Dental School Admissions Criteria
- DAT
- Extracurricular Activities
- GPA & Academic Transcript
- Important Qualities/Characteristics
- Recommended Courses & Majors
- Research Experience
DAT
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) and has been in operation on a national basis since 1950. The Dental Admission Test is administered on Computer on almost any day of the year. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability.
The DAT is a 4 hour and 15 minutes exam that consists of the following four parts:
- Survey of natural sciences (biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry)
- Perceptual ability (two- and three-dimensional problem-solving)
- Reading comprehension (dental and basic sciences)
- Quantitative reasoning
To review the DAT Examinee Guide, visit http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/dat_examinee_guide.pdf
While all dental schools require candidates to participate in the Dental Admission Testing Program, test results are only one factor considered in evaluating the admission potential of a candidate.
Successful participation in the Dental Admission Testing Program requires completion of at least one year of collegiate education, which should include courses in biology, and general and organic chemistry. Advanced-level biology and physics are not required. Applicants should note that test scores are developed in relationship to all candidates participating in the examination and that most applicants complete two or more years of college before taking the examination.
It is suggested that applicants to dental school participate in the Dental Admission Testing Program well in advance of intended dental school enrollment. It is suggested that applicants participate one year prior to entering dental school.
Dental Admission Test scores are based on the number of correct answers, therefore, candidates are not penalized for guessing.
The results are reported to dental schools in terms of standard scores rather than raw scores. Through the use of standard scores it is possible to compare the performance of one applicant with the performance of all applicants.
Scores used in the testing program range from 1 to 30. While there are no strict passing or failing scores, the standard score of 17 typically signifies average performance on a national basis.
Extracurricular Activities
Admissions officers are interested in applicants who, in addition to having good academic credentials, are humanistic in nature, who care genuinely about others, and who have shown evidence of this interest through volunteer or community service activities. In addition to your GPA and Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores, community service and extra-curricular activities are important to a student's application to dental school. Your participation in volunteer work and leadership activities provides some evidence of your personal qualities such as integrity, breadth of interest, human relations skills, and motivation.
Community service is essential to an application. Volunteering should serve two functions: exploration of working in a dental setting and public service. It is never too early to visit the Public Service Center at MIT to find work with an organization that offers support to others. It is encouraged that students become involved as early as their freshman year. Some students are involved in fraternity or sorority activities, while others begin their own projects. Some students become involved in clubs at MIT or work in a homeless shelter or nearby hospital. It is important that you select a community service project that you genuinely care about and will have a commitment toward.
At MIT the work-load is very high so it is important that volunteer work not be done at the expense of your studies. You may decide to wait until summer; either way, please know that dental schools value evidence of interest in working with people. Whether in your first year or later, do consider where and how you would like to contribute to others. The benefits are always mutual, and often students tell us how much they benefited from their service work. Please consider talking with those in the Public Service Center (4-104, 253-0742) and to us in the Preprofessional Advising Office as well as with other offices and student groups about finding opportunities. Medlinks is just one example of a great way for you to become involved in community service here at MIT and gain leadership experience.
For more ideas about on- and off-campus, view volunteer opportunities.
GPA & Academic Transcript
Your GPA is an important factor to being competitive with other dental school applicants. It is recommended that a student maintain a 4.5/5.0 or greater GPA to be considered for the most competitive schools. Please note that your GPA is an important factor, but it certainly isn't the only factor considered. Admissions committees consider all aspects of an application when making selection decisions.
It will be in your best interest to choose a manageable course load, stay on top of your coursework during each semester, and get tutoring or other assistance as needed. In addition, do not feel as though you need to be a certain major to go to dental school. Choosing a major that most interests you will be in your favor and will probably have a positive affect on your GPA. If your grades become a concern, you find yourself becoming stressed, please come talk with a member of the Preprofessional staff or with another student advisor or counselor. There are many resources and MIT staff available to you. These include the medical department, mental health, the Board of Chaplains and the staff in the Student Support Services office.
Important Qualities/Characteristics
Dental schools look for the following criteria when reviewing candidates:
- Aptitude for science
- Course of Study - Difficulty and Depth
- Quality of Undergraduate Courses
- Scholastic record/GPA
- DAT score
- Letters of Recommendation
- Extracurricular Activities
- Work Experience
- Community Service
- Ethnic Background
Recommended Courses & Majors
The Recommended Predental Course list was created in collaboration with feedback from dental schools and corresponding MIT academic departments. Please note that some school requirements vary. If you have questions about a certain course being accepted, it is always best to contact the dental school directly.
At MIT, students major in the department of their choice. Along with your major, you will need to satisfy the predental coursework that is required. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the recommended classes for entrance to dental school. In regard to which major you choose, while it is true that many students major in the sciences, dental schools tell us that it is fine to major in whatever you like.
Study Abroad Students
We strongly recommend that you do not fulfill your predental course requirements while studying abroad. Professional schools will want to see your grades in the required subjects. Due to a different grading system, it will be difficult for an admission committee to properly interpret the grades and/or division received at a foreign university.
Research Experience
MIT has extraordinary opportunities to do undergraduate research. While not all MIT applicants to dental school do research, many do. To learn more about research opportunities at MIT visit the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) in office 7-104, 253-7306. Note that research is not a prerequisite for dental school, but it can enhance your learning experience at MIT and strengthen your application. Doing research while at MIT often leads to summer positions, on-going UROP opportunities, and a strong sense of self-confidence in knowledge of a particular area. All of these things allow an MIT applicant to excel by having additional areas of expertise or confidence. Research experience, however, is suggested for individuals interested in applying to D.M.D/Ph.D programs.
Resources for finding research opportunities in the dental field.
Last updated on Tuesday, March 20, 07 at 12:52:46 PM EDT.
