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Dental Admission Test

The DAT has four examinations designed to measure your academic and perceptual ability. It should be taken one to 1 1/2 years prior to the dental school class you plan to enter. The exam is now offered on the computer throughout the year at local designated testing centers. Take it early!  May or June is recommended. The DAT is scored on a 1-30 scale, and the average scores for the U of U students who are admitted are usually in the 19's.

Four areas are: I. Survey of Natural Sciences A. Biology B. General Chemistry C. Organic Chemistry II. Reading Comprehension (Dental and Basic Sciences) III. Quantitative Ability (math) IV. Perceptual Ability (two and three dimensional problem solving)
TAKING THE DAT
* Upon receiving the application ADA will send a conformation number. This number is required to schedule your exam.
* The application process takes about 2-3 weeks.
* If you have health concerns and require special accommodations call 1-800-967-1139. Testing centers fill quickly, schedule months in advance. Don't Wait!!
How Can I Get a Good Score?
* Complete science prerequisites before the test.
* Preparatory programs are often very beneficial. Examples and information: Kaplan at 1-801-363-4446 or kaptest.com; National DAT Review at 1-800-370-8532; Prep. for DAT manual at www.wilkins.com; Princeton Review at review.com.
* Dedicate months to study and review. Its harder than you think.

  • Free of discounted Kaplan courses are given away at dental workshops and Pre-Dental Society socials. Don't take the DAT just to see what it is like! Poor scores will remain in your file permanently.

Sign up for the DAT at  http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/index.asp  and click on the link on the bottom right side that says, "DAT Online Registration."

Selecting a Dental School

Start researching schools! There are 55 dental schools in the U.S. but not one in Utah.  There are some schools who actively recruit Utah students you will find those on Marylin Hoffman's newsletter that she sends by mail(If you are not receiving it talk to her in building #44). Most students apply to ten schools.  Official Guide to Dental Schools is a great book on statistics like how many Utahns are accepted and individual Dental Schools Requirements. 

All the dental schools in the United States and Canada are members of the American Dental Education (ADEA) a great link http://www.adea.org/ more about Dental Schools.

U of U students also have a great opportunity to apply for the Regional Dental Educational Program (RDEP) that Creighton offers. There are ten available positions each year to Utah residents, and those accepted are able to complete their first and part of their fourth years of dental school here at the U.  Saves you thousands of dollars because you pay resident tuition costs.
Search the web for Dental School Web pages or use the Official Guide to Dental Schools it has all the web sites. Also talk to Marylin Hoffman in building 44 our pre-dental advisor


Maryilyn Hoffman's Newsletters

http://www.saff.utah.edu/advise/pre_dent.shtml

Get lots of great information and also your Science GPA Worksheet, for your interview with Dr. Mirci