Best Pre-Dental Programs for Undergrads?

I'm considering going into dentistry and want to make sure I choose a school with a strong pre-dental program. Any recommendations on the top pre-dental programs or universities that offer great preparation for dental school?

Sure, I'm happy to guide you through some excellent pre-dental programs for undergraduates. Just remember, dental schools typically don't require a specific major, but they do require certain prerequisite courses including biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and often courses like biochemistry, microbiology, or anatomy. The most important thing is that whichever school you choose, you're able to excel in these areas and prepare for the Dental Admission Test (DAT).

With those caveats in mind, here are some universities that have robust pre-dental programs:

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: UNC is known not only for its excellent pre-dental advising but also for its dental school, which consistently ranks among the top in the nation. The pre-dental society offers resources and opportunities such as shadowing, volunteering, and research.

2. University of Florida: UF has a robust pred-dental advising system and a variety of resources for pre-dental students, including a dedicated Dentistry Scholars Program, which offers guaranteed admission to their DMD program for a dozen students each year.

3. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): UCLA provides a strong array of pre-dental resources, such as the Pre-Dental Student Outreach Program and a very active Pre-Dental Society. UCLA's dental school is also excellent.

4. University of Michigan: UMich's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) offers a robust Pre-Health advising system, which includes predental advising. Plus, UMich School of Dentistry is a top-ranked dental school.

5. University of Pittsburgh: Pitt's 'Guaranteed Admissions Program' offers highly qualified high school seniors assurance of admission to dental medicine after three years of undergraduate study.

Remember, the "right" school will also depend on factors unique to your situation, such as location, size, cost, and campus culture. Make sure to consider all these aspects when deciding the best fit for you. Regardless of where you attend undergrad, ensure you're keeping your GPA high, particularly in science courses, and that you get involved with extracurriculars related to dentistry, such as research or service, to enhance your dental school application in the future.