Doctorate of Dental Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many people apply each year?
A. For the past few years we have received between 250 - 300 applications.

Q. How many people are accepted each year?
A. 60

Q. Are Louisiana residents given preference?
A. Yes.

Q. Are three college years enough to gain acceptance?
A. Technically, yes. However, an applicant completing only three years of college would generally not be competitive against degreed applicants.

Q. Are out-of-state residents considered?
A. Yes, we accept up to 5 out of state applicants per year, plus 4 Arkansas residents per year.

Q. What kind of GPA does the average accepted applicant present?
A. The average is about 3.6 on a 4.0 scale.

Q. What is the average DAT score?
A. 19.5.

Q. What other items are of importance to the Admissions Committee?
A. Many things, DAT score, letters of recommendation, your essay, your interview, extracurricular activities, knowledge of dentistry as a career, and work history.

Q. Is the GPA the most important thing?
A. No, the overall academic record is more important. Some very important factors that are taken into consideration are where you went to school, the courses you took and how many courses you took each term, and how well you did.

Q. Do I need to get a job in a dental office to be considered?
A. No. Although any dental experience is useful in helping determine whether this is a good career choice for you; it is not common that applicants work in a dental office prior to entering dental school. It has been our experience that such opportunities are limited and it is not realistic to emphasize "employment". It is important for you to observe in a number of dental offices to get a real feel for what the profession involves.

Q. When should I take the DAT?
A. This decision is probably best made in conjunction with your school's pre-dental advisor. However, most people take it in their junior year after they have completed the prerequisite courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology, although physics is an important prerequisite course.

Q. How will I know if I should retake the DAT?
A. We generally advise students to retake the DAT if their score is 18 or below. A 17 score is marginal.

Q. If I get accepted, when will I hear?
A. The first acceptances are given after December 1st and are given throughout the interview year when final decisions are made about individual applicants. This can occur from through April.

Q. Are medical tests required?
A. Prior to enrollment at the LSU School of Dentistry, students are required to submit to a variety of medical tests, including serologic test for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Section 1207 of the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry Regulations and LSA-R.S. 37:751D require "self-reporting" of seropositivity for these viruses. In such cases the Board of Dentistry may restrict or prohibit seropositive individuals from practicing dentistry or dental hygiene, including participation in programs at the School of Dentistry. In accordance with these provisions, it is necessary for students in the dental and dental hygiene programs to demonstrate seronegativity for HBV, HCV, and HIV prior to enrollment.

Q. Are applicants with an international dental degree considered?
A. No, not unless they are Louisiana residents and meet all the requirements for that program.

Q. How Do I Get An Application?
A. Applications are available through our admissions office by phone at 504-941-8124 or email to ds-admissions@lsuhsc.edu.

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