Required Coursework

(By most California dental schools)

Each program has its own prerequisites. Check specific school for detail prerequisites. Admission Requirements for specific dental schools can be found on the ADA website.

  • BIOL 1050 General Biology I
  • BIOL 1150 General Biology II
  • CHEM 1100 General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 1110 General Chemistry II
  • CHEM 3010/3012 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM 3020/3022 Organic Chemistry II
  • CHEM 4400 Biochemistry
  • PHYS 2100 Basic Physics I
  • PHYS 2110 Basic Physics II
  • PSYC 2010 Introduction to Psychology

Recommended coursework:

  • MBIO 3010/3032 Bacteriology
  • ZOOL 2250 Human Anatomy
  • ZOOL 4280 Physiology of Human Systems
  • ZOOL 3150 Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates
  • ZOOL 4151 Histology
  • CHEM 4400 Biochemistry I

Recommended concentrations in the Biological Sciences:

Concentrations in Biology Education, General Biology, Molecular & Microbial Biology, or Organismal Biology can help fulfill these required courses and most of the recommended courses while progressing toward a bachelor’s degree.

Additional Requirements:

Generally, a minimum of 90-semester units (including English composition, public speaking, social science, and humanities courses as well as those listed above) are required, but a bachelor’s degree is highly recommended. In addition, letters of recommendation from professors, dentists, etc. as well as a personal statement from the applicant are required. Acceptance into a school may be aided by a broad range extracurricular activities, dental-related experience, and fluency in a second language in addition to strong GPA (e.g., > 3.5) and DAT scores. Interested students should investigate requirements of specific schools well before beginning the application process.

For further information contact the Stanislaus State Pre-Health Professions Committee at 209.667.3476 or the Pre-Health Society Club.

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The Dental Admission Test (DAT)
Suite 1846 211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678

DAT Prep Courses

Make an appointment to see your academic advisor at least once a term.

  • Freshman Year
    • Consider joining the Pre-Health Society and Biology Student Association in the Dept of Biological Sciences
    • Stay focused to achieve excellent academic performance (Most Dental schools will accept only students with a minimum 3.5 GPA)
    • Participate in health-related volunteer opportunities
  • Sophomore Year
    • Take the time to develop relationships with faculty members for future letter of recommendations
    • Continue to participate in health-related volunteer opportunities
  • Junior Year
    • Study for the DAT (Dental Admission Test)
    • Consider enrolling in commercial DAT prep courses
    • Start getting the necessary application information ready
    • Take the DAT in Spring
  • Summer between Junior and Senior Year
    • Complete collecting and preparing all the necessary materials for your application: personal statement, letter of recommendations, DAT scores, etc.
    • Take the DAT exam in the summer if you have not taken it in spring or you want to get a better DAT score. A 90-day waiting period between tests is required Submit the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) after June 1st (earliest time) for AADSAS dental schools. For the non-AADSAS dental schools, contact them directly for their applications
  • Senior Year
    • If you were granted an interview, prepare for your interview
    • Complete your undergraduate studies and have a nice vacation before dental school starts.

Updated: March 21, 2022