Pre-Dentistry

Students should consult frequently with Dr. Pomeroy-Black in addition to their primary advisors for their majors. The pre-dental student should select a major as early as possible and work toward the B.S. degree.

The pre-dental student should be familiar with the specific requirements set by the dental schools to which he or she plans to apply, especially as it applies to upper-level Biology courses. There is some variation in the requirements of the various schools, but 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 3.5-3.6.
  • a minimum score of 17 on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) no later than September 30 preceding the year of entry.
  • 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)
    • Biochemistry, with lab (4 semester hours)
    • Physics, with lab (4-8 semester hours)
  • 100-300 shadowing hours

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