Dental student recruitment

A seven-step student recruitment program employed in a dental school is described. The program comprises (1) a marketing survey, (2) a plan based upon information derived from the survey, (3) recruiting materials, (4) a "Recruitment Partners" program using alumni throughout the state, (5) publicity in state high schools and colleges, (6) recruiting in target high schools and colleges, and (7) a mailing list for follow-up with prospective applicants. The initial response to the program has been encouraging. The recruiting materials have been well received, more than 100 alumni dentists are now serving as active Recruitment Partners and are using the recruiting materials in their local high schools and colleges, and over 300 reply cards have been received from interested high schools and college students. A final evaluation of the program in three years will assess its impact on the number of dental school applicants.