Requirements for DMD

Bachelor’s Degree

To be considered for admission to the DMD program at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, an applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the USA or Canada, or be enrolled in a course of study that will result in the awarding of the degree before matriculation into the DMD program.

Applicants who completed their bachelor’s degree more than two years before expected dental school attendance are advised to pursue academic activities, research, or employment in the oral health field to maintain and strengthen preparation for a dental school curriculum. 

Prerequisite Courses

All prerequisites must be completed successfully prior to matriculation. At the time of submission of the application, it is understood that some prerequisites may be pending completion. In the AASDAS application, list your planned courses.

Although most of the prerequisite courses are science-based, an applicant may be enrolled in any major.

Credits from an accredited four-year U.S./Canadian college or university should match or exceed the prerequisite requirement in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics.

Community college courses cannot be applied to science prerequisites (biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics). Science prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited four-year U.S./Canadian college or university.  If you have community college science credits, take upper-level courses in the relevant field of study at a four-year institution to earn sufficient prerequisite credits in the topic. It is not necessary to re-take the basic course at a four-year institution if you have at least the minimum required credits in upper-level coursework in the topic from a four-year institution.

Advanced Placement credit is not accepted toward the science prerequisites. Applicants who received college credit and/or placed out of prerequisite courses because of AP credits must either retake those courses at an accredited four-year United States or Canadian institution or take an equal number of credits in upper-level coursework in the same discipline at a four-year institution.

Advanced Placement credits will be accepted for English and math/statistics prerequisites if the degree-granting institution awarded college credit toward the bachelor’s degree.

PREREQUISITE COURSES (REQUIRED)

  • Prerequisite science courses should be taken at an accredited, four-year United States or Canadian college or university.
    • Neither community college coursework nor Advanced Standing credit may be applied to science prerequisites.  Take upper-level courses to meet the prerequisite credit requirements.
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited, four-year United States or Canadian college or university is a requirement for enrollment at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

The Admissions Committee strongly suggests that the following courses be taken to ensure a competitive application.

Prerequisite Minimum credits Description
Biology with lab 3 semesters (9-12 credits) or 4 quarters
  • Advanced Placement credits do not fulfill the Biology prerequisite: upper-level Biology college courses can be used to fulfill the prerequisite credit requirement. Refer to the list of suggested biological science courses, below.
General Chemistry with lab 2 semesters (6-8 credits) or 3 quarters
  • Advanced Placement credits do not fulfill the General Chemistry prerequisite: upper-level Chemistry college courses can be used to fulfill the prerequisite credit requirement.
Organic Chemistry with lab 2 semesters (6-8 credits) or 3 quarters
  • Advanced Placement credits do not fulfill the Organic Chemistry prerequisite: upper-level Organic Chemistry college courses can be used to fulfill the prerequisite credit requirement.
Biochemistry 1 semesters (3-4 credits) or 2 quarters
  • A lab is not required for the biochemistry prerequisite. Matriculated students are not exempted from the dental school biochemistry curriculum.
Physics with lab 2 semesters (6-8 credits) or 3 quarters
  • Courses including general principles of physical laws and phenomena: mechanics, light, heat, sound, electricity, radiation.
  • Advanced Placement credits do not fulfill the Physics prerequisite: upper-level Physics courses can be used to fulfill the prerequisite credit requirement.
Calculus 1 semester (3-4 credits) or 2 quarters
  • Advanced Placement credits will be accepted if the degree-granting institution awarded college credit toward the bachelor’s degree.
  • A second calculus course fulfills the separate Math or Statistics requirement.
Math or Statistics 1 semester (3-4 credits) or 2 quarters
  • Advanced Placement credits will be accepted if the degree-granting institution awarded college credit toward the bachelor’s degree.
  • A mathematics or statistics course will fulfill this requirement, including a second calculus course or a statistics course offered through a department other than mathematics.
English or Composition 2 semesters (6-8 credits) or 3 quarters
  • Advanced Placement credits will be accepted if the degree-granting institution awarded college credit toward the bachelor’s degree.
  • University-designated writing intensive courses will also satisfy this requirement. A course description will be required at time of interview.

Recommended advanced biological science courses

Advanced biological science courses Description
Anatomy

Cell biology

Embryology

Genetics

Histology

Immunology

Microbiology

Molecular biology

Physiology

Zoology
  • For applicants who have AP credits for Introductory Biology, a selection of advanced biological science courses may be used toward the prerequisite requirements. Note that prerequisite science courses must include lab.
  • Upper-level biological sciences courses taken in addition to prerequisite course credits enhance an applicant’s preparation for dental school.

Additional courses

Additional courses Description
Humanities

Social Sciences

Arts

Business

Engineering

Etc.
  • Applicants, especially science majors, are encouraged to include a variety of courses in their undergraduate program. Exploration of diverse subject areas and perspectives contributes to a broad knowledge base and enhances critical-thinking skills.

Standards for Admission

In considering applications, the Admissions Committee places primary emphasis on an applicant’s undergraduate record. The successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year U.S. or Canadian college or university is a requirement for matriculation into Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Applicants who are admitted during their final year of undergraduate study must demonstrate successful completion of the bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation in the DMD program. The committee takes into account the applicant’s scores on the Dental Admissions Test, as well as factors such as the quality and difficulty of courses taken, demonstrated leadership ability, and motivation for the study of dentistry. Applicants’ personal statements submitted as part of the AADSAS application and letters of recommendation are important elements in the evaluation.

The applicant has the opportunity to describe extra-curricular and co-curricular experiences in the AADSAS application, including observation of dental professionals (“shadowing experience”), involvement in community through employment or volunteering, and research experience.