Hey all, I'm a rising junior who’s been entertaining the dream of becoming a dentist. Could anyone chime in and suggest California colleges that excel in pre-dental or dentistry programs?
Absolutely! If you are aiming for a career as a dentist, I want to point out that dental schools generally don't require a specific undergraduate major. They do have prerequisite coursework that students must complete, regardless of their major, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and others. That being said, some California schools have a solid track record of preparing students for dental school. Here are a few to consider:
1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): As one of the highest-ranked universities in the country and home to a renowned UCLA School of Dentistry, UCLA's strong science programs lay a robust groundwork for a pre-dental track. Their pre-health advising resources are superb, offering guidance as you prepare to apply to dental school.
2. University of Southern California (USC): USC's pre-health advising provides comprehensive support for aspiring dentists, even offering a Pre-Dental Student Peer Mentorship Program. USC also houses the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry.
3. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley): A stellar university with strong programs in the sciences, UC Berkeley's Career Center also provides robust pre-health advising, including a Dental School Application Guide to help students navigate the application process.
4. University of California, San Diego (UCSD): UCSD has a substantial Biological Sciences department and offers extensive pre-health career advising.
5. Stanford University: While Stanford might not directly offer pre-dental programs, it's worth mentioning it due to its world-class undergraduate programs in the sciences. Their pre-professional advising can assist you at every step toward dental school.
Remember that where you go is not as important as what you do. Focus on performing well in your classes (especially in the hard sciences), and get involved in health-related or leadership extracurricular activities, such as volunteering at a dental clinic, conducting research in a lab, or joining a pre-dental society. All of these experiences will make you a competitive applicant when applying to dental schools.
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