As a general rule, students interested in applying to dental school should plan to take the DAT early enough to have a second change to take the test before the test deadline for a particular year. Your undergraduate major is not a significant factor in the admissions process. You must do well in your major and other courses that contribute to your overall grade point average, and you must do well in the required science courses. Our pre-dental course requirements are purposely kept at a minimum to allow participants maximum flexibility in selecting a major and choosing elective courses. Therefore, the earliest you can apply for admissions is after June 1 between your sophomore and junior years.
Most students enter dental school after completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree.
Very few students are accepted after completing only three years of college work. Generally these applicants are mature, academically highly qualified or have significant life experiences prior to application. You should keep in mind the fact that many applicants are not accepted each year. We advise all applicants to plan their program taking into account the fact that they may take several years to gain acceptance to dental school, or they may never be accepted. To get the most out of the undergraduate program, you should plan on obtaining a bachelor's degree or completing whatever course work is necessary to enter another field of your choice.