Things to Know

Below are a few pieces of advice from our past PDS members. We hope this helps!

PRE-HEALTH ADVISING

The pre-health advisors at Tufts are extremely knowledgeable about all things pre-health, and they are here to support and guide you as you prepare for your career in a health profession. Make sure that you enroll in their Canvas course and sign up for their weekly newsletter to stay up-to-date on important dates and opportunities. View their site for the most accurate information regarding the application process, coursework, and beyond!

ADEA GODENTAL

ADEA, the American Dental Education Association, has a resource called GoDental, which is an interactive multimedia web resource to enhance the dental education experience. GoDental provides advice to high school and predental students interested in pursuing dental careers, introduces them to the world of dentistry through mentorship, and offers direction for navigating the application process. Make sure to take advantage of resources like this one!

GET INVOLVED!

Become a member of the Tufts Pre-Dental Society by visiting our Contact Page and subscribing to our mailing list to get more information!

RESEARCH/INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Participate in a dental program to get a better idea of what sort of work you’ll be doing in dental school. You’ll have fun, too!

GETTING INTO DENTAL SCHOOL

Gaining admission to a dental school can be a very long and stressful process, but there are several things you can do to make yourself a competitive applicant.

Have a positive attitude! This will help you get through courses at Tufts, make lasting contacts at summer programs, and do well in a dental school interview.
Be punctual! First impressions are very important. Be on time to events at the Dental School, for meetings with professors or dentists, and for an interview.
Get involved in extracurriculars! It is important to have a life outside of science courses and dental programs, and fun clubs or societies that you are a part of will help to convey your personality to an admissions committee.
Get your name out there! Meet professors at the dental school, or dentists who can write you recommendations and/or give you advice. Try and get published in the Tufts Daily or TuftScope, a great scientific publication on campus.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Take the DAT! While pre-dental requirements are virtually the same as premedical, the DAT does not test physics but rather has a section on perceptual ability. Students can take the DAT anytime of year, since it is computerized. Typically students with a 3.1/3.2 GPA and a 18 academic average on the DAT are viable dental school applicants.