Pre-Dentistry
The majority of dentists begin general practice after graduation from dental school. Some choose to specialize in orthodontics, oral pathology, or pediatric dentistry. Others find employment opportunities outside of private practice. For example, dentists have careers in:
- Dental education
- Forensic dentistry
- Dental medicine
- Dental surgery
- Dental public health
- Research
- Dental product industry
Why Choose GC Among Other Pre-Dental Schools?
To be accepted into one of the 54 dental programs in the United States, pre-dental students will need a strong background in science. Goshen College can provide you with this academic foundation and opportunities in a wide variety of other disciplines.
A TOP-NOTCH PRE-DENTAL SCHOOL WITH ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Goshen College has an excellent record in preparing students to succeed in the sciences.
- Goshen students who apply to post-graduate programs have a historically high success rate. In recent years, more than 90% of GC students who have applied to medical school have been accepted.
- In a recent study by Franklin and Marshall College of over 500 undergraduate institutions, Goshen College ranked in the top 5% for its percentage of graduates who earned Ph.D.s in life sciences.
- In comparison to 70 undergraduate institutions in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Goshen was #1 in the percentage of graduates who received Ph.D.s in the life sciences
A PRE-DENTAL SCHOOL WITH EXCELLENT FACILITIES
Our modern science building includes comfortable and safe research labs that are well-ventilated and well-equipped for basic research in the biochemical, genetic, cellular, molecular, vertebrate, aquatic, and marine areas.
OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH DENTAL SCHOOL FACULTY
You can interact personally with the science faculty in classes, labs, and research activities.
- The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, allowing you to work one-on-one with your professors.
- You can participate in various undergraduate research projects directed by faculty members.
- Many students work with professors as lab assistants.
OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN DENTAL MEDICINE
You may choose to pursue experience in Goshen-area clinics and have unique opportunities to gain international experience. Many Goshen College students spend a semester abroad through GC’s unique Study-Service Term (SST). Pre-dental students interested in a health-related career are encouraged to spend their six-week service period working on a health-related assignment. You could work in hospitals, clinics, and medical/dental missions in countries as far away as the Ecuador, Indonesia, and Senegal.
SUGGESTED PLAN OF STUDY
The following courses meet the prerequisites for most dental schools.
- Biology Core classes – Ecology & Evolution, Organismal Biology, Cell Biology & Genetics
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- General Physics
The following schedule represents one way to incorporate the required prerequisite classes into a study plan. Keep in mind that not all classes listed may be required for every school of dentistry and that you may need to add one or two additional courses that your program requires.
First Year
| Fall | Spring | May Term |
| General Chemistry I | General Chemistry II | CORE: Engaging the Bible |
| Ecology & Evolution (NW Perspective) | Organismal Biology | |
| CORE: Identity, Culture, & Community & Learning Comm. | Cell Biology & Genetics | |
| CORE: Academic Voice | CORE: Seminar & Learning Comm |
Second Year
| Fall | Spring | May Term |
| Organic Chemistry I | Organic Chemistry II | Study-Service Term** |
| Calculus I | Adv. Mol. Genetics or Adv. Cell Bio. | |
| D. Vert or Vert. Phys. | CORE: Perspective | |
| Foreign Language 101 | Foreign Language 102 |
Third Year
| Fall | Spring | May Term |
| Physics I | Physics II | CORE: Perspective |
| CORE: Global Issues Seminar | CORE: Perspective | |
| Junior Research Seminar | Elective |
Many schools also require/recommend:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Calculus
- Psychology
- Computer Proficiency
- Statistics
- Developmental Vertebrate Biology
- Vertebrate Physiology
- Advanced Genetics
Most professional schools have specific prerequisites for admission, so each pre-dental student will need to check the requirements of each program they are considering in advance to gain detailed information. To find the specific requirements for each school of dentistry, see the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Official Guide to Dental Schools.
APPLYING TO DENTAL SCHOOL
Most applications to dental schools are processed through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). The service provides a universal application that is first sent to AADSAS and then forwarded to participating schools that the applicant is interested in. If you are interested in a dentistry school that does not participate in this program, you must apply directly to its admissions office.
You can request additional information, such as letters of reference, after processing your application. You are evaluated based on previous academic curriculum, undergraduate GPA, and Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores. Students who meet expectations in these areas will be asked for an interview before a final admissions decision is made.
Most dental schools require a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0 for acceptance. However, in recent years, the mean GPA for accepted students was 3.2-3.3. Therefore, dental schools prefer a GPA of at least 3.3 to remain competitive. All schools also require applicants to submit scores from the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).