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The checklist emphasizes completing prerequisite coursework, maintaining a strong GPA, strengthening applications through patient-contact and shadowing, and considering research and service leadership. It also covers DAT preparation planning, DENTPIN setup and testing steps, building recommendation-letter relationships, preparing ADEA AADSAS materials, and following a year-by-year application timeline to support early submission and a cohesive applicant narrative.",{"@graph":63,"@context":118},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":16,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/resumes/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/cua-pre-dent-advising-handbook-pre-dental-checklist-2026/239229/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/cua-pre-dent-advising-handbook-pre-dental-checklist-2026/239229.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Sophia Brooks","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-10","2026-09-11",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":9},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"Is this checklist a strict requirement list for dental school admission?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"No. The handbook is an advisory guide with general steps and common recommendations. 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It provides a general overview of common academic, extracurricular, and  \napplication-related steps that successful students often follow. However, it should not be taken asa strict or exhaustive set of requirements. Post-secondary professional programs vary in both their requirements and recommendations. Additionally, each student’s path may differ depending on their interests, strengths, and goals. Overall, it is best to show a strong commitment to an ideal or theme for an application. It is important not to see this handbook as a simple checklist for dental school where you need to complete everything, but rather as advice to help create a cohesive narrative for ADEA AADSAS applications. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor, mentor, and the Pre-Health Student Association to tailor their journey and discover opportunities to explore possible career paths. This checklist provides an overview with more details to follow:  \nAcademics  \n Complete prerequisite courses (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics (all with associated labs), Biochemistry, Calculus/Statistics, English/Writing)  \n Check the requirements for schools you are interested in (note: some may require specific upper-level STEM classes not required of others, e.g., UofFlorida requires microbiology)  \n Maintain a strong GPA (aim 3.7+ if possible, especially in STEM classes)  \n Seek tutoring/support early for challenging classes  \nClinical Experience  \nNot required for dental students, but greatly strengthens your application by demonstrating a commitment to patient care and professionalism on top of the shadowing hours you will log.  \n Work/volunteer in a clinical setting (hospital, clinic, hospice, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), scribe, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), etc.)  \n**Patient contact hours sometimes count toward this, like volunteering for nursing homes or as agreeter at hospitals.  \n4  \nShadowing Experience  \n Shadow dentists (variety of specialties, if possible.)  \n**100+ shadowing hours is recommended. A recommended sample breakdown is: 50 (General) + 25 (Pediatrics) + 25 (Orthodontics) = 100 total hours.  \nResearch  \n**Research is mostly optional, but very ADVANTAGEOUS for many schools  \n Join a lab or research project (bench or clinical research)  \n Present findings (poster, symposium, publication if possible)  \nService & Leadership  \n Volunteer in community service (preferably long-term, non-dental possible as well)  Take leadership roles (clubs, tutoring, mentoring, student orgs)  \nDAT Preparation  \n Create DENTPIN and apply to take the DAT  \n Choose DAT date [Spring/Summer Junior year recommended if you plan to start dental  \nschool the same summer you graduate] -through Prometric  Create a study plan (3–6 months ahead)  \n Purchase DAT preparation resources (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, these courses  \noffer robust reviews of essential DAT material) like Bootcamp and Booster, if using.  Take practice exams.  \n**For DAT Prep Courses: Be mindful of 1) how long your subscription lasts for and 2) how intensive the pace is. Most online courses either","cbCaig9Hquk6tXCR","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaig9Hquk6tXCR","pdf",327564,9,19,"English","# Introduction\n# Checklist\n## Academics\n## Shadowing & Clinical Experience\n## Research\n## Service & Leadership\n## DAT Preparation\n## Application Preparation\n## Application Timeline\n## Student Experiences\n## Resources","[{\"question\":\"Is this checklist a strict requirement list for dental school admission?\",\"answer\":\"No. The handbook is an advisory guide with general steps and common recommendations. Post-secondary professional program requirements and each student’s path can vary based on goals and strengths.\"},{\"question\":\"What clinical experience and shadowing activities are recommended?\",\"answer\":\"Clinical experience is not required, but it strengthens an application by demonstrating commitment to patient care and professionalism. Shadowing dentists is encouraged, and 100+ shadowing hours are recommended with an example split across general and specialty areas.\"},{\"question\":\"How should students prepare their DAT and application timeline?\",\"answer\":\"Students should set up DENTPIN, choose a DAT date and study plan (3–6 months ahead), and consider recommended preparation resources while planning for subscription length and course intensity. For applications, they should research schools, keep activity logs, draft materials for ADEA AADSAS, and submit as soon as the cycle opens for better interview chances under rolling admissions.\"}]","CUA Pre-Dent Advising Handbook - Pre-Dental Checklist - 2026 | PDF",1789145678,7]