Your Pre-Dental Planner

Freshman Year


What should you major in? 

You can major in anything as long as you take all of the pre-requisites! 

All dental schools require the following classes: 

• Biology with Lab

• Inorganic Chemistry with Lab

• Organic Chemistry with Lab

• Physics with Lab

• Most require that you take a semester of English (usually writing-based)

Many also recommend these classes:

• Anatomy

• Biochemistry

• Psychology

• Mathematics

It's to your advantage to take a class or two in Business, Art, a Foreign Language, Humanities and Social Studies, and Psychology. 

Begin by taking your introductory classes - Introduction to Biology, Chemistry, Calculus. Focus on getting involved in school. Start finding things that you are interested I'm, whether it be Student government, learning new languages, ballroom dancing, or playing tennis. Take this opportunity to adjust to being at college, and start making connections everywhere you go. Begin developing the schedule you will need to stick to in order to be successful. If you feel your grades slipping, make sure to see out help through tutoring services or office hours. Consider joining any dental-related organizations on campus.


Beginning in November / December, begin looking into Summer Enrichment programs for pre-dental students. These are a great way to get exposure to the career path and the dental student lifestyle. Most programs open their applications in January to these programs. It's important that you have a few professors that you feel comfortable asking for letters of recommendation at this point. If you have time, begin either shadowing or volunteering a few hours a week. I would recommend acquiring a few textbooks that cover the materials you will be learning the. following semester so that you can be ahead of the game when the school year starts.

Now is also a good time to get in contact with alumni or other professionals that have gone on to have in career in the dental field. Look into finding resources to answer questions, give advice, or help you find internship or shadowing opportunities. When you go home for breaks, take the chance to ask some local dentists some of your questions.


Sophomore Year

Congrats! You survived Freshman Year and dining hall food (hopefully). This year will be tougher than freshman year because your classes are now going to be more in depth. You should be taking the upper level courses that are next in your curriculum, including - Organic Chemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Lab courses, Human Physiology, Anatomy, Zoology, and a few English or writing courses. If you make a connection with any teachers, make sure to ask them to write you letters of recommendation that they can send to your Pre-health Board to hold onto for you until you are ready to apply. It's important that you start attending any open houses or day events that the schools you are interested in are hosting. Feel free to take a few low-stress trips to visit some dental schools in your free time. If you didn't have the chance to do a summer enrichment program, this summer is the perfect opportunity. Also, start increasing the amount of shadowing and volunteer work you do. Focus on becoming a well-rounded student with interesting experiences to bring to the table. 

Look into getting involved in research on your campus. Start considering if you are planning on taking a gap year or hoping to go straight through. Begin collecting your letters of recommendation and researching the prerequisites of the colleges you want to attend. Most schools want you to have over a 3.0 at least by this point. If you feel that you are not ready to apply yet, that is completely okay. Focus on becoming a strong candidate by focusing on academics and hands-on experience. By the spring semester, you should have a list of about 5-10 schools that you are seriously considering applying to. Make sure to check them out, talk to their admissions counselors, and attend any of their fairs. Do A LOT of online research when you have time.

If your college has a dental school, or if there is one nearby, look to see if there are any summer opportunities or research positions available. Your advisor may be able to look for other opportunities closer to home. If you are having trouble finding places, reach out to the local, state, and national dental organizations. A local dentist may let you volunteer or observe in their office. 

Junior Year

Most student choose to take Physics this year since it is required for Dental School but is not on the DAT. Most pre-health students feel that they cannot study abroad due to the rigidity of their schedule. However, if you choose to, the fall is the best time to go. 

Now is also when you begin to prepare to take the DAT, the Dental Admissions Test. First, you have to apply though ADA to be eligible to take the exam, then you will schedule your test date. You should aim to take your exam before July 1 at the latest, because applications open the first week on June and the early bird catches the worm. Also, it takes a minimum of 3 weeks to get your scores, so keep that in mind. Begin collecting all the materials you will need to begin studying, and make a strict, structured study schedule. Ideally, you should start studying around spring break. Get copies of your transcript and your letters of recommendation (at least 4), take your entrance exam, and begin applying!! One recommendation should be from a dentist you were shadowing with, and at least one should be from a science professor. Keep in mind that professors get asked to write many letters, so ask early! Make sure to supply all necessary forms, due dates, stamped and addressed envelopes, and ideally a copy of your resume and transcript. A good idea is to follow up with a thank you note a few days before the recommendation is due as a gentle reminder and a gesture of your gratitude. 

By now, you should have a list narrowed down to around 5 schools that you definitely want to apply to. 3 weeks after you take your exam, you can call ADA/ AADSAS to get your scores confirmed.

Senior Year

This semester will hopefully be a blur of schoolwork and interviews. Don't slack off because dental schools will review this year even after admitting you, and you don't want to have to stay an extra semester and postpone graduation (and your entry to dental school). Start practicing mock interviews with the Professional department at your school and make sure you have proper attire to wear. This year would also be a good time to get a research project done or article published. Begin completing your forms for financial aid. Send thank-you notes to people you interviewed with or whoever sent in recommendations for you. Hope and wish for the best!