List of Pre-Dental Programs in the US – With Rankings & Acceptance Rates

Thinking about going pre-dental? Smart move! Choosing the right pre-dental program can set you up for everything that comes next, with strong DAT scores, great shadowing experiences, powerful recommendation letters, and, ultimately, getting into dental school. But not all pre-dental programs are created equal. Some schools offer more structured advising, dedicated pre-dental tracks, and better clinical access than others.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a pre-dental program really is, what you should be looking for, and why the right environment can make a huge difference in your path to becoming a dentist.

What Is a Pre-Dental Program?

A pre-dental program is an undergraduate track (not a major) that prepares students for dental school. It typically includes required science courses (like biology, chemistry, and physics), access to dental-specific advising, support for preparing for the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and opportunities for clinical exposure such as shadowing dentists or volunteering in dental clinics.

Think of it as your academic and professional launchpad, everything you do during your pre-dental years builds the foundation for your dental school application.

What Does It Typically Include?

• Core Science Coursework: General biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, and often biochemistry; all prerequisites for dental school admissions.
• Pre-Dental Advising: Dedicated advisors who help you plan your courses, prepare for the DAT, and stay on track for applications.
• Clinical Exposure Opportunities: Programs that offer or connect you with shadowing, dental volunteering, or internship experiences.
• DAT Preparation Support: Resources like test prep workshops, practice tests, and tutoring.
• Research Opportunities: Some schools allow you to participate in dental or biomedical research, which can strengthen your application.
• Extracurricular and Leadership Activities: Access to pre-dental societies, clubs, and leadership roles that show you're serious about dentistry.
• Strong Letters of Recommendation: Faculty support and mentorship to help you secure compelling letters for your dental school apps.

The best pre-dental programs actively push you toward becoming a competitive, confident dental school applicant.

The Best Pre-Dental Programs in the U.S.

Choosing the right undergraduate school for your pre-dental journey is about finding a place that gives you personalized advising, strong science training, and real opportunities to work with patients early.

Here’s a list of some of the best pre-dental programs in the country, along with key details that should be on your radar:

1. UCLA School of Dentistry

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Acceptance Rate: 8.8%
• Yield Rate: 63.3%

UCLA School of Dentistry makes it clear: if you're serious about becoming a dentist, they want to help you start early. Through their pre-dental outreach programs, hands-on workshops, and mentoring events, UCLA gives pre-health students a real inside look at what it takes to thrive in dental school.

It’s not just about checking boxes, but it’s also about building real clinical exposure, getting real advice, and stepping confidently toward a future in dentistry, all while being surrounded by one of the best dental networks in the country.

2. Penn Dental Medicine -- University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Acceptance Rate: 6.8%
• Yield Rate: 91%

At Penn Dental Medicine, what sets them apart is how early they bring future dentists into the conversation. If you're a pre-dental student, you’re not just on the sidelines, but you can also attend events, shadow faculty, and even start building professional connections with one of the top dental schools in the country.

Penn’s campus setup means pre-dental students can get real exposure to dental clinics, research, and mentorship without waiting until grad school. If you want to start thinking and acting like a future dental leader early, Penn makes it possible.

3. UNC School of Dentistry - University of North Carolina

• Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Acceptance Rate:
  • 16% (in-state)
  • 9% (out-of-state)
• Yield Rate: 45%

What really stands out at UNC Adams School of Dentistry is how much they invest in building the next generation of dentists before you even get to dental school. Their pre-dental programs, shadowing opportunities, and strong ties to community clinics give pre-dental students a head start on understanding real patient care.

If you're serious about dentistry and want early hands-on exposure plus incredible advising, UNC gives you the foundation (and the confidence) to take that next big step toward dental school.

4. University of Michigan School of Dentistry

• Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Acceptance Rate: 6-7%
• Yield Rate: 42.1%

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is serious about giving students both big opportunities and real responsibility early on. From day one, you're surrounded by cutting-edge research, strong clinical training, and a community that truly believes in pushing dentistry forward.

Whether you’re interested in patient care, technology, or public health, Michigan gives you the resources and mentorship to carve your own path, and make an impact that lasts.

5. University of Florida – College of Dentistry

• Location: Gainesville, Florida
• Acceptance Rate: 5%
• Yield Rate: 43.9%

At the University of Florida College of Dentistry, what makes their pre-dental support special is how accessible they make the path feel, even at a big public university. Through pre-dental fairs, shadowing programs, and early clinical exposure tied directly to UF’s top-ranked dental school, students get a clear, step-by-step roadmap toward dental school success.

If you're looking for a school that combines big-school resources with a real commitment to mentoring future dentists, UF gives you the structure and support you need to stay ahead of the game.

6. Boston University – Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• Acceptance Rate: 4.5%

If you’re the kind of student who wants to be right in the action, BU’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine makes it easy to plug into real-world dentistry early. Being in Boston (a major healthcare hub) means tons of shadowing, volunteering, and research opportunities are just around the corner.

BU’s close ties between its undergrad pre-health programs and the dental school help motivated pre-dental students get real mentorship, early clinical exposure, and a serious head start on building a standout dental school application.

7. Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine

• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• Acceptance Rate: 4.6%

Some schools hand you a brochure and wish you luck. Case Western Reserve School of Medicine does more than that. They roll up their sleeves and help you build a real future in dentistry. Through their close partnerships with hospitals and community clinics in Cleveland, pre-dental students get real clinical exposure early, not just in theory but in practice.

Small class sizes, a tight-knit mentoring environment, and early access to research make Case a great fit if you want personal attention and serious preparation for dental school from day one.

8. Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Acceptance Rate: 6%

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry puts pre-dental students in an environment where high-level dentistry isn’t a distant dream, but it’s happening around you all the time. Between mentorship programs, shadowing opportunities, and community outreach initiatives across Los Angeles, USC helps serious students start thinking (and acting) like future dentists way before they submit their applications.

9. NYU College of Dentistry

• Location: New York, New York
• Acceptance Rate: 11-12%

If you want to learn dentistry in one of the busiest, most exciting cities in the world, NYU College of Dentistry makes sure you hit the ground running. Pre-dental students at NYU aren’t stuck waiting until dental school to get exposure; the university offers tons of opportunities for shadowing, volunteering, and research right in the heart of Manhattan.

With the country’s largest dental school right on campus, NYU gives motivated students the chance to build clinical experience, mentorship connections, and the kind of real-world perspective that makes a dental school application stand out.

10. UW School of Dentistry - University of Washington

• Location: Seattle, Washington
• Acceptance Rate: 8-9%

If you care about making a real impact in both your community and your future career, the UW School of Dentistry gives pre-dental students the perfect head start. Located in a city known for innovation and healthcare leadership, UW connects motivated students to early shadowing, research, and community service programs tied directly to its dental school.

Whether you're working in clinics that serve underserved populations or teaming up with researchers on public health initiatives, UW helps you build a dental school application rooted in real-world experience, and not just theory.

Bonus: Top Colleges for Dental School Acceptance Rates

While picking a school with strong academics is important, another smart move is checking which colleges consistently send the highest percentage of students to dental school.

Here are a few colleges known for strong dental school acceptance rates:

How to Choose the Right Pre-Dental Program for You

The first thing that you should do is to find the right fit for you if you are choosing a pre-dental program. Choose the place where you’ll grow the most and feel the most supported.

How do you do that?

Here’s what to ask yourself:

1. Do they have strong pre-dental advising?

Not just pre-med advising. You want advisors who understand dental school admissions, dental-specific volunteering, and DAT timelines.

2. Will I get enough clinical experience?

Schools close to hospitals, dental clinics, or dental schools make it MUCH easier to get real patient-facing experience, a huge boost for your application.

3. Can I handle the academics?

Look for a place that challenges you, but not so much that you’ll be drowning. Dental schools care a lot about GPA. Sometimes the “hardest” school isn’t the smartest choice if you can't maintain strong grades.

4. Is there a good pre-dental student community?

You want friends who push you, not tear you down. Being around motivated, collaborative students can make the whole journey easier (and way more fun).

5. Will I have research opportunities if I want them?

Even if you’re more clinically focused, having research on your application can open extra doors, especially at more competitive dental schools.

6. What’s the financial picture?

Minimizing undergraduate debt is smart. Dental school is expensive, so choosing a school where you can graduate with less undergrad debt gives you way more flexibility later.

7. Do I feel excited (not just "okay") about the school?

Most importantly, gut check matters. If you’re excited to learn, meet professors, join clubs, and dive into your pre-dental journey, that energy will carry you through the tough semesters.

Want help narrowing down your list or finding which dental school aligns with your background and next move? Leland coaches have got your back.

Bottom Line

The pre-dental program you choose can either open doors (or quietly close them). The right school will challenge you, support you, and give you every opportunity to build a killer dental school application.

Focus on fit, resources, advising, and clinical access. Don’t just chase big names; chase the environment that will push you to become the best future dentist you can be. Your pre-dental journey starts with one smart choice. Make it count!

Choose the Best Pre-Dental Program with the Help of an Expert

If you know you want to pursue dentistry but feel you could use a little guidance, you’re in the right place. Your journey begins with the pre-dental program that’s best for you, and we have qualified experts who can help you decide where to go next.

Work with a dental school admissions coach to make sure everything from your coursework to your applications will set you on the path to success in your dental career.

Pre-Dental FAQs

What major is best for pre-dental?

• Most dental schools don’t require a specific major, but common choices for pre-health students interested in dentistry include biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. Some students even major in psychology or environmental science while completing dental school prerequisites.

What pre-professional program is dentistry?

• Dentistry falls under the health professions umbrella. Students typically follow a pre-dentistry track during college, completing the courses required for dental school admission alongside their major.

What is the fastest you can become a dentist?

• The fastest path is typically 7–8 years: 3–4 years to earn a bachelor's degree and 4 years of dental school. Some accelerated dental programs combine undergraduate and dental education into a 6- or 7-year track, but these are very competitive.

How long does pre-dentistry take?

• Pre-dentistry usually takes 4 years during undergrad. Students must complete the prerequisite course requirements during this time before applying to dental school.

What is a good GPA for pre-dental?

• Aim for at least a 3.5 GPA to be competitive. Many successful applicants to dental school have GPAs closer to 3.7 or higher, especially in science courses required by most dental schools.