Dental School Information Sheet
PREPARING FOR DENTAL SCHOOL

Although you should choose a major that interests you and in which you have some talent, most pre-dental students major in biology or chemistry. No matter what you major in, you will need good grades in and a good understanding of biology, chemistry, physics and math. Begin taking chemistry and biology in your freshman year if possible. A grade point average of 3.3 or better and academic scores that average at least 18 and a PAT score of at least 18 on the DAT are important goals. Minimum requirements for most dental schools are one year of biology, two years of chemistry, and one year of physics, with labs, and one year of English. Courses in computer science applications, business and statistics are also valuable. Make time to observe a dental practice while you are an undergraduate. Plan to spend a few hours a week in the practice for a summer or a semester.

THE DENTAL ADMISSIONS TEST (DAT)

The DAT covers biological sciences, general and organic chemistry, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and perceptual ability. Try to complete your chemistry and at least two years of biology before you attempt the DAT. Obtain and study practice tests from the ADEA or other sources. It is particularly helpful to practice the PAT part of the test on a screen. Apply for and take the DAT in the summer before your senior year (regular applicants) You may repeat the DAT if you need to improve your scores, but must allow at least 90 days between attempts.

APPLYING TO DENTAL SCHOOLS

Students should plan to apply to dental schools the summer or fall before their senior year--earlier is better. Students who apply to several schools should apply through AADSAS. Students who are applying only to the SIU SDM may apply directly. The AADSAS application materials are available on-line. Applications for SIU SDM are available from the dental school. Plan to spend a substantial amount of time on your application and especially on your personal statement. Arrange for letters of evaluation to be sent to AADSAS or SIU SDM. Evaluators should be professors (biology, chemistry, English) or others who know you well and can comment on your aptitude and preparation for dental school. Dental schools will call you to schedule an interview if they are interested in your application.

THE BS/DMD COMBINED PROGRAM

The BS/DMD Combined Program is administered through the biology department at SIUE. Freshmen students who matriculate at SIUE, who choose to major in Biology/Medical Science, and who have few or no transferred credits from other schools are eligible to be considered for the program. After consideration of science teacher evaluations and grades achieved during the freshman year, the chief health professions advisor recommends students to the SIU SDM for acceptance into the program. The SIU SDM notifies students who have been accepted into the program. Students' performance during their sophomore year is similarly evaluated for continuation in the program. If continued in the program, students apply to dental school and take the DAT no later than the fall of their junior year. Students who have demonstrated continued excellence and maturity in their classes, as well as on the DAT, are accepted into dental school, at the discretion of the SIU SDM. After successful completion of the first year of dental school, students earn a BS degree from SIUE, and at the end of four years of dental school, a DMD degree from SIU SDM.

More detailed information is available from the American Dental Education Association (web page: http://www.adea.org/) and on Dr. Christina Wilson's web page (http://www.siue.edu/~cbwilso/) (click on Biology Majors and then on Information for Dental School Applicants).