Studying in the US as an international dental student

I'm interested in pursuing dentistry in the US, but I'm not sure how the process works for international students. Does anyone know what the requirements are or how competitive it is?

The process for international students interested in pursuing dentistry is quite similar to that of U.S. students. The common prerequisite is having a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a strong emphasis on science courses, including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Most dental schools in the United States require the Dental Admission Test (DAT), which tests chemistry knowledge, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and understanding of scientific concepts. As an international student, you'll also need to provide TOEFL (or IELTS) scores to indicate your English proficiency.

As for competitiveness, dental school admissions in the US can be quite rigorous. According to the American Dental Education Association, in the 2020-2021 application cycle, over 11,700 applicants vied for approximately 6,100 first-year positions, signifying a fair amount of competition.

It would be beneficial to gain some dental-related experience or demonstrate your interest in the field through extracurricular activities or related work. This could involve shadowing a dentist, enrolling in a pre-dental program, or volunteering in a healthcare setting.

If accepted, keep in mind you'll also need to apply for a student visa to study in the U.S. You’ll need to present an I-20 form from the college or university you plan to attend when you apply for your visa.

Lastly, while many U.S. dental schools accept international students, it's essential to check if the schools you're interested in allow international applicants. It's worth mentioning that state schools may give preference to in-state or domestic students due to state legislation or policy.