Pre-Dental
Prepare for your Future in Dentistry
At Western Oregon University students can complete the required coursework for dental school applications while earning their bachelor’s degree. While a major in Biology or Chemistry will encompass most pre-dental courses, students are encouraged to pursue a major that best aligns with their interests. Many dental schools do not require a bachelor’s degree for program admission, however, completion of a degree is strongly recommended. Admissions decisions are based on academic preparation and experience.
Courses
The following courses do not align with entry requirements for any specific program but are intended to prepare students for the DAT.
Preparatory Courses
- Principles of Biology (BI 221 – 223)
- General Chemistry (CH 221 – 223)
- Organic Chemistry (CH 334 – 336)
- Biochemistry (CH 450 & CH 451)
- Physics (PH 201 – 203)
- Precalculus (MTH 111 & MTH 112)
Pre-Dental students should work closely with their major advisor for course selection and ensuring they are on track for graduation. A Health Professions advisor can provide additional support with dental school application preparation.
Programs
Students are encouraged to explore dental school options to find programs that are a good fit. Starting early can help students get a better sense of admission requirements and what different programs are looking for.
Resources
Students are encouraged to work closely with their major advisor and a health professions advisor to ensure they are on track for both their WOU degree and dental school applications.
Key Application Components
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree (highly recommended)
- Required prerequisite coursework
- Competitive DAT score
- Strong GPA – overall & science coursework
- Experience (field experience, shadowing, leadership, volunteering, etc.)
- Letters of recommendation
