Preparing for Dental School

Most Albany students will enter a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) programs after graduation.  We recommend that students follow the pre-health curriculum listed on our website.

The following list should serve as a general guideline only since program requirements vary:

Common Course Requirements

General Biology w/labs                                                                       2 semesters
General Chemistry w/labs                                                                   2 semesters
Organic Chemistry w/labs                                                                   2 semesters
Physics w/labs                                                                                     2 semesters
Statistics/Calculus                                                                               1-2 semesters
English Composition                                                                           1-2 semesters

Additional Courses depending on the program:

Biochemistry
Microbiology
Genetics
Cell biology
Anatomy
Social sciences/humanities coursework

Common Admissions Requirements:

DAT (Dental Admission Test) test scores are required.(May-June preferred time to take it)           
Pre-health Committee interview/evaluation is highly recommended for most dental schools – Review:https://www.albany.edu/advisement/prehealthadvisorycommittee.shtml
3-4 Letters of recommendation (at least one from a dentist)
Minimum GPA of 3.5+
Community service and volunteer/work experience in a health care setting, including dental practice or clinic

How to Apply:

ADEA AADSAS  is the central application service
Application cycle opens in June and end in February. Apply early between June-August
For more information about careers in dentistry visit:       http://www.adea.org/GoDental/Pages/default.aspx