You love root canals <3, and want to specialize in the root anatomy for your profession? Here's some insight on the endo PASS application to help future applicants :) (and some personal tips on how I was accepted into my first cycle applying to become an endodontist). Endodontic specialty applications are COMPETITIVE, but honestly so are dental school applications, so you've got this!
90% of endo programs participate in the ADEA PASS: https://pass.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login.
PASS opens every mid-May to commence the beginning of the application cycle. With all specialty program applications, it is imperative to apply early, so have all of your documentation ready before the application even opens up. By apply early, I mean submit it ASAP within the first month of the application cycle opening. Some programs start interviewing as early as July, so submitting within the May-early June timeframe is crucial and beneficial to your application.
PASS application opens May 10, 2023 for the current cycle.
Checklist for early document preparation for the PASS application:
NBDE Scores sent to PASS: https://dts.ada.org/login/login__ADA.aspx (~$45: send to ADEA PASS)
Evaluations- most schools require three letters of recommendation. Ask dentists/endodontists that you know before May if they could write you a letter of recommendation, this way they have it ready to submit once the application opens up. Evaluations are submitted through the ADEA PASS portal via email link. (I personally had four letters of recommendation. 1 was from the endo pre-doc director from my dental school, another endodontist I worked with who worked at the dental school, one of the deans of the dental school who I knew well, and my clinic team leader who also knew me well. Having at least one endodontist within the dental school system write your letter of recommendation is helpful to your application)
Transcripts- download the ADEA Transcript Request Form from your ADEA portal. Ask your school to include this form when they send your transcript to the ADEA PASS.
Institution Evaluation- sent by your dental school through the ADEA PASS portal and includes information like your class rank. Email your academic dean to please expect the email once the cycle opens up and introduce them to what specialty you are applying to
Compile a list of experiences, achievements, employments, and extracurricular activities with dates
Prepare a personal statement
Prepare an additional information paragraph- this is a separate section in the application where you can write a brief summary detailing more about you that may have not been included in your application or personal statement. This is an optional section of up to 600 words to expand on your interests, activities, or goals so schools can get to know you better
Have a CV prepared to upload
Have a copy of your dental school diploma (some schools may ask for it)
Have a 2x2 professional headshot ready to upload onto PASS (some schools make ask for it)
(example CV: other headers not shown- work experience, awards, professional affiliations, community involvement, certifications, shadowing experience)
More things to consider as an endo applicant:
-GPR vs. Working Experience:
Deciding to complete a general residency program (GPR) or determining how many years you should work before applying to endo is a large factor into potential program acceptance. There are many endo programs that require GPRs or will not take you seriously as an applicant without a GPR. Furthermore, most programs do favor work experience, but there are many exceptions to the rule. If you want to feel strong as an applicant, completing a GPR will increase your chances. It will not guarantee acceptance, but it does aid in making your application stand out. GPRs also help by gaining valuable connections with program directors that can write excellent recommendation letters.
Personally, I did not complete a GPR as I always knew I wanted to go straight to work after dental school. I did feel by not completing a GPR it did hinder my application strength and limited what schools I could apply to since some programs require residency. As far as work experience, I applied the same year I graduated dental school (May 2020). So I applied with essentially no real world work experience, but started endo residency with a year of work experience in July 2021.
-ADAT
The advanced dental admissions test can be a pretty stressful exam and is similar to studying for boards or the DAT again (with different emphasis on dental school material). Some applicants opt to take an ADAT prep course to help prepare for the exam, which is an additional expense but definitely helpful.
*An awesome ADAT prep course is https://www.crackadat.com/, discount code ANASTASIA20*.
The ADAT is 200 questions and costs about $350 (now around $400 since I wrote this original post in 2020). Similar to completing a GPR, taking the ADAT and doing well on the exam does boost your application and schools will favor you as an applicant. Some endo schools absolutely require the ADAT and will not look at your application without completion of the exam. Schools that require the ADAT change every year, so it's important to look up this information on programs' websites before the application cycle begins.
Again personally, I did not take the ADAT. Not taking the exam did hinder my application as far as what schools I could apply to and application strength. It did not prevent my acceptance in the end though, so it was something I saved on financially.
-Interview
Endo interview days usually involve some sort of social/lunch with the current residents, as well as interviews with the faculty. To help prepare for interviews, it helps to compile a list of commonly asked interview questions and draft responses on a word document. Practice answering these questions out loud and then record yourself on video answering these questions. Video recording helps to re-watch responses and study body language. Practicing in front of a family member as a mock interview setting is also beneficial to help with nerves. Have them tweak responses so they can be more concise and effective.
Essentially, I used the above methods to help control my nerves so I could be better prepared for interviews. I had a non-dental family member practice interviewing with me to help me focus mostly on being a strong interviewer. Day of the interview I practiced the questions on video one last time early the morning.
My endo interview day was on zoom since travel was not save with COVID. It was definitely a weirder experience not being in person with all the residents and faculty. Our school tour was in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, so we were unable to see all aspects of the school/tour. But having interviews on zoom helped all applicants save on traveling expenses, which was a huge plus.
Common interview questions:
Tell me about yourself?
Why did you want to become a dentist?
Why do you want to become an endodontist?
What differentiates you from other candidates? How will you contribute to our program?
3 strengths? 3 weaknesses?
Give an example of teamwork?
Why our school/program?
Do you handle criticism well?
What has been your greatest success? What has been your greatest failure?
Explain a time you had a disagreement with someone?
Who has been your greatest influence?
If you could go to dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and why?
Are you active in organized dentistry?
What topics of research are you interested in?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Any questions for us? Any last minute comments?
(Underlined questions are ones I was asked during my interview)
My most important tip for applying to endodontic programs: APPLY ASAP, EARLY, THE EARLIER THE BETTER. Interviews and acceptances are sent out by programs in a rolling admissions basis. Some programs hold interviews as early as July, so even though you may be a great applicant, if you apply too late after interview spots are sent out, programs may not be able to offer you an opportunity. So the sooner you apply, the earlier schools begin reviewing your application, which then may lead to an increased chance of being offered an interview spot.
Each endodontic program is so different in what they are looking for in their applicants. Some want more emphasis on work experience, while others prefer applicants who recently finished school/GPR so they are still in the learning mentality, and others are focused on research. The most important thing is to be yourself and answer the questions truthfully, because program directors will follow up on topics if they want to see your true interest. No school/program director is alike and there's no guaranteed set way to get into a program.
Overall, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and experiences/achievements can really solidify your application. I had four letters of rec, two of which were from endodontists I worked closely with in dental school. A strong personal statement gives your application a voice and can be used to showcase to schools why endo is truly your passion, so take your time with it and send your writing to multiple people for edits so you can make sure its perfect.
Finally, students interested in endo can also chose to shadow at different programs and meet program directors early before applications. This shows program directors your passion in the field and can help put a face to applications. Taking the extra step to show commitment can pay off. You can also attend the annual AAE meeting to meet other attendings, residents, endodontists, and program directors. Visiting the AAE meeting can be a beneficial aspect to your application, but it is not necessary or required.
My personal endo journey: I didn't recognize my passion for endodontics until my last year of dental school. As a result, I applied at the end of D4 year in May 2020.
I did not apply for a GPR prior, and when I was applying to endo I had just started working in private practice that month. I only applied to 5 endo programs because location was important for me. Of the 5, I received interview offers from Stony Brook and Columbia (I applied during 2020 when most schools were waiving the ADAT requirement due to COVID). I deferred the Columbia interview after I was accepted in July to Stony Brook's program. Point is, it is possible to be accepted into endo without GPR, ADAT, or years of work experience... But I did work hard in dental school and achieved as much as I possibly could during my early professional years, which I think was showcased well in my application and personal statement and ultimately led to my acceptance. I worked hard in all four years of dental school, was a part of the endo honors program, and won an endodontic student award during D4 year that I believe all helped me gain entry into an endo program.
Whatever your own path or journey may be, remember to believe in yourself. You have worked hard to be where you are right now, and that is commendable.