Pre-Dentistry Program

Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP)

The dentistry track within RHOP is designed for rural Nebraska students interested in returning to rural areas to practice dentistry. In this program, complete your bachelor’s degree at Wayne State before entering the DDS program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Dentistry in Lincoln. Participants in RHOP receive a full-tuition scholarship at WSC, guaranteed admission to UNMC, job shadowing and internship experiences, one-on-one advising, and early registration privileges.

Rural Health Opportunities Program

Honors Program

Honors students complete an independent research project, usually spanning their junior and senior years. Your research can take you just about anywhere - in the lab or library, in the community, or in the U.S. or abroad! Honors work can also be very practical. Prospective employers and graduate admissions committees often look carefully at an undergraduate record for evidence of extra initiative and genuine intellectual strength.

Learn more about the Honors Program

Pre-Dentistry internships and job shadowing

Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations: 

• Dregalla Family Dentistry (Pender, Neb.)
• Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (Norfolk, Neb.)
• Kersenbrock Dental Care (O’Neill, Neb.)
• Wakefield Dental Practice (Wakefield, Neb.)

Career services and internships

Topics covered in the Pre-Dentistry program

• Analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Chemical processes and materials
• Chemical experiment and design
• Human anatomy and dissection
• Molecular genetics
• Probability and statistics
• Advanced lab techniques and management
• University physics and experimentation
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Research, observation, and analysis of data

This 4-year timeline serves as a guide to help you plan for applying to dental schools.

Freshman year

1. Meet with your Pre-Dental program advisor to create a personalized plan.
2. Join the Pre-Dental Club at WSC to engage in career-related activities and networking events.
    

Sophomore year

1. Begin researching dental schools and learn about their admission requirements. Be mindful of prerequisite course and GPA requirements, location, costs, program reputation, and entrance exams score requirements. Inquire with the dental school for any specific questions and guidance.
2. Study and practice for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), required by some schools.
    

Junior year

Fall semester

1. Investigate where you can take the DAT and register to take it in the spring.
2. Study and practice for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), required by some schools.

Spring semester

1. Take the official Dental Admissions Test (DAT) exam.
   • It is recommended that students complete 2 semesters of general biology, 2 semesters of general chemistry, and 2 semesters of organic chemistry, and 1 semester of physiology before taking the DAT
   • Plan to take the DAT 12-15 months before your intended enrollment
      

Senior year

Fall semester

1. Ask people if they would be willing to provide a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are statements from professors, supervisors, or other professionals that detail your academic abilities, interpersonal skills, and character. Medical schools typically require 2-4 letters and will sometimes ask that some be from professors. Check with each school to which you plan to apply for the number and type of letters they require, when those letters are due, and the process for how letters of recommendation are to be submitted.
2. Work on essays - Your personal statement or essay is an opportunity to expand upon unique experiences and events and adds a personal dimension to your application. Work with professors or advisors to have your statement reviewed.

Spring semester

1. Start the application process. Most dental schools use a centralized application service, the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). ­This allows you to submit one application and send it to multiple programs.
   • Schools in Texas require application through the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)
      
2. Complete the application process
    
   • Schools and/or centralized applications services may have application deadlines. Th­ere is often a processing time after you submit.
   • Some schools may also require a secondary application for their program. This application deadline will be after you submit your centralized application. Each school you apply to will let you know what steps you need to complete after you submit your centralized application.
      
3. Interview with dental schools if required for the application process. Make sure to practice by doing a mock interview.
4. Make admissions decisions - Admissions committees will review your application to decide on your admission to their program. Follow up with your Pre-Dental advisor if you have questions about your admission status.

Graduates of the Pre-Dentistry program work in their field or continue their studies using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, dental schools and employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.

Recent grads are pursuing their DDS degrees at the following schools:

• University of Nebraska Medical Center - College of Dentistry (Lincoln, Neb.)

 Career possibilities:

• Dentist
• Endodontist
• Orthodontist
• Pediatric dentist
• Oral surgeon
• Periodontist
• Prosthodontist
• Dental researcher
• Dental supply rep
• Dental health educator

 

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey