1. School of Dentistry Be A Competitive Dental School Applicant

2. 1. Know what qualities dental schools look for in an applicant
Experiences
Metrics
Attributes
Institution’s Mission 2

3. A Holistic Perspective of Applicants
Experiences:
the “road traveled”
educational background
employment
research experience
dentistry-related experiences
Attributes:
skills & abilities
personal and professional characteristics
demographic factors
Metrics:
grade point averages
DAT scores
This is an illustration of the rubric that AAMC uses in describing holistic review. Elaborate on what Experiences and Attributes can be. Under attributes specifically, mention:
Skills and abilities: active listening, problem solving, written and oral communication, critical thinking, being multi-lingual.
Personal and professional characteristics: resilience, integrity, adaptability, persistence, motivation, intellectual curiosity, empathy.
Source: AAMC Roadmap to Diversity 3

4. 2. Complete your prerequisites on time
At least 87 semester credits including:
8 credits of general biology or zoology with lab
8 credits of physics with lab
8 credits of general chemistry with lab
8 credits of organic chemistry with lab
3 credits of biochemistry
3 credits of math (college algebra, pre-calculus, calculus, statistics)
8 credits of English
3 credits of applied human psychology
Need to be completed with a grade of C or above

5. 3. Schedule your Electives
Art – drawing, sculpture
Cell biology
Histology
Human anatomy*
Microbiology
Genetics
Immunology
Human physiology*
*Good to have before DAT

6. 4. Take a holistic view of your application
Academics (Total GPA, BCP, Science)
DAT scores
Orientation to dentistry (minimum of 50 hours dental shadowing in general dentistry)
Personal statement and essays
Letters of recommendation
Service record
Leadership and extracurricular activities
Work experience

7. 4.b Points to cover in your diversity essay
Geographic diversity
First generation college student
Personal or family adversity
Psychomotor ability
Racial and ethnic diversity
Evidence of outstanding leadership
Unique work or service experience (rural and underserved communities)
Experience and/or interest in research or teaching

8. 5. Prepare for the interview
Only 25% - 30% of the applicant pool are interviewed
Once selected, practice interviewing skills
Be informed about different types of interviews used by different dental schools
UM School of Dentistry interviews:
Structured
Competency or experience based
Closed file
Two on one

9. PROFILE OF THE DDS CLASS
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
PROFILE OF THE DDS CLASS
ENTERING 2015
(British Columbia, California, Illinois, Iowa Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ontario, Oregon, South Korea, Texas, Vermont)
(Manitoba, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
110 49 61 26 71 18 21 31
(45%)
(55%)
(24%)
(65%)
(16%)
(19%)
(28%)
Average GPA
Average DAT
Overall
3.55
Academic Average
19.93
Science
3.47
Perceptual Ability
20.27
BCP (bio, chem, physics)
Total Science
19.57
Reading
21.57
Updated
GPA data based only on information from AADSAS. Average GPAs will be changed as accepted students send in final transcripts.

10. 41
D.D.S Class of 2019
(110)

11. 6. Contact us for any questions
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
Office of Admissions and Diversity
Phone: