Revised February 2003

 

            REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO SCHOOLS OF DENTISTRY

            THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS APPLICABLE FOR THE 2004 ENTERING CLASS

            (Applying 2003 for Admission 2004)

            Premedical Professions and Zoology Advisory Office, Richards Hall, Room 209,

            Ms. Nancy Blass,  (405) 325-2457 and Dawna Nelson (405) 325-5661

Dr. Regina Sullivan and Dr. James Thompson, Co-Directors

 

BASIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS TO OU COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

1.         A minimum of 60 semester hours of course work from any accredited college or university.

2.         A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for all college level work attempted.

3.         Satisfactory performance on the American Dental Admissions Test.

4.         Completion of the prerequisite courses listed below with a minimum grade of "C" or better in each prerequisite course.

 

Although these are minimum requirements for admission, the majority of the applicants ACCEPTED will have earned a considerably higher grade point average and most will have completed a Bachelor's Degree.  The average overall GPA for the 2002 class was 3.51. The OU College of Dentistry accepts about 54 students each year. The class of 2002 had 472 applicants. Fifty-four students matriculated in 2002, with the majority having earned a Bachelor's degree or higher, had completed three years, or had completed four years with no degree.

 

PREREQUISITE COURSES: A grade of C or better is required in each course.

 

            General Requirements Norman campus courses

 

1.         English -- 6 hours minimum English 1113 and 1213

 

2.         Psychology – 3 hours required Elements of Psychology 1113

 

3.         Biological Science to include labs any combination of courses with 8 hours minimum labs in: Microbiology and/or Zoology. Examples: Microbiology 2815a Intro. to Micro.; Zoology 1114 and 1121 Intro. to Zoo & lab; Zoology 2204b Comparative Anatomy; Zoology 2234b Intro. to Human Anatomy; Zoology 3103c & 3101 Principles of Physiology & lab; Zoology 4243d Animal Histology

 

4.         Inorganic Chemistry to include labs Chemistry 1315e and 1415  -- 10

            8 hours minimum semester hours

           

5.         Organic Chemistry to include labs Chemistry 3053f, 3153 & 3152 -- 8                    

            8 hours minimum semester hours

           

6.         Physics to include labs Physics 2414g, 2424, and  8 hours minimum 1311 and 1321, or Physics 2514h, 2524, and 1311, 1321 --10 semester hours

 

PREREQUISITES FOR REQUIRED COURSES

            a.         One course in general chemistry.

            b.         Zoology 1114 and 1121.

            c.         8 hours of Zoology; Pre or corequisite: Organic Chemistry and Physics.

            d.         Zoology 3103, 3113, or 3203 or permission

            e.         Math 1503 (Introduction to Elementary Functions)

            f.          Chemistry 1415.

            g.         Math 1523 (Elementary Functions) or 1643 (Pre-Calculus, Business/Social Sciences)

            h.         Enrollment in Math 1743 or 1823 (Calculus I) or the equivalent.

 

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

In addition to the courses required for admission, it is recommended that you choose elective courses complementing the dental curriculum.  The dental profession requires an understanding of areas such as psychology, sociology, and economics.  Additional courses in the biological sciences beyond the 8 hour minimum, and Biochemistry are also recommended.  The individual student should select additional courses on the basis of interest and personal enrichment.

 

DENTAL EXPERIENCE

Applicants should observe in several dental offices seeking as much knowledge as possible regarding the profession.  You should affirm your career decision by any or all of the following means:  1) Get a summer job in a dental practice; 2) Volunteer in a dental practice; 3) Observe in a dental practice; 4) Discuss your decision and the profession with a dentist.  This will be extremely important at the time of your interview when you are asked about your motivation, maturity, and knowledge of the profession.

 

WHAT IS THE "BEST" MAJOR FOR GETTING ACCEPTED TO DENTAL SCHOOL?

As applicant numbers increase each year, fewer students are accepted with only the minimum requirements.  Since 1995 only 1 student has been accepted with the minimum 60 hours.  Most have completed an undergraduate degree in the field of their choice. It should be emphasized that "Pre-Dent" is not a major.  Thus, all predental students, in addition to satisfying the dental school admission requirements, should be working toward a bachelor's degree in some area.  There is no recommended major for predental students.  Dental schools encourage a broad general curriculum in both natural and social sciences (see information on additional recommendations).  The best advice we can give is to select a major in an area you enjoy and can excel in that will provide a viable career option.

 

WHAT IS THE COMBINED CURRICULUM DEGREE PROGRAM?

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences who enter dental school before completing an undergraduate degree may be eligible for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences Degree through the Combined Curriculum with the College of Dentistry. See an Academic Counselor in the College of Arts & Sciences, Physical Sciences Building, for details. Page 67 in the OU general catalog lists the current requirements for the combined curriculum.

 

WHAT ARE THE GRADE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE OU COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

The minimum grade average required for application to the OU College of Dentistry is 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for all college level work attempted. The average GPA for those accepted to the 2002 class was 3.51 overall, with a science average of 3.40.  Students with GPA's significantly below the average will be considered only if recent grades are substantially higher.  The Admissions Board will seriously consider higher GPA's for later course work as evidence of developing maturity.

 

WILL I HAVE TO TAKE AN ADMISSION TEST TO APPLY?

The Dental Admission Test, or DAT, is required of all applicants to the College of Dentistry.  The last written test was given in October 1998.  Since 1999 the test has been computerized. DAT applications are available in the Premedical Professions Advisory Office.  Once a DAT application is received in the Department of Testing Services and found acceptable, a notice will be sent to the candidate that he/she can schedule an appointment with the Sylvan Technology Test Centers in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Candidates may schedule for the computerized DAT on almost any date.  There are no applications deadlines; however, it may take three weeks to process the application. Candidates must wait 90 days to be eligible for retesting.  This new procedure allows the applicant to retest up to 3 times for consideration for the dental school interviews that begin early in October. All available test scores will be considered when the Admissions Board meets at the end of November to make the first offers of acceptance on December 1.  The examination fee is $150.00 and includes submission of official transcripts of scores to five dental schools, a personal copy, and a copy to your Premedical Advisor.

 

WHAT'S ON THE TEST AND HOW IS IT SCORED?

The DAT includes four examination areas and requires one half day for administration.  There are four examination areas.  I. Survey of Natural Sciences: This examination is an achievement test covering the entire first year courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry.  II. Perceptual Ability: Angle discrimination, form development, cubes, orthographic projections, apertures, and paper folding.  III. Reading Comprehension: Ability to read, organize, analyze, and remember typical dental school material using three reading passages.  IV. Quantitative Reasoning: Algebraic equations, fractions, conversions, percentages, exponential notation, probability and statistics, geometry, trigonometry, and applied mathematics problems.

 

The DAT Exam is scored on a 1-30 scale with a 15 being median score in each of the areas.  The DAT scores are based on the number of correct answers; therefore, candidates are not penalized for guessing.  Test results are reported to dental school in terms of standard scores rather than raw scores.  Through the use of standard scores it is possible to compare the performance of one applicant with the performance of all applicants.  There are no strict passing or failing scores; the standard score of 16 typically signifies average performance on a national basis.  The average DAT score for those accepted into the 2002 beginning class at the OU Dental School was 18.1 for Academic Average and 17.9 for Perceptual Ability. 

 

Results of the DAT will be announced to the candidate immediately upon completion of the test battery.  These results will be sent to dental schools within three weeks after the examination.

 

HOW DO I APPLY TO DENTAL SCHOOLS?

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry no longer participates in an application service and have applications available directly through their admissions office: 405-271-3530.  All other dental schools may be applied to through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). There is a non-refundable fee of $100 for the first school and $25 for each additional school. Applications are available online at http://www.adea.org/.  In addition to the AADSAS application and other support material, a $50 non-refundable application fee must be sent directly to the OU College of Dentistry. Applications will be reviewed as early as mid-July of the year prior to the desired date of admission. Interviews at the Dental College are conducted from October through January. The application deadline is September 1; however, interviews begin in October. No acceptances are made before December 1.  Requirements for Dental School must be completed no later than the Spring semester prior to entering Dental School in the Fall.  If you are not enrolled in these courses during that semester, the Dental School will not consider your application.  Based on past experience, we strongly recommend that you retain a copy of your application and transcripts before electronic submittal.  If any materials are mailed to the application service, mail by certified mail, return receipt requested.

 

HOW DO I GET A PREPROFESSIONAL COMMITTEE INTERVIEW AND LETTER OF EVALUATION? 

The OU College of Dentistry will request all qualified Oklahoma applicants to submit a Letter of Evaluation from a Preprofessional Advisory Committee, or if your undergraduate campus does not have such a committee, then two letters from science instructors.  Predental Committee interviews and Letters of Evaluation are available to OU students who meet the predental minimum requirements of a 2.75 GPA and complete a Self Assessment form.  Predental Committee interviews are usually scheduled in early May.  Sign up after completing a Self Assessment form at the end of March or early April.  Specific interview days are set aside for dental applicants.  All students are asked to sign a waiver to release, or not release, their right of access to the information contained in the Letter of Evaluation.  The necessity of this request is due to the passing of the Buckley Amendment, or the Right to Know Law.  You are not required to waive your access as a condition of interview, but in order to insure a full and candid evaluation of your credentials; it would be in your best interest to do so.  If requested, the Director of the Premedical Professions Advisory Committee will provide you with feedback on your interview and make constructive suggestions if appropriate.

 

HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT OTHER COLLEGES OF DENTISTRY?

The American Dental Education Association publishes Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools.  The Premedical Office has a recent copy for reference.  You may obtain your own copy for $25.00 from the Publications Assistant, American Dental Education Association, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-2212.  Web address:  http://www.adea.org.  Online links are also available at this web address.

 

WHAT OTHER INFORMATION SHOULD I KNOW?

It is very important that you keep the Dental School and the Premedical Advisory Office advised of any changes in your address or telephone number once you have submitted an application. The bulletin board by 208 Richards Hall will post notices, deadlines, etc., for those interested in medical and dental professions. There is an active Predental Professions Club on campus with membership open to all interested students. The club has a variety of programs throughout the year and you are encouraged to attend. They also maintain a resource library in 208 Richards Hall, across from the Premedical Advisory Office.