Pre-Dentistry

Chalkboard with chemical molecules

If you’re a current student at Cornell, schedule your appointment with the Dimensions Coordinator to get started planning your future career in dentistry.

Prepare for dental school

Choose a major

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry and molecular biology

These majors are good choices and are our most popular for pre-dentistry since they help satisfy most prerequisites for dentistry school. However, you may consider another major instead. You strengthen your application if you double major in biochemistry and molecular biology with another major outside of the natural sciences because it sets you apart from other applicants.

After receiving your degree from Cornell, you will enter a doctorate in dental surgery (DDS) program. Depending on your interests, you can seek advanced certification in:

  • Oral and maxillofacial surgery
  • Endodontics
  • Orthodontics
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Operative dentistry

Complete your prerequisite coursework

Typical prerequisites include:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Organic chemistry
  • Physics

Not all dental programs require the same prerequisites, so in your first or second year, you should meet with the Associate Director of Dimensions, who can help you research the specific prerequisites needed for your desired programs.

Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Dimensions provides resources when you are preparing for the DAT, which is required by all dental schools, and administered by the American Dental Association.

Apply to dental schools

Before you begin to apply to dental schools, meet with the Associate Director of Dimensions to plan out the steps necessary for applying.

You will also meet with Cornell’s Health Professions Committee. Cornell’s Health Professions Committee will review your application in its entirety and author a committee letter of recommendation.

If you’re interested in learning more about Cornell’s pre-dentistry program, let us know.

Relevant Cornell courses

  • BIO 313-Developmental Biology
  • BIO 315-Genetics
  • BIO 326-Microbiology
  • BIO 327-Immunology
  • BIO 328-Neurobiology
  • BIO 329 and 330-Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II

Additional areas of study to consider

Set yourself apart from other applicants by taking courses that give you a well-rounded liberal arts education in subjects such as:

  • Social sciences
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • History
  • Foreign languages
  • Business and accounting
  • Mathematics

Additional resources