While not all dental schools have designated GPA requirements, the minimum GPA to be considered should be considered no lower than 3.0. More importantly, if a school does not have a clearly defined GPA requirement, your score needs to be competitive. To find out how competitive your GPA is, you should look at the average GPA of dental students at that school. If you have a 3.2 GPA, for example, you may not want to apply to a school where the average GPA of newly admitted students if 3.75.
Just as perspective medical students have to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), perspective dental students have to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). The DAT features approximately 280 multiple-choice questions and takes about four-and-a-half hours to complete. In 2006, DAT scores for accepted students ranged from 16 to 24 depending on the school. The average score of applicants was 17, while the average score of accepted students was 19. As mentioned previously, though, DAT scores are weighed in relation to other admission criteria.
While quantifiable data such as GPAs and DAT scores are necessary as an unbiased and universal measure of knowledge by which all applicants are measured, letters of recommendation highlight the human element that is also a good predictor of success. Letters of recommendation tell another, more personal, side of the story. Professors have the opportunity to speak to your strengths beyond good grades and isolated multiple choice tests. Don't underestimate the power of a well-written letter of recommendation from the right person.
Moral character and personal accomplishments are factors that dental schools look for when determining admission. Indeed, these are factors that go beyond academic acumen and allow you to showcase what makes you unique from other applicants. While a 3.1 GPA may not be the highest GPA submitted to an admissions panel, they likely will not see many students who served in the El Salvador for a year in the Peace Corps or are single moms who work full time while also raising three children and putting themselves through a pre-dent degree. You are not defined by your GPA alone and highlighting your personal accomplishments is an ideal way to complement your GPA.