USC Upstate Pre-Dental Program: Your Path to Dental Excellence
If you’re preparing for a rewarding career in dentistry, USC Upstate’s Pre-Dental program provides the academic foundation, test preparation, and advising support you need to be a competitive applicant for dental school. Offered as an advisement track within the Biology degree program, this pathway equips you to succeed on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and stand out in the admissions process.
You will:
- Build a strong academic foundation.
- Plan your path to dental school.
- Strengthen your skills needed for success
- Prepare for the DAT.
- Graduate career-ready.
Let’s Talk about Pre Med.
Connect with a Pre-Health advisor in the Division of Natural Sciences and Engineering to discuss how USC Upstate is a great fit for you and your dental career plans.
Let’s explore your options and create a step-by-step plan to earn your dental degree.
Kimberly Shorter, Ph.D.
Professor
864-503-5716
Courses
Preparation for Dental School & the DAT
Most dental schools require these courses prior to admission:
| English | ENGL 101 + 102 |
| Math | MATH 126 + 127 (Precalculus I & II) |
| Biology | BIOL 101 + 102 |
| Chemistry | CHEM 111 + 112 (General Chemistry), CHEM 331 + 332 (Organic Chemistry) |
| Physics | PHYS 201 + 202 or PHYS 211 + 212 |
| Science Electives | 8 additional credit hours in advanced science courses |
Testing Tip: Begin math and chemistry sequences early. Organic chemistry and physics should be completed by the end of junior year so you can take the DAT in spring of your junior year (preferred) or fall of your senior year.
Why choose USC Upstate?
- Proven Preparation: Rigorous coursework aligned with dental school expectations.
- Expert Advising: One-on-one support to map your academic plan and prepare for the DAT.
- Regional Advantage: Alignment with MUSC requirements helps strengthen your application to South Carolina’s only dental school. Plus USC Upstate has a great track record of students attending out of state schools of dentistry.
- Competitive Edge: Opportunities for research, service, and leadership that strengthen your application portfolio.
Applying to grad school
Prepare rigorously for the DAT by focusing on essential courses:
- Application Service: Submit applications through AADSAS (American Association of Dental Schools Application Service).
- Deadline: October of the year prior to planned enrollment.
- DAT Scoring: Reported on a scale from 200-600; a score of ~390 reflects national average performance .
- Proven Preparation: Rigorous coursework aligned with dental school expectations.
- Expert Advising: One-on-one support to map your academic plan and prepare for the DAT.
- Regional Advantage: Alignment with MUSC requirements helps strengthen your application to South Carolina’s only dental school.
- Competitive Edge: Opportunities for research, service, and leadership that strengthen your application portfolio.
Lucy Livingston, Pre-Dental
“The Upstate Pre-Dental track ensured I had all my prerequisite courses for dental school. On top of my biology degree courses, I took physics, calculus, and biochemistry, which are common prerequisites for dental doctorate programs. Upstate integrated my goal of dental school into my coursework, so I didn’t have to worry if I took the right classes.”