Hey everyone, I'm a junior thinking about a career in dentistry. What pre-dental courses should I be looking at to prepare for dental school? Are there any specific science classes I should prioritize?
Hello! It's great that you're considering a career in dentistry. Dental schools generally have specific prerequisites that students need to complete during their undergraduate years. While each school might have varying requirements, there are certain core courses that you can count on being required for almost all dental schools. Here's a list of common pre-dental courses you should consider taking:
1. Biology: Take at least one year of general biology with lab. You might also want to take upper-level biology courses such as microbiology, genetics, and human anatomy and physiology.
2. Chemistry: Complete one year of both general chemistry and organic chemistry, each with lab. Some dental schools also require a course in biochemistry.
3. Physics: A one-year course in physics with lab is typically required.
4. English: Most dental schools require one year of English composition or other writing-intensive courses.
5. Math: At least one semester of college-level mathematics, such as statistics or calculus, is typically required.
6. Psychology: Some dental schools require or recommend a course in general psychology.
Beyond these prerequisites, you may want to consider taking additional courses that could give you a solid foundation for dental school and your future career. Some examples include cell biology, immunology, and nutrition. It would also be beneficial to explore opportunities for observation/shadowing and volunteer work in dentistry to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the field.
To learn more, read this blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/pre-dental-requirements/
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and you should research the specific prerequisites of the dental schools you're interested in. Additionally, maintaining a strong GPA and preparing for the Dental Admission Test (DAT) should be a priority alongside completing these courses. Best of luck on your pre-dental journey!
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