Timeline of What to do Before Applying for Dental School: Junior Year

Are you interested in attending dental school following the completion of your undergraduate studies? For the past few months, we have been reviewing important steps to be taken during each of your undergraduate years. This month, we will be discussing the most important year when applying to dental school, your junior year. You may notice many similarities to when you were starting your undergraduate journey during your junior year of high school. 

Ways to Prepare

Junior year is when many students who are interested in attending dental school become more serious in their future endeavors. At the beginning of the school year, begin to research the dental school application process and become aware of the submission timeline. It is important to meet with your school counselor to ensure that your course studies, such as biology, chemistry, and organic chemistry classes, are aimed at preparing for the DAT — dental school admission testing which will be taken later this year. You can also speak with your counselor regarding letters of evaluation, also known as letters of recommendation. It is best to have these letters completed early so they can be submitted by the deadline, which will vary by school. 

Research and Visit Dental Schools

It is important to determine which type of school you would be interested in attending. Some points to consider are location, class size, curriculum, and the program’s emphasis or specialized area of study. It is also beneficial to speak with current dental students to hear their thoughts on the school they attend. Be sure to visit the website for each school and schedule a tour whenever possible.  

Prepare for the DAT

Similar to when you took the SAT in high school, it is extremely important to prepare for the DAT. There are a variety of resources available, including a free sample test from the American Dental Association. Many students opt to purchase study guides or enroll in DAT review courses. The test is ideally taken at the end of your spring semester.

During the Summer

The application process typically starts around the beginning of June. It is better to submit your applications as soon as possible and not to procrastinate. Continue to work or volunteer in the dental field when possible. 

Scholarship Opportunity

If you are interested in pursuing a further education and applying to dental school, be sure to read more about the scholarship provided by Dr. Michael Krochak. Applications for the 2022 award can be submitted starting in June 2021 through January 31, 2022. To learn more about the scholarship and to see if you are eligible to apply, be sure to click the link below.

The Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental Scholarship was developed to encourage young men and women to enter the field of dentistry. The scholarship helps students pursuing careers in dentistry to meet the rising cost of college tuition and is available to students in their junior year of college. For additional information on the scholarship, please visit our website: https://www.krochakpredentalscholarship.com/pre-dental-scholarship.