Official 2019-2020 AADSAS Q&A Thread

[artist2022]

Anyone know how to enter a grade if you dropped a course? My official transcript left my grade blank, but in the transcript entry, it says a grade is required. Should I add "DR" to signify that it was dropped?

I'm not sure the system would accept DR. I would either use W (for withdrawn) or ask AADSAS what would fit best.

Would you recommend putting any Intramural competition wins in the Achievements section?

That would be appropriate.

I do have substantial hours (40-80) at a couple of GP offices and a clinic, but I also shadowed about a dozen GPs and specialists over the course of a year, usually visiting each office for a couple of days. Should I just make separate entries for each dentist/office or would it be better to condense my shadowing experience into fewer entries?

I would condense so that it doesn't look like you're just fluffing your application up by adding tons of entries. Quality > quantity.

I am in a non-thesis masters program at NC State University, and my transcript just calls it "physiology, master of" but on my other school website it's referred to as "physiology-MR". I don't think it's considered a master of science because there was another option to do that which included a thesis. So my question is when I'm entering that degree on AADSAS, what do I call it? There isn't a "master of physiology" option, but i could do "other master" I guess and then put physiology as my major. I just want to do the correct thing though because I'm terrified of making a mistake and having it delay my application. Thanks in advance!

I think "Other Master" would work because it isn't an MS.

In the Program Materials section, some of the schools (Tufts, NYU, etc) make you assign prerequisite courses separately by semester. For example, there is a separate section for General Chemistry I & General Chemistry II because they want 2 semesters worth.

How would I assign my courses if I attended a quarter system school? They indicate that 2 semesters = 3 quarters but don't allow us to assign the 3 quarters worth? Other schools just have General Chemistry listed as one section and I can select all 3 quarters to fulfill the requirement.

I also attended a quarter school and was able to select all 3 classes + labs to fulfill my prereq requirements. I'd select what you can and email the school, telling them you have all your requirements w/ proof. You can also ask AADSAS to see if there's some sort of glitch in the application for those schools/what you can do.

Hi you guys,

On my unofficial transcript, it says for my AP courses that units were transferred but they aren't under a specific quarter. I used my AP English credit and AP Math credit to pass me out of English and math courses at my university, but I never used any AP credit to fulfill any pre-dental courses. Do I need to still request my university to release my AP scores on my transcript or would it be okay not reporting any AP courses on the transcript entry section?

Thanks!

Everything must match exactly- if the AP courses are on your transcript, you need to put them on your application. Also, some schools do require English (UCLA is one), so you'd need your AP course to fulfill that. I put my AP courses all under my first quarter at my university.

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[YellowDental]

Hello,

For the dental experiences section, I want to include this veteran's dental clinic that I did for one day. It was for 7 hours. Is this something worth listing even though it was for one day? It was an important experience for me, which is why I want to, but I know that listing experiences that don't have a significant amount of hours is looked down upon...

Also, what is the prime difference between Volunteer and Extracurricular Activities? I essentially volunteered at organizations through my academic clubs.. So I'm not sure if I should list these activities as volunteer, or extracurricular activities that I have done through my academic clubs.

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Shiny Teeth]

Hey guys, I have a question about submitting an incomplete application. Would it be ok to submit my application materials without one of the letters of recommendation? Professor is going to take 2-3 weeks to write it

 

[tarheelbaby]

I'm trying to request my official transcript to be sent from my undergraduate institution and I can either manually enter in AADSAS's address, or there's an option to choose from their list of application services. When I choose the AADSAS from their list, the only problem is that the address is slightly different - instead of listing "PO Box
9110" it it puts 9110 hyphenated after the zip code, so "Watertown, MA 02471-9110"

Is this okay??

Also, can I send an electronic official transcript from my school or do I need to pay a little extra and have it physically sent through the mail? Electronic would be safer and quicker, but I didn't know if that was allowed

 

[tarheelbaby]

Need HELP in deciding!

My application is thoroughly complete apart from needing to take the DAT (for the 2nd time) in July. I recently saw a few dental students from UCSF advise against submitting the application unless it's complete in its entirety (transcripts/DAT etc.) VIDEO HERE @ 32:30. Their reasoning was that schools will push the incomplete application aside and essentially "forget" about them for a while - not knowing when they will get back to that application to see if it's been updated/complete. They suggest submitting an entire complete application all at once.

I'm torn as to how I should proceed. Obviously I want to have everything submitted as early as possible and I realize it takes weeks to have everything processed and verified. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Did you ever find an answer to this?? That actually makes sense that this might happen if you submit before retaking. It might make a difference how you performed the first time though.. was your first score something that they might consider or was it something that you don't feel like you'll be accepted until you retake it? I am in the same boat as you so please let me know what you find out!!! I always try to remind myself that adcoms and processing offices are people at the end of the day and they make mistakes/hold biases just like any other imperfect human so it's good to think about stuff like this to look out for yourself!

 

[Shiny Teeth]

Hey guys quick question, If I had my transcript verified last cycle, I do not need to worry about submitting and having my transcripts re-verified correct? Sorry if its a dumb question, I just wanted to make sure.

 

[Chicago_predental]

Im in the same position! I don't think you would need to re-verify unless you added new grades. I had to re-send them my transcript because I finished two pre-reqs this past semester. Id call AADSAS to double check, but the rep told me that unless you have new courses then your transcript is already verified

 

[CAP20]

For the descriptions of our experiences, in addition to describing the org and our responsibilities, would you put what you learned from the experience?

 

[predental1108]

Hey guys quick question, If I had my transcript verified last cycle, I do not need to worry about submitting and having my transcripts re-verified correct? Sorry if its a dumb question, I just wanted to make sure.

I talked to an AADSAS rep through the online chat feature and this was one of the questions I asked. You don't need to re-send transcripts to get re-verified, unless you have taken additional courses since last cycle and therefore would have new grades to add.

 

[artist2022]

Hello,

For the dental experiences section, I want to include this veteran's dental clinic that I did for one day. It was for 7 hours. Is this something worth listing even though it was for one day? It was an important experience for me, which is why I want to, but I know that listing experiences that don't have a significant amount of hours is looked down upon...

Also, what is the prime difference between Volunteer and Extracurricular Activities? I essentially volunteered at organizations through my academic clubs.. So I'm not sure if I should list these activities as volunteer, or extracurricular activities that I have done through my academic clubs.

Thank you so much in advance!

If it really important to you, list it. Since you have doubts though, I'd maybe lean toward not listing it - it's a personal decision.
As for the second question, I would consider volunteering with an organization as "Volunteer", and things like holding position in clubs/being a club member as "Extracurricular Activities". Don't double dip though - if you volunteered as a club member a lot, put it down only as Volunteer.

Hey guys, I have a question about submitting an incomplete application. Would it be ok to submit my application materials without one of the letters of recommendation? Professor is going to take 2-3 weeks to write it

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine.

I'm trying to request my official transcript to be sent from my undergraduate institution and I can either manually enter in AADSAS's address, or there's an option to choose from their list of application services. When I choose the AADSAS from their list, the only problem is that the address is slightly different - instead of listing "PO Box
9110" it it puts 9110 hyphenated after the zip code, so "Watertown, MA 02471-9110"

Is this okay??

Also, can I send an electronic official transcript from my school or do I need to pay a little extra and have it physically sent through the mail? Electronic would be safer and quicker, but I didn't know if that was allowed

I think the hyphenation is fine lol
As for the second question, AADSAS only accepts electronic transcripts from Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse and Credentials. If your school uses any one of those services, you can send it electronically. If not, you will have to send it physically. Don't forget to attach your matching form with your request.

1. I had DACA in the past. I no longer have it. Do I answer "YES" or "NO" to "Have you applied for and been accepted to DACA?"

2. I was born outside of the U.S. and the first language I ever learned was Mandarin. I am no longer fluent in Mandarin and use English 99.8% of the time. Do I still enter Mandarin as my first language?

3. I am reapplying. I applied last year and submitted my application in August 2018 which would have let me start dental school in 2019. When indicating which year I applied, should I pick "2019"?

1. Yes
2. I'd say yes, but since you're a reapplicant, I would put down what you put last year.
3. Yes, you applied during the 2018-2019 cycle, and the cycles go by when you would start dental school. This new cycle is the 2020 cycle.

For the descriptions of our experiences, in addition to describing the org and our responsibilities, would you put what you learned from the experience?

I wouldn't. I think stuff like that goes in your PS.

 

[Avocadoc3]

I was just wondering if the questions on the ADEA AADSAS application website need to be answered in depth? Some questions have a 5000 character limit, but since these questions aren't the supplemental application questions do they still need to be answered in depth?
Thanks

 

[Dentistlife]

Hi!! Should I be using a official or unofficial transcript in the transcript entry section on the portal?

 

[slewis2288]

When we are selecting pre-reqs for various schools, should we list all courses that fufill that category? For example, if a school requires 2 math classes with several examples, should I list all 4 that fulfill the requirement or only pick 2?

 

[slewis2288]

I know this was asked recently by @Shiny Teeth , but the thread was closed without the answer. Can LOR writers submit letters after we submit our application? I can't seem to find this information anywhere online.

 

[artist2022]

I was just wondering if the questions on the ADEA AADSAS application website need to be answered in depth? Some questions have a 5000 character limit, but since these questions aren't the supplemental application questions do they still need to be answered in depth?
Thanks

Those are the supplemental questions for those schools. Not every school has them up on AADSAS.

Hi!! Should I be using a official or unofficial transcript in the transcript entry section on the portal?

Official

When inputting how many people besides parents lived in your household up to 18 years of age do you include yourself?

I lived with my mother, father, and brother. So do I put 2 (brother + me)?

Yes

When we are selecting pre-reqs for various schools, should we list all courses that fufill that category? For example, if a school requires 2 math classes with several examples, should I list all 4 that fulfill the requirement or only pick 2?

Only two. They just want to know you met the requirement.

I know this was asked recently by @Shiny Teeth , but the thread was closed without the answer. Can LOR writers submit letters after we submit our application? I can't seem to find this information anywhere online.

They locked their own thread but yes, they can submit letters after you submit your application.


Going to be taking a break from answering questions cause finals are coming up, so hopefully other people can help.

 

[reticence]

99% sure this doesn't quite matter but figured I'd get a second opinion: AADSAS hasn't received my transcript yet but it's still OK to submit (like with requested LORs)?

Also, any way to tell if a transcript is actually on its way or just a failed delivery? My school had a pre-populated address for the AADSAS but it wasn't exactly the one listed on the ADEA website so I had to change it.

 

[kodyihkuo]

Hi guys,

I uploaded 4 letter of recs and when I try to submit my application, would I be able to choose which letter of rec to send to the school?

Thanks

 

[Avocadoc3]

I am sort of confused and would appreciate if someone could clarify this for me. Are we required to answer all the secondary questions prior to submitting our applications on ADEA AADSAS or can we submit our application then respond to the questions?
Thank you

 

[artist2022]

I am sort of confused and would appreciate if someone could clarify this for me. Are we required to answer all the secondary questions prior to submitting our applications on ADEA AADSAS or can we submit our application then respond to the questions?
Thank you

I answered your other post and the answer is YES you must answer all those secondary questions before submitting. Once you submit and pay, you cannot edit answers back in.

 

[artist2022]

Hi guys,

I uploaded 4 letter of recs and when I try to submit my application, would I be able to choose which letter of rec to send to the school?

Thanks

No. All four letters are sent to all the schools you apply to.

 

[ihaterain123]

They take care of it automatically

Oh dang it! I spent 500 dollars for nothing!!!!

 

[Avocadoc3]

I answered your other post and the answer is YES you must answer all those secondary questions before submitting. Once you submit and pay, you cannot edit answers back in.

Thanks for the response! If I want to get my app verfied early but still have a bunch of supplementals to answer do you recommend that I apply to one school then add the other programs after?

 

[artist2022]

99% sure this doesn't quite matter but figured I'd get a second opinion: AADSAS hasn't received my transcript yet but it's still OK to submit (like with requested LORs)?

Also, any way to tell if a transcript is actually on its way or just a failed delivery? My school had a pre-populated address for the AADSAS but it wasn't exactly the one listed on the ADEA website so I had to change it.

Yes it's okay to submit. Just keep checking to see it's been received. If it's been a couple weeks but it hasn't been received, ask AADSAS or send it again.

Thanks for the response! If I want to get my app verfied early but still have a bunch of supplementals to answer do you recommend that I apply to one school then add the other programs after?

Yes.

 

[FosterWallace]

Hi everyone. I know that Dental schools are rolling admissions and its best to submit apps as soon as possible, so I was wondering if it would be advantageous for me to submit my app now even though I'm still waiting on two letters of rec from two of my professors? Im pretty sure I could always update the app with the letters once they write them. Or should I just wait until the letters are written to submit?

 

[FosterWallace]

Didnt want to start a thread but I couldnt find a general AADSAS questions thread...

Anyway, when Im filling in my transcript, under subject should I just pick anything thats close? For example, one class is considered at my school under "English: Comp & Writing" but under the subject dropdown I can pick either English, Composition, or Writing. Does it matter??

 

[A-5_Guy]

Prior service folks especially:
Question about employment experience:
I served in the USMC as a Naval Aviator for over 10 years and have many "supervisors." I don't think I'm going to break down my employment to reflect my "orders" in AADSAS because that would be over 16 entries and some of those people, unfortunately, aren't even alive. Is there any harm in lumping everything together and putting the Commandant of the Marine Corps as my supervisor--technically he was.

 

[pma96]

Didnt want to start a thread but I couldnt find a general AADSAS questions thread...

Anyway, when Im filling in my transcript, under subject should I just pick anything thats close? For example, one class is considered at my school under "English: Comp & Writing" but under the subject dropdown I can pick either English, Composition, or Writing. Does it matter??

Just use your best judgement and if incorrect AADSAS will change it.

 

[LOSSTE]

If I take DAT multiple times, will my scores for each time be reported?

 

[Sbofet]

Had a question regarding pre-requisites: I just graduated and haven't taken physics 2 yet due to switching my major pretty late and not having enough time to finish it. I am probably going to take it next year (Spring 2020 or Summer 2020), but am unsure of what school I would be taking it at. How should I list this on my transcript entry?

 

[ASPEN'S NIGHTMARE]

Guys,

I'm just starting to sit down and fill this thing out and I'm entering in my classes.

Under the section that says credits, there is a tab you can pull down and pick from these numbers: 00,25,33,50,67,75.
I'm assuming these are to represent quarters, trimesters, and semesters.

--> OSU goes by semester, so should I just select "50" for each normal class?

Also, my survey course (exploration, whatever you want to call it) was only half of a semester. Would I choose 25 for this?

I feel like these are simple/stupid questions but I really don't want to take any risks man. Thank you to everyone that helps in advance!

EDIT: **I just saved my first semester. These numbers are for decimals??? What are these for? Is that even a thing??

 

[Charcot-Marie-Tooth]

Yes

 

[Sbofet]

Guys,

I'm just starting to sit down and fill this thing out and I'm entering in my classes.

Under the section that says credits, there is a tab you can pull down and pick from these numbers: 00,25,33,50,67,75.
I'm assuming these are to represent quarters, trimesters, and semesters.

--> OSU goes by semester, so should I just select "50" for each normal class?

Also, my survey course (exploration, whatever you want to call it) was only half of a semester. Would I choose 25 for this?

I feel like these are simple/stupid questions but I really don't want to take any risks man. Thank you to everyone that helps in advance!

EDIT: **I just saved my first semester. These numbers are for decimals??? What are these for? Is that even a thing??

I think those just represent the decimals - for example if I took a 4.0 credit course I would put in 4 in the box before it and choose 00 from the drop down. If I took a 0.5 credit course I would put 0 in the box and choose 50 from the drop down. Correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[Lab_lover]

Hi everyone. I know that Dental schools are rolling admissions and its best to submit apps as soon as possible, so I was wondering if it would be advantageous for me to submit my app now even though I'm still waiting on two letters of rec from two of my professors? Im pretty sure I could always update the app with the letters once they write them. Or should I just wait until the letters are written to submit?

I submitted my app while I was still waiting on a professor to complete one of my LORs. Some schools will not consider your app complete until they are submitted, some will take a look before the LORs are submitted.
Regardless, my advice is to submit (as long as your application has been thoroughly looked over and is ready to submit). Also, send emails or visit your professors so that they submit their letters as soon as possible.

 

[macsak]

Guys,

I'm just starting to sit down and fill this thing out and I'm entering in my classes.

Under the section that says credits, there is a tab you can pull down and pick from these numbers: 00,25,33,50,67,75.
I'm assuming these are to represent quarters, trimesters, and semesters.

--> OSU goes by semester, so should I just select "50" for each normal class?

Also, my survey course (exploration, whatever you want to call it) was only half of a semester. Would I choose 25 for this?

I feel like these are simple/stupid questions but I really don't want to take any risks man. Thank you to everyone that helps in advance!

EDIT: **I just saved my first semester. These numbers are for decimals??? What are these for? Is that even a thing??

decimals

 

[artist2022]

Hi everyone. I know that Dental schools are rolling admissions and its best to submit apps as soon as possible, so I was wondering if it would be advantageous for me to submit my app now even though I'm still waiting on two letters of rec from two of my professors? Im pretty sure I could always update the app with the letters once they write them. Or should I just wait until the letters are written to submit?

You can submit so it can start to be verified.

Didnt want to start a thread but I couldnt find a general AADSAS questions thread...

Anyway, when Im filling in my transcript, under subject should I just pick anything thats close? For example, one class is considered at my school under "English: Comp & Writing" but under the subject dropdown I can pick either English, Composition, or Writing. Does it matter??

I merged your post into this thread cause there is in fact a general AADSAS questions thread. Pick whatever is closest, and if it's three subjects like that, I'd go with the prefix of the class. Ex: If it's ENG100, pick English, but if it's COM100, pick Composition.

Prior service folks especially:
Question about employment experience:
I served in the USMC as a Naval Aviator for over 10 years and have many "supervisors." I don't think I'm going to break down my employment to reflect my "orders" in AADSAS because that would be over 16 entries and some of those people, unfortunately, aren't even alive. Is there any harm in lumping everything together and putting the Commandant of the Marine Corps as my supervisor--technically he was.

I haven't served (thank you for your service), but I think lumping everything together would be fine.

Had a question regarding pre-requisites: I just graduated and haven't taken physics 2 yet due to switching my major pretty late and not having enough time to finish it. I am probably going to take it next year (Spring 2020 or Summer 2020), but am unsure of what school I would be taking it at. How should I list this on my transcript entry?

I would list it at your home university. During the Academic Updates, you can change it. Also, most schools will not let you take pre-reqs the summer before you matriculate into dental school (so you can't take it summer 2020).

Guys,

I'm just starting to sit down and fill this thing out and I'm entering in my classes.

Under the section that says credits, there is a tab you can pull down and pick from these numbers: 00,25,33,50,67,75.
I'm assuming these are to represent quarters, trimesters, and semesters.

--> OSU goes by semester, so should I just select "50" for each normal class?

Also, my survey course (exploration, whatever you want to call it) was only half of a semester. Would I choose 25 for this?

I feel like these are simple/stupid questions but I really don't want to take any risks man. Thank you to everyone that helps in advance!

EDIT: **I just saved my first semester. These numbers are for decimals??? What are these for? Is that even a thing??

Exactly what Sbofet said. I got AP credit for Calculus, and it was listed as 4.5 credits on my transcript, so I was able to use "4" and "50" to represent that. They already know your school is on a semester system because you had to pick that when you added the school to the app, so just input the credit hours normally, just as they appear on your transcript. For your survey course, how is it on your transcript? If they gave you 0.25 credits, put "0" and "25".

 

[asdfhhadsf234]

Currently in a lab that I've done 52 weeks at 3 hours weekly. For the next 10 weeks I'll be doing 20 hours/week. What's the best way to express this on my app that I'll be submitting in a few days?

 

[Pearl E. White]

You could just include it in the academic update, but you don’t list future hours on the app.

 

[Sbofet]

For classes that combined labs with the course, do you need to specify that in the title, e.g. "Intro to Chem Principles 1 with Lab"?, or does it have to match the transcript exactly, just "Intro to Chem Principles 1"?

 

[artist2022]

For classes that combined labs with the course, do you need to specify that in the title, e.g. "Intro to Chem Principles 1 with Lab"?, or does it have to match the transcript exactly, just "Intro to Chem Principles 1"?

I'd match the transcript exactly. Since it included lab, it will probably be reflected in the amount of units (ie, w/o lab is 3 units, but the combined one was 5 units instead). Usually if schools have questions about your transcript, they'll ask and you can send a syllabus over.

 

[Sbofet]

My school didn't offer General Biology I lab when I took the course, only the lecture. When inputting the prereqs into the application, is it okay to substitute this lab with another lab such as Genetics lab?

 

[Hoang Nguyen]

I'm filing my application. For Bio Section, should I choose all the courses ? Or just the pre-reqs courses?
Thank you.

 

[deleted904921]

hello - i was part of a few committees at school but our meetings weren't regular and we probably met like 3-4 times throughout the year to plan events.
would this be something still considered an "extracaurricular" or is it not worth it?

 

[qnrnr]

Hi, so for my senior thesis (optional) I did research at my lab and got academic credit.
At the same time, at the same lab, I worked as a paid technician during my junior summer.
Apparently, we're not supposed to input any research that was given academic credit from the school.

Should I just input the hours I did during my summer or add in all of my hours including the hours I did my senior thesis?

Thank you!

 

[SmileyPreDent]

Hi All!

Sorry if this is super silly--but when we input our transcripts do the classes have to be in the exact ORDER of the transcript--obviously I put everything in the right year and semester section, but does it have to be in the exact order?

TIA

 

[SmileyPreDent]

Also- I look like 9 APs in high school but my transcript only says this and I have no idea what to input? LIke I look Ap Language, AP Caluclus AP Gov AP French.. do I add this stuff in somewhere?




Advanced Placement Credit


ATTENDED: 05/12 - 05/14 TRANSFER CREDIT: 48.00

 

[aspiringdentistplshelp]

Is the UCLA supplementals actually 100-150 characters long? that's literally like a sentence.
was it like that for you @artist2022 when you applied?

 

[artist2022]

Is the UCLA supplementals actually 100-150 characters long? that's literally like a sentence.
was it like that for you @artist2022 when you applied?

Pretty sure it's a typo and was meant to be 150 words. I didn't have that question when I applied (only had 1 "real" question - why UCLA w/ 5000 characters).

 

[aspiringdentistplshelp]

Pretty sure it's a typo and was meant to be 150 words. I didn't have that question when I applied (only had 1 "real" question - why UCLA w/ 5000 characters).

Do you think they'll be fixing it anytime soon? because AADSAS literally won't allow more than the allotted characters.

 

[artist2022]

Do you think they'll be fixing it anytime soon? because AADSAS literally won't allow more than the allotted characters.

I have no idea. I haven't asked but I know some applicants have asked Noemi about it. Try emailing her and see what she says.

 

[deleted767916]

Does anyone know what per diem and temporary mean for the experiences section?