What university is recommended before dental school?

[philg123]

I'm a junior in high school right now and I've already decided that I want to be a dentist. I'm having trouble deciding what school I want to apply to, though. I'd preferably like a school that has an accredited pre-dental program, but I'm open to anything. I'm thinking about Calvin College right now, but I'm not sure.

It's kind of stressing me out, and I think it's time to stop procrastinating and figure it out before my college apps. Thanks.

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[deleted696582]

I'm a junior in high school right now and I've already decided that I want to be a dentist. I'm having trouble deciding what school I want to apply to, though. I'd preferably like a school that has an accredited pre-dental program, but I'm open to anything. I'm thinking about Calvin College right now, but I'm not sure.

It's kind of stressing me out, and I think it's time to stop procrastinating and figure it out before my college apps. Thanks.

Any four year college will get you into dental school if you work hard and get good grades. We have students from all sorts of colleges at Michigan. Community colleges may cause some difficulties for you if the dental school doesn't accept their class credits.

If I were you, I'd go to a college that will cater to your goal of becoming a dentist. The fact that you're looking for a pre-dental program is great, but you can major in anything and get into dental school so long as you have the prerequisites. I'd look for a place with a good number of dentists and specialists nearby to shadow (so maybe near a large town or city), an active pre-dental club, or with meaningful volunteer opportunities close by. Or even a school with interesting research opportunities if you're at all curious about researching (you don't need research to get into dental school though).

 

[artist2022]

Community colleges may cause some difficulties for you if the dental school doesn't accept their class credits.

Not only this but I am getting really screwed over due to having AP credits. In high school you're pushed to take as many AP's as you can, do well in them, and show colleges you can handle the coursework. And then when you're in college, you use the credits they transferred over as, and then when you're applying to dental school you're screwed because some don't accept AP credits. Take all your introductory courses in college lol don't use your AP credit.

 

[shibedeleshibe]

Not only this but I am getting really screwed over due to having AP credits. In high school you're pushed to take as many AP's as you can, do well in them, and show colleges you can handle the coursework. And then when you're in college, you use the credits they transferred over as, and then when you're applying to dental school you're screwed because some don't accept AP credits. Take all your introductory courses in college lol don't use your AP credit.

Augh I feel this on a freaking spiritual level. I got AP credit for Gen Chem 1 and didn't take GC 1 in college and now Western University won't even look at my application.

OP, I strongly strongly recommend going to a school where you can get good grades. I go to a really rigorous undergraduate institution and got mediocre grades while busting my ass off 24/7 my 3 years here. My DAT scores make up for it somewhat but in the predental world, GPA is king.

 

[knewstance]

I'd look into the dental school that you most want to go to and then apply to do your undergraduate there. That will allow you to shadow during ugrad at the dental school and build a relationship with the admissions staff and other faculty years before you apply.

Obviously GPA and DAT score will be vital for your acceptance, but having strong relationships will have a major influence on getting into that school. Your determination to the profession will shine through with a multi-year relationship as long as you are mature and dedicated from the start.

 

[artist2022]

The college in which it'll be easiest to obtain the highest GPA. Admissions committees don't care about the prestige of your school, and likewise they won't question why you went to a no-name college. All they care about is the number, so pick an easy 4 year college and get a high GPA.

I'd say not necessarily, because there is a question of grade inflation. If you do well in all of these classes, and bomb the DAT, which is the equalizer, then adcoms will not look favorably towards your extraordinarily high GPA.

 

[deleted696582]

Be careful about going to an "easy" undergrad. I went to a big ten undergrad where the courses and work load were difficult, and it helped me transition into dental school. Michigan's course load right now is a lot for me to handle, but it's probably worse for those who weren't challenged in their prerequisites and upper level bio classes (if they took upper level bio at all).

 

[amariesa]

I went to a challenging school where half our class failed first year chem. It was so bad that they already arranged make-up summer courses with other major universities before our final because there were so many students that needed to make up this course. The passing grade was a 60 and the class average was 65. Point is, these students never stood a chance at getting in dental school after. Our school had the second highest entering high school grades in Canada at an 88% and yet they thinned the herd a lot. So if you want to go to dental school? Go to a school that will allow you to get a good GPA, then you take the time to study your ass off for DATs and thats pretty much it.

 

[blablabla1]

Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet... Go to the cheaper option!! Please do not go to some BS private school for undergrad. It is NOT worth it unless you're going to an ivy for pre-law/pre-business.

Find a public school (preferably in state) that has a good balance of cheap and full of resources.

 

[setdoc7]

If you are really sure you would like to pursue dentistry, apply to a combined degree program. You will go through undergrad with the knowledge that your admission to D school is secure by the minimum requirement the school has pre set. Often, you can also apply to outside schools if you so choose. The minimum is attainable if you are focused and really D school material. What makes these programs hard is the amount of classes in undergrad crammed into a short span of time.

 

[2TH MVR]

For undergrad ...go instate and save money. Get a B.S in biology. That should have all your necessary pre-reqs and prepare you for the science classes the 1st few years in dental school. Get GOOD grades. That's everything. That will determine if you are accepted to a good, reasonably priced state dental college (Univ of Nebraska-College of Dentistry) or if you are accepted to a very expensive, for-profit private school. Did I say .... GRADES are everything.

 

[Rynomachine]

Look around for scholarships. You can get in from just about anywhere as long as you do well. Take the ACT. If you do well, you'll get tons of scholarships in the SEC.

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[Jaa_]

In the end you can go anywhere.

However, doing your undergrad at a university with a dental school has helped me tremendously. I have been working in the dental school for over 2 years and have gotten so much exposure to lab and clinical work. Also, while it does not affect admissions, majoring in biology or biochemistry will give you such a solid foundation.

Finally, you are considering dental school, going to an expensive private school is the LAST thing you should do (unless you are loaded). Save yourself now and don't take on tons of debt in undergrad. Go to a state school. If you are considering Calvin perhaps you live in Michigan? In state tuition at UMich is a jackpot. That would be my #1