Dental School Application Checklist: Everything You Need

Q: What GPA do I need for dental school?

The average GPA for accepted dental students is 3.5 overall and 3.4 science GPA. Competitive programs (Harvard, Columbia, UPenn) average 3.7+. A strong upward trend can offset a lower overall GPA.

Q: What DAT score do I need?

The national average DAT score for accepted students is 20-21 Academic Average. Top-tier programs typically expect 22+. A 19 is generally considered the minimum competitive score.

Q: How many dental schools should I apply to?

Most advisors recommend applying to 10-15 dental schools. Apply to 3-4 reach schools, 5-7 target schools, and 3-4 safety schools. The average accepted student applies to 12 schools.

Q: When should I submit my AADSAS application?

AADSAS opens in early June. Submit as early as possible — ideally within the first two weeks. Dental school admissions are rolling, meaning earlier applicants have more available seats. Late applications (after September) are significantly disadvantaged.

Updated May 2026 · 12 min read

Applying to dental school is a multi-year process. This checklist covers everything from freshman year prep to clicking "submit" on AADSAS — so you don't miss a single step.

The Complete Checklist

Academics

Overall GPA: Target 3.5+ (national average for accepted students)
Science GPA: Target 3.4+ (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math)
Prerequisites: General Biology (2 semesters), General Chemistry (2), Organic Chemistry (2), Physics (2), English (2), Biochemistry (1)
Upper-level science courses: Anatomy, Microbiology, Physiology recommended

DAT (Dental Admission Test)

Target score: 20-21 AA (Academic Average), 22+ for top programs
When to take: Spring of junior year (gives time to retake if needed)
Study timeline: 3-4 months of dedicated preparation
Resources: DAT Bootcamp, DAT Destroyer, Kaplan, Chad's Videos

Clinical Experience (Shadowing)

Hours: 100-200 verified hours (see our complete hours guide)
Variety: Shadow 2-4 different practices across specialties
Documentation: Log every hour with dentist verification. Use Dental Now for digital tracking with NPI-verified certificates
Start early: Sophomore year is ideal — gives you 2 years to accumulate hours
Find practices: How to find dental shadowing opportunities

Letters of Recommendation

Required: 2-3 science faculty letters + 1 dentist letter (minimum)
Ideal: Committee letter from your university's pre-dental committee
Pro tip: Ask dentists you've shadowed for 40+ hours. They write the most authentic letters because they've seen you in a clinical setting
Timeline: Ask at least 6 weeks before your submission deadline

Personal Statement

Length: 4,500 characters (about 1 page single-spaced)
Focus: Why dentistry? What specific experiences confirmed your decision?
Include: A specific shadowing moment that changed your perspective. The notes you took during shadowing sessions become the raw material for this essay
Avoid: "I've always wanted to be a dentist since I was a kid" — admissions committees have read this 10,000 times

Extracurriculars & Community Service

Volunteer at free dental clinics or community health centers
Research experience (not required but helps at research-oriented schools)
Leadership roles in pre-dental clubs, student government, or volunteer organizations
Manual dexterity activities: sculpting, musical instruments, art (shows hand skills)

Application Timeline

When	What to Do
Freshman Year	Start prerequisites. Join pre-dental club. Begin volunteering.
Sophomore Year	Start shadowing (aim for 50+ hours by end of year). Build faculty relationships for LORs.
Junior Year (Fall)	Continue shadowing to reach 100+ hours. Begin DAT prep. Research dental schools.
Junior Year (Spring)	Take the DAT. Request LORs. Draft personal statement. Finalize school list.
June (AADSAS Opens)	Submit AADSAS within first 2 weeks. Early = more seats available.
Senior Year (Fall)	Interview season. Complete secondary applications promptly (within 2 weeks).

Expert Tips: Standing Out in Your Application

Quality over quantity in shadowing. 100 thoughtful hours with detailed observations beats 300 hours of sitting in a corner. Your personal statement should reference specific clinical moments.
Apply early. AADSAS is rolling admissions. Applying in June vs September can be the difference between an interview and a waitlist.
Diversify your experiences. Schools want well-rounded candidates. Combine shadowing with research, community service, and leadership.
Your shadowing portfolio IS your evidence. When you claim 150 hours on AADSAS, having a verified certificate with NPI numbers carries more weight than a handwritten log.

Frequently Asked Questions

What GPA do I need for dental school?

The average accepted GPA is 3.5 overall and 3.4 science. Competitive programs average 3.7+. An upward trend can help offset a lower cumulative GPA.

What DAT score do I need?

Average accepted score is 20-21 AA. Top programs expect 22+. A score of 19 is the minimum competitive threshold.

How many dental schools should I apply to?

Apply to 10-15 schools: 3-4 reach, 5-7 target, 3-4 safety. The average accepted student applies to 12.

When should I submit my AADSAS application?

AADSAS opens in early June. Submit within the first two weeks. Rolling admissions means earlier applicants have significantly better odds.

Related Guides

The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, medical, or legal advice. Requirements and regulations vary by state and institution — always verify directly with the relevant school, licensing board, or accrediting body. Dental Now is a platform for connecting students with dental practices and does not guarantee admissions outcomes.