Admission
to dental schools remains highly competitive
nationally. Dental Schools are searching for
applicants who possess the ability to succeed
not only academically but who also have the
interpersonal skills necessary to interact with
patients from various backgrounds. The most
recent statistics from the entering class of
2004 indicate that only 55% of applicants were
admitted to dental school in the United States
and Canada.
The major areas on which students will be
evaluated are:
Academic Ability:
Dentistry is a profession with a scientific
basis. Students entering dental school are
expected to have a strong academic background
at the undergraduate level that has provided
a foundation in the sciences. Admissions committees
want to see evidence that an applicant can
be successful while managing demanding course
loads and processing vast amounts of information
rapidly. Most dental schools will assess a
student’s potential for academic success
using the following guidelines:
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1) Over-all grade point
average: The current average gpa of competitive
applicants is approximately 3.4 nationally. LSU
School of Dentistry in 2005 had an average overall
gpa of approximately 3.6.
2) Science grade point
average: Studies have shown that science
gpa is one of the best indicators for success
in dental school. This average is calculated from
grades achieved in biological sciences, chemistry,
physics courses (math is sometimes added, although
the LSU School of Dentistry does not include math
in their science gpa calculations). The science
gpa of competitive applicants is also 3.4 nationally.
LSU School of Dentistry entering class of 2005
had an average science gpa of approximately 3.6.
3) Dental Admission Test
(DAT) scores: The DAT is a standardized
computerized test that has been called the “great
equalizer” by dental schools. The DAT enables
admissions committees to compare national applicants
to each other, regardless of undergraduate institutions
or fields of study. The test contains sections
on biology, general chemistry,
organic chemistry, reading comprehension, quantitative
analysis, and perceptual ability. Grading
scales range from 0-30 with a score of 15 representing
the 50th percentile. Competitive scores must be
18 or above in each category. The mean academic
average for the 2005 entering class at the LSU
School of Dentistry was 19. Particular attention
is paid to the perceptual ability section and
the typical average at the LSU School of Dentistry
is an 18 or higher.
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Letters
of Recommendation:
Admissions committees place great importance
on letters of evaluations/recommendations from
faculty members. Most dental schools prefer
that letters come from science professors who
have instructed the applicant in the classroom
setting. Serving as volunteer research assistants
in a faculty laboratory is an excellent way
to develop relationships with future evaluators.
The number of letters required varies at individual
schools and students are encouraged to check
with the individual schools to which they are
applying. It is strongly recommended that students
submit a letter of evaluation from the Pre-professional
committee at their school. At LSU that committee
is the LSU Premedical/Predental Review Committee
sponsored by the College of Basic Sciences.
These evaluation letters give insight into the
characteristics of an applicant both as a student
and as a person. Dental School Admissions Committees
rely of the committee’s familiarity with
the student’s curriculum and choice of
courses in their assessment of the student’s
potential for success in dental school.
Manual Dexterity:
Skilled hand-eye coordination is considered
to be a necessity for a successful dentist.
As mentioned, the Perceptual Ability subtest
of the DAT is a strong indicator of ability
in this area. This subtest measures the ability
to appreciate sizes, shapes, angles, three-dimensions,
mirror images, etc. A minimum score of 17
or above on this subtest is typically required
for an interview at the LSU School of Dentistry.
The LSU School of Dentistry is one of the
few schools that use a chalk carving exercise
as a part of the interview process to assess
an applicant’s manual dexterity.
Knowledge of and
Demonstrated Interest in the Field of Dentistry:
Dental school admissions committees expect
an applicant to be informed about the field
of dentistry and to show a commitment to the
study of dentistry. How can you know that
you want to be a dentist if you have never
learned what a dentist does on a daily basis?
Students are strongly encouraged to gain first
hand exposure to dentistry through shadowing
a practicing dentist or through volunteer
or work experience in a dental setting. You
should be prepared to discuss your motivation
for a career in dentistry with examples of
how you have developed this interest and what
you have learned from these experiences. The
Predental Society at LSU is an excellent way
to gain exposure to the field of dentistry
and to make contacts with other students,
dental school admissions personnel, and practicing
dentists in the area.
Personal Attributes:
Dentistry has been described as “the
ultimate people profession”. The ability
to communicate effectively and to provide
and obtain cooperation from individuals is
crucial to success as a dentist. Dental schools
are looking for applicants who possess strong
leadership skills, are compassionate, and
maintain high ethical standards. Dental students
must be hard working, self-motivated, and
be able to function effectively in stressful
situations. Successful dental applicants are
well-rounded people with a positive attitude
and a demonstrated commitment to community
service.
These categories are considered general assessment
areas for most dental schools. Some dental
schools will place more emphasis on a particular
area than others. However, all dental schools
want students who have a well-rounded background
and demonstrate all of these attributes in
some way. Strength in one area does not necessarily
make up for weakness in another area. It is
important that students begin preparing themselves
to be competitive applicants early in their
college career.
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