Pre-Dental at Butler
Statistics indicate that in western societies, approximately 10%
of the population is afraid of the dentist. With statistics like
these, to successfully enter the dental profession would
require academic ability, manual dexterity, and highly developed
people skills. To that end, preparation for entering dental
school should focus on academic success along with development of
professional skills.
Academics: The prerequisite courses for entering dental
school are somewhat substantial and it can become difficult pairing
these necessary courses with every major on campus. Admission
requirements vary by school, so consult the ADEA guide to dental
schools to ensure you are properly prepared for the application.
Typically, students who enter dental school major in a
traditional science and often minor in a related non-science field
such as business or music (yes, music!!) However, you must be
committed to academic excellence. A strong GPA (3.7 or
higher) coupled with an outstanding DAT score (19 or greater
average) is an important beginning to your dental school
application. And building a strong academic record begins
early in your undergraduate career with sustained performance in
ALL classes, engaging and participating fully both inside and
outside of the classroom. For every 1 hour in the class, you should
be spending 2 hours outside the class learning on your own through
reading and homework.
Extra-curricular: The need for exposure to the field of
dentistry is important. You should plan on shadowing and
volunteering in ways that build your people skills. Developing
and demonstrating your manual dexterity is also an important part
of your preparation. Many students participate in art or music
classes or take up hobbies which require careful manipulation of
hand tools. Whatever you choose, make sure you're continually
processing the activity and asking why is this beneficial and how
will it help me become a better dentist.
ADEA Dental School Virtual Fair
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) will host its
second annual Dental School Virtual Fair on April 23-24, 2013 from
noon-8pm Eastern time. The 2013 ADEA Dental School Virtual Fair is
a two-day live recruitment event for prospective students
interested in a dental career and offers students the opportunity
to connect with dental school representatives and participate in
live presentations with no travel and no fees.
This is a great opportunity for college students looking to
network and connect with dental schools.
Click here
for more information along with instructions on how to
register!
Check out these links for more info
Four-Year Plan for Pre-Health Students
Dental School
Self Assessment Table
Personal Statements
Advising Sheets