UND offers excellent preparation for any dental school.  The Pre-Dentistry Program offered through the College of Arts and Sciences sets guidelines and timetables for UND students to successfully complete the prerequisite coursework and other requirements relating to dental schools.

This program is not a major and does not lead to a degree from UND!  In order to graduate with a degree from UND, students must:
	1.	Choose a Major and complete the specific requirements of that major as determined by the department responsible for that major
	2.	Complete Essential Studies Requirements
	3.	Complete 125 semester credits (36 of which must be upper divisional credits)
In order to join the Pre-Dent Program at UND, freshmen students (planning to finish in 4 years) must:
	1.	Officially declare Pre-Dent in the main office of the College of Arts and Sciences (Montgomery Hall 125)
	2.	Activate and use their UND e-mail account
	3.	Attend all freshmen group advising meetings during fall semester
	4.	Attend one freshmen group advising meeting during spring semester
	5.	Complete the following courses, with a C grade or better, before the start of sophomore year:
		=>	Bio 150-151, with labs
		=>	Math 103 (may test out of this with an ACT Math score of 26, or UND Math ALG Test score of 18)
		=>	Chem 121-122, with labs
	6.	Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
	7.	Visit with their major advisor
In order to stay in the Pre-Dent Program at UND, students must:
	1.	Complete the prerequisites for dental school(s) as advised
	2.	Maintain a competitive cumulative GPA (3.0 minimum)
	3.	Take the DAT
	4.	Visit with the Health Sciences Advisor regularly
	5.	Visit with their major advisor regularly

We encourage you to meet with the Health Sciences Advisor, Mrs. Kimberly Ruit, as early in your UND undergraduate education as possible.  Mrs. Ruit can help in all aspects of your undergraduate preparation for dental school:  from scheduling to study skills, to DAT preparation, to interview preparation.  Together, you can plan the undergraduate curriculum that is right for you.

Competitive Applicant Profile
No matter what dental school a student chooses to attend, there are 6 areas that will be scrutinized by any Admissions Committee when reviewing applications.  It is therefore very important that the student is well prepared in order to present his/her best possible application.  The table below summarizes these areas:
 

Academics	Degree needed?  Most schools require or prefer a degree. Major?  Any major, science or non-science is fine - schools want well rounded and broadly educated applicants. GPA?  National average is 3.5 - 3.6.
DAT Scores	Schools look for scores around 20.
Letters of  Recommendation	Required, although numbers and authors vary from school to school. At least one or two science profesors are needed.
Relevant  Life Experiences	Essential!!!!!  Especially experiences that include contact with patients in a dental office or clinical setting.
State of Residency	Because North Dakota does not have a school of dentistry, the state has made arrangements with several schools to take ND residents either as WICHE students, or on a contractual or reciprocal agreement.  North Dakota also has a limited amount of funds (through PSEP) with which it can support two dental students per year.  You need to apply for these when you apply to dental school.  Check with the Health Sciences Advisor about this early in your undergraduate education.
Legal Record	Keep your legal record and personal image squeaky clean!! 1. Background checks a. More and more health professional schools are now doing background checks on all matriculants and/or applicants. => If you have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor of a violent or sexual nature, you will be prohibited from professional health care practice in many states, so health professional schools will not accept you. => All other misdemeanors (underage drinking, drug possession, etc.) will also show up on background checks (even if they happened before you were 18). Having just one of these can definitely hurt your chances of acceptance into a health professional school! b. UND's medical school will ask you to list any violations beyond a simple parking ticket on their application! You will have to disclose everything – no matter how old you were!! The legal drinking age in North Dakota is 21. Illegal drugs are just that – illegal at any age. Stay away from alcohol and illegal drugs and any activities or instances where they may be present!! Why risk it? Is it worth ruining your future?   2. MySpace, Facebook, etc. a. As more and more companies and schools use the internet to research potential employees and students, it is essential that you make sure comments posted by you and about you are wholesome, reflect good character, and show maturity. => Limit visitors to your site to friends only. => Regularly check and remove any unwanted postings by others b. Be sure pictures are in good taste and not incriminating. => Regularly check and remove any unwanted postings or tags by others. => At UND, students may be written up by their RA's for university conduct violations with evidence provided by just a picture!

Remember...admission to dental school is highly selective and competitive.
Funding for your dental schooling through WICHE and PSEP is also based on academic quality.
It is imperative that you take your studies very seriously from the first day of your freshman year!!
 

Pre-Dent Handouts

Sample Pre-Dent Schedule
	All dental schools have required coursework that must be completed successfully by prospective students.  This handout suggests a schedule for the most commonly required classes, as well as the best time for taking the DAT for the first time and submitting dental school applications.  Classes with question marks may be required by certain schools.
WICHE Professional Fields Supported by ND and PSEP Info
WICHE/Contract Dental Schools for ND Residents - Prerequisites and Summaries
Possible Interview Topics and Questions

Bulletin Board

Welcome New and Returning Students! Don't forget to check in with Mrs. Ruit this year to make sure you are on track with your program!     Freshman Pre-Health Student Orientation Meetings Dates: August 22, Sepetmber 12, October 17, 2011 Time: 8:00pm Place: Reed Keller Lecture Hall, UND Medical School Come meet Mrs. Ruit, the Health Sciences Advisor, and find out what you need to know to be a successful Pre-Dent student!     Several Dental Schools send representatives to UND each fall to recruit students. Dates and times of these visits will be posted as soon as details are worked out. All Pre-Dental students are welcome!     DAT Information The DAT is offered electronically through the Sylvan/Prometric Testing Centers in Grand Forks, Fargo and Bismarck.  You may take the test on almost day of the year. Information and registration for the DAT may be found on the ADA website at: http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx The current fee is $320.00.  Ninety (90) days must elapse before a retesting date may be scheduled. Students may not take the DAT more than three (3) times.     UND Pre-Dental Club 2011-12 For information contact:   Student President: Kyla Olson (kyla.olson.2@my.und.edu)   Faculty Advisor: Dr. Becky Simmons, Biology

Pre-Dent Links
Check out these links to sites of interest for pre-dentistry students: