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dental · Loma Linda, California · private

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry prerequisites

What Loma Linda asks for in the 2026-27 cycle, as read from the school's own admissions page. 4 lines differ from the standard dental school set, marked below.

Read from the school’s pageCheck it with the school

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.

  • Biochemistryrequireddiffers

    4 credits

    Most dental schools ask for 1 semester · 3 credits.

    The catalog asks for "Biochemistry (4 semester units or 6 quarter units)," more than the baseline's single semester. The DDS program page states it as "One semester or two quarters required (a full year recommended) Lab courses do not meet this requirement"; the stricter catalog number is recorded, and a laboratory course cannot be used to satisfy it either way.

  • Physics with labrequired

    2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

    Two semesters, algebra-based accepted essentially everywhere. A handful of schools want only one semester; the two-semester plan covers them all.

  • English or writing-intensiverequired

    2 semesters · 6 credits

    Same length as the baseline but narrower in content: "A complete sequence of English composition (two semesters or three quarters) to include composition and literature is required." Two composition courses alone do not answer it.

  • Anatomy and physiologyrecommended

    3 credits

    Named by a minority of schools and useful preparation for the first year regardless.

  • Microbiologyrecommended

    3 credits

    Required at a meaningful minority and recommended widely; a strong pick for the spare science slot.

Experience hours

  • Dentist shadowingrequireddiffers

    50+ hours

    Most dental schools ask for 100+ hours.

    "Prior to interviewing, applicants are expected to complete a minimum of fifty (50) hours of observation/work experience in a dental facility, twenty (20) of which must be done with a general dentist." Half the baseline's 100, but with a general-dentist floor inside it. The program page separately recommends 100 hours.

  • 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

    Named as a full alternative to the science professor letter: "a reference from a pre-professional committee or science professor." Where your college offers one, it closes that slot outright.

  • Science faculty letterrequireddiffers

    1 letter

    Most dental schools ask for 2 letters.

    Loma Linda asks for "A minimum of three personal references" including "a reference from a pre-professional committee or science professor." One science professor answers it, and a committee letter substitutes, so this is one letter rather than the baseline's two.

  • Dentist letterrecommendeddiffers

    1 letter

    Most dental schools ask for 1 letter and list it as required.

    Loma Linda does not name a dentist specifically. The third reference is "a reference from an employer or professional," written on the DDS program page as "employer or dental professional." A shadowing dentist satisfies it, but so does an employer, so this is recommended here rather than required.

Also on the school’s page

Loma Linda states its science prerequisites as full-year sequences: "A complete sequence of English composition (two semesters or three quarters) to include composition and literature is required," and two semesters or three quarters each of general biology, general chemistry, general physics and organic chemistry, all with laboratory. Three rules cut across every prerequisite and are easy to miss: "All science prerequisites must be completed within five years prior to matriculation, with a grade of C or above in each course," the program page adds that prerequisites must be taken in the U.S. or Canada with all science prerequisites taken in person, and AP credit is not accepted for science prerequisites. The school also asks for "A minimum of three academic years with no fewer than 96 semester or 144 quarter units in an accredited college or university" and "A minimum grade point average of 2.7 in science subjects and in nonscience subjects, averaged separately." The DDS program page recommends a science GPA of 3.3 or higher and says a 3.5 or higher makes an applicant competitive. On testing, the catalog says applicants "are expected to have taken the DAT within the previous two years, preferably not later than October of the year preceding expected matriculation," while the program page recommends "DAT scores of 20 or higher," a figure still written on the old 1 to 30 scale; the DAT has scored 200 to 600 since March 2025, so treat that 20 as legacy wording rather than converting it. One reference has no equivalent anywhere else on this checklist: Loma Linda is a Seventh-day Adventist institution and requires "a reference from a spiritual leader," submitted as a spiritual recommendation form with the LLUSD supplemental application. The two pages differ slightly on biochemistry, and the stricter catalog figure is recorded here.

School

dentistry.llu.edu

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