Studying dentistry in the USA can be a great career decision towards pursuing a great career. Most dentistry courses and universities in the USA are top-ranked in the world. This is because of the high quality of education that these universities offer. The universities in the USA offer theoretical dentistry as well as practicals in their curriculum. As a result, studying dentistry in the USA will give you the complete skills and knowledge that are needed to thrive as a successful dentist.

Studying Dentistry in the USA can be a rewarding career decision. The dental schools are known for training 21st-century dentists as well as forging discoveries. However, gaining admission into these Universities is highly competitive. Therefore, you need to prepare well before you make an application.

In this piece, I will walk you through the requirements that are needed when applying to study dentistry in the USA.

Requirements to Study Dentistry in the USA

1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

   Universities in the USA do not accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree into dental school. It is compulsory that you pursue a four-year undergraduate degree before applying to study dentistry. Furthermore, the bachelor’s degree should be a science-related discipline. It should be either a health science or a life science degree. Additionally, your bachelor’s degree should include courses in Biochemistry, Biology, Organic Chemistry, Physics and Laboratory practicals.

2. Have a Good GPA

   You need to have a good GPA to be able to study dentistry in the USA. Therefore, you should have at least a 3.5 GPA or grade C in your bachelor’s degree.

3. Write DAT

   The Dental Admission Test(DAT) is compulsory for all applicants. This test is required for admission into dentistry in the USA. Therefore, you need to have a high score to be able to be considered for admission. The minimum score required is 22-24. You should have a minimum of 21 in academic, science and reading. Additionally, you should have a minimum of 20 in perceptual ability. You can take the DAT a year in advance before applying.

4. Submit a Statement of Purpose(SOP)

   You need to write a statement of purpose while making your application. The minimum word count required is 500. However, this may vary for different universities. The statement of purpose should include your interest in the field and why you chose to study dentistry in the USA.

5. English Language Requirements

   International students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Test. Different universities have the preferred test that they use for screening. The minimum cut-off marks for these tests are TOEFL: 90, and IELTS: 6.5 -7.0. However, you need to verify from your school of interest to know the test you can take.

6. Submit your Transcripts

   You must submit your transcript of your previous education. This should include all the courses as well as grades that you studied. Additionally, your transcripts should be written in English.

7. Submit your Resume

   You will be required to submit your resume. This resume should contain your area of interest as well as your achievements. Additionally, it should contain your work experiences.

8. Application Fee

   Applicants must submit an application fee. Without this fee, you will not be able to submit your application. The application fee for US citizens is $80. The application fee for an international student is $100. However, you can apply for the fee waiver. This will enable you to submit your application without a fee.

9. Letters of Recommendation

   You need to submit between three to five recommendation letters. These recommendation letters will talk about your academic status and potential. Therefore, you should be gotten from a lecturer or teacher in your previous institution.

10. Interview Stage

    The next phase in the application process is the interview stage. This interview will be held virtually or physically depending on your location.

11. Interview Decision

    After the interview, you will get the outcome regarding your application. You can get emails such as acceptance, alternate list, or rejection.

How to Apply

Firstly, you must select the dental universities you would like to apply to in the USA. Secondly, you should submit your application through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) portal.

Duration

Studying Dentistry in the USA lasts for four years. After graduating, you will obtain a DDS, a Doctor of Dental Surgery or a DMD, a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry, or a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for studying Dentistry in the USA ranges from $15,000 to $60,000. However, this may vary based on the University. International students also pay higher tuition fees. Additionally, students can apply for financial aid. This will help to reduce the high cost of fees for students. Some Universities offer financial aid to students. You can verify this by checking the school’s website.

Universities in the United States that Offer Dentistry

1. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
2. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
3. Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
4. University of California, San Francisco, California
5. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6. New York University, New York City, New York
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
8. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
9. Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
10. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
11. University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
12. Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
13. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota
14. Columbia University, New York City, New York
15. University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
16. Stanford University, Stanford, California
17. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
18. University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
19. Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
20. Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
21. University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, Urbana and Champaign, Illinois
22. Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
23. University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
24. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
25. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Brunswick, New Jersey
26. Tufts University, Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts
27. Indiana University, Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana
28. University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
29. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
30. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
31. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
32. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
33. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
34. University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
35. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
36. Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
37. University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
38. Washington University in St Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
39. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
40. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

In Conclusion, Studying Dentistry in the USA is highly competitive. You need to ensure that you have all these requirements. Additionally, you should always verify from the school’s website before you make an application. You can reach out to us for further inquiries or assistance.

Good luck!

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