UTHealth Dental School Requirements

The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston is one of 66 dental programs in the United States of America. Note: Those looking for the requirements for UT Health San Antonio should click here. The UTHealth Dental School Requirements are categorized here in the priority of what an applicant must submit to be considered:

Academic

  1. Pre-requisite courses
  2. Minimum number of years of undergraduate study required
  3. GPA

Non-Academic 

  1. Dentistry Admission Test (DAT)
  2. Dental Shadowing
  3. Letter of References
  4. Personal Essay
  5. Interview

UTHealth Dental School Requirements: Prerequisite Courses

All students applying to the University of Texas Dental School must have completed at least a minimum of 3 years of study (90 semester hours / 134 quarter hours). Students must also complete the following prerequisite courses listed below:

Prerequisite CourseRequiredLab RequiredCredits (Semester/Quarter)
Biology14/21
General Chemistry8/12
Organic Chemistry8/12
Physics8/12
BiochemistryX3/5
MicrobiologyX3/5
EnglishX6/9
StatisticsX3/5
*A semester credit hour is an academic unit earned for fifteen 50-minute sessions of classroom instruction with a normal expectation of two hours of outside study for each class session. Typically, a three-semester credit hour course meets three 50-minute sessions per week for fifteen weeks for a total of 45 sessions. For more information about how long a semester/quarter is click here.

AP and community college credits are accepted at this University. However, Applicants are strongly encouraged to take at the university level those prerequisite courses for which they have earned AP, International Baccalaureate (IB) or other credit.

Coursework exceptions are accepted. Pass/fail grades for the spring semester will be accepted.

University of Texas Dental School Requirements: GPA Calculation and Requirements

Minimum Overall GPA to ApplyAverage Overall GPA of accepted applicantsLowest Overall GPA AdmittedAverage Science GPA of accepted applicantsLowest Science GPA Admitted
NR3.783.413.733.27

UTHealth Dental School Requirements: Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) and Shadowing

DAT and Shadowing Overview:

Dental Shadowing HoursDAT RequiredCAD DAT AcceptedDAT Scores Considered
NRXAverage Score

Applicants are required to complete some observation in a dental practice setting and/or dental laboratory. There is no threshold of dental shadowing hours required. Virtual shadowing is accepted due to COVID.

UTHealth Dental School Requirements: DAT Admission Score Statistics:

Mean Academic Average ScoreMinimum AA Score Given AdmissionMean Perceptual Ability TestMinimum PAT Score Given AdmissionMean Total ScienceMinimum Total Science Score Given Admission
22.31920.91621.919

Applicants are required to take the DAT. If an applicant has completed the DAT more than once the highest overall score on the DAT will be assessed when calculations are made.

Students looking to test their knowledge in preparation for the DAT can click on this link to access our free practice tests for both the Canadian DAT and American DAT. Additionally, check out our 10 tips to Ace the DAT from a 25+ AA test taker!

AADSAS Personal Essays

This University may take into account the AADSAS personal essay you submit to the ADEA. Your personal statement is a one-page essay (not to exceed 4,500 characters, including spaces, carriages, numbers, letters, etc.) that gives dental schools a clear picture of who you are and, most importantly, why you want to pursue a career in dentistry. For more information on the personal essay click on the link above.

UTHealth Dental School Requirements: Interview

MandatoryBy InvitationNumber of Applicants InvitedEntering Class Size
279104

Shortlisted candidates will be required to partake in an interview with the admissions team. The interview process for this dental school is unknown. If you are looking for interview practice check out our posts on both MMI Practice Questions and Standard Interview Practice Questions.

Requirements for other Dental Schools in America:

If you would like an in-depth analysis of the dental school requirements for other dental schools in the United States of America click on this link. Those looking to compare the costs of dental schools can click here.

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