Preparation for dental school involves engaging in experiences that develop and demonstrate skills in communication, leadership, community service, research, and familiarity with the dental profession. What you do with your time helps define who you are in your application. Dental schools will learn what you care about and who you are through experiences that align with your interests and goals. Keep in mind that activities complement your coursework, but will not compensate for low grades. Both are important!

• Keep a detailed record of all hours and experiences — document contact information and reflections on each activity. Most students will create an Excel spreadsheet to track experiences. 
• All activities should be completed during your undergraduate study.
• Try to complete activities consistently throughout the school year.
• Be intentional and deliberate in planning your experiences, so you are prepared to apply when the time comes.

When considering the time needed to accrue the necessary types of extracurricular hours, it is strongly recommended that you utilize your flex semester to leave campus and travel home or to another location where these hours can be obtained in bulk without the need to worry about classes at the same time. This should free you to focus on academics and other needs while you are on campus.

Shadowing

Shadowing should be one of your first experiences as a pre-dental student. Observing dentists in action will help you gather the information you need to commit to the profession fully. It is a good idea to shadow both general dentists and specialists. Shadowing requires professional dress and conduct.

Competitive applicants shadow at least 4-5 different dentists and accumulate a minimum of 100 hours of shadowing.

Community Service

Because you are preparing for a humanitarian profession, it is important to have volunteer experiences that demonstrate a consistent and long-term commitment to serving others in your community. Look for service opportunities with an underserved population, in your community, on campus, or in a humanitarian setting. Volunteer activities should be meaningful to you. Quality of the experience is more important than quantity.

Competitive applicants complete at least 3 different experiences and gain 300-400 hours of volunteer experience during their undergraduate study—this is in addition to any church service.

Leadership Experience

As a dentist, you will be a leader in many ways. Professional schools admit students who have experience making and recognizing the consequences of their decisions. Leadership involves teamwork and builds solid communication skills. Examples of leadership could be mentoring, tutoring, society presidencies, student government, in a job, coaching, or church callings.

Competitive applicants complete 2-3 different experiences and gain 100-200 hours. At least half of your hours need to be non-church related.

Research Experience

Dental schools desire applicants who understand scientific literature, know how research is performed and can distinguish credible research. Any research, as long as it is hypothesis-based and utilizes the scientific method can build your experience. As you do research, make sure you understand the hypothesis, the procedure, and your responsibility in the project. You can count research projects done in your courses or participate in research through faculty-directed work, Idaho INBRE, the UC-Davis internship, or other internships nationwide.

Not required for dental school, but makes you a more competitive applicant.

Patient Exposure

Interacting well with patients is one of the key indicators of a successful future provider. While dental schools do not require hours, it can make you more competitive. Hours in a dental facility are preferred.

Not required for dental school, but makes you a more competitive applicant.

Hobbies

While dental schools do not have requirements for hobbies, they are interested in well-rounded students who know how to balance work with recreation. Hobbies and interests can make your application unique to you.

"Double-Dipping"

To be competitive, you should strive to meet the requirements in each individual area. One activity should not be counted in two areas. This is called “double-dipping,” and makes it appear you are not taking the time to develop yourself fully. While an activity may be both volunteer and leadership, you will list the experience as a single experience on your application—recognizing there may be overlap in some experiences.

Helpful Websites And Resources

• The American Dental Education Association

The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is a multiple-choice standardized test that all pre-dental students must take prior to matriculating into American or Canadian dental schools. It is a computer-based exam that takes approximately 5 hours to complete and can be administered at any Prometric testing center on almost any day of the year. The DAT is designed to measure how successful an individual will be in dental school.

What content does the DAT contain?

The DAT is broken down into four sections:

1. Survey of Natural Sciences
2. Perceptual Ability
3. Reading Comprehension
4. Quantitative Reasoning

How is the DAT scored?

The DAT is scored on a 1 to 30 scale. For each section of the test, the actual number of multiple-choice questions you answer correctly per section is your raw score. All multiple-choice questions are worth the same amount—one raw point—and there’s no penalty for incorrect answers. That means you should always fill in an answer for every question whether you have time to fully invest in that question or not. Never let time run out on any section without filling in an answer for every question.

Competitive scores are:

What Classes Should I Complete Before Taking The DAT?

BIO 180, BIO 181, CHEM 105, CHEM 106, CHEM 351, CHEM 352, ENG 301, MATH 109 (or MATH 110x and MATH 111), and MATH 221B are all foundational courses to prepare you for the DAT.

What Are The Costs Associated With Taking The DAT?

The DAT costs $525. There may be other fees for extra score reports or rescheduling fees.

The costs for study materials, travel, and the exam can be between $500-$2500, depending on if you choose to self-study or purchase programs and materials.

There is a fee assistance program. You can find information about waiver requirements at ADA.org/DAT.

Fee waivers are granted on a first-come, first serve basis at the beginning of each calendar year to eligible candidates who have submitted the required documents. Fee waivers will be granted beginning on January 1.

How Do I Register For The DAT?

Before you can apply to take the DAT or apply for admission to a dental school, you must obtain a Dental Personal Identification Number (DENTPIN®). You can register for a new DENTPIN® or retrieve an existing DENTPIN® at ADA.org/DENTPIN.

The DENTPIN® is a unique personal identifier for individuals involved with the U.S. dental education system and standardized testing programs.

Where Do I Take The DAT?

The DAT is administered by Prometric, Inc. at Prometric testing centers in the United States. The DAT is also administered in Canada. A list of test centers is available at Prometric.com. If your application is approved, you will receive an email with scheduling instructions. You can visit the Prometric website or call 800.688.5804 to schedule a testing appointment. The Prometric contact center will NOT schedule your appointment before receiving authorization from the DAT Program.

How Do I Prepare For The DAT?

Give yourself at least two to four months to study for the DAT. Many sources recommend 200–250 hours. For example, you could plan on three hours per day, five days per week, for three to four months. It can help to find a DAT study buddy who can help you stay motivated and on task. Additional ideas to help:

• Take two or three real-time simulated practice tests—this is the best way to most accurately replicate the conditions you will experience on test day.
• Focus on fundamental concepts.
• Study efficiently by creating a study calendar and focusing extra time on subjects you find difficult.
• Study one subject at a time. By focusing on one subject, you will be able to digest the material quickly and effectively.
• Get into a routine and ensure you continue to sleep and eat well.
• Visit the American Dental Association (ADA) website for practice tests and the DAT Guide.

There are multiple test prep courses available. When deciding between the courses, consider the following:

• Cost: compare what resources will be available through each test prep course for the expense.
• Location: some test prep courses are only available online while other test preps will have in-person classes or tutoring available.
• Teaching Style and Structure: Compare the length of the programs, the teaching style, and how the programs are structured.

Helpful Resources And Websites

• ASDA resource DAT preparation

US dental schools admit students once a year in the fall, but applications are submitted 12-15 months before the desired dental school enrollment date. Applications open each year in May for the following year admission. For example, if you apply in June 2024, it is for admission in Fall 2025.

When you apply depends on when you will complete your degree, complete necessary prerequisite coursework, and successfully take the DAT. Timing is sensitive, so you will want to plan well. Apply early in the cycle, but make sure your application is the best it can be. Dental school requirements vary from school to school — research schools early for specific information on their requirements. Before submitting your application, have people with an unbiased eye go over the entire application to catch any errors.

Dental School Application process includes 5 main components:

1. The Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
2. Primary Application
3. Letters of Recommendation
4. Secondary Applications
5. Interviews

The Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

The DAT is administered year-round at Prometric Testing Centers. The closest testing site to BYUI is Idaho State University. Taking the exam by spring will enable you to apply earlier in the cycle.

You can obtain the most updated information from ADA.org.

Primary Application

Primary Applications are processed through a central processing service and can be sent to every school affiliated with the service. The application service for dental school is called AADSAS.

The application opens online in mid-May each year to allow applicants to start building applications and can be submitted the first week in June. It is important to apply early!

READ ALL INSTRUCTION MANUALS AND DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!

AADSAS requires:

• Your DAT score.
• A list of all college classes taken, as well as official transcripts from each college where you have earned credit.
• A list and descriptions of your activities since graduating from high school.
• A Personal Statement outlining your motivation for pursuing a career as a dentist.
• Letters of Recommendation.

NOTE: To help us advise other students, we would appreciate it if you would release your statistical information from your applications to the Health Professions Advisor when prompted. This information will always be kept confidential.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a very important piece of your application and should be given a high degree of attention in the process. You can begin creating your first draft at any time, but serious work should be done a few months before applying. A personal statement is about you and your motivation for pursuing a career as a dentist.

PLEASE NOTE, your audience has more dental knowledge and knows what it is like to be a dental professional. Don’t try to impress them with your knowledge of the field.

Get feedback! Have 3 or 4 people you can trust to be honest with you (professor, doctor, parent, advisor, etc.) read your essay and offer feedback. Give yourself plenty of time to make revisions.

A great personal statement will answer the following:

• Motivation - Why dentistry?  Why dentistry over another helping profession?
• Capacity - How have you prepared to become a dentist? 
• Fit -  What makes you a good fit for the profession? 
• Vision - What impact do you wish to make?  

GENERAL PERSONAL STATEMENT DOs AND DONT's:

DO answer the question, “Why dentistry?”

DO concentrate more on actual experiences rather than speculation about future accomplishments.

DO focus more on what you can give rather than on what you can get by becoming a dentist.

DO “show” more than “tell.”

DO limit the number of “I” statements you use.

DO share your background if it is appropriate.

DO describe meaningful experiences.

DO pay careful attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

DO pay attention to the character count (4500).

DO NOT use the “I want to help people” theme if possible.

DO NOT devote too much space to writing about other people (family, patients, a dentist you know).

DO NOT summarize or merely repeat what is on the activity list on your primary application.

DO NOT use overly flowery language or words you do not know how to use.

DO NOT use your essay to criticize dentistry today.

DO NOT assume everyone knows what you know.

DO NOT try to make jokes.

DO NOT use a foreign language.

DO NOT begin your essay with a quote.

Letters Of Recommendation

AADSAS has a service that allows your letter writers to upload your letter directly to the application and have them distributed to all schools to which you have applied. Options to have your letters uploaded:

• Use the letter service offered by AADSAS
• Use a letter holding service like Interfolio.com which allows you to collect all your letters in one place and send them when you are ready to apply.

Requirements for letters vary between schools, so research schools early and know what you need. Most schools require 3 or 4 letters.

Requesting Letters of Recommendation

• Ask if potential writers feel capable of writing a STRONG letter. If anyone is hesitant, you should probably try someone else.
• Ask if recommenders would welcome any written background material. You could include a brief biographical sketch or resume, your interests and activities, career goals, and motivation toward your intended profession.
• Always give recommenders ample time. Two to three weeks at a minimum.
• Make sure letter writers know their letters must be signed and on letterhead
• Follow-up with your letter writers and be sure to send thank you notes.

Secondary Applications

Once dental schools receive your Primary Application, they will send out Secondary Applications. These are specific to each school, and vary in length and structure, but often require one or more additional essays, or ask you to list certain experiences in a specific format. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.

Some schools send Secondary Applications to every student who submitted a Primary Application. Other schools will screen Primary Applications first and only send Secondary Applications to students who are under consideration for admission.

Secondary Applications usually have a fee attached, so it is a good idea to re-evaluate your list of schools at this point. If you have changed your mind about applying to a school, you do not have to complete their Secondary Application.

Make sure you promptly return your Secondary Applications with well-written, thoughtful, and professional responses.

Interviews

The final stage of the application process is the interview. If you receive an invitation for an interview, that is an indication that a school has decided that you are a qualified applicant and they want to get to know you better. Most dental schools hold “interview days” where they bring in a group of applicants for a day that may consist of some or all of the following: Interviews, lunch, a school tour, and opportunities to meet students and faculty. Remember, the entire day is the interview, not just those times when you are in a formal meeting. Be on your best professional behavior all day!

Interviews can take many forms, so it is essential to research your schools and be prepared. A Health Professions Advisor can help you with preparation tips and practicing your interviewing skills.

The most common types of interviews are:

• One on one interview—Usually one or two 20-30 minutes interviews
• Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)—7-10 rooms with a different prompt or scenario posted on the door. You are typically given 2 minutes to think about the prompt before entering a room, and 5-8 minutes to respond to the question.  Additional questions or a role play situation could be part of the interview.
• Group interview—Either one applicant interviewed by several interviewers, or a group of applicants interviewed by one or more interviewer.
• Zoom Interview—More schools are implementing video interviews. Before the interview, applicants are sent a link to a site like Zoom, Teams, HireVue, etc., where they will be asked to provide a timed video or written response to questions.

• Applications are submitted 12-15 months before the desired dental school enrollment date. Applications can be submitted in June for the following year.
• It is helpful to create a timeline for yourself when applying to dental school.  Having an academic plan, a plan to complete extra-curricular activities, and a plan for test preparation all contribute to your timeline. The ADEA website has a general timeline that covers an applicant’s four years at a college or university.

Preparing To Apply

• Talk to the potential writers of your Letters of Recommendation. Give them plenty of time to write the letters.
• Continue with your volunteer, shadowing, or research activities until you have received an acceptance letter from a dental school.  Do not stop these activities until you have an official offer of admission. It may take more than one application cycle to gain admission, so you need to be continually improving your application until you do.
• Prepare for and take the DAT – Register for the DAT and take it by the end of May in the year you submit your dental school application.
• Consult the ADEA Offical Guide to Dental Schools.  Always confirm school-specific requirements by checking each school’s website directly.
• Consider subscribing to the Online ADEA Dental School Explorer.  A subscription is $25 for a year.
• Continue to save money for the application process.

Application Timeline

DENTAL SCHOOL APPLICATION TIMELINE (PDF)

International students are students who are not green card holders or permanent residents. A permanent resident is generally considered the same as a US resident for application purposes. International students not holding a green card can be accepted to some US dental schools. Only a limited number of schools will accept non-resident international students. If an international student is accepted, schools have policies that may require a student to show evidence of their capacity to pay tuition above and beyond the INS requirements for an I20. Some schools may expect the student to pre-pay tuition for the entire four years or create an escrow account for these funds. Some institutions will accept loans co-signed by a US citizen.

International students do not qualify for Federal Financial Aid, but a few institutions may provide merit scholarships.

Research Schools And Plan Accordingly

Not all US dental schools accept international students. Each school is different, and it is imperative that you check individual admissions websites to view policies regarding international applicants, coursework requirements, financial requirements, etc.

Create A Financial Plan For Dental Schools

Dental school is an expensive endeavor. The average cost of attending a 4 year program can range from $160,000 to $450,000. International non-resident students do not qualify for Federal Financial Aid so consider alternate options. For instance, some institutions offer school-specific loan programs. Additionally, some major banks offer private student loans to international applicants, but you would need to have a co-signer who is a citizen of the US.

The key is to evaluate the available options and have a plan in place before starting school.

Most Important, Make Yourself A Competitive Applicant

This really is the key to the whole process.

Achieve high grades in your prerequisite coursework. Study diligently for the DAT and secure a competitive score.

When you apply, it is imperative there are no gaps in your application.

Helpful Website And Resources

• Go Dental for International Students