Academic performance, GPA and DAT scores are all contributing factors to the success of your application.
In addition, you should cultivate a variety of experiences that make you a strong candidate:
- Dental experiences.
- Community service and involvement
- Research, extracurricular, and work/life experiences.
All of these things demonstrate your readiness and motivation to pursue a career in dentistry.
Activities and extracurriculars
Get involved early in these and ramp up to have a well rounded resume by the time you apply. However, your first job is your academics. You need to maintain a strong academic foundation to be competitive.
- Clinical work. You can gain experience and learn about the field in a number of ways:
- Dental assistant
- Shadowing
- Volunteering in free clinics or hospitals—particularly if you can see oral and maxillofacial surgeries and appointments.
- Community service. Give of yourself to your community. Shelters, food banks, community resource centers, after school programs. Preferably not clinically related, although in some cases there may be some crossover.
- Research. Chapman offers many opportunities for students to get involved in research as an undergrad.
- Extracurriculars. Involvement in things you’re interested in, including clubs; does not need to be clinically related. Some options:
- Beta Beta Beta
- First Aid
- Pre-Dental Society
Academics/prerequisites
These are the general courses you should take. There may be some programs that have additional or fewer requirements. Always check with the programs to confirm.