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Career Center (CC): What is the most important thing Cal students can do to prepare for dental school?

Natalie Nguyen (NN): Since most pre-dental students at Cal are Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) or Integrative Biology (IB) majors, the advanced science courses should prepare them well for dental school. If biology isn't your major, then besides the pre-dental requirements, you should take more advanced courses such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, or Neuroanatomy. Histology would also be highly useful, but unfortunately I don't think that Cal offers that course. The first two years of dental school is science-intensive and thus, with prior background in the above, you will be more successful. Furthermore, if you have some free time, you might consider taking enrichment classes like carving/sculpting to improve on your dexterity. Any activity involving hand-eye coordination and attention to detail should be beneficial in dental operative courses.

CC: What tends to be a strength of UCB students in dental school admissions process? A weakness?

NN: This is a tough question to answer as most applicants are unsure of what really stood out with various admissions committees. A real strength of Cal students is their success in upper-division, advanced science courses along with a resume filled with diverse extracurricular activities. Being in the Bay Area, close to San Francisco, and at Cal provides numerous opportunities to get involved in activities that truly reflect who you are. Don't miss out on all these chances and you'll really impress the admissions committees with your unique individuality. Of course, this in no way belittles the importance of GPA and DAT scores in the admissions process.

As for a weakness of Cal students, I definitely think that letters of recommendation could be more personal and insightful; better letters will truly reveal the academic as well as personal sides of you as an applicant. Since classes at Cal are big and it really is challenging to get to know your professors well, make time to go to office hours or stay after class to ask questions and you'll get to know them better. I also suggest obtaining a letter from a dentist. So, try to shadow or volunteer with a dentist. It would be helpful; more importantly, the clinical experience will allow you to discover more of the field of dentistry and reassure yourself that it is something you want to do for the rest of your life.

CC: What can Cal students do to stand out in the admissions process?

NN: Since most dental schools screen applicants based on GPA and DAT scores, your focus should be on improving those two areas. Secondary would be your extracurricular activities. The diversity and uniqueness of your activities will make you stand out in the admissions process. In addition, you will have more thoughtful and engaging discussions with the admissions committees at the interviews and in your written personal statement.

CC: What types of internships and experiences outside of the classroom are most valuable?

NN: As discussed above, internships and other extracurricular activities can only help your chances, especially at more competitive programs where most applicants' GPA and DAT scores are stellar. Look to volunteer with or shadow a dentist. A good place to start would be at the Berkeley Free Dental Clinic (at corner of Durant & Dana). They always need volunteers and you'll get hands-on experience in taking X-rays, assisting with fillings and extractions, etc. Research would also be valuable when you're applying to research-intensive programs such as Harvard. But even at clinically-oriented schools, research will show your intellectual creativity and curiosity. Most importantly, it would prepare you for further research in dental school, which is significant if you want to gain admissions into specialty programs. Many of my classmates have been involved in very diverse activities, among them volunteering abroad programs, which few people have done. This in no way means that you need to do such a thing. Remember always that you want to do something that you truly enjoy and in which you will make an impact.

CC: Can you tell us about the DAT and AADSAS application process?

NN: What I did to prepare was study from MCAT books, buy the simulated/practice tests from ScholarWare (which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND), and I also bought the big Kaplan DAT review book (which also came with practice tests on paper and CD). It all depends. If you are not the type to study/review on your own, then a Kaplan course may help. Don't really stress out, but do focus and do well in one shot. You'll get the computer score immediately after you're done that day from the testing center. If you're consistently scoring a 17/18 on the Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) portion of the practice tests, then I'd suggest you really focus on improving a lot on that section because there are a few schools (i.e. UOP) that really emphasize the PAT score. The PAT portion is distinctive to the DAT and dental education as it tests students' ability to visualize objects in 3-D and at various angles, which is very relevant to dentistry. Also, make sure you're on top of your math skills; even though the quantitative section is easy, don't take it for granted. Overall, I highly suggest you buy the ScholarWare CD with the 3 simulated tests. They are EXACTLY like the real DAT, perhaps a bit harder. Make sure that you're really prepared before taking the simulated tests so that they more accurately reflect your true score (they're quite consistent).

To be clear, June 1st is the first day you can submit your AADSAS (primary) application, which includes the personal statement, courses/grades, and extracurricular activities. Make sure you apply early and get all your letters of recommendation and transcripts out as soon as you submit your AADSAS. On the AADSAS website you should be able to obtain information on what each school requires of you (i.e. when and how much to send in for your application fee). I applied at the end of June and got interviews very early. By mid-October I was all done and admissions were granted officially on December 1st. It's exciting because after that you have nothing to worry about. Once you have a strong DAT score, a decent GPA and early submission of your AADSAS, you should be guaranteed at least an interview.

CC: Have there been any recent changes in the admissions process?

NN: To my understanding, there have not been any recent changes in the admissions process except that tuition at the UC dental schools has increased. However, UCLA School of Dentistry admissions have now come to agreement with Berkeley regarding fulfillment of the second half of General/Inorganic Chemistry. If you're a MCB major, then Chemistry 1A, 3A-3B, MCB 102 would satisfy all the chemistry requirements. But please check with the admissions staff when you apply to make sure this is still effective.

CC: Do you have any specific advice for applicants?

NN: During that process it's most prudent to be organized with your files and call the respective admissions office directly if you have questions specific to that school. Also, a pre-dental mailing list at predental@topica.com is a useful resource for any dental-related questions, as its subscribers are other pre-dental and dental students.

Additional Resources

American Dental Association

Dental Admissions Testing (DAT)

Health Careers

Internship Opportunities in Medicine and Health