UCSF School of Dentistry prerequisites

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. As universal for dental school as it is for medical.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. The DAT's general chemistry section assumes the full sequence.

1 semester · 4 credits · lab

Most dental schools ask for 2 semesters · 8 credits · lab.

The shortest organic requirement on this list: "A minimum of two quarters or one semester of organic chemistry with laboratory," 8 quarter or 4 semester units. Half the baseline sequence, and the laboratory still has to be there. Note that UCSF requires biochemistry separately rather than as the substitute for the second organic semester.

1 semester · 3 credits

Same length as the baseline but with a restriction the baseline does not carry: "This must be taken at a 4-year institution." A community college biochemistry course does not satisfy prerequisite d, even though UCSF accepts up to 96 quarter units of community college work overall.

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.

2 semesters · 6 credits

Two semesters of English or writing-intensive coursework at most schools that name it.

1 semester · 3 credits

Prerequisite g, "General psychology," 4 quarter or 3 semester units. The dental baseline does not carry psychology at all; UCSF requires it.

3 credits

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

3 credits

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

100+ hours

Shadowing dentists. Schools that publish a number most often say 100 hours, and admissions committees read breadth across general and specialty practice. Hours shadowing physicians do not answer this; log dental chairside time here. Across the 77 school overlays, 36 require shadowing, 22 recommend it and 19 publish nothing; the numbers those schools name range from 30 hours to 100, so this baseline figure is a planning floor rather than a common standard.

100+ hours

Few schools publish a number; committees still read for a service habit held over time.

1 letter

A committee letter replaces the whole set, not just one slot: "Alternatively, you may submit one composite letter from a pre-professional health advisory committee instead."

1 letter

Most dental schools ask for 2 letters.

"Submit three letters of recommendation via the ADEA AADSAS application," the first from a college science professor. One rather than the baseline's two, because UCSF spends the other two slots differently.

1 letter

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

UCSF's second letter is from "a dentist, adviser, researcher, or mentor," so a dentist answers it but is not the only writer who can. The third letter is "one from a person of your choice." Recommended here rather than required.