dental · Iowa City, Iowa · public
University of Iowa College of Dentistry prerequisites
What Iowa asks for in the 2026-27 cycle, as read from the school's own admissions page. 3 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
"The appropriate course will have the organic chemistry sequence as a prerequisite. Lab is not required." A survey course without the orgo prerequisite will not answer this.
- 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
"Two composition courses are preferred; or one composition course, and one additional course in either literature, humanities, or public speaking that is writing intensive."
- Anatomy and physiologyrecommended
3 credits
Named by a minority of schools and useful preparation for the first year regardless.
- Microbiologyrecommended
3 credits
"Is strongly recommended and will become a required prerequisite with the 2027-2028 admissions cycle." Anyone reapplying next cycle should treat it as required now.
Experience hours
- Dentist shadowingrecommendeddiffers
100+ hours
Most dental schools ask for 100+ hours and list it as required.
Iowa publishes no shadowing hour requirement. The FAQ's advice is simply: "We advise that you contact your local dentist and other area dentists to find out if they have shadowing opportunities," and dental experience is listed among the experiences the committee looks for in whole-file review.
- 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 letternot required here
"A minimum of three (3) individual letters or one (1) committee letter are required. Letters do not need to be written by specific professors or professionals." No science faculty letter is specifically required; letters should be on letterhead, dated and signed, submitted through ADEA AADSAS.
- Dentist letternot required here
No dentist letter is required: "Letters do not need to be written by specific professors or professionals."
Also on the school’s page
Iowa's course table matches the baseline almost line for line: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics at 8 semester hours each with labs, biochemistry at 3 without lab, English at 6. Everything needs "a C or better by June of the intended entering year"; C- or lower and pass/fail are not accepted. The minimum is 90 semester hours with at least 30 at a four-year college. Scores and letters are published on the DDS Program FAQ page (https://dentistry.uiowa.edu/education/dds-program/admissions/dds-program-faq): "A minimum DAT Academic Average (AA) score of 360 is required" on the current 200 to 600 scale, and only tests taken in 2024, 2025 or 2026 count for Fall 2027 admission; the Canadian DAT is acceptable for Canadian applicants. "Applicants must have achieved a total and science grade-point average of 2.85 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all undergraduate college work." Other recommended courses include anatomy, physiology, genetics, histology, public speaking, and art. The application deadline is September 30.
School
dentistry.uiowa.eduCheck your transcript against this list
Cyclios keeps this list beside your coursework and tells you what Iowa still needs from you.
See it for dental school