Dental School Preparation

Picture Yourself Here…

A student at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry

Here are some suggestions to help you start dental school preparations while in high school…

9th or 10th grade

• Develop an organization system to help you manage your time and develop organizational skills.
  
• Enroll in biology, algebra, and chemistry courses.
  
• Challenge yourself! Be sure the courses are “college prep.”
  
• Talk to dentists in your community.
  
• Get involved in school and community activities.
  
• Register for the P-ACT (Preliminary American College Test) or PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test) in the 10th grade. This will help you identify areas for improvement and familiarize yourself with the test format.
  
• Discuss college costs with your parents and guidance counselor. Scholarships are everywhere, so ask about scholarships and search websites.

11th grade

• Continue to take challenging courses exploring dental career options.
  
• Take the PSAT or P-ACT in October to help identify areas that need improvement. Good scores may also lead to scholarships.
  
• Search websites for information about different colleges. All colleges are not the same. Begin to shop around.
  
• Plan to attend at least one college fair.
  
• Visit the counseling office often to see when representatives for the colleges you are interested in will be visiting your school.
  
• Take the SAT and/or the ACT.
  
• Continue to check into scholarships.
  
• Visit your top college choices the summer before your senior year.
  
• Visit and talk to dentists in your community to learn more about their career.

12th grade

• Continue to excel in school!
  
• Take or retake the SAT and ACT (early fall is best).
  
• Begin writing your application essay.
  
• Send your college applications in early and be sure to provide all requested materials.
  
• Continue community service activities.

In high school, you need to begin thinking about college. A college education will help you take charge of your future. But, it takes some planning and preparation. Don’t wait! Now is the time to begin planning ahead.