Middle School
Curiosity, habits, and early dexterity.
Academic focus
Dental exposure
Service & volunteering
Leadership & projects
Mistakes to avoid
- Don't stress about dental school yet — focus on becoming a great student.
- Don't over-schedule yourself into burnout.
High School
Build the academic and clinical foundation, 9th–12th.
These are recommendations, not requirements. Check off the ones you want to focus on.
9th Grade
9th Grade
Set an academic foundation.
Academic focus
Highly recommendedDental exposure
Highly recommendedService & volunteering
ConsiderLeadership & projects
ConsiderMistakes to avoid
- Don't sign up for ten clubs you won't attend.
- Don't ignore English — application essays start here.
10th Grade
10th Grade
Deepen science and start logging hours.
Academic focus
Highly recommendedDental exposure
Highly recommendedService & volunteering
ConsiderLeadership & projects
ConsiderMistakes to avoid
- Don't quit activities just because they're 'not dental.'
- Don't cram shadowing into one weekend — spread it out.
11th Grade
11th Grade
Position for a strong pre-dental college.
Academic focus
Highly recommendedDental exposure
Highly recommendedService & volunteering
ConsiderLeadership & projects
ConsiderMistakes to avoid
- Don't pick a college only on prestige — fit and GPA support matter.
- Don't ignore college pre-health advising quality.
12th Grade
12th Grade
Land the right pre-dental college.
Academic focus
Highly recommendedDental exposure
Highly recommendedService & volunteering
ConsiderLeadership & projects
ConsiderMistakes to avoid
- Don't stop activities the moment college apps are in.
- Don't forget thank-you notes to recommenders.
College
Pre-reqs, shadowing, DAT, and the application.
These are recommendations, not requirements. Check off the ones you want to focus on.
College Freshman
College Freshman
Protect your GPA and explore.
Academic focus
Highly recommendedDental exposure
Highly recommendedService & volunteering
ConsiderLeadership & projects
ConsiderMistakes to avoid
- Don't take Gen Chem + Bio + Calc + heavy load all at once.
- Don't skip office hours — relationships start now.
College Sophomore
College Sophomore
Deepen experiences and stack pre-reqs.
Academic focus
Highly recommendedDental exposure
Highly recommendedService & volunteering
ConsiderLeadership & projects
ConsiderMistakes to avoid
- Don't take Organic + Physics + heavy load in the same term.
- Don't chase 'cool' specialties before seeing general dentistry.
College Junior
College Junior
Prep DAT and prepare to apply.
Academic focus
Highly recommendedDental exposure
Highly recommendedService & volunteering
ConsiderLeadership & projects
ConsiderMistakes to avoid
- Don't take the DAT without a diagnostic + study plan.
- Don't submit a rushed, weak application just to hit early June — aim for June through late July with a strong application; August can still work if it's solid.
College Senior
College Senior
Apply, interview, and finish strong.
Academic focus
Highly recommendedDental exposure
Highly recommendedService & volunteering
ConsiderLeadership & projects
ConsiderMistakes to avoid
- Don't ghost activities after applying.
- Don't compare timelines — cycles vary by 6+ months.
Gap Year & Post-Bacc
Sharpen the weakest part of your application.
Academic focus
Dental exposure
Service & volunteering
Leadership & projects
Mistakes to avoid
- Don't reapply with the same application.
- Don't waste the year — schools ask what you did.