If your academic score is making you worry about getting into a dental school, take a look at our list of 7 easiest dental schools to get into.
Dentistry is one of the most reputable professions in the US. In fact, the US News and World Report ranked it number two on their list of the 100 best jobs in the country. Therefore, it is no surprise if students are lining up to get admissions into dental schools. But bear in mind that generally, it is no easy task to gain admission into a dental school. According to Top Ten Nation, the average Grade Point Average (GPA) of students aspiring to be dental school students should be more than 3.30.
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Furthermore, GPA is not the only admission criterion for the selection of students. Scores of the Dental Admission Test (DAT) are also extremely significant for a student to procure a seat in their desired school. DAT is mandatory to be taken before applying to a dental school. Its scores are announced by the American Dental Association and may range from anywhere between 1 to 30, 30 being the highest. The average DAT score of dentistry students is 19.9.
This information must be alarming for someone who was not able to secure a great GPA, or was unable to achieve a good enough DAT score, but have no fear, as we have prepared for you a list of those dental schools that have the most lenient conditions when it comes to GPA and DAT. We used both scores as the ranking criteria because some schools may take it easy on the GPA but have extremely strict requirements for DAT, and vice versa. Therefore, first, we ranked the schools based on the average GPA of enrolling students for the year 2015-2016. We did the same with the average DAT score and then combined both the rankings to come up with the final list. Data were taken from DAT-PREP and if it was incomplete for some schools, we consulted Start Class by Graphiq. However, if you are looking for dental schools which are the easiest to get into based on their cost, take a look at the 7 most affordable dental schools in the US!
Now, let’s get back to the topic and start with the 7 easiest dental schools to get into, so keep reading!
6. Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health
Average GPA: 3.45
Average DAT score: 18.4
Missouri School of Dentistry and Health has tied at the number six spot with Midwestern University (College of Dental Medicine-Illinois). It states in its curriculum that it will provide students with theoretical knowledge for the first two years. The third and fourth year, however, focus on practical clinical education, making the students well-rounded medical practitioners in the field of dentistry.
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6. Midwestern University (College of Dental Medicine-Illinois)
Average GPA: 3.43
Average DAT score: 18.6
The second school on our list and the second at number six, Midwestern University demands a grade of C or more on each of the courses required to be taken by students before applying to the school. However, the average GPA and DAT of the students admitted are not as high as one might expect which is why this school has landed on our list of 7 easiest dental schools to get into.
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5. Western University of Health Sciences – College of Dental Medicine
Average GPA: 3.26
Average DAT score: 19
The average DAT score of students at Western University is the highest out of all the schools on this list. Since the average GPA is low, it has ended up in our final ranking. The quality of the school, however, is no less than of the others. Western University boasts on its website about it being an excellent choice for students of dentistry because of its innovation in dental education.
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4. East Carolina University – School of Dental Medicine
Average GPA: 3.4
Average DAT score: 18.2
The School of Dental Medicine of East Carolina University is another one on our list which prides itself on innovative teaching methods. In fact, Apple Corporation itself has named it an Apple Distinguished Program due to its advanced usage of technology to facilitate the learning of students.
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3. University of New England – College of Dental Medicine
Average GPA: 3.33
Average DAT score: 18.2
This school is one of the more expensive ones with its tuition and all other direct costs amounting to $73,295. If you are willing to pay a hefty amount for your education, the school’s low academic requirements will increase your chances of gaining admission into it.
2. Howard University – College of Dentistry
Average GPA: 2.85
Average DAT score: 17.9
This school not only advertises its high standards of teaching, but its values pertaining to great patient care and service as well. Furthermore, it has various departments teaching students different aspects of dental care, such as clinical dentistry, dental hygiene, and oral surgery.
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1. Meharry Medical College – School of Dentistry
Average GPA: 3.2
Average DAT score: 17
Number one on our list of 7 easiest dental schools to get into is Meharry Medical College – School of Dentistry, founded in 1886 and located in Nashville, Tennessee. The main reason for its high position on this list is the extremely low average DAT score of the enrolling students. The school is unique because 64 percent of Meharry dental graduates practice in socio-economic deprived areas.
