Dental school is one of the popular pathways for graduates of a Tiber Health University Partner MSMS program. Like medicine, pursuing a career in dentistry requires careful planning, academic preparation, and a strong application strategy—but there are a few key differences.
Below are answers to common questions college students have about applying to dental school, including guidance for those whose undergraduate GPA is not as competitive.
1. What are the prerequisites for dental school?
Most dental schools require the following coursework:
- Biology with lab
- General chemistry with lab
- Organic chemistry with lab
- Physics with lab
- English or composition courses
Some schools may also request anatomy, physiology, microbiology, or biochemistry. Because requirements vary by institution, it is essential to review the admissions criteria for each program to which you plan to apply.
2. What GPA do I need to get into dental school?
Historical data suggests that competitive applicants generally present an overall GPA around 3.67 and a science GPA around 3.59. However, admissions committees review applications holistically, considering factors such as the Dental Admission Test (DAT), personal statements, recommendation letters, and extracurricular involvement.
You can find annual reports about GPAs for students who were accepted to dental school, along with DAT scores and other details, at the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) website.
3. How important is the Dental Admission Test (DAT)?
The DAT is a critical component of your application and is often weighed as heavily as GPA. A strong score can offset a lower GPA and demonstrate academic readiness for the rigors of dental school coursework.
The DAT’s scoring rubric changed for the 2025-2026 admission cycle. It used to be scored on a scale of 1-30. Now it’s scored on 200–600. Historical data shows that most dental students need an overall average score of 21 (old system) or 440 (new system) to be accepted to dental school. (Again, the ADEA has graphs and data you can review to get the latest information.)
4. What extracurricular activities strengthen an application?
Committees seek evidence of well-rounded preparation, which typically includes:
- Dentist shadowing (often 100+ hours is recommended)
- Community service and volunteering
- Leadership roles in student organizations
- Research experience (optional, but beneficial for some schools)
As with preparing for medical school, sustained, meaningful involvement is more impactful than participation in a large number of short-term activities.
5. What should I include in my personal statement for dental school?
A strong personal statement should:
- Clearly articulate your motivation to pursue dentistry
- Highlight formative experiences in patient care, volunteering, or shadowing
- Demonstrate resilience, empathy, and commitment to healthcare
- Provide insight into your character beyond your academic record
Read our tips on writing a good personal statement for medical school for more specific advice—the same principles apply for dental school, too.
6. Is research experience required for dental school?
Research experience is less commonly required for dental school applicants compared to medical school applicants. However, research experience can be advantageous, particularly if you’re interested in academic or research-oriented dental careers.
Most dental schools, however, place greater emphasis on patient-focused experiences such as shadowing and clinical exposure.
7. What should I do if I have a low undergraduate GPA?
Don’t panic—many students with lower GPAs have successfully gotten into dental school. Here are strategies to improve your chances:
- Retake key courses: If you struggled in science prerequisites, retaking them and earning higher grades can show growth and academic improvement.
- Pursue a post-baccalaureate or master’s program: Special master’s programs (SMPs) or post-bacc programs are designed to give students a second chance to prove academic readiness. Success in these programs can outweigh a lower undergrad GPA.
- Score high on the DAT: A strong DAT score can demonstrate that you have the academic ability, even if your GPA doesn’t fully reflect it.
- Gain extensive dental experience: Show your commitment through shadowing, volunteering, and dental-related work (e.g., dental assistant, lab tech).
- Highlight upward trends: Admissions committees often look for improvement over time. If your grades got stronger in your junior and senior years, emphasize that.
- Craft a strong narrative: Use your personal statement and interviews to explain challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learned. Schools respect resilience.
8. When should I apply to dental school?
As with medical school, aspiring dentists should apply to dental school during the summer of their junior year of college—typically after completing organic chemistry classes. The ADEA reports that the application cycle opens around June 1. You’ll apply through ADEA’s Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS—the centralized application service).
It’s best to apply early, as rolling admissions mean spots fill up quickly. You’ll want to start preparing your application in January of your junior year (or start planning for a gap year).
9. How many dental schools should I apply to?
Most students apply to 10–15 schools, depending on competitiveness and location preferences. Research each school’s GPA/DAT averages before deciding.
10. What are dental interviews like?
Dental school interviews vary but usually include traditional Q&A, multiple mini-interviews (MMIs), or a mix. Be prepared to discuss your motivations, ethical scenarios, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
11. What can I do to improve manual dexterity for dental school?
Since all dentists perform delicate procedures in patients’ mouths, having dexterous hands capable of small, precise movements is key—in fact, it is tested on the DAT. The University of Illinois at Chicago’s dental school suggests that hobbies which require fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination can help build your manual dexterity.
These include:
- Playing musical instruments (particularly piano, guitar, and violin)
- Drawing and painting
- Embroidery, sewing, crochet, or knitting
- Carving or sculpting
- Making jewelry or miniatures
- Origami
The Bottom Line on Getting into Dental School
Getting into dental school is not all that different from getting into medical school: you’ll need to have strong academic qualifications, plus evidence of your passion, perseverance, and preparation. Even if your GPA isn’t perfect, there are pathways to success if you focus on growth, perform well on the DAT, and demonstrate clear dedication to dentistry.
Read more about dental school admissions at the links below—or click here to find an MSMS university partner near you!
