Pre-Health Career Pathways

Pre-Dental Pathway

Pre-health advising

You are encouraged to meet with a pre-health advisor at least once a semester to discuss options for careers in health care, opportunities to gain relevant experience, discussing the best time to apply, preparation for the DAT (Dental Admission Test), the ADEA AADASAS application, and much more. For more information, schedule an appointment with your advisor.

Overview

Explore Arizona and national health professional school prerequisites, admission requirements, and class profiles
American Student Dental Association-U.S. Dental Schools
ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools.
Most recent copy available in the pre-health library in Student Services.
Arizona Dental Schools Prerequisite Chart

Partnerships/Priority Consideration/Pipeline Programs

ASU/Midwestern University Pipeline for Careers in Health Sciences

Four-year plan

Goals

Maintain a strong GPA and focus on coursework.
Make an appointment with a pre-health advisor and attend the ASU Pre-Health Expo.
Begin to get involved with clubs and student organizations.
Begin volunteering and gaining relevant experience.

Involvement

Volunteer

Goals

While maintaining a high GPA, look into opportunities for research and clinical experience.
Gain clinical experience from a dentist.
Build relationships with professors and professionals as they may become letter writers (4 letters recommended).
Attend pre-health meetings, events, and the ASU Pre-Health Expo.
Begin to look into preparing for the DAT (Studying and Registration).

Clinical experience

Leadership and community service

Study abroad

Global Education Office (Study abroad)

Research

Research (Academic, Basic Sciences, Clinical)

Explore schools

Grade point average

ADEA AADSAS GPA Guidelines
Science and Non-Science breakdown
BCP GPA: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry
Science GPA: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry and Other Science
Non-Science GPA: English, Behavioral Sciences, Non-Science Science and Non-Science breakdown
ADEA GPA Calculator
Grade Repeat Policy at ASU

Goals

Maintain a high GPA and stay involved with campus clubs/organizations, volunteer opportunities, and clinical experience.
Calculate your science and overall GPA to determine your competitiveness.
Begin an internship and start prepping for the DAT (take the DAT by spring of Junior year).
Apply through AADSAS one year prior to when you plan to matriculate. The AADSAS application usually opens and you may submit in June.
Dental schools will start sending supplementary applications. It is important that you are aware of deadlines and complete the supplemental in a timely matter.

Timeline

Prior to January	Begin studying for the DAT and register for a test date.
January	Calculate your science and overall GPA to determine your competitiveness.
February-March	Begin collecting letters of recommendation.
April	Take the DAT no later than April
May	If taking the DAT in April, you will receive your scores in May. Determine schools to apply to, begin filling out AADSAS as the application will become available at the beginning of May.
June	Submit AADSAS as soon as possible. Dental schools typically start receiving submitted and verified application at the end of June.
July-December	You may start receiving supplemental applications or be invited to interview during this time.

Dental admission test (DAT)

Prep courses and practice exams

Register for test date

Taking the Dental Admission Test

ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS)

Review of AADSAS application offered by the pre-health office.

AADSAS Application

Fee assistance program

ADEA AADSAS Fee Assistance Program

Texas application service

Students applying to medical schools in Texas will need to complete the TMDSAS

Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)

Personal statement

Review of personal statement offered by the Pre-Health Office

AADSAS Guidelines
4,500 characters long
Draft by April of junior year (the year prior to matriculation into dental school)

Letters of recommendation (LOR)

Identify people who know you well and can firmly comment on your ability as a student and future dentist. Ask in advance and give your letter writers sufficient time to complete and submit. Also, remember to stay in touch with letter writers who you may also ask in the future!

Types of letters (you may submit up to four letters)

Some schools have specific requirements.

1 STEM faculty
1 D.D.S or D.M.D
3 Other (STEM faculty, non-STEM faculty, employer, advisor, supervisor, community mentor)

After you submit your AADSAS

After dental schools have received your primary AADSAS application, they may invite you to complete a secondary or supplemental application. Supplemental applications are sent between July and October and usually have fees associated with them. It is important that you complete and submit supplemental applications as soon as possible.

ADEA Admissions Process

Mock interviews

When you receive an interview invitation, schedule a mock interview with Pre-Health Office.

Goals

Meet with a pre-health advisor to prepare for interviews.
If waitlisted or denied, explore post-bac options or consider taking a gap year.

Post-bac programs

Specialties

ADEA Career and Specialty Options

International students

ADEA International Students
ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools
The most recent copy is located in the pre-health Library in Health South Student Services. The guide provides information on the number of international students accepted to each individual dental school.

How to become a dental assistant

https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/dental-assistant/