Admissions

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Selection Factors 

We strive to recruit students with diverse backgrounds by promoting a culture of inclusion that embraces the richness of diversity and respects individuals for their cultures, contributions and points of view.

The UNMC College of Dentistry does not require a minimum grade point average or DAT score. All students considered for admission must be academically prepared. Students must possess intellectual capability and stability, social and perceptual skills, and physical capability to observe, communicate and perform motor skills adequately to satisfactorily complete the rigorous curriculum.

Important factors in selection include the following:

  • Academic background - grade point average and science grade point average
  • DAT scores
  • Campus, community and dental career (shadowing) involvement
  • State of residence - One of our missions is to develop Nebraska’s oral health workforce; however, 40% or more of our enrolled students come from across the country. View Nebraska residency requirements.
  • Letters of evaluation are strongly encouraged. Evaluations of a student’s progress and potential by a predental adviser or committee are appreciated. Letters of evaluation are to be submitted through AADSAS.
Prerequisites 

For consideration for admission, students must complete 90 semester hours, and are strongly encouraged to complete a four-year degree program, prior to matriculation into dental school. Predental work may be completed at any accredited university, college or community college in the US or Canada.

Required Courses
English Composition, two semesters (6 hours)
Inorganic Chemistry with laboratory, two semesters (8 hours)
Organic Chemistry with laboratory, two semesters (8 hours)
Biology with laboratory, two semesters (8 hours)
Physics with laboratory, two semesters (8-10 hours)

Suggested elective courses: anatomy, biochemistry, cell biology, comparative anatomy, embryology, genetics, histology, immunology, microbiology, physiology, psychology, scientific Greek or Latin, statistics.

Admissions Steps & Timeline 

Students are enrolled in the UNMC College of Dentistry each August. Candidates apply for admission approximately one year before they wish to be admitted to the college.

The early application deadline is October 1. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

May: Take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) so that results are available prior to the early application deadline of October 1. The DAT can be taken through Prometric Test Centers.
June - October: Apply by using the ADEA AADSAS (American Dental Education Association Associated American Dental Schools Application Service) online application.*
August - November:  Candidates under serious consideration will be invited to interview with the admissions committee during this time. Interviews are offered by invitation only.
December:  First round admission notifications are sent in December.

*Applicants should not wait for DAT scores, transcripts or other application materials before applying through AADSAS. Applicant files are updated as these materials are received. A processing fee of $60 is required by the College of Dentistry. A link and instructions to pay the fee online will be emailed to you following the submission of your application.
Rural Health Opportunities Programs 
The Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) and Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP) are designed to address the special needs of rural Nebraska by encouraging rural residents to pursue a career in the health care fields. Selected students receive tuition scholarships and are guaranteed admission to the UNMC College of Dentistry upon satisfactory completion of all requirements. Learn more.