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University of Kentucy College of Dentistry 
Building a Foundation for the Future
 
DMD Program

Pre-Dental Timeline

Freshman Year

Freshman year is an exciting time in your college career. Students do not understand the importance of beginning to prepare oneself for a professional career. Certainly have some fun and take some time to adjust to your new surroundings, but remember everything you do from here on out will be on your record and could affect your admission to dental school. There are several things that you can do to make yourself a competitive applicant four years down the road.

First, speak to a pre-dental advisor or college advisor at your undergraduate institution and make sure they are aware of your intention to enter dental school after you have graduated with your bachelor's degree. Planning a schedule early in your freshman year or even prior to matriculation can make your life much easier during your four years at college. Make sure that your schedule includes the coursework needed to meet prerequisite requirements of the dental schools where you will be applying.

Second, contact the dental schools where you might be interested in applying. Request information so you can get an overview of the schools and understand the courses needed to be competitive.

Third, investigate the student organizations on your school's campus. You may find that your school has a pre-dental or pre-health professions club or organization. This is a great way to meet people on campus plus talk to students who are currently going through the application process. This first hand information can be valuable, so that you do not forget to do something that will not make you a competitive applicant.

Fourth, study...study...study! The grades that you make during your first year are very important. Most of your science classes will be the basis for all other science courses you will take during your college career. Also, your grade point average is a very important factor in the admissions decision, but realize it is only one factor of many that admission committees use to determine who will be granted admission.

Lastly, have fun! You only live once. Studying is important, but so is figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life. Make sure that dentistry is for you. Think about doing some shadowing at a local dentist's office or dental clinic. Also, start to think about how you might be able to finance your dental education.

Sophomore Year

If you have not yet begun to explore the opportunities within the dental profession, you will want to begin. Contact a local dentist or dental clinic and start observing. Making contacts early will give you enough time to make an informed decision about dentistry and can also benefit you when it is time to submit letters of recommendation. These individuals who you are observing with may want to write a letter on your behalf.

Speaking of letters of recommendation, each dental school will have different requirements that will need to be fulfilled to complete an application. If possible, go and visit the schools where you are interested in applying. Make the effort to get your name out to these schools so they will be able to put a name to a face. Also, speaking with the admissions office will assure that you are receiving accurate, up-to-date information about the school and its requirements for admission.

Junior Year

Continue with your observation of dentistry. You will find that not only will this help you determine if dentistry is for you, but it also may be a requirement for admission.

Just as you had to take an admissions test to obtain admission to your undergraduate institution, you need to take a standardized exam for admission to dental school. The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) should be taken for the first time in April or May of your junior year. This will allow you to have a DAT score on file with the admission offices and thus speed up the processing of your application. Also, go back and visit with the admissions offices. You will need to pick up an admissions application and you can discuss your DAT scores with them and determine if you should retake the DAT. Students are encouraged to take the DAT twice unless your scores are competitive.

You should also start speaking to faculty and dentists to gather letters of recommendation or evaluation for the upcoming admissions application.

Summer Between Junior and Senior Years

This may be the most important time in the whole process. You will need to contact the admissions office and if possible, set up an appointment to speak with someone about your grade point average, DAT scores, and application. This way you can determine your competitiveness at that institution and take any advice the admissions representative gives you for making yourself more competitive. Also, make sure to ask about financial assistance and other ways to finance your dental education.

June 1 is a magical date. This is the day that the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) starts accepting applications for the next year's entering class. It is important to submit the AADSAS application during the month of June.

Make an appointment to speak with your undergraduate advisor and have a senior check done. You need to make sure that you will graduate with your bachelor's degree prior to matriculating into dental school. If you find that you need another class to graduate, it should be easy to fit that into your schedule.

Study for the DAT. More than likely, you will be retaking the DAT in August or September and the summer is a great time to study for the retake. Remember, the DAT is given only on computer and must be taken by appointment. You have to wait 90 days between test administrations.

Senior Year

The senior year involves a lot of waiting. Your application should be complete at all the schools where you have applied and you should start receiving feedback letters. Continue with your observation experiences during this time and do not neglect your studies. Most schools will offer conditional admission to students but only with their continued academic success. Your admission to dental school may be rescinded if your senior year academic performance is unsatisfactory.

December 1st is the date when admission offices are first able to notify students of their acceptance. You should complete interviewing at the schools you are interested in prior to this date. This will allow you the greatest opportunity for gaining admission. If you are not offered admission on December 1, do not worry. See if the admissions office has any feedback on your application and make any changes or improvements that you can to increase your competitiveness.

If you should not be offered admission, make sure that you get feedback on your application and submit a new application the next year. It is not uncommon for an applicant to apply more than once.