How Many Dental Schools Should I Apply To

The question now is: How many dental schools should you apply to? This article will disclose the minimum amount of dental schools you should apply to use your specific parameters and values. Let’s dive right in!

How Hard Is It to Get Into Dental School?

Admissions statistics, application mistakes, and strategies to maximize your dental school admissions odds

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Dental school acceptance rates

Part 3: Dental school application mistakes

Part 1: Introduction

At some point along your journey into dentistry, you’ve probably wondered, “How hard is it to get into dental school?” After all, of the many challenges that becoming a dentist presents, getting into dental school is among the most significant and consequential.

As a pre-dental student, you’ve likely worked hard to maintain a strong GPA, participate in meaningful extracurriculars, and ace the DAT. At the end of the day, however, it’s always difficult to realistically predict your chances of getting into dental school, and it can be tough to kick the nagging feeling that you might not walk away with any acceptances.

Let’s take a look at the facts and statistics regarding current dental school acceptance rates—and discuss what they mean for you. We’ll help you understand exactly what you’re up against with the dental school admissions process, plus we’ll highlight common application mistakes and provide suggestions on how to avoid them so you can increase your chances of acceptance and a successful dental career.

Part 2: Dental school acceptance rates

To start, let’s dive into current and historical dental school acceptance rates. Getting a sense of the big picture may help you understand the major trends in dentistry, a profession that’s evolving by the year.

According to data from the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), in 2000, only 54.5 percent of dental school applicants were accepted and eventually enrolled in a dental school. In 2019, the most recent year for which data are available, that number was a touch higher, but hardly meaningfully so, at 55.9 percent. While these nearly identical statistics seem to suggest that dental school acceptance rates have remained static over the last 20 years, they don’t tell the whole story in regards to the admissions changes and trends that have occurred during that period.

Below are key takeaways garnered from looking at nearly two decades’ worth of data.

Changing dental school acceptance rates

• Highest acceptance rate: 2002 (58% of applicants got in)
• Lowest acceptance rate: 2007 (33.6% of applicants got in)

Takeaway: Acceptance rates have varied significantly over the years. Why is this the case? Remember that acceptance rates reflect both the total number of seats available in dental schools across the country and the number of applicants per year.

Dental school seats available and numbers of applicants

• 2000: 4,234 available seats; 7,700 applicants
• 2007: 4,618 available seats; 13,742 applicants
• 2019: 6,231 available seats; 11,148 applicants

Number of dental schools

• 2000: 55 dental schools open
• 2021: 68 dental schools open

Takeaway: There are more people applying to dental schools now than there were 20 years ago, but there are also more seats available, as several dental schools opened after 2007.

Average GPA and DAT of dental school enrollees

We’ve also seen, through ADEA data, that the average total GPA and on the DAT among dental school enrollees is increasing.

Average GPA of successful dental school applicants:

• 2000: Average total GPA: 3.35; science GPA: 3.25
• 2019: Average total GPA: 3.57; science GPA: 3.48

Average DAT score of successful dental school applicants:

• 2000: 18.5 (academic average)
  • Total science: 18.3
  • Perceptual ability: 17.7
  • 2019: 20.7 (academic average)
    • Total science: 20.5
    • Perceptual ability: 20.4

    Takeaway: While the total number of dental schools and dental school seats has increased over the last 20 years, it is still more competitive than ever to get into dental school.

    What do averages hide?

    Some dental schools are far more competitive than others, and individual schools can have dramatically different statistics among admitted students. Here are some examples:

    • Harvard School of Dental Medicine
      • Average GPA: 3.85
      • Average DAT: 22
      • Average GPA: 3.67
      • Average DAT: 21
      • Average GPA: 3.42
      • Average DAT: 20

      Takeaway: Understand national averages, but also investigate specific schools to understand the statistics for your desired programs. Consider range, too—for instance, while the extremely competitive UCSF School of Dentistry has an average DAT score of 22.8, it actually accepted students with DAT scores ranging from 18 to 27.

      Cost of dental school applications

      While your DAT score, GPA, and extracurriculars are important elements that can make or break your acceptance to dental school, cost is another factor to consider.

      The ADEA AADSAS application fee is $259 for the first dental school and $112 for each additional school. Nearly every dental school also has a secondary or supplemental application which costs, on average, an additional $80 per application. Finally, factor in an additional $400 plus or minus for the flight, hotel, and rideshare or public transportation needed for each onsite interview.

      With these average costs, the total amount to apply to 15 dental schools would be just over $5,000, as follows:

      ADEA AADSAS application $259 + ($112 x 14) = $1,827
      Supplemental applications $80 x 15 = $1,200
      Assume 5 interviews $400 x 5 = $2,000

      Total cost = $5,027

      Takeaway: While applying to dental school is very competitive, it is important to do your research and carefully select the programs to which you apply. Blindly applying to 30+ dental schools simply isn’t the best approach and will end up being quite expensive without significantly improving your chances of admission. Instead, we recommend a methodical approach that includes a mix of “reach,” “target,” and “safety” programs (explained below) to maximize your chances of admission without breaking the bank.

      Part 3: Dental school application mistakes

      Of the over 11,000 applicants in 2019, some undoubtedly made needless mistakes that quickly moved them to the bottom of the pile. To boost your chances of admission to dental school, here are five common mistakes to avoid.

      Dental school application mistake #1: Submitting the AADSAS application late

      The application for admissions starting Fall 2022 is officially due on February 9th, 2022. But, in our experience, any application received after September 2021 will be at a severe disadvantage to those who apply earlier.

      With rolling admissions, applications are reviewed on a first-come first-served basis. For Fall 2022 admissions, the application may be accessed on May 11th, 2021 and submitted starting June 1st. We recommend submitting your application (including your DAT score) no later than July 15th for admissions starting the fall of the following year. Any later and your chances of landing an interview go down dramatically.

      Dental school application mistake #2: Writing a mediocre personal statement

      Regardless of your DAT score or GPA, you need a well-written personal statement. Submitting a personal statement that is uninteresting, poorly written, or fails to answer the question of why you want to become a dentist immediately decreases your chances of admission.

      You’ll need to take the time to write a personal statement that is engaging and leaves no doubt regarding your passion and interest in dentistry. Give the admissions committee a reason to want to meet you in person at an interview.

      Begin well in advance so you have ample time to edit and revise. We suggest aiming to complete a first draft by the end of April of your application year so that you can go through a few rounds of revision before submitting in June or July. Enlist three to five trusted readers to provide feedback before you submit.

      Dental school application mistake #3: Submitting a sloppy ADEA AADSAS application

      The AADSAS application for dental school does not include a CV or resume. There are specific categories with strict format limitations where you enter all of your extracurricular experiences and activities. Additionally, it can take several weeks to complete the full application.

      The nonintuitive format of the application combined with the time commitment can lead applicants to skimp on the process, especially if they have an above average GPA and DAT that they are hoping to rely on. Unfortunately, submitting a poor application can make a significant negative difference, even with above average statistics.

      So, give yourself ample time to complete the application. Allow a minimum of two weeks, not including the time needed to write your personal statement. That means at least two weeks dedicated strictly to entering the necessary information into your application.

      Fortunately, there are three weeks between when the application opens on May 11th and when submissions begin on June 1st, meaning you can take your time filling out the application even if you want to submit at the earliest possible date.

      Treat the application as a series of mini essays describing your extracurricular experiences. Review it for both substance and grammar/spelling. Consider also creating a resume or CV prior to the application opening. This way, you are simply transferring the information into your application after it has already been reviewed and edited in a thoughtful way.

      Dental school application mistake #4: Underpreparing, overpreparing, or preparing in the wrong way for dental school interviews

      Being underprepared can obviously backfire. Being overprepared, on the other hand, is also a risk. Memorizing responses means you’ll risk coming across as overly robotic, without passion or personality. However, preparing in the wrong way can occur when an applicant assumes they are walking into a one-on-one interview but are surprised the day of to learn it’s actually an MMI.

      After receiving an interview offer, confirm the interview format. Is it a one-on-one interview with faculty, a panel interview with alumni and current students, a group interview, or an MMI? Traditionally, the ADEA publishes an interview guide each year, a spreadsheet that includes information from a survey sent to all dental schools regarding interview type and format. However, due to COVID-19 and the ensuing disruptions to the interview process, that information can currently be found in these COVID-19 application updates.

      In addition, research each school. What makes it unique? What do they value or emphasize in their program? We recommend having at least three specific talking points per school that answer the question “Why do you want to come to our school?”.

      Finally, make sure to have an honest yet engaging answer to the question “Why do you want to be a dentist?” that clearly describes your journey into dentistry as well as your passion for the profession.

      Dental school application mistake #5: Applying to the wrong mix of dental schools

      Some applicants have too many reach and not enough target or safety schools. Others apply to only public state schools as out-of-state applicants, not realizing that demographic often has a slimmer-than-average chance of acceptance.

      It’s important to apply to a good mix of reach, target, and safety schools, as well as a balance of private vs. public schools. In general, we recommend applying to at least 15 schools with roughly the following ratio:

      • 2–4 reach schools (your GPA and DAT are below their average statistics)
      • 8–12 target schools (your GPA and DAT are near their average statistics)
      • 3–5 safety schools (your GPA and DAT are above their average statistics)

      Most state schools cap the number of out-of-state applicants, while private schools typically give no preference for in-state versus out-of-state applicants. For example, the dental schools in Texas use their own application system for Texas residents (TMDSAS) and typically only take a handful of out-of-state applicants, some years taking none. In contrast, out-of-state applicants at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry typically comprise roughly 70 percent of any given entering class. Marquette University School of Dentistry is a private school that regularly has classes composed of 50 percent out-of-state applicants.

      Ultimately, do your homework on every school you apply to in order to have the best possible chance at getting admitted.

      Final thoughts

      The dental school admissions process is competitive and growing more difficult every year. While the number of dental schools is consistently increasing, so too are the average GPAs and DAT scores of successful applicants. As such, for the best chances of admissions success, it’s crucial to focus on earning strong grades and studying hard for the DAT, in addition to preparing a standout personal statement and other application materials.

      That said, the institutions that make up the dental school landscape range considerably in their selectivity and average statistics, so you can tailor your school list according to how competitive your applicant profile is, bearing in mind other factors, like residency status, that affect your odds of acceptance.

      While getting into dental school is challenging, by approaching the admissions process in a thoughtful, data-driven way, you can boost your chances of admission and be that much closer to earning your DMD or DDS.

      How Many Dental Schools Should You Apply To in 2023?

      

      July 12, 2023 Adebayo Samson

      

      Like any medical school, getting into dental school can be challenging. You must maintain a strong GPA, participate in meaningful curricular, and pass the Dental Admission Test with merit.

      Usually, pre-dental students can predict their chances of getting admitted with the acceptance rate data of the school they are applying to. This way, you can know if you should try alternatives.

      I don’t advise pre-dental students to apply to only one dental school, no matter how high the acceptance rate is. To be on the safer side, you should apply to more than one dental school.

      The question now is: How many dental schools should you apply to? This article will disclose the minimum amount of dental schools you should apply to use your specific parameters and values. Let’s dive right in!

      Table of Contents

      How many Dental Schools should I apply to?

      Determining how many schools you should apply to as a dental student depends on several factors, which I will discuss in this article.

      However, there is an average number you should apply to based on general stats and the admission history of these dental schools. Generally, you should apply to a minimum of 15 dental schools using the following ratio:

      • 2–4 reach schools (your GPA and DAT are below their average statistics)
      • 8–12 target schools (your GPA and DAT are close to their average statistics)
      • 3–5 safety schools (your GPA and DAT are above their average statistics)

      In essence, dental school students must apply to as many dental schools as possible, following the above ratio.

      Ideally, aspiring dental school students are offered admission into a dental program within their state. However, developing multiple hypothetical plans for your dental school career is crucial, hence the reason you are advised to apply to as many schools as possible.

      As I mentioned, you can determine how many dental schools you should apply to use your unique parameters.

      How to determine the dental schools to apply to

      To find out how many dental schools you should apply to, you need to follow a particular procedure:

      

      • Do your research and create a list
      • Find out what type of applicant you are
      • Consider your budget

      1. Do your Research and create a list

      Before you can conclude on what number of dental schools you should apply to, the first thing you should do is research dental schools and your favorite list.

      You don’t need to submit applications to every dental school you find interesting. The first step in deciding how many dental schools you should apply to is researching and creating a list of schools. You can start by checking background requirements for each school you are interested in and ensure they fit well for your academic/professional background. If they fit, you can add them to your list.

      As a dental school student, I’d always advise you to avoid schools with extremely low acceptance rates or unrealistic expectations. The competition is usually high, and you might have little to no chance of getting admitted.

      After drafting a list based on these criteria, review it and see if you may need to remove some schools from the list or even add some. This will also give you an insight into how many applications you should submit.

      2. Find out what type of applicant you are

      After creating a list of the dental schools you wish to apply to, you should also find out what type of applicant you are. The number of applications you should submit will also depend on what type of applicant you are.

      The number of applications you submit will depend on your grades, test scores, and recommendations. If you have excellent grades and test scores, applying to multiple dental schools will be a great idea. This way, you can increase your chances of getting accepted into any of these schools and possibly receive a scholarship offer from any.

      On the contrary, aspirants with weaker grades and test scores are advised to apply to fewer schools with very little competition. Due to the low competition in these schools, your credentials could still be enough for admission consideration.

      3. Consider your budget

      Your budget is one of the most important things to consider when applying to dental school. Several dental schools in the United States require an application fee from students. Your application will only be considered successful after the completion of this payment.

      If you have the budget to apply to only five dental schools, then do so. If you can apply to more, you should also go for it. What matters the most is how you manage your application, and that’s why this guide is essential.

      Before submitting applications, you should consider your budget and determine if it allows for several application fees simultaneously. If possible, you may have to wait until later in the year when more funds may become available.

      Dental school application mistakes

      You may be wondering why you have applied to several dental schools yet haven’t seen a positive result. It could be due to an application mistake you make every time.

      To boost your chances of admission to any dental school, here are some common mistakes you should avoid:

      1. Applying late

      No matter the dental school you are applying to, sending your applications late may jeopardize your admission chances.

      Usually, applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, students who apply earlier are at an advantage over those who apply late and, in most cases, tend to get admission first.

      2. Writing an average-quality personal statement

      Your statement is equally as important as your GPA or DAT score. Therefore, aspirants are usually advised to draft a well-written personal statement.

      Submitting a mediocre, poorly written personal statement will drastically reduce your chances of getting into dental school. Your personal statement must answer questions like why you want to become a dentist; if it doesn’t, it automatically becomes terrible.

      You’ll need to take the time to write an engaging personal statement that convinces whoever reads the piece of your interest and passion in dentistry. Give the admissions committee a reason to want to meet you in person for an interview.

      3. Submitting a bad application

      The AADSAS application for dental school differs from a traditional CV or resume format. It provides specific categories with strict format limitations to document your extracurricular experiences and activities.

      You should also note that the application does not require a CV or resume. Moreover, completing the entire application can be time-consuming and may take several weeks to finish.

      The unconventional format of the application, coupled with the substantial time commitment it entails, can deceive applicants into taking shortcuts in the process, particularly if they have an above-average GPA and DAT scores, which they hope will carry their application.

      However, you should note that submitting a subpar application can hurt your admission, regardless of your impressive academic statistics.

      4. Applying to the wrong mix of dental schools

      As mentioned earlier, the number of dental schools you apply to should depend on a particular ratio.

      Some applicants have too many reach and not enough target or safety schools. Others apply as out-of-state applicants solely to public state schools, unaware that this particular demographic often faces a lower acceptance rate than the average applicant pool.

      It’s essential to apply to a good mix of reach, target, and safety schools and a balance of private vs. public schools. Once again, I recommend applying to at least 15 schools with roughly the following ratio:

      • 2–4 reach schools (your GPA and DAT are below their average statistics)
      • 8–12 target schools (your GPA and DAT are close to their average statistics)
      • 3–5 safety schools (your GPA and DAT are above their average statistics)

      Sam is a brilliant young Nigerian biochemistry student and an aspiring entrepreneur. Despite facing many challenges, he has never lost his passion for learning and drive to make a difference in the world. Read more about him here.