Greg Heiberger, Coordinator and Advisor
Biology and Microbiology
Dairy-Microbiology 225C Box 2104A
605-688-4294
e-mail: greg.heiberger@sdstate.edu
Scott Pedersen, Advisor
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Agricultural Hall 329
605-688-5529
e-mail: scott.pedersen@sdstate.edu
Area of Study
Dental schools are looking for bright, articulate students who have a well rounded education and are able to relate to a range of personalities. Dental schools require at least three years of college, but most now require that applicants have received their baccalaureate degree before they enter dental school.
Because the requirements of each dental school vary considerably, it is difficult to provide a complete listing of the necessary coursework that would satisfy every institution. Instead, the SDSU pre-dental program challenges the pre-dental student with a heavy emphasis on science courses (two years of chemistry, one year of physics, and at least three years of biology) in order to prepare the student for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). These courses do not restrict a student’s ability to shift into other programs at SDSU and provide excellent career alternatives for those students who are not immediately accepted into a dental school.
Admission to dental schools is extremely selective, and students who are serious about being accepted into a dental school should strive to substantially exceed the minimum requirements. Acceptance into dental school is based primarily on four criteria: 1) absolute minimum of a 3.5 GPA on the 4.0 scale, 2) Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores, 3) recommendation letters from faculty and employers, and 4) a personal statement describing the students’ motivation for this career choice.
The Pre-Health Professional Advisor provides advising services to assist each student in developing a plan and selecting a major to best suit his or her goals.
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