dental · Bradenton, Florida · private
LECOM School of Dental Medicine prerequisites
What LECOM Dental asks for in the 2026-27 cycle, as read from the school's own admissions page. 6 lines differ from the standard dental school set, marked below.
Coursework
- Biology with labrequired
2 semesters · 8 credits · lab
Two semesters with lab. As universal for dental school as it is for medical.
- General chemistry with labrequired
2 semesters · 8 credits · lab
Two semesters with lab. The DAT's general chemistry section assumes the full sequence.
- Organic chemistry with labrequired
2 semesters · 8 credits · lab
Two semesters with lab at most schools. A small number accept one semester plus biochemistry; confirm on the school's page before planning around it.
- Biochemistryrequired
1 semester · 3 credits
Roughly half of schools require a semester and the share grows every cycle. The DAT does not test it, but first-year dental biochemistry assumes you have seen it.
- Physics with labnot required here
Physics is not a LECOM prerequisite. It appears only among the courses that earn "additional consideration," at 4 hours, beside anatomy, physiology and microbiology. The DAT still tests no physics, but plan the sequence if any other school on your list wants it.
- English or writing-intensiverequired
2 semesters · 6 credits
Six semester hours, but LECOM names the flavour: "English Composition/ Technical Writing," and the entrance page asks for "six (6) semester hours of composition with emphasis on technical language skills."
- Physiologyrecommendedextra here
4 credits
"Additional consideration will be given to candidates who have taken courses in anatomy (3 hours), physiology (4 hours), microbiology (4 hours), and physics (4 hours)." Physiology is the 4 hour line in that list.
- Advanced biologyrecommendedextra here
1 semester · 3 credits
"Students should consider additional courses in cell biology, histology, immunology, and molecular/genetic biology. Understanding of these sciences will be beneficial for the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions of the curriculum."
- Anatomy and physiologyrecommended
3 credits
Named by a minority of schools and useful preparation for the first year regardless.
- Microbiologyrecommendeddiffers
1 semester · 4 credits
Most dental schools ask for 3 credits.
Recommended at 4 hours rather than the baseline's 3, as one of the courses earning "additional consideration" and useful for the problem-based learning curriculum.
Experience hours
- Dentist shadowingrecommendeddiffers
100+ hours
Most dental schools ask for 100+ hours and list it as required.
The same 100 hours the baseline carries, but LECOM only "strongly recommends applicants complete at least 100 hours of job shadowing in a clinical dental setting, with the majority of those hours spent observing a general dentist." The general dentist emphasis is the part applicants most often miss.
- Non-clinical volunteeringrecommended
100+ hours
Few schools publish a number; committees still read for a service habit held over time.
Letters
- Committee letterrecommended
1 letter
Accepted nearly everywhere in place of individual faculty letters where your college offers one.
- Science faculty letterrequired
2 letters
"At a minimum, submit two individual letters of recommendations from undergraduate science instructors OR an evaluation by a pre-professional health advising committee from the applicant's undergraduate institution." Family members cannot write, and "All letters of recommendation must be submitted directly from the authors. The Office of Admissions will not accept letters submitted by applicants."
- Dentist letterrecommendeddiffers
1 letter
Most dental schools ask for 1 letter and list it as required.
"Letters of recommendation from a dentist are highly recommended but not required." Required at most dental schools, optional here.
Also on the school’s page
Two LECOM pages were read and they agree: the entrance requirements page and section 2.2.1 of the School of Dental Medicine Academic Catalog and Student Handbook 2025-2026 at https://lecom.edu/content/uploads/2025/07/School-of-Dental-Medicine-Catalog-2025-2026.pdf. The prerequisite block totals just 33 semester hours: Biology with lab 8, General Chemistry with lab 8, Organic Chemistry with lab 8, Biochemistry 3, and English Composition or Technical Writing 6. The entrance requirements page words the science lines as "A minimum of eight (8) semester hours, including two semester hours of laboratory work" each. "All required courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher," AP credit is accepted for prerequisites and electives on Admissions Committee review, and "LECOM School of Dental Medicine will consider limited numbers of coursework from accredited community colleges," a stricter phrasing than the entrance page's broader line about community college credit. A bachelor's degree is expected, with "a minimum science GPA of 3.2" and a typical matriculant total GPA of 3.4 or greater. On the DAT: "Scores in the area of 19 (previous scoring system) or 410 (new scoring system) or higher will be expected for the Academic Average, Reading Comprehension, Perceptual Ability, and Science sections," the test must be no more than 3 years old, and "The Canadian Dental Aptitude Test cannot be substituted for the U.S. Dental Admission Test (DAT)." LECOM accepts only US citizens and permanent residents. The supplemental application deadline is March 31, with AADSAS closing at the beginning of February, and a 50 dollar non-refundable fee. The catalog also asks for demonstrated commitment to service, motivation for health care, and communication skills as admission criteria in their own right.
School
lecom.eduCheck your transcript against this list
Cyclios keeps this list beside your coursework and tells you what LECOM Dental still needs from you.
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