I am also currently awaiting a Dean’s letter. These are typically required by all programs and cover your class rank, performance in school, etc.
For anyone looking to get into dental school or a dental residency, my biggest advice is to be organized and start on as much as you can early!! I asked for my letters of recommendation at least 2 months before they were actually due and then by the time the application opened, those were all ready to go. My personal statement was in the works around that same time and I think that it really helps to get everything that you can control done as early as possible so that you can have a bit of give when things maybe take a bit longer elsewhere.
Of course I’m incredibly nervous as I go through this process. There’s only so much that I can control. That being said, I think I’ve done everything I can to show who I am and I hope that’s something the admissions teams at these programs can appreciate. The fear of not getting in is very real, though. When I get worked up over that fear, I try to remind myself that someone else’s perfect fit is THEIR perfect fit. Just because I don’t get in to that particular school doesn’t mean I’m not a perfect fit at another program. Everyone will have their place.
Not to get cheesy or anything, but to everyone who has helped me along my dental school journey, thank you. ❤️ I literally would not be where I am today without your support and encouragement. Dental school has been the greatest challenge of my life. I have cried a lot and been beyond frustrated and scared more times than I can count. But I have also grown so much and learned so much. Eight-year-old Ana sitting in the orthodontist’s chair for the first time would be so proud to see where we are now. She really had no idea that getting all excited about picking orange and black for her first band colors would get her to where we are now. Or maybe she did know. Maybe she was already thinking about orthodontics residencies then. Have a good week everyone. ❤️
