Do you want to build a career in dental health and have been searching for the easiest dental schools to get into? Check out our list of dental institutions and their acceptance rate.
If you are seeking admission to a dental school, you should consider the acceptance rate of your preferred institution and your chances of getting in. A dental school with a low acceptance rate will be challenging for applicants to gain entry.
The average acceptance rate for universities in the United States is 68%. But for dental institutions, it’s a bit selective compared to the national average for universities in the country.
A career in dental health is lucrative and important in the healthcare system. To become a professional in dental health, you must attend and graduate from an accredited dental school. And before you will get into a dental school, there are requirements to meet.
The acceptance rate of a dental school is something you should consider, especially if you are applying to a school out of state.
In this guide, we have discussed the requirements to get into dental schools and the easiest schools with high acceptance rates. Keep reading to find out the dental institutions that are the easiest to get into.
What Is a Dental School?
A dental school (also referred to as the school of dentistry, or the school of medicine) is a tertiary institution that teaches dental medicine. It’s an accredited institution where prospective dentists learn about dentistry.
Dental schools offer bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, a professional degree and a doctorate in dentistry, dental medicine or dental surgery.
Colleges and universities can also offer postgraduate training in general dentistry or training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology, endodontics, orthodontics, radiology, prosthodontics, etc.
Also Read: Requirements for Dental Schools
Requirements at Dental Schools
Generally, every dental school has its specific entry requirement. The dental school in your state may have an entry requirement, different from those out of state. However, there are basic entry requirements common to dental institutions.
So what are these basic requirements at these dental colleges?
To be considered for admission to a dental school in the United States, you must present one year course in chemistry, physics, biology, organic chemistry and English.
There are dental schools that require undergraduate coursework in anatomy, biochemistry, English composition, microbiology, and physiology. You also need to obtain the best grades in all coursework and show that you are active in extracurricular activities as a student.
Getting into a dental school can be challenging, considering the school’s acceptance rate. Remember you are competing with other applicants d if you want to stay ahead in the race, here are a few things to do.
You need to acquire volunteering experience in activities related to dental or health care. The more experience you get, the better your chances of getting into dental school.
In the United States, applicants can apply to several dental institutions through a single organization. Applicants can easily fill out the forms for several dental institutions and they need to do it once.
What Is the Acceptance Rate for Dental Schools?
Generally, schools always receive thousands of applications from applicants and they usually accept a few students. Although there are schools with acceptance rates close to 100%. But dental schools can’t accept every student that applies.
So this is why you must consider the acceptance rate of a dental school before you apply.
The truth is that getting into a dental school is challenging. According to American Dental Association, the average acceptance rate of a dental school is 55%.
However, the acceptance rate of most dental institutions in the United States is below 30%. According to research and statistics, the acceptance rate of a dental school can be as high as 20% or even low as 0.8%.
Dental schools in the United States offer both bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, professional degrees, and doctorates.
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) can be completed within four years.
If you wish to study at a dental school and build a career in dental health, ensure you meet the entry requirement of your preferred dental school.
Cost to Attend a Dental School
Besides discussing the easiest dental institutions to get into, we also want to look at the cost of attending one.
The cost to attend a dental school may be different depending on several factors. For instance, the cost to attend a private dental school will be different from that of a public school.
Every dental school has a standard and the tuition will differ based on the school’s standard. There are other fees you should be concerned about as a prospective dentist.
In dental institutions, students also need to pay for their instruments, instructional materials and other fixed costs. Bear in mind that these costs are all dependent on the school you applied to.
10 Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into
Here is our list of the easiest dental schools to get into, with their acceptance rate.
#1. University of Mississippi
Acceptance Rate: 44.3%
The University of Mississippi is a public research institution established in 1844. It’s the oldest public university in the state of Mississippi and has the largest enrolment.
The University of Mississippi has one of the highest acceptance rates in the country. With over 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the University of Mississippi has an acceptance rate of 88%.
Its dental school is accredited by the American Dental Association. Ole Miss also offers other academic programs and accepts an average rate of GPA and DAT scores.
Despite the acceptance rate at the University of Mississippi, students are required to meet entry-specific requirements. Getting into the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry requires math and science courses.
If you are interested to get into this dental school, you must have completed courses in biology, behavioural science, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, statistics, physics, and mathematics.
The University of Mississippi School of Dentistry also requires applicants to present a DAT score of 19.0 and a GPA of 3.62. This institution accepts applications from July 1 to December 1.
Ensure you apply before the deadline if you intend to study at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. The university’s school of dentistry offers nine programs of study to admitted students.
#2. University of Minnesota
Acceptance Rate: 38.5%
The University of Minnesota is next on our list of the easiest dental schools to get into.
Founded in 1851, the University of Minnesota is a public research institution with a large undergraduate enrolment. Presently, over 30,000 undergraduates are enrolled at the University of Minnesota.
The school of dentistry offers a variety of dental programs. It educates and trains general dentists, dental therapists, and dental specialists.
Dental hygienists and dental educators are all welcome to study at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. The acceptance rate of this dental school may not be up to 40%, but it’s a nice place for prospective dentists to study.
The University of Minnesota has an international reputation in dentistry. Each year, the students and faculty provide medical assistance to over 100,000 patients. They treat thousands of patients in their clinics and also provide medical assistance to others through outreach sites.
Just so you know, the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree, an average GPA of 3.0, a graduate record examination, transcripts, English language proficiency, and recommendation letters.
#3. University of Detroit Mercy
Acceptance Rate: 28.71%
The University of Detroit Mercy is a private Catholic university established in 1877. Located in Detroit, Michigan, the University of Detroit Mercy is one of the finest institutions in North America to study dental medicine.
The School of Dentistry at the University of Detroit Mercy has one of the best student-faculty ratios in the country. With a student-faculty ratio of 6:1, you will acquire first-hand knowledge of dentistry in the best learning environment.
The faculty offers several academic programs to students. However, to get into the university’s school of dentistry, you must satisfy its entry requirements.
The University of Detroit Mercy admits applicants with SAT scores between 1050 and 1260. Students with ACT scores of 22 can also be admitted to the University of Detroit Mercy.
The university’s school of dentistry offers a variety of graduate programs. If you are admitted into this university, you will study Advanced Education in General Dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, and endodontics.
#4. University of Utah
Acceptance Rate: 27.45%
The University of Utah makes it to our list of easiest dental schools to get into.
Founded in 1850, the University of Utah is a public research institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The U is organized into 18 colleges and schools.
The University of Utah School of Dentistry is accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation.
If you are interested to study at this dental school, you must have a bachelor’s degree obtained from an accredited institution. You also need an average GPA of 3.7 or a DAT score of 21 to get into this dental school.
If you have little knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, computer science, genetics, ethics or histology, you have a better chance to gain admission to the university’s school of dentistry.
Also Read: University of Minnesota Acceptance Rate, Admission, SAT/ACT, Tuition, Ranking
#5. University of Washington
Acceptance Rate: 22.54%
The University of Washington School of Dentistry is accredited by the American Dental Association and Northwest Commission on College and University.
This dental school is one of the most competitive in the United States and also has a better success rate.
If you are interested to study at the University of Washington graduate school, you must satisfy its entry requirements. So what is the entry requirement for the University of Washington graduate school?
All applicants seeking admission to the University of Washington graduate school must present an average GPA of 3.0. You are also required to have a dental degree or be in your final year of dental school.
The faculty requires your transcripts, recommendation letters, official documents, and an application fee.
#6 East Carolina University
Acceptance Rate: 21.16%
East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine is one of the easiest dental schools to get into. The overall acceptance rate at East Carolina University is 88%, while its school of dental medicine accepts 21% of applicants.
The university’s school of dental medicine is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
To get into East Carolina University, you must have a Residency Certification Number before your application will be accepted. Once you have your Residency Certification Number, you can easily apply to this dental school.
Entry requirements at East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine include an average GPA of 3.5 and a DAT score of 19.9.
#7. Ohio State University
Acceptance Rate: 20.33%
Ohio State University School of Dentistry is one of the dental schools in the United States that doesn’t require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. Yes, you can gain admission to the Ohio State University School of Dentistry without a bachelor’s degree.
So what are the entry requirements to get into Ohio State University School of Dentistry?
Applicants to the school of dentistry are required to complete 9 out of the 13 prerequisite courses with at least a grade of “C” or better. The courses include anatomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, microbiology, English, second writing course, and physiology.
Additionally, a GPA of 3.6 and a DAT score of 17 is also required from applicants.
#8. New York University
Acceptance Rate: 20.32%
With an acceptance rate of 20.32%, New York University College of Dentistry is one of the easiest dental schools to get into. NYU College of Dentistry is accredited by the American Dental Association.
The university’s college of dentistry requires an average GPA of 3.44 and a DAT score of 21.2. Applicants must have completed at least 60 credits at an accredited institution in the United States or Canada.
Also Read: 20 Best Dental Hygienist Schools In Texas
#9. Indiana University
Acceptance Rate: 19.95
Indiana University School of Dentistry is one of the easiest dental schools in the United States to get into.
This dental school offers a doctor of dental surgery and a dental hygiene program. Entry requirements at this school include an average GPA of 3.55 and a DAT score of 20.11.
To get into the dental hygiene program offered at NYU School of Dentistry, you need a GPA of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) or a GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite courses.
#10. LSU Health Sciences Centre
Acceptance Rate: 16.8%
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Centre complete our list of easiest dental schools to get into.
Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, the LSU Health Sciences Centre has a modern school of dentistry. The institution offers dentistry courses such as oral and maxillofacial surgery and a doctor of dental surgery degree.
Types of Dental Degrees
The American Dental Association recognizes the following dental specialities.
- Dental Anaesthesiology
- Endodontic
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Orthodontics and Dent Facial Orthopaedics
- Paediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
Conclusion
Dental colleges are accredited institutions that offer academic programs in dentistry. To get into a dental school, you need to consider the acceptance rate at the institution and your chances of getting in.
Dental health is a lucrative career path in the health system.
Now that you know the easiest dental schools to get into, hope you can make the right choice.
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