High School Students:  Honors Combined BS/DMD Degree Program (Formerly Early Admissions Program)

If you are still in high school please review this material carefully for your future, but do not apply until your freshman year at a participating college. 

The University of Florida College of Dentistry has a program for outstanding college freshman who know they are interested in becoming dentists, the Honors Combined BS/DMD Program, that saves one year of college. Students accepted in this program complete a BS degree and a DMD degree in 7 years, instead of 8 years. 

During the first three years of this program, students enroll in a carefully sequenced series of courses to meet both their undergraduate university's Baccalaureate degree requirements and the College of Dentistry's admissions requirements.  A limited number of majors are available at the University of Florida, either Microbiology or Nutrition.

During what would have been the senior year of college, Honors Combined BS/ DMD Program in Dentistry students transfer to the freshman class at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Credits from the dental program are transferred back to the undergraduate college to complete the Baccalaureate degree requirements. Approved students spend a minimum of 90 hours in the bachelors program and four years in the dental program. 

Admissions Criteria 

College freshmen are eligible to apply to the Honors Combined BS/ DMD Program in Dentistry if they have:

• at least two full time semesters (not including summer semesters) completed at the participating university.  At least two college level science courses must be completed, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.75/4.0 and a science GPA of no less than 3.5/4.0. Acceptable science courses include general biology, inorganic chemistry, and general physics courses designed for science and pre-professional students. AP, IB and/or dual enrollment credit for science courses is not accepted for this program.
• an overall unweighted high school GPA of no less than 3.8/4.0.
• a total SAT score of at least 1310, or an ACT score of at least 29.
• an unweighted high school science GPA of at least 3.5/4.0, with courses completed in Biology and Chemistry.
• demonstrated working knowledge of and commitment to a career in dentistry as evidenced by prior exposure to the profession.
• a formal interview with members of the College of Dentistry Admissions Committee.

Students must have been accepted to the University of Florida in order to participate in this program.

Application Process 

Interested students are invited to apply to the Honors Combined BS/ DMD Program in Dentistry by clicking on the application form and letters of reccomendation links below.

The application deadline is June 1 annually.

The completed application should be accompanied by:

• final transcripts of high school work completed including graduation date, class rank at time of graduation and type of diploma
• a completed application form
• official copies of SAT or ACT scores 
• 3 letters of recommendation from high school teachers OR college professors who know your work well
• For students attending participating institutions other than the University of Florida, official transcript of courses and grades for first full time (12 or more semester hours) semester of college.

Interview in Gainesville

Competitive applicants are invited to Gainesville for an interview with the Admissions Committee. The interview is required and cannot be waived. The interview day will also include a tour of the dental school, lunch with other applicants and Admissions Committee members, a discussion of costs and financial aid available, a discussion of the educational program at the college and the opportunity to ask questions. 

Final Acceptance into Honors Combined BS/ DMD Program

Honors Combined BS/ DMD students are guaranteed a place in the freshman dental class during their fourth year of college and do not have to reapply to dental school again providing that they meet program admissions standards while they are undergraduate students. Final Acceptance into the College of Dentistry is contingent upon:

• Progress through the prescribed curriculum with no less than a 3.75/4.0 overall GPA and 3.5/4.0 science GPA at the undergraduate university.
• Completion of College of Dentistry application process.
• Completion of Dental Admissions Test with an Academic Average score of 20 or higher and no individual score less than 16 on each DAT section by January 15 of the year of dental school enrollment.
• Demonstrated sustained understanding of issues related to the dental profession evidenced by continued contact with the profession through volunteer and/or work activities. 
• Completion of a pre-enrollment interview with the Asst. Dean of Admissions
• Program students must satisfy degree requirements of the undergraduate instituion and be in good standing at the undergraduate college.

Downloadable Honors Combined BS/ DMD Program Fact Sheet

Click here to download a fact sheet about the Honors Combined BS/ DMD Program (70K, PDF File.) 

Is this program right for YOU?
The Honors Combined BS/DMD program isn't for everyone. If you are sure you want to become a dentist, have a strong science aptitude and high grades and test scores, if you are prepared to take fairly heavy course loads in college (14-17 semester hours each term) and to do well in those courses, and you want to decrease the amount of time you are enrolled in the university, then this program may be just right for you.

Feel free to give us a call if you need more information about our programs.

Office of Dental Admissions