Dentistry Schools
A typical timetable for pre-dental admissions applications
For students wishing to complete their bachelor's degree at SBU, application is normally begun in the fall of the junior year. If early admission is desired before completion of the bachelor's degree, application is begun in the fall of the sophomore year.
Beginning in September of the Sophomore/Junior Year:
- September --Begin a systematic preparation for the DAT. Obtain study materials and commit a minimum of 2-4 hours per week in study and preparation. Periodically reviewing old exams from completed science courses is also a very useful supplement to this preparation.
- February--Start a file with the SBU Pre-Health Committee by completing the Pre-Health Committee forms. When your file is established with the Pre-Health Committee, evaluation forms will be sent to all science faculty and any non-science faculty selected by the student.
- March-April--Schedule and complete an interview with the SBU Pre-Health Committee. It takes the Pre-Health Committee approximately 4-6 weeks to circulate evaluation forms, interview the student, and prepare a letter of recommendation. DO NOT wait until September to obtain a letter of recommendation or you may be unable to meet deadlines set by the dental schools.
- March--Register to take the DAT.
- April --Take the DAT.
- May--Apply to AADSAS for application forms (includes study guide). Request cards are available from the Pre-Health Committee or AADSAS. Application materials will be mailed to you after June 1.
- June--Begin completing application forms for AADSAS. Check the information contained in the AADSAS application forms for what additional information is required by the dental school(s) that must be submitted with the AADSAS forms. Each school has different supplemental forms (and fees) which are submitted with the AADSAS forms or at the request of the school. Completion of the AADSAS application forms and the supplemental dental school forms will require obtaining transcripts from all schools attended and letters of recommendation. Deadlines for the submission of all application materials differ for each school. October is the earliest deadline. April is the latest deadline.
- August--Register to repeat the DAT if necessary.
- October--Take the repeat DAT if necessary.
- October-April--Interviews at the dental schools.
- December-May --Notification of acceptance/rejection.
Miscellaneous items of interest
Involve yourself in activities which will improve your nonacademic credentials:
- Do volunteer and/or paid work at a health facility.
- Participate in an externship program.
- Participate in campus activities (e.g., Student Association, sports, clubs, etc.).
- Participate in community activities (e.g., volunteer work).
- Participate in church activities
Involve yourself in activities which will improve your academic credentials:
- Participate in undergraduate research and/or independent studies, especially those leading to a scholarly publication.
- Participate in the honors program.
- Enroll in writing-intensive courses to improve your communication skills.
Don't give up too easily if you are not admitted the first time you apply to dental school. Recognize any academic or nonacademic deficiencies brought to light by your application and take steps to correct them. Make realistic contingency plans. Keep the doors open to do any additional graduate or undergraduate work needed to improved your qualifications for admission.