Dental schools play a crucial role in training future dentists who will serve the healthcare needs of society. Among the many dental schools across the United States, there are some with higher acceptance rates than others. The University of Mississippi School of Dentistry stands out with the highest acceptance rate of 19.3%. This is an encouraging statistic for aspiring dentistry students looking for a school with a more generous acceptance policy.

To gain admission into dental school, applicants must meet certain requirements. For the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, the minimum GPA for acceptance is 5.0. Additionally, applicants must also achieve a minimum score of 50 on the GAMSAT® Exam. Meeting these academic benchmarks is essential for being considered for admission into the dental program at this institution.

The admission process at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry is competitive yet attainable for qualified applicants. With a focus on academic excellence and performance on standardized tests, the school aims to select candidates who demonstrate the potential to succeed in their dental studies. By maintaining a solid GPA and achieving a competitive score on the GAMSAT® Exam, applicants can increase their chances of securing a spot at this prestigious dental school.

Dental Schools with the Highest Acceptance Rates

University of Mississippi School of Dentistry Highest acceptance rate: 19.3%

DMD Entry Requirements

GPA (minimum 5.0) GAMSAT® Exam (minimum 50 overall)

The 10 Easiest Dental Schools To Get Into (2021)

Last Updated on: February 3, 2021

So, you’re aiming to study dentistry in one of the many dental schools in the USA. But your path to becoming a highly respected and highly paid dentist is not going to be easy. The 10 easiest dental schools to get into are still some of the hardest schools to enroll in!

In this article, we’ll countdown the easiest dental schools to get into across the states and help you out with a few tips and tricks on acing your application (scroll to the end for those).

Why These Schools are Easy!

The quickest way to determine how “easy” dental schools are to get into is by comparing the acceptance rate. The acceptance rate is usually given as a percentage, e.g., 10%. That means for every 100 students applying to that dental school, only 10 will be accepted.

The average acceptance rate for all universities across the USA is 68% according to U.S. News. For dental schools, the average acceptance rate was 5.1% according to the American Dental Association’s (ADA) 2017-2018 

Dental schools are hard to get into!

So, comparing acceptance rates is a good place to start. We’ve listed 10 dental schools with the lowest acceptance rates below. But there are a few other things you should consider.

First, most dental schools will prioritize students who live in the same state. If you want to attend a dental school out of state, it will be much harder.

What makes a school easy to get into can also depend on your qualifications. You will need a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) to get into dental school, but some schools will have differing requirements. Some might need a general chemistry degree, while others require more specific courses. This will make some schools harder to get into than others, depending on your previous education.

The key is to research. If you’re serious about getting into dental school, research all 10 schools below to find out which will be easiest for you!

Top 10 Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into

There are a few ways to find the acceptance rate for each dental school. The most reliable (but longest) method is to approach each school individually and ask them. Another way is to use comparative websites. But we did the hard research ourselves and used the data pulled directly from the ADA.

These 10 schools had the highest percentage of first-year enrolment for the applications they received, as recorded in part 2 of the 2018-19 survey. This is the most up-to-date survey released by the ADA at the time of writing this article.

1. University of Mississippi

39.2% Acceptance Rate

The University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry is the only public dental school in this state, located in Jackson. Spending your four years studying dentistry here would be an amazing opportunity. The requirements for admission include completing multiple semesters on English, chemistry, physics, biology/zoology, advanced biology/chemistry, math, and statistics.

This dental school is also a participant of the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) which we’ll explain at the end of this article.

Pros: great city location, offers a good range of specialties

Cons: Rarely considers transfer students, requires math as well as science courses

2. LSU Health Sciences Center

16.8% Acceptance Rate

Don’t let the outdated website fool you, the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans has a modern and vibrant School of Dentistry. This school offers more dentistry courses than usual, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, which can lead to the highest-paying jobs once you graduate (an average salary of $242,370).

But this school is best for residents of Louisiana. For the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, they only accept 56 Louisiana residents, 4 Arkansas residents, and 5 out-of-state residents (other than Arkansas) per year.

Pros: excellent courses for high paying jobs, international student program

Cons: very limited places for students located outside of Louisiana

3. Ohio State University

14.8% Acceptance Rate

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry is one of the best for offering hands-on experience, with clinical training programs and several community service programs. A doctorate from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry prepares you for primary care and dental specialties.

This dental school has recently embarked on a $95-million project to expand and improve the facilities, so students who attend can practice with and learn using the latest technology. This is a large and busy (yet friendly) campus!

Pros: excellent practical clinical training program, community service programs

Cons: larger classes, busy and fast-paced environment

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4. University of Missouri – Kansas City

14% Acceptance Rate

The School of Dentistry at this university in Kansas City operates a student dental clinic and community clinic in the UMKC Health Sciences District. You can find dentistry options in research fields as well as practicing fields here!

For the Doctor of Dental Surgery program, the average DAT Academic Average is 19 and the average science and math GPA is 3.6. So, while this school has a higher acceptance rate for applications, you’ll still need to pass these high standards.

Pros: courses for practicing and researching dentistry, accepts applicants from all states

Cons: high GPA requirements and DAT scores

5. Augusta University

13.8% Acceptance Rate

The Dental College of Georgia is located in Augusta as part of the Augusta University. As a student here, you’ll study on campus and may attend one of the many clinics the dental college serves across Georgia – your entire fourth year of studying is dedicated to patient care. There are two degrees on offer: The Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and a dual degree in oral biology.

90% of the applicants accepted will be from the Georgia state, while the other 10% are from other states (or countries).

Pros: excellent focus on patient care and practical teaching in clinic environments

Cons: fewer programs/specialties to select, mainly for residents of Georgia

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6. University of Washington

13% Acceptance Rate

The School of Dentistry at the University of Washington (Washington state, not DC) offers graduate and post-doctoral programs plus internships and other learning opportunities. There are also training opportunities in the Office of Research. Based in Seattle, you’ll be in a class with 63 students for the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree – most will likely have a baccalaureate degree already.

Although the small class size makes it harder to get a place, there are fewer course requirements to get into this dental school.

Pros: fewer required courses, no preference for undergraduate major field

Cons: only accepts applications through the AADSAS program

7. East Carolina University

11.3% Acceptance Rate

This public research university in Greenville has eight community service learning centers around North Carolina, for hands-on learning during your dentistry courses. But before you get your hopes up, this university is currently only accepting applicants from within North Carolina. This is to address the lack of practicing dentists currently in the state.

If you do live in North Carolina, you will need a college degree (in any major) before you can apply to this Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved dental school.

Pros: rotating placements in clinics across the state

Cons: limited to residents of North Carolina only

8. University of Utah

11.1% Acceptance Rate

The University of Utah School of Dentistry only offers one graduate degree (the Doctor in Dental Surgery degree program) and the General Practice Residency Program for advanced clinical dental education.

For the DDS program, there’s the usual list of required courses including various biology and chemistry topics that you must have studied. But for this dental school, you’ll also need to have shadowed a minimum of 4 different dentists for 40 hours total!

The school accepts applicants from all states but prioritizes those from Utah as well as surrounding states such as Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Pros: no minimum GPA or DAT score for applicants

Cons: job shadowing is an essential requirement

9. New York University

11.1% Acceptance Rate

NYU College of Dentistry educates almost 10% of the entire country’s dentists! That’s an impressive stat and having NYU College of Dentistry on your resume will certainly be impressive when it comes to finding a job. To be accepted by this dental school, you will need a bachelor’s degree OR a GPA of 3.5 and 90+ credits. You will also need 100 hours of shadowing (observing a working dentist) and three individual letters of evaluation.

Pros: prestigious dental school, large classes and flexible learning, accepts international students

Cons: stricter requirements, application must be submitted through AADSAS

10. University of Iowa

10.6% Acceptance Rate

Last on our list is the College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics at The University of Iowa. As well as the DDS program, this university also offers advanced standing programs and graduate specialty programs. You will need a C grade or above in their list of required courses, and evidence of job shadowing (although there’s no minimum number of hours). For the DAT score, the average of accepted dental students to this university is 20.5, just above the national average.

Pros: no specific major required, no minimum shadowing requirement

Cons: high grade/score requirements

Dental School Requirements

7 Requirements for Dental School

Dentists are responsible for the overall dental hygiene and wellness of their patients. In addition to administering regular teeth cleaning and preventative care, they also examine, diagnose and treat dental issues through extractions, fillings and surgeries. If you’re considering a career as a dentist, you’ll likely want to know the requirements for dental school. In this article, we list the steps for getting into dental school, plus answer some common questions about prerequisites and other education requirements.

Prerequisites and requirements for dental school

Becoming a dentist takes time and patience, but with the right expectations, you’ll know exactly what lies ahead and how to achieve your goals. Much like other medical professions, dentistry takes years of schooling and hands-on experience. Preparing for the appropriate college courses and internships will help increase your outcome for success.

Here are the requirements needed for dental school:

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree

As you work toward getting your bachelor’s degree, enroll in courses that count as pre-dental coursework. Many of the courses you’ll need to take in college are prerequisite science courses. Depending on the dental program, you’ll likely need eight credit hours of physics, biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. It’s best to meet with your academic adviser to guide your graduation plan.

2. Job shadow dentists

As you continue to fulfill your degree obligations, you’ll eventually need to job shadow a few dentists before applying to dental school. Most dental programs require applicants to have 100 hours of experience job shadowing multiple dentists so you can see how different offices operate.

Start by asking your own dentist for this opportunity. From there, see if you can get the names of other dentists who may be interested in helping you accomplish this pre-dental school requirement. You might also consider joining a dental school preparatory program or mentoring program, like the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP).

3. Get involved in extracurriculars

You can strengthen your dental school application by signing up for clubs and other endeavors that show you’re a well-rounded and dedicated student. Research your local options and consider joining any biology or health-related clubs. You should also contact your science professors to see if they need research assistants.

4. Join the Student National Dental Association

In addition to other organizations, you may benefit from joining the Student National Dental Association. Besides bolstering your dental school application, it also will connect you to other dental students and practicing dentists at chapter events. Networking with other professionals in the field is a great way to share your career goals and interests, in addition to gaining more insight into the dental school application process.

5. Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Once you’ve committed to the admissions process, you can take the 4.5-hour DAT after your junior year of college. Passing the exam is a dental school requirement and encompasses the following sections:

1. Survey of the natural sciences: 100-question section on biology and chemistry
2. Perceptual ability: 90-question section on spatial reasoning
3. Reading comprehension: 50-question section on general topics
4. Quantitative reasoning: 40-question section on statistics, data analysis, algebra and probability

To pass the DAT, you’ll need to properly prepare ahead of time. If you don’t pass on the first try, you’ll have two more chances after 90 days. A DAT score of at least 19 appeals to most dental schools.

You should devote at least three months of study before taking the exam to help create consistent study habits, as well as consider some of these other tips:

Prioritize the most difficult sections

If you’re worried about statistics and math-related problems, you should focus first on improving your knowledge of these subjects. Addressing the tougher topics first will give you a great sense of accomplishment and help improve confidence on other topics.

Research the perceptual ability test

This is a notoriously difficult section of the exam. You may want to take practice exams to get a feel for the structure and see how well you do.

Study complex passages

You should expect to see complex sentences and arguments in the DAT exam. Test prep guides provide examples of what these look like.

Take practice tests

Many online resources offer free practice exams, or you can pay for a more detailed version of the DAT practice test. Taking practice tests will help you know what to expect on exam day and how long it’ll take you to finish.

Get to exam day early

Plan to arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes early to account for any traffic delays. You’ll need two forms of ID, including one that’s government-issued.

6. Create a competitive dental school application

Another requirement for dental school is a competitive application. Spend time researching the schools you want to attend, and consider the programs’ location and cost when narrowing your top choices. Your college adviser can provide you with a list of reputable schools, and you might want to think about touring some.

Many students start their dental school application process a year before graduation. Here are some things you’ll need to include in your application:

• The application form
• An official college transcript
• A personal essay
• Four letters of recommendation
• A resume or CV
• Your DAT scores
• Proof of your job shadowing hours
• An application fee, in addition to possible supplemental fees

7. Complete an admissions interview

Once you’ve applied to dental school, you may be contacted for an interview. Prepare for your interview by thinking about your personal strengths and communication skills. Interviewers tend to ask questions about your personality and desire to help others.

Practicing your responses with a friend beforehand may help you relax during the interview. You should find out if you were accepted into your program of choice shortly after your interview.

Dental school FAQs

The following are answers to some frequently asked questions about requirements for dental school:

Can I get into dental school without a college degree?

No. While your post-secondary education doesn’t need to be dental field-related, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree to apply to dental school.

What GPA do you need for dental school?

To be accepted in a competitive dental program, you’ll want to maintain a college GPA of at least 3.2.

What is the best major for dental school?

Biology, chemistry and pre-med are helpful majors for dental school candidates and may result in needing to take fewer courses in dental school. Keep in mind it typically takes four years to pursue a bachelor’s degree and another four years to complete dental school.

dental schools that do not require dAT

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

All dental schools require applicants to take the DAT as part of the comprehensive admission process. Learn how to apply and prepare.About DAT

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is accepted by 66 dental schools in the U.S. and 10 in Canada. It is designed to provide dental education programs with a means to assess applicants’ potential for success. The test takes 4.5 hours to complete and is offered year round by Prometric test centers in the United States, its territories (including Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and Canada.

FAQ-Dental Admission Test DAT

Who should take the DAT? When?

All U.S. and Canadian dental schools require their applicants to take the DAT as part of the admission process. Each school uses its own criteria to determine how to weigh DAT results as part of admission decisions.

Prospective dental students should take the DAT during the second semester of their junior undergraduate year, or during the summer between junior and senior years. Make sure you have taken the subjects covered by the test, especially organic chemistry.What is included in the DAT?

The DAT consists of multiple-choice questions presented in English, and includes a battery of four tests:

• Survey of the Natural Sciences (100 items)
• Perceptual Ability (90 items)
• Reading Comprehension (50 items)
• Quantitative Reasoning (40 items)

How do I apply to take the DAT?

Start by reading the official DAT Candidate Guide, which explains:

• How the exam is constructed and scored
• How to prepare for the exam
• Eligibility requirements
• Fees and waivers
• How to schedule, reschedule, or cancel testing

Once you have read the Guide, apply for the exam with your DENTPIN. Your DENTPIN acts as your unique identifier. If you have not previously applied to a dental program, request your DENTPIN.

After your application has been processed, you will receive an eligibility letter that permits you to schedule your testing appointment.Where do I take the DAT?The DAT is offered year-round at Prometric Test Centers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Once you have received your eligibility letter confirming that your test application has been accepted, you must contact Prometric to secure an appointment. We recommend doing this at least 60 to 90 days before your desired test date, since schedules fill up.

Visit the Prometric site to find a testing site near you, see procedures updated for COVID-19, and schedule your test. 

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment due to an emergency please contact the Department of Testing Services by emailing testingproblems@ada.org or calling 800.232.1694.Can I get a fee waiver?

In documented cases of severe financial hardship, a limited number of partial fee waivers are available to DAT examinees each calendar year (January – December). No fee waivers are available at this time. The partial fee waiver covers 50% of the DAT fee. The partial fee waiver does not apply to any charges associated with rescheduling/canceling a test date or score reporting after the time of initial application. Partial fee waivers are granted on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible examinees who have submitted the required documents. An examinee is eligible to request a partial fee waiver if each of the following criteria are met:

• First-time examinee
• Has not previously received a partial fee waiver
• U.S. citizen or resident alien
• Has demonstrated financial hardship
• Received financial aid from their school

To apply, submit the financial information form (provided when partial fee waivers are available) to datexam@ada.org with a copy of the financial aid award letter you received from your school. (The financial aid award letter cannot be older than 18 months.) Alternatively, applicants who have not been enrolled in a college or university in the past 18 months can substitute a copy of their most recent tax return.

The DAT Program will review all partial fee waiver requests and make the final approval/denial decision. After the partial fee waiver request is reviewed, you will receive an email notification of the decision and instructions for submitting a DAT application online. Please allow up to 10 business days for review of all partial fee waiver requests.How do you protect my personal information?

Review the DAT Program Use of Personal Information and Privacy Policy, which includes: •

• The ADA Privacy Policy
• The Biometric Data Privacy Policy
• Personal information used and disclosed in connection with the DAT
• Your rights

You can also contact the ADA Department of Testing Services at dat@ada.org for more information.Are there polices and procedures to support fairness in testing?

Yes. Fairness in testing is of vital importance, and is in fact fundamental to an examination’s validity. Fairness considerations are embedded throughout the DAT program, affecting every aspect of how this examination is constructed, administered, scored, and reported. The Fairness document provided below shares additional details of interest:

Policies and Procedures Supporting Fairness (PDF)How can I contact the ADA for more information?

You can reach the Department of Testing Services at:

easiest dental schools to get into

Easiest Dental Schools To Get Into

Many students find it difficult to access the knowledge and skills that colleges have to offer them, but education should be accessible to all. Below we’ve compiled a list of the top ten easiest dental schools to get into. These schools may have a more forgiving acceptance rate than other dental schools but their curriculum is just as rigorous as any other school.

Even with higher acceptance rates, these dental schools still only accept the best students who are determined, well-qualified, studious, and highly intelligent. These schools have prestigious accreditations and expect their students to uphold values such as professionalism and respect that will continue to maintain their school’s reputation. As a student at any one of these schools, you’ll have the opportunity to specialize your dentistry education in areas such as orthodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, and much more. Along with specialties, many of these schools offer continuing education credits so even as an experienced dentist you can continue to fine-tune your skills and thrive even further into your profession. If you’ve been thinking about attending dental school, consider one of these universities as your first step into beginning your dentistry career.

Related Programs That Might Interest You

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List of Top Ten Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into

Rank	School	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Mississippi	44.32%
2	University of Minnesota	38.54%
3	University of Puerto Rico	36.70%
4	University of Detroit Mercy	28.71%
5	University of Utah	27.45%
6	University of Washington	22.54%
7	East Carolina University	21.16%
8	Ohio State University	20.33%
9	New York University	20.32%
10	Indiana University	19.95%

Top Ten of the Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into

1. University of Mississippi

Acceptance rate: 44.3%

University of Mississippi is one of the easiest dental schools to get into. This is because it has the highest acceptance rate in 2021. The school of dentistry in the institution is accredited by the American Dental Association. Close to 90 % of the students in the school have a bachelor’s degree.

Besides a high acceptance rate, University of Mississippi also has other outstanding offerings that make it a preferred institution for studying dentistry. Notably, the school offers a couple of programs, has a great success rate, and accepts an average rate of GPA and DAT scores.

Despite the high acceptance rate of the school, however, potential students have to meet specific expectations. If you wish to join the university’s school of dentistry, then you have to have a number of math and science courses.

Particularly, the school requires you to have completed courses in biology, behavioral science, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physics, statistics, and mathematics (trigonometry, algebra, or calculus). If you wish to apply to the school, you also need to have a DAT score of 19.0 and a GPA score of 3.62.

The University of Mississippi accepts applications from July 1 to December 1 before the year of admission. If you get admitted to their school of dentistry, you will have access to 9 programs of study.

2. University of Minnesota

Acceptance rate: 38.54%

University of Minnesota also has one of the best dentistry school acceptance rates in the country. It is the sole dental school in the state and in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest.

You might want to enroll in the school to study some of the programs it offers. The university’s school of dentistry educates and trains general dentists, dental specialists, and dental therapists. You could also enroll if you’re a dental hygienist, dental educator, or research scientist.

One of the notable things about the university is its international reputation in dentistry. Every year, the students and faculty treat about 105,260 patients in their campus clinics and 48,700 others in outreach sites.

You might also be interested to know that the faculty offers continuing dental education for up to 7,100 practicing dental professionals annually. The dental school’s requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a GPA score of 3.0, graduate record examination, recommendation letters, transcripts and credentials, and English language proficiency.

3. University of Puerto Rico

Acceptance rate: 36.70%

University of Puerto Rico is also one of the easiest dental schools in the country to get into. The school of dental medicine at the university is focused on providing quality higher education to ensure it produces the ultimate dental professionals.

You will find that the school of dental medicine at UPR has several accreditations. The accreditations prove the capability of the institution to provide quality education and services. So, whether you’re going to study prosthodontics or pediatric dentistry, you can rest easy knowing the institution is fully accredited.

The school also offers you several academic programs. You can enroll at the university for your first professional degree or advanced dental education programs. The latter is meant for well-qualified dental specialists in the oral health field.

Additionally, the school also offers continuing education. This program aims to upgrade the knowledge, skills, and values of practicing dental health professionals. If you wish to enroll at the school, you must follow a specific procedure.

This procedure depends on the program you’re enrolling in. Those applying for advanced dental education programs, for instance, have to follow a process different to that followed by first-time students. You can make inquiries from the school for guidance on the application procedure and requirements.

4. University of Detroit Mercy

Acceptance rate: 28.71%

University of Detroit Mercy may be one of the best places to start if you want to study dental medicine. By joining the university’s school of dentistry, you can be a part of something great, considering the campus has grown by about 150% over 10 years.

Moreover, the school of dentistry at University of Detroit Mercy has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1. That indicates that you’ll get a quality education, making you a proficient dental health professional in the future.

The faculty offers you several programs, but to be part of the university, you must meet its dental school requirements. A majority of the applicants admitted to University of Detroit Mercy have SAT scores between 1050 and 1260 or an ACT score of 22 and 27.

The school of dentistry in this university provides you with several graduate programs. When you enroll there, you should expect to study Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), orthodontics, endodontics, and periodontics. Moreover, the faculty offers you other educational programs. You could either enroll in doctor of dental surgery programs or dental hygiene programs.

5. University of Utah

Acceptance rate: 27.45%

University of Utah also has a great dentistry school acceptance rate. As such, you can learn a lot regarding dental health practice by attending the university. The university is a reliable institution because it is accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation.

For you to gain admission into the university, you need to have a bachelor’s degree preferably from an accredited college in the United States. You must also have an average GPA score of 3.7 or a DATT score of about 21.

Moreover, the faculty requires its applicants to have studied specific courses. When applying to the university, therefore, ensure you have some knowledge in molecular biology or genetics, business, cell biology, computer science, ethics, and histology, among others.

University of Utah offers you one graduate degree and one residency program. Additionally, it combines research with clinical experience to give you the ideal educational experience. To get admitted into the university, you must also fill in an application.

To increase your chances of studying in the institution, you must fill in the application forms between June 1 and October 1 before the year of admission. If you qualify after the first submission, you’ll receive a link to the supplemental application.

6. University of Washington

Acceptance rate: 22.54%

University of Washington is one of the most competitive schools of dentistry in the country. The dental school is not only accredited by the American Dental Association but also by the Northwest Commission on College and University.

The university’s popularity continues to grow because it has a good success rate of 32.5%. All the applicants need to meet the University of Washington graduate school admission requirements. You must have a GPA score of 3.0 and have a dental degree or be in your final year of dental school.

You must also provide the faculty with your transcripts, official documentation, letters of recommendation, and an application fee. The department also requires you to have a written personal statement related to your interest in dental medicine.

Additionally, you have to meet the school’s residency and citizenship requirements. You must also take a dental admission test. Most importantly, you have to complete your graduate school application form and show certification of adequate financial support. What’s more? As a prospective applicant, you can visit the department and meet with staff and students. The selection process also involves formal interviews with applicants before the program.

7. East Carolina University

Acceptance rate: 21.16%

East Carolina University is yet another reputable school of dental medicine in the country. The school has a good acceptance rate, and it operates professionally. It is also accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

To gain admission to the school, you must send in your application. However, you must have a Residency Certification Number (RCN) before submitting your application. Usually, you get your RCN after completion of your residency determination service (RDS) online interview.

Besides its focus on oral health, East Carolina University also encourages its students to obtain a wide range of knowledge, including engaging in community service and related activities.

You need to have an average GPA score of 3.5. Otherwise, you’ll not get admission. Moreover, you must do the DAT and get a score of at least 19.9. Although East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine has a high acceptance rate, you may need to make the state your permanent home.

This might be the case because North Carolina has a limited number of practicing dentists. So, if you wish to apply to the EUC School of Dental Medicine, you need to keep that in mind.

8. Ohio State University

Acceptance rate: 20.33%

In 2021, Ohio State University School of Dentistry had a great acceptance rate of 20.33%. You can easily get into this university because it is one of the institutions in the country that doesn’t require you to have a bachelor’s degree to gain admission into dental school.

Additionally, the school provides you with quality oral health education and is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The quality of education in the school is evidenced by the fact that approximately 49.3% of dental health students at the university graduate successfully.

Before applying to Ohio State University College of Dentistry, you need to meet several requirements. You have to complete 9 out of the 13 prerequisite courses and receive a grade of C or better. The courses include anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, biology, and physiology. Others include organic chemistry, microbiology, physics, English, and second writing course.

Moreover, you need to have a GPA of 3.6. However, if you don’t meet this threshold, you must have an advanced degree with a minimum of 3.5 GPA. To qualify for admission, you must also have a minimum DAT score of 17.

9. New York University

Acceptance rate: 20.32%

New York University is one of the most reputable dental institutions in the country that you could join. The institution has a good acceptance rate, thus increasing your chances of studying there. The institution also provides high-quality education and is accredited by the American Dental Association.

However, the tuition fee at New York University is relatively expensive. Therefore, before sending in your application, you must prepare to dig deeper into your pockets. Although the fee is high, you might prefer the institution for its great success rate and average GPA requirements.

To gain admission to NYU College of Dentistry, you need to have an average GPA score of 3.44. You must also do the DAT and get a minimum score of 21.2. However, you must have a bachelor’s degree to apply to the institution.

If you have a foreign bachelor’s degree, NYU requires you to complete a minimum of 60 credits at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college. The prerequisite courses you’re required to complete include biology inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. All these sciences include lab practicals. You should also have English, microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, and cell biology, among others. The institution also offers Master’s degree programs.

10. Indiana University

Acceptance rate: 19.95%

Indiana University School of Dentistry is yet another dental school in the country that you can get into easily. The university has 11 academic programs that you could choose from based on the career path you’d like to follow. The institution also offers advanced education programs, such as a degree in dental sciences and a master’s degree in dentistry.

If you are applying for the doctor of dental surgery degree program, you must meet certain requirements. The course takes four academic years. To qualify, you need to have an average overall GPA of 3.55 and an average DAT score of 20.11.

The selecting committee must also assess your academic record, technical skills, letters of recommendation, and exposure to the field of dentistry. They must also conduct a personal interview. The interview helps the committee determine your personality, character, motivation, and ethics.

Indiana University School of Dentistry also offers other programs such as dental hygiene. This program needs you to have a cumulative college GPA of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) or a GPA of at least 3.0 in prerequisite courses. Some of the prerequisite courses you need include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and immunology.

List of Dental Schools with Acceptance Rates

Rank	School	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Mississippi	44.32%
2	University of Minnesota	38.54%
3	University of Puerto Rico	36.70%
4	University of Detroit Mercy	28.71%
5	University of Utah	27.45%
6	University of Washington	22.54%
7	East Carolina University	21.16%
8	Ohio State University	20.33%
9	New York University	20.32%
10	Indiana University	19.95%
11	University of New England	18.99%
12	University of Iowa	18.90%
13	University of Pittsburgh	17.92%
14	University of Missouri, Kansas City	17.45%
15	Oregon Health & Science University	16.60%
16	LSU Health Sciences Center	16.29%
17	University of Maryland	16.26%
18	Augusta University	16.06%
19	UT Health San Antonio	15.21%
20	University of Pennsylvania	15.15%
21	University of Nebraska Medical Center	15.09%
22	Midwestern University – AZ	14.89%
23	Touro College of Dental Medicine	14.72%
24	Midwestern University – IL	14.47%
25	University of Louisville	14.08%
26	Southern Illinois University	14.08%
27	Boston University	13.32%
28	Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health	12.92%
29	Case Western Reserve University	12.81%
30	Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC	12.57%
31	Stony Brook University	12.49%
32	University of Texas at Houston	12.42%
33	Nova Southeastern University	12.08%
34	Temple University	12.01%
35	Roseman University of Health Sciences	11.99%
36	University of Michigan	11.68%
37	Loma Linda University	11.62%
38	University of the Pacific	11.50%
39	University of California, San Francisco	11.47%
40	Tufts University	11.32%
41	University of Kentucky	11.23%
42	Creighton University	10.99%
43	Rutgers School of Dental Medicine	10.81%
44	Columbia University	10.78%
45	LECOM College of Dental Medicine	10.69%
46	University of Alabama	10.45%
47	Virginia Commonwealth University	10.38%
48	University of California, Los Angeles	10.16%
49	University of Florida	10.08%
50	University of Nevada, Las Vegas	9.72%
51	Medical University of South Carolina	9.47%
52	University of Tennessee College of Dentistry	9.47%
53	Texas A&M University	8.60%
54	Marquette University	8.55%
55	University of North Carolina	8.54%
56	University of Illinois, Chicago	8.54%
57	West Virginia University	8.23%
58	University at Buffalo	8.23%
59	Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health	7.36%
60	University of Colorado	7.14%
61	University of Connecticut	7.08%
62	Western University of Health Sciences	7.03%
63	University of Oklahoma	6.72%
64	Harvard University	5.85%
65	Meharry Medical College	3.33%