Deadlines, Energy Drinks, and Dental Dreams: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Dental School and HPSP Applications
- ToothOps
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
🎯 Dental school dreams are exciting — until you realize no one gave you a map. Let’s fix that today.
🦷 Dental apps are like cavities: ignore them long enough and they become a full-blown root canal of regret.
Let's Get You Ready for the Journey
If you're preparing for dental school applications—or considering the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)—you might be feeling overwhelmed. A mountain of information can spiral into disbelief. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I wish I had known some key things before I started.
Here are five crucial insights that can shape your path to dental school and make the process a bit easier.
5 Honest Insights I Wish I Knew Before Starting This Journey:
1. Academic Reality Check: Your GPA isn’t everything — but it does open doors.
You don’t need a perfect 4.0, but consistency matters.
Improvement trends matter more than perfection. (Especially if your early semesters were rough.)
DAT scores can compensate a little, but not completely. Start prepping early. Like… now.
2. Financial Reality: Scholarships save lives — and sanity.
Dental school costs about $400k+ total. Yes, four hundred thousand.
HPSP saved me from six-figure student loan debt… but it also comes with service obligations. Read the fine print—twice.
3. Emotional Reality: Comparison will crush your momentum.
Some applicants submit June 1st, others August 30th — and both get interviews.
Focus on your journey, not someone else’s Instagram highlight reel.
Protect your mental health. It’s as crucial as your GPA.
4. AADSAS Application Timeline "Panic" is Normal — But Planning Beats Panic.
The application process is a marathon, not a sprint.
Here’s a simplified, sanity-saving timeline (adapted from ADEA Timeline):
🗓️ Jan–March: Gather letters of recommendation and start drafting your personal statement.
🗓️ April–May: Finalize your personal statement and verify transcript services.
🗓️ June 1: ADEA AADSAS opens. Apply early — aim for the first two weeks!
🗓️ July–Sept: Secondary applications and interview invitations roll in.
🗓️ Sept–Feb: Interview season. Prep using common interview questions.
🗓️ Dec–April: Acceptance offers start arriving.
Bonus Tip: Treat June 1st like your "final boss." Prepare in May.
🚀 Bonus: HPSP Application Timeline (After AADSAS Submission)
🗓️ June–July: Begin reaching out to your local military recruiter (Air Force, Army, Navy).
🗓️ July–August: Start your HPSP application paperwork ASAP. (It’s a lot!)
🗓️ August–September: Complete required physical exams, including MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station).
🗓️ October–December: General HPSP application deadlines. (Varies by branch, but spots can fill early!)
🗓️ Ongoing: Stay in close communication with your recruiter—the entire process takes longer than you think.
Pro Tip: MEPS and paperwork can take months, so starting early is critical if you want to secure a scholarship offer.
5. HPSP Myth Busting: It's amazing... if you're realistic.
Free tuition, a monthly stipend, and health insurance are absolute lifesavers.
In return, you’ll owe military service time (minimum four years post-grad).
Military life isn’t for everyone — and that’s OK. Research BEFORE committing.
Call To Action (CTA):
👇🏻 Ready to avoid caffeine-fueled panic attacks and actually stay ahead of your dental school applications?
P.S. Your future DDS/DMD self will thank you.
🚀Onward to Your Dreams
With careful preparation and an understanding of the essential elements, you can tackle any process with assurance.
Remember, it's important not just to submit applications but to construct a future that excites you. Take a breath, embrace the experience, and keep chasing those dental dreams.
What would you add to this list? I’m always learning from you guys 🦷💬