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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:
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.
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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