Admission Requirements
Applicants to the DMD program are reviewed in a holistic manner with consideration to all components of the application, including the criteria below.
Prerequisites
While the majority of accepted applicants have completed requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree prior to matriculation at the School of Dental Medicine, the absolute minimum prerequisite for admission to the School of Dental Medicine is successful completion of three academic years – 90 semester or 135 quarter hours – of undergraduate course work. This includes the specified subjects listed in the following table, at an accredited college or university in the United States. Credits are accepted from community and junior colleges, but it is recommended that most work be completed at a four-year institution. In addition to the stated prerequisites, preference will be given to applicants demonstrating exemplary academic performance in additional higher-level science courses while taking full academic loads. Science courses should not be survey courses or other such courses designed for non-science majors.
Applicants are required to complete the following coursework with a C or better by July of the intended entering year. Grades of D or lower will not be accepted. The SIU School of Dental Medicine will accept pass/fail grades for Spring 2020 coursework, recognizing the many changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Required Subjects
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Semester Hours
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Quarter Hours
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Biology (with labs)
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8
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12
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General Chemistry (with labs)
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8
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12
|
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Organic Chemistry (with labs)
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8
|
12
|
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Physics
|
6
|
9
|
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Biochemistry
|
3
|
5
|
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English*
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6
|
9
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*For the English requirement, 6 semester hours are accepted or the completion of a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.
We strongly suggest selecting several additional higher-level courses, as cited in the following table.
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Recommended Courses
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Semesters
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Anatomy
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1 Semester
|
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Physiology
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1 Semester
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Microbiology
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1 Semester
|
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Cell and Molecular Biology
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1 Semester
|
|
Histology
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1 Semester
|
|
Immunology
|
1 Semester
|
|
Genetics
|
1 Semester
|
|
Neural Science/Neural Physiology
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1 Semester
|
|
Statistics
|
1 Semester
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Letter of Recommendation
Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine requires a total of three letters of recommendation. Letters must be uploaded directly to the AADSAS application by the evaluators. Letters sent directly to the Office of Admissions are not recommended. Of the required letters of recommendation uploaded to AADSAS, applicants must have:
- TWO Science Letters – Letters must be from science professors who have taught and graded the applicant at the university level. Science letters should include the course name, number and professors signature.
- ONE Letter of Choice – One letter by an evaluator of the applicant’s choice. This evaluator could be another professor, a mentor or dentist. This letter should include letterhead and a signature.
-OR-
- Pre-Health Professions Committee Letter – If the applicant’s undergraduate institution has a pre-health profession committee, a letter or letter packet by committee members can be submitted in place of the three required letters of recommendation. This packet or letter will be submitted to AADSAS as one individual letter.
Extracurricular Activities & Shadowing
SIU School of Dental Medicine does not require extracurricular activities and dental shadowing experience but highly recommends these experiences. Applicants should report all activities and experiences on their AADSAS application. AADSAS will have applicants provide details on each experience. Applicants should keep track of dates, hours, descriptions of each experience and the name and address of the direct supervisor/organization.
Examples of Extracurricular Activities:
- Academic Enrichment Programs
- Athletics
- Clubs and Organizations
- Research
- Volunteering
- Work Experience
Example of Shadowing
- Observing a General Dentist
- Observing a Dental Specialist
Applicants that are shadowing or observing will complete this without compensation or volunteer hours. Any shadowing that has been completed as part of a club/organization activity must report it under such on the AADSAS application.
** SIU School of Dental Medicine is unable to provide dental volunteer/shadowing opportunities.
Dental Admissions Test
All applicants must take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT); no exceptions are made. The American Dental Association (ADA) administers the DAT and it is available year round at Prometric test centers in the U.S. and Canada. Applicants will report official DAT scores to AADSAS and dental education programs of their choice.
The DAT can be taken before applying in June of the application year. Scores must be received before the application deadline of November 15th. To be a competitive applicant and to be considered for the first round of interviews, the DAT should be taken before September 15th. An applicant should report future DAT test dates on the AADSAS application. The DAT is valid for three years before matriculation.
Residency
Admission to the SIU School of Dental Medicine is limited. As a state institution, established to provide dentists for the State of Illinois and supported by the taxpayers of Illinois, the School gives priority to admission of Illinois residents.
Policy on Diversity
SIU School of Dental Medicine is dedicated to serve a diverse community that recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of each individual. Our goal is to foster tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect among its members, while encouraging each individual to reach his or her potential.
