Before you apply
In light of the changes being made on college campuses due to COVID-19, the School of Dental Medicine will be flexible in the graded requirement for prerequisite coursework if an applicant attends a school that made system-wide grading changes. For example, we will consider pass/fail grades and online courses for Spring 2020 — Summer 2021.
Applicants are required to have completed three years of college before matriculation (90 credits); however, it is highly desirable that applicants possess a baccalaureate degree.
Prerequisite Coursework
Admissions requirements for the School of Dental Medicine require completion of specific courses prior to application as listed below:
- Biology: 2 semesters with labs (8 credits)
- General Chemistry: 2 semesters with labs (8 credits)
- Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters with labs (8 credits)*
- Physics: 2 semesters with labs (8 credits)
- English: 2 semesters writing intensive (6 credits)
- Biochemistry: 1 semester (3 credits)
- Calculus I and Calculus II or Calculus I and Statistics (6 credits)
*Some universities and colleges have instituted a three-semester combined General and Organic Chemistry course sequence with laboratories (with intensive contact hours or for advanced students). Such three-semester course sequences will be considered. Questions regarding whether a three-semester course sequence meets SDM requirements should be posed with the Director of Admissions.
Please note the following:
Advanced Placement Courses (AP Courses)
Applicants must score a four or above to receive AP credit (advanced placement credit) for prerequisite courses. When AP credit is substituted for a prerequisite course an additional course of an equal level or better should be taken to demonstrate scholastic ability at the college level.
Information Regarding Community College Work
It is preferable that all prerequisites are completed at a four-year college for baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate students. However, a maximum of 60 credit hours taken at a community college prior to your third year of study toward a baccalaureate degree may be accepted.
Online Courses
Non-prerequisite online courses, while not preferred, will be considered. Online courses must be taken at an accredited institution and, in addition, accepted at the institution where the degree is being conferred.
Suggested Additional Preparation
Success in dental school is highly correlated with a student's competence in science. Applicants should gain familiarity with the fundamentals of the natural and social sciences that are relevant to the delivery of health care. Virtually all candidates accepted into dental school have earned a baccalaureate degree in the arts and sciences. Although preference for admission is not based on a particular field of academic concentration, all candidates are required to demonstrate competence in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, mathematics, and English composition. It is strongly recommended that applicants also take classes in the social sciences and statistics, and upper-level sciences such as anatomy and physiology.
Preference will be given to those that meet the following standards:
- Total GPA: 3.0
- Science GPA: 3.0
- DAT AA: 17
- DAT PAT: 17
- DAT TS: 17
As you take courses and prepare for the Dental Admissions Test, you should set competitive goals:
National Average published by ADEA
- Total GPA: 3.65
- Science GPA: 3.57
- DAT AA: 20.8
- DAT PAT: 20.2
- DAT TS: 20.4
Year 1 Class Academic Average:
- Total GPA: 3.80
- Science GPA: 3.75
- DAT AA: 21.7
- DAT PAT: 20.9
- DAT TS: 21.6
The American Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is mandatory.
Only a current DAT score obtained after June 1, 2019 will be accepted for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. For additional information regarding the DAT, contact:
Dental Admissions Testing Program
Suite 1846
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
(800) 621-8099 or (312) 440-2500
ada.org
Please note that Canadian DAT scores are not accepted at this time.
A pre-health committee letter is required. However, if your college or university does not provide a committee letter, three recommendation letters from science faculty members will be considered.
A professional character reference is also required. This recommendation must come from a non-family member who can speak your character, life experience and suitability as a healthcare professional. The letter writer should describe the nature of the relationship and the length of time in which they have known the candidate.
Dental assisting and/or shadowing – minimum 50 hours.
Admissions Overview
The School of Dental Medicine participates in the centralized American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). All candidates must apply through AADSAS. The deadline for submission of applications to AADSAS is December 1. Since acceptances are made on a rolling basis, applicants are urged to apply as early as possible. Applications are accepted beginning June 4 of the year prior to matriculation.
AADSAS
American Dental Education Association
655 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: (800) 353-2237 or (202) 289-8123
adea.org
Application Fee
A $100 non-refundable supplementary application fee is required and should be submitted online after an AADSAS identification number is assigned. You must use your AADSAS ID# to submit payment.
PLEASE NOTE: Applications will not be reviewed until your verified AADSAS application, all supporting documents and the supplemental application fee have been received.
The school will acknowledge receipt of all applications from AADSAS and advise candidates directly of any additional information required.
Applicants who have submitted all application materials, paid required fees, and have met the preferred criteria will be invited to complete an online Kira Talent Assessment. The Kira assessment allows the applicant to provide additional information used in evaluating a potential match with our rigorous and innovative educational program. The Admissions Committee uses the Kira Talent Assessment in conjunction with the ADEA AADSAS application to select applicants for an interview.
Interviews are an integral part of the admissions process, and all applicants under serious consideration will be notified if an interview is indicated.
An Admissions Committee is responsible for decisions regarding admission to the School of Dental Medicine. Students are accepted on a rolling basis starting on December 15th of the academic year prior to matriculation. All committee decisions are sent via email.
| Earliest Date | Latest Date | School Fees | |
| Application Submission | June 1 | December 1 | $100.00 |
| Acceptance Notification | December 15 |
Required Acceptance Response Time:
30 days if accepted between 12/1 and 1/31
15 days if accepted between 2/1 and 5/15
Applicants accepted after May 15 may be asked for an immediate response to an admissions offer.
Advanced Standing Program
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine is not considering applications for an advanced standing program at this time. We invite you to revisit our website in the future for new programs that might meet your needs.
Undergraduate Scholars for Dental Medicine Program
stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/academics/honors/#view-dental-scholars
Questions
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions for more information, or contact the Office of Education at (631) 632-8871 for additional questions.
Maps and Directions to the School of Dental Medicine
Contact
For information on applying to the Doctor of Dental Surgery program, please contact:
Office of Admissions
Email: sdm_admissions@stonybrookmedicine.edu
