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
ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS)
Review of AADSAS application offered by the pre-health office.
Fee assistance program
Texas application service
Students applying to medical schools in Texas will need to complete the 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
Mock Interviews are offered by Pre-Health Office
Pre-health advising