what was the most challenging aspect of dental school

Hi Lukas,

Students preparing for dental school may select any major that interests them to combine with the required predental coursework. Predental students should select a major that interests them, allows them to build strong intellectual skills, and one that could provide opportunities for graduate work or employment if they choose not to pursue a career in dentistry.

Although predental students are free to select any major they must complete certain courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics to meet the requirements for admission to dental school. Some dental schools, including the IU School of Dentistry, also require students to complete courses in anatomy, biochemistry, English, physiology, and psychology.

A good dentist needs to have a strong foundation in the sciences, as well as good communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Advanced coursework in the humanities and social sciences can be very helpful for developing your intellectual skills in these latter areas.

Students who choose to major in the sciences should consider completing some advanced coursework (or a minor) in a humanities or social science field to stretch their analytical and communication skills. Students who choose to major in a nonscience field may wish to consider completing a few extra advanced courses (or a minor) in biology or chemistry to help them prepare for dental school. In addition, predental students need to develop excellent manual dexterity skills, which are essential to the practice of dentistry.

With increasing competition for admission to dental schools, the standards for admission have risen. Students must meet very high academic standards and prepare systematically through extracurricular experiences in order to gain admission to dental school.

Applying

Admissions committees review credentials such as academic qualifications, the results from the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), grade point average (GPA), letters of recommendation, personal interviews and dental office shadowing experiences. Admission requirements can vary from school to school.

Most dental schools require personal interviews with candidates to assess qualities such as desire to help people, self-confidence, ability to meet challenges, ability to get along with people and capacity to work independently. The personal interview also provides an opportunity to ask about the school.

In: http://www.hpplc.indiana.edu/ohp/d-prep.shtml
http://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/careers-in-dentistry/be-a-dentist/applying-for-dental-school

All the Best!!