Pre-Dentistry

NOTE: four digit course numbers reflect the new course numbers, effective Fall 2022, as developed via the College-wide Course Renumbering Project.

• BIOL 133 / 1001: Investigative Biology Laboratory
• BIOL 130 / 1002: Cellular Perspectives in Biology
• BIOL 131 / 1004: Organismal Perspectives in Biology (preferred) or BIOL 132 / 1006: Ecological & Evolutionary Perspectives in Biology
• BIOL 201 / 2000: Cell & Molecular Biology
• CHEM 111 / 1111: General Chemistry I
• CHEM 112 / 1121: General Chemistry II
• CHEM 221 / 2212: Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 322 / 2222: Organic Chemistry II
• CHEM 331 / 4312: Biochemistry I
• CHEM 332 / 4322: Biochemistry II
• COMP 100 / 1000: Composition
• One Literature course (broadly defined)
  • numerous course options available in ALS, ALIT, ELIT, LITR, SPAN, WLIT
  • courses must focus on reading & analyzing written works
• MATH 223 / 2230: Calculus I
• PHYS 103 / 1030 & PHYS 104 / 1040 (General Physics I & II: Non-Calculus)
  • NOTE: Calc-Based Physics is optional, as Physics is a requirement for Dental Schools, not content covered on the DAT
• STAT 101 / 1010: Introduction to Statistics

NOTE: Most Dental schools require only one semester of Biochemistry as a prerequisite, though the 2-course sequence provides foundational knowledge for DAT preparation. Other courses recommended by some dental schools include Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Genetics.

NOTE: Dental education programs may change course prerequisites at any time and may have additional requirements, preferences, or policies that are not reflected in this advising track course list or on the Preparing for Dental School Guide. Programs may also allow applicants to substitute courses or choose different prerequisite tracks. Applicants should review the program-specific details and contact programs directly to determine whether a particular course will fulfill a prerequisite.

The timeline for applying to dental school varies among students and is dependent on a variety of factors, including successful completion of prerequisite coursework, competitive DAT examination scores, and appropriate healthcare experience.

Many Pre-Dentistry students are choosing to take at least one year after they graduate SUNY Oneonta to work in healthcare or pursue other academically or intellectually enriching experiences after they graduate.

In fact, across the United States over 60% of first-time applicants to dental school apply after their senior year or later. Having a “Growth Year” between undergraduate studies and beginning dental school is often beneficial for applicants and does not hurt your chances of admission as long as you continue to strengthen your application. It allows time to gain additional life experiences, continue volunteering or pursue non-academic interests.

If a student wishes to take a "growth year," or takes a different undergraduate path, students will need to adjust the course sequence plan accordingly, based on their personal planning needs. Individual student plans may vary depending on when the student hopes to enter dental school and what major is chosen, therefore each student should work with their Primary Major Advisor and their Pre-Health Concentration Advisor to establish their own personalized schedule.

Students should regularly review the Dental School Admission Requirements and the ADEA Guide to Dental Education

Applicants are evaluated via Holistic Review, based on Experiences, Attributes, and Metrics:

• Professional Experience (Leadership, Accomplishments, Dentistry Experience, Research and/or Work Experience)
• Personal Statement
• letters of evaluation (committee letter preferred)
• GPA Calculations, including: BCP, Science, non-Science, Overall, other calculations
• DAT
  • Note: effective January 2022: new topics in Biology have been added to the DAT

Application to dental school is made through the centralized application AADSAS.

• 2024-2025 Application Cycle:
  • ADEA AADSAS Application Cycle opens: early May, 2024.
  • ADEA AADSAS submissions begin: end of May, 2024
• Updated application information is available at ADEA.
• Application Assistance is available at ADEA AADSAS Applicant Help Center

Applicant Guides are available from the American Student Dental Association.

APPLY EARLY! We suggest submitting your application during the summer. Do not wait until deadlines approach to submit your application.

Preparation for the DAT should begin once students choose the Dental career path.

Sections of the DAT include:

• Survey of the Natural Sciences
• Perceptual Ability
• Reading Comprehension
• Quantitative Reasoning

Note: effective January 2022: new topics in Biology have been added to the DAT

• The DAT 2022 Candidate Guide Provides additional information

Students can request up to four letters of evaluation to be submitted on their behalf for dental school applications, to include science faculty, other course instructors, healthcare professionals, current or former employers, and professional references.

Some students may seek a "committee letter" for their dental school application, which requires a very specific application and interview process with the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC).

Questions regarding the "committee letter" should be directed to the HPAC Chair.

Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDS and DDM Programs)

• 47% of SUNY Oneonta Pre-Dentistry student applicants were accepted into Dentistry programs (2018-2021 Advisor Report).
• SUNY Oneonta alumni have been accepted to the following Dentistry programs: Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of University of Southern California, Lake Erie COM School of Dental Medicine, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona, New York University College of Dentistry, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College, ​​​University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, University of New England College of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.