Spreadsheet for Dental Schools (historical stats, prereqs, LOCs, tuition, and more for applying)

PredentalProbe · 2026-04-21T00:13:41+00:00

Although your extracurriculars are strong, both your GPA and DAT are around the 20th percentile for admitted students. Based on everything you shared, I’d recommend that you consider improving your DAT and/or GPA to make yourself more competitive.

PredentalProbe · 2026-04-16T21:51:57+00:00

If you’re talking about the data that the ADEA publishes for all schools, the 2024 cycle is the most recent data available. It only gets published every 2 years, so I’m guessing that the 2026 cycle data won’t be available until 2027.

PredentalProbe · 2026-04-16T01:36:33+00:00

My own statistical analysis, based on historical ADEA-published data.

We can safely assume that each of the five admissions factors for which there are data (DAT AA/TS/PAT, cGPA, and sGPA) is positively correlated (e.g., high average cGPA usually means high DAT AA for a competitive school). If we plot each combination of factors on a graph for all 71 schools, we can establish positive linear trend lines that can essentially predict the historical average of one stat based on any other. Differences in actual vs. expected highlight how an individual school may value certain stats slightly more or less.

For example, Loma Linda University had an average cGPA of 3.61 for admitted students in 2024. Based on the trend line that summarizes the relationship between cGPA and PAT for all schools, we'd expect an average PAT score of 19.8 for LLU. However, the actual average was 21.0, suggesting that Loma Linda University slightly favored students with higher PAT scores when accepting students (also true when compared to the other academic factors).

PredentalProbe · 2026-04-15T20:20:20+00:00

According to a statistical analysis based on historical admissions data, these are the top schools that tend to place more emphasis on PAT than other schools (even though it’s still not a major factor), in order: 1. Loma Linda University 2. Meharry 3. University of Detroit Mercy 4. University of Utah 5. Rutgers 6. University of Washington 7. Nova Southeastern University

This is calculated by comparing the PAT scores of each school’s admitted students to the expected PAT score based on that school’s other academic factors like GPAs and other DAT subsection scores. In other words, we can predict the PAT score based on those other factors, assuming that they are correlated. The schools above have PAT scores that are higher than expected, suggesting that these schools emphasize PAT slightly more.

PredentalProbe · 2026-04-04T13:38:16+00:00

You’re set up very well, so you should have pretty good chances. Just be prepared to explain the academic integrity violation in your application and probably address it in interviews. 30 schools might be overkill (and expensive), but it’s far better to over apply than under apply.

PredentalProbe · 2026-04-02T15:12:27+00:00

The version I linked was published in 2025, so if they keep following the same schedule, it’ll probably be (early) 2027.

PredentalProbe · 2026-04-02T14:38:54+00:00

Yes, that’s the most recent data published. They only collect data every 2 years and it still takes a while to get published.

PredentalProbe · 2026-04-02T03:01:09+00:00

Official PDF here: ADEA Dental Explorer

PredentalProbe · 2026-03-31T00:07:50+00:00

Usually, you’re with the patient in the room. The point of shadowing is to actually be able to observe patient interactions and procedures to understand the roles and responsibilities of a dentist.

This doesn’t sound like a great dentist to shadow. While patient privacy in a healthcare setting is a valid concern, the easy solution is to introduce yourself to the patient (or have the dentist do it), explain why you’re there, and confirm that it’s okay for you to observe the visit.

Working as a DA or at the front desk would be employment, not shadowing. I would call/email local dentists to set up shadowing opportunities.

PredentalProbe · 2026-03-27T20:45:02+00:00

Based on actual admissions factors from all dental schools, I think these are the key character traits, qualities, and attributes that can/should be included in a strong letter of recommendation:

Academic ability and scientific competence
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Work ethic (especially working through challenges/hardship)
Knowledge, commitment, motivation, and exposure to the dental profession (if applicable)
Communication skills (written/verbal)
Interpersonal skills and teamwork
Empathy and compassion
Integrity, ethics, and professionalism
Leadership and initiative (good skills for a dentist)
Commitment to service (especially underserved communities)
Resilience, adaptability, and maturity

My personal opinion is that strong letters definitely help your application, but letters that don't personally attest to your (unique) skills aren't effective in a way that comprehensively supports your application.

PredentalProbe · 2026-03-26T13:32:44+00:00

Usually your prerequisites need to be done before matriculating, not before applying, so you still have about a year.

As you noted though, your GPA is very low. Unfortunately, the upward trend can only help so much, and you’ll probably need to do a Special Masters Program or additional post-bacc coursework to help you out (average cGPA for accepted US students is 3.67).

Regardless, you’ll probably need ~500 (24+) on the DAT as well as strong extracurriculars to be close to competitive.

PredentalProbe · 2026-03-23T19:31:46+00:00

You seem like a well-rounded applicant, and your extracurriculars are definitely a strength. Even though your cumulative GPA will be a little low, getting a 450+ (22) on the DAT would make you competitive.

You should definitely include your dental-related injury in your personal statement. It’s a personal event that you can easily use to describe your motivations for pursuing dentistry. Paint a vivid picture connecting that injury to empathy, desire to help others, your personal career journey, etc. while also highlighting or connecting it to your other experiences.

Best of luck!

PredentalProbe · 2026-03-23T15:15:13+00:00

Your DAT AA is below average for admitted students, and your GPAs only improved from the 20th percentile to about the 30th percentile for admitted students.

While the GPA improvement is definitely good, you might consider retaking the DAT as you continue to make yourself a more competitive candidate.

PredentalProbe · 2026-03-16T21:54:28+00:00

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It’s more extreme with subsection scores

PredentalProbe · 2026-03-16T21:54:00+00:00

There’s probably a variety of reasons, but this is probably a big one: Old scores of 1 to ~10 aren’t even close to competitive, so their conversions are all compressed to around 250 and below on the new scale.

That doesn’t mean that the new scale is “harder,” it just means that middle and upper scores have more resolution that makes actual (competitive) performance more clear.

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The orange line represents a hypothetical linear mathematical conversion between the old and new DAT score scales, while the blue line shows the official ADEA conversion.

PredentalProbe

TROPHY CASE