[Q] DDS Prerequisites

[The Blade]

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Hi,First, please bear with me if my questions sound dumb.
I'm still new at this 🙂
I read some other topics, but I really don't get the whole idea yet.


I'm interested in Dentistry, and I have few questions about the prerequisites for getting accepted into Dental School.
Is it enough to complete the Pre-Dental courses only? because I read that I need a Bachelor's degree such as Biological Science Degree to get accepted.
Well, if I need a Bachelor's degree, why is there a Pre-Dental school at the first place?


I'm a Michigan resident. Therefore, I'm considering University of Michigan.
Here are their requirements: http://www.dent.umich.edu/admissions/home/dds/prerequisites
It says: "The minimum requirement for admission is 90 semester hours of academic work that has been pursued at an accredited four-year college or university"
And there are required and optional courses. The total hours of the required courses are 50 hours.
They say at first they need 90 hours, but the listed courses are 50 hours.
So, what about the rest of 40 hours?

 

[TrustYourEAL]

Welcome. You will most likely need to complete a BA/BS at your school if you intend on going to dental school. Some students I know were accepted after three years of undergrad, but they were pretty stellar. Regardless, I'd complete the degree just in case you find dentistry isn't your thing (no one wants to say this) and you may get some extra knowledge that may help you down the road. Dental schools list *minimum* requirements. However, most will say that just meeting those is the bare minimum, but chances are you want to stand out as an applicant. You don't have to choose a science major, but the majority of pre-health students do as they integrate the prereqs well (I'm an engineering student).

 

[The Blade]

Thanks for reply 🙂


If I only want to take the required courses without completing the BS/BA, what is the possibility to get accepted into the dental school?Because I think you need 4 years to get BS/BA, but you can take and complete the prerequisites in 3 years.


Also, if my application got denied, would I be able to re-apply in the next year?

 

[doc toothache]

Well, if I need a Bachelor's degree, why is there a Pre-Dental school at the first place?

There is no "pre dental school" in the U.S.. There is a limited number of schools that offer "pre dentistry" as a major.

 

[Koalafied]

There is no "pre dental school" in the U.S.. There is a limited number of schools that offer "pre dentistry" as a major.

True DAT.

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[The Blade]

There is no "pre dental school" in the U.S.. There is a limited number of schools that offer "pre dentistry" as a major.

Well, plenty of schools at my area offer "pre dentistry"

Do you think I should go with BS/BA or "pre dentistry" is enough?