Pre-Dentistry

Pre-dental students should consult with Dr. Pomeroy-Black in addition to their primary advisors for their majors. The pre-dental student should complete the required Principles of Biology courses as early as possible to provide flexibility in future course selections.

Pre-dental students should be familiar with the specific requirements set by the dental school(s) to which they plan to apply. The minimum requirements set by most schools of dentistry are:

  • a minimum GPA of 2.8, with a “C” or better in all courses.The average GPA is 3.5-3.7.
  • the following courses:
    • Principles of Biology, with lab (8 semester hours)
    • General Chemistry, with lab (8 semester hours)
    • Organic Chemistry, with lab (8 semester hours)
    • Physics, with lab (4-8 semester hours)
    • One upper-level Biology course.  Recommended Biology courses include Immunology, Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Embryology, Genetics, Cell Physiology, and Neurobiology.  
  • demonstration of leadership in college and/or community organizations
  • a minimum score of 16-17 on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).  The average score is 19-21.
  • shadowing hours (number varies by school)
  • letters of evaluation
  • personal statement

Students should keep records of dates, duration, and types of experience when shadowing or completing paid work in a dental setting. 

Courses in the arts and social sciences, such as Scuplture and Psychology, are strongly recommended.