Dental Medicine

Thinking of Dental School?

There is no formal “pre-dental” major. Dental schools are interested in broadly educated students who have developed excellent oral and writeen communication skills, good critical thinking skills and are committed to life-long learners. Understanding of the behavioral aspects of medicine is just as important as understanding the science. Your major will not determine your success in applying to dental school. Your interests should determine your choice of major. Majoring in an area that you enjoy is more likely to lead to academic success than pursuing a field for which you have little enthusiasm. Regardless of your major, it is necessary to demonstrate a mastery of science; proficiency in other areas will not compensate for lack of science ability.

The benefits of choosing to major in one of the sciences is that many of the courses required to prepare for clinical medical careers and the associated standardized tests, such as the DAT, can be satisfied as part of the science degree requirements. Therefore, a student can prepare for dental school, while also satisfying degree requirements, without taking too many additional courses.

Undergraduate Preparation  

Preparing for Dental School

Selecting a Major

There is no “pre-dental” major. Dental schools are interested in broadly educated students who have developed excellent writing and speaking skills, possess analytic and synthetic thinking ability, and are enthusiastic, life-long learners. Understanding of the behavioral aspects of medicine is just as important as understanding the science. Your major will not determine your success in applying to dental school.

Your interests should determine your choice of major. Majoring in an area that you enjoy is more likely to lead to academic success than pursuing a field for which you have little enthusiasm. Regardless of your major, it is necessary to demonstrate science ability; proficiency in other areas will not compensate for lack of science ability.

Undergraduate Courses

Besides the minimum science course work (two semesters each of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics), most Dental school requires additional courses in advanced biology. The only dental school in South Carolina is at the Medical University of South Carolina. Specific admissions requirements can be found at the MUSC College of Dental Medicine website.

If you are planning to apply to other dental Schools, you should check their specific requirements sometimes during your sophomore year and discuss those with your advisor.

Requirements for MUSC College of Dental Medicine

Pre-requisite Courses and the courses at the College of Charleston that fulfill these requirements:


General Biology or Zoology


Biol 111 + Biol 111 Lab (4 CH)
Biol 112 + Biol 112 Lab (4 CH)

OR

HONS 151 + 151L (4 CH)

HONS 152 + 152L (4 CH)

General Chemistry Chem 111 + Chem 111 Lab (4 CH)
Chem 112 + Chem 112 Lab (4 CH)
Organic Chemistry Chem 231 + Chem 231 Lab (4 CH)
Chem 232 + Chem 232 Lab (4 CH)
Science Electives  Biochemistry, Microbiology, A & P I and II, Genetics, Histology (8 CH TOTAL)
Physics Phys 101 + Phys 101 Lab (4 CH)
Phys 102 + Phys 102 Lab (4 CH)

or

Phys 111 + Phys 111 Lab (4 CH)
Phys 112 + Phys 112 Lab (4 CH)


 Behavioral Science


Psych 103 and Socy 101  (6 CH)

These courses should be completed no later than the end of your junior year so that you will be prepared for the DAT exam during that summer/early fall.

Personal Preparation

Good grades and test scores are essential factors in determining admissions, but are not the only determinants of success. Students must demonstrate that they have a true interest in their chosen professions and the personal attributes that are highly desirable in a health professional. The applicant will need to articulate to an admissions committee why this career choice is right for them. Health professions schools expect applicants to have sought opportunities in the career in which they are interested.

Students should shadow a dentist and work or volunteer in health-related environments. Since the health careers are service-related professions, students should also explore activities in people-oriented environments. Steady, long term involvement is preferable to short bursts of unrelated activities.

This type of experience not only demonstrates social responsibility, but also helps to builds communication skills and teaches how to deal with a diversity of people. The insight and experiences gained through these activities will help a student compose an application essay that will convince an admissions committee of the worthiness of the applicant. In addition, these activities provide opportunities to acquire meaningful letters of evaluation from non-academic sources that will strengthen the student's application.

Tests and Application   

DAT and Application Process

Dental School Admission Test (DAT)

The DAT standardized test is directed at competencies based in the sciences and comprehensive skills in reading and writing. This test is only administered as a computerized test. Students can register on-line for the DAT. The tests are administered at Prometrics Testing Centers. The DAT is offered almost every month on no specific date, but students must pre-register for the test.

The DAT should be taken during the spring of the junior year or when the student has completed the required science courses. Additional attempts may be made after a 90-day waiting period.

To do well on these tests students must have analytic skills and problem solving ability. Adequate preparation for these tests is essential. A student should prepare to take the test only once however the DAT can be repeated . Dental schools may consider only the highest or the most recent score. To adequately prepare for these tests, students must not only be knowledgeable about content, but must also be familiar with the test format and develop the resilience and stamina needed to concentrate for these marathon length exams.

Application Service (AADSAS) (TMDSAS)

Centralized application services are used to apply to accredited dental schools in the US. The centralized application service for students applying to dental schools in Texas is TMDSAS. Students who apply to any of the professional programs using a centralized service submit one application through the application service. The centralized service verifies the information provided on the application and submits the application to the professional schools designated by the applicant. The verification process may take up to 6 weeks and this time should be factored in when trying to meet application deadlines. Most professional schools require additional information, called a secondary or supplemental application, from the applicant once they receive the student's application from the centralized service. Specific information on deadlines, fees, and participating institutions can be found at the AADSAS website or ADEA. org.

Timetable  

Design an Academic Plan

FIRST YEAR

Fall Semester

Declare a major and get an advisor. Make sure to identify that you are a pre-health profession student on the major declaration form. Make an appointment with your advisor to discuss professional goals and determine an academic game plan to ensure you will have taken all courses needed to prepare for standardized admissions tests in your field of interest by the time you take the exam (usually end of Junior/beginning Senior year). If your department does not have a "pre-med" advisor, make an advising appointment with the chair of the Health Professions Committee (Contact the chair of the Health Profession Committee, Karen Eippert).

Spring Semester

Discuss your academic progress with your advisor. Search for summer jobs and volunteer opportunities in your field of interest. Explore areas of community outreach to establish your humanitarian interests.

First Summer

Work/volunteer to gain insight of your career choice. Get involved in the community.


SECOND YEAR

Fall Semester

Meet with your advisor to discuss your Spring schedule. If you are a pre-vet student you need to establish a list of potential schools to which you will apply and identify all prerequisite courses to discuss with your advisor. Pre-pharmacy students (if you are on the 2-year plan) register and take PCAT and start filling out applications for Pharmacy School. Continue volunteer work in your field to whatever degree manageable during the academic year.

Spring Semester

Discuss your academic progress with your advisor and adjust your academic plan, as needed. Explore career options and alternatives, if your GPA is not adequate or your career interests have changed.

Second Summer

Work/volunteer to gain insight of your career choice. Get involved in the community


THIRD YEAR

Fall Semester

Meet with your advisor to discuss Spring schedule. Get organized, order review booklets and practice tests to prepare for standardized exams. Explore various professional schools and determine to which ones you will apply.

Spring Semester

Discuss your academic progress with your advisor. Meet with the chair of the Health Professions Committee to determine if your GPA is competitive and whether or not this is the year you should apply to professional school. (eMail the chair of the Health Profession Committee) Establish a file with the College's Health Professions Committee (forms are available under Health Profession committee services). Start worksheets for on-line centralized application services and/or request applications from schools that do not participate in the centralized application process. Collect materials needed to fill in application and start working on application essay. Apply and study for standardized admissions tests. Check the deadlines and do not miss them. Practice, practice, practice taking the standardized admissions test. Take the standardized admissions test and request that scores be released to the College of Charleston, schools to which you are applying and the application service (if appropriate). Request letters of evaluation from faculty and health professionals who know you well. Make sure to provide each of them with a signed Faculty evaluation form.

Third Summer

Continue to work/volunteer in your field of interest and community outreach projects. Complete your applications and submit early. Early decision program applications must be submitted to the schools by August 1st. Complete your file for the Health Professions Committee. Supply the committee with a copy of your personal statement from your application. Retake standardized admissions tests, if necessary.


FOURTH YEAR

Fall Semester

Meet with your advisor. Get a degree audit and apply for graduation. Make sure your Health Professions Committee File is complete and all your letters of evaluation have been submitted. Respond promptly to requests for secondary applications from each professional school. Prepare for interviews. Interview and wait. Search for sources of financial aid.

Spring Semester

Send updated transcripts directly to the professional schools to which you have applied. Wait for decisions.  Be sure to let the chair of the Health Professions Committee know the final outcome. Discuss alternatives with your advisor.  Meet with the chair of the Health Professions Committee to develop a strategy for reapplying, if necessary.

Letters of Recommendation  

Who should I get to write letters of recommendation?

You want to ask for recommendations from people who know you well and can express with concrete example your intelligence, academic ability, character and potential as a health professional. Obviously, to get such recommendations you must first establish a strong relationship with your evaluator. Early in your academic career it is important to get to know your professors and maintain contact with those who may be potential letter writers. Most professional schools will ask for at least 3 letters of recommendation. Some programs specify from whom the letters should come. It is a good idea to have 2 letters from science faculty. Also, when exploring career possibilities, you want to establish at least one long-term quality experience. It is far better to have one or two quality experiences then to have a long list of superficial exposures to the health profession.

Establishing a Confidential File

Students who plan to apply to Dental, Medical, Optometry, Osteopathic, Pharmacy, Podiatry or Veterinary Schools are encouraged to establish a confidential file with the College’s Pre-Professional Health Advisor. It is extremely important that all materials be submitted in a timely manner. Your file should be complete by the start of your academic senior year (and no later than July 1st for those applying to an early decision program). It is to your advantage to complete the application process as soon as possible, in particular obtaining your confidential letters of evaluation.

Online Resources  

Admission Tests:
  • Dental School DAT
Centralized Application Services:
  • Associated American Dental School Application Service (AADSAS)
Medical Associations:
  • American Dental Association (ADA)
  • American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
Post-baccalaureate Programs:
  • Post-baccalaureate Premedical Programs (Postbac)
Preparatory Programs: Note - These programs are listed for the students convenience and does not imply an endorsement by the College of Charleston or the Health Professions Committee.
  • Kaplan Review Courses (Kaptest)
  • Princeton Review Courses (Review)
  • ScholarWare - software for PCAT, DAT and OAT exams
  • College of Charleston Center for Student Learning (CSL)
Pre-Professional Student Organizations and Resources:
  • Association of Dental Students (ASDA)
Volunteer Opportunities and Summer Programs:

Frequently Asked Questions  

Pre-Requisites, Courses, Choosing a Major

Do I have to be a science major to go to dental school?

No. Your major is not important as long as you complete the pre-requisite course work to satisfy the admissions requirements and prepare for the standardized admissions test in your field of interest. However, you must have a mastery of science and do well in your science pre-requisites to be a competitive candidate.

Will majoring in science give me an advantage in applying to dental school?

Not necessarily. Most medical schools are looking for well rounded students who have an aptitude for science. They do not give preference to science majors. Taking additional science courses may be beneficial in preparing for standardized exams, but the questions in standardized exams are based on knowledge found in introductory level science courses. The additional science background may also be especially helpful for preparation for the first two years of classes in medical school.

Should I minor or take a double major?

Only if you are truly interested in another field of study. There is no evidence that those students who have a second major or minor have a better chance of acceptance into dental school than those who do not.

Should I take a commercial prep course before taking the DAT?

There is no hard evidence that commercial courses produce significant gains in test scores. These courses may benefit students who need the extra motivation to buckle down and study. They do provide the opportunity to take multiple full length practice test in real time situations. Prep assistance for the DAT is available to all C of C students. There are plenty of practice materials available and practice exams are even offered by the AADSAS. The Director of the Center for Student Learning at C of C provides works with students to prepare for the DAT.

Can I take required courses in the summer and/or at another institution?

In general, it is best to take your required courses at your primary academic institution and during the regular school session. Professional schools want to know that a student can handle science courses while taking a normal academic load. If you have a compelling reason, for taking a course during the summer, for example to be able to get the proper course sequence, then do so. You should try, at least, to take the course at your primary institution or one with equivalent academic rigor. Taking your science courses in a piecemeal fashion and at a two-year institution may be looked on with suspicion by health professions schools. You should also check with the appropriate department to see that the credits from another institution will transfer.

Can I get into dental school in less than 4 years?

Yes, however, this is not the norm and is not recommended for most students. The dental school at M.U.S.C. requires a minimum of three years of undergraduate work or 90 hours to matriculate into their programs. However, this requires students to squeeze all their required courses and take the DAT exam by the end of their sophomore year. Four years of undergraduate preparation allows time for students to explore, grow, mature, and have experiences that enrich their lives and make them better dental school candidates. Applications for dental school are at an all time high, so it's important to be well-prepared when applying.

Grades and Standardized Test Scores

If I didn't do well my freshman year, have I ruined my chances for dentall school?

Not necessarily. Dental schools often look at trends in grades. If you can show a turn around in subsequent years, a poor showing in your first year may not have a significant impact on your candidacy. Professional schools may put more importance on your science GPA and DAT scores in your overall academic evaluation.

If I drop a class will it look bad?

Not if it is an isolated incident. However, routinely dropping classes may evoke suspicion that you are not able to handle a rigorous academic load.

If I got a "C" in a required class, should I repeat it?

In some programs, the minimum acceptable grade for a required course is a "C". An isolated "C" isn't the end of your medical school career, but consistent "C" work will result in a GPA that is not competitive. If your overall knowledge in the subject is satisfactory, then you may be better off taking and earning a better grade in another science class to show you are capable of handling upper division science courses.

What grades (GPA) and DAT scores do I need to get into dental school?

Your grades and DAT scores are often used to assess your academic potential. There is no magic cut-off for either score. The two may offset each other, that is, a high GPA can somewhat compensate for a lower DAT and visa versa. To be competitive your scores should be about the same as the average scores of those of the last years entering medical school class. In general, a combination of a GPA of 3.5 (or above) and a total DAT score of 20 (or above) is competitive.

Can I take the DAT multiple times?

Yes. Dental schools have different policies on which scores they will use in calculating your academic profile score (a mathematical calculation involving your GPA and DAT scores). Some schools will use your highest score or most recent score, while others will average all your scores. You should not take the DAT lightly. You should go in fully prepared the first time and hope that it is the only time your will have to take it.

The Application Process

When should I take my DAT and apply to dental school?

Students who want to enter dental school immediately after undergraduate school, should take their DAT in the spring of their junior year and apply to dental school in the fall of their senior year. Dental schools start accepting applications in June, and the earlier you apply the better your chances are. Many schools have rolling admissions, meaning that schools start accepting students as soon as the interview process starts and continues accepting until the class is full. This means the later you apply, the fewer the number available seats there will be. If you do not take the DAT until August your scores will not be available until September. Dental schools will not evaluate your application until they have your DAT scores. Therefore, depending on your August DAT scores can diminish your chances of acceptance.

Who should I get to write letters of recommendation?

You want to ask for recommendations from people who know you well and can express with concrete example your intelligence, academic ability, character and potential as a health professional. Obviously, to get such recommendations you must first establish a strong relationship with your evaluator. Early in your academic career it is important to get to know your professors and maintain contact with those who may be potential letter writers. Most professional schools will ask for at least 3 letters of recommendation. Some programs specify from whom the letters should come. It is a good idea to have 2 letters from science faculty. Also, when exploring career possibilities, you want to establish at least one long-term quality experience. It is far better to have one or two quality experiences then to have a long list of superficial exposures to the health profession.