Still Scholars admission requirements

The Still Scholars Early Assurance Program is designed to provide admission opportunities to outstanding students who aspire to become doctors of dental medicine at A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (MOSDOH). MOSDOH prides itself on educating community minded and altruistic providers with a commitment to serving the underserved, and looks for students who also hold these values.

MOSDOH’s Still Scholars Early Assurance program rewards highly capable students who are dedicated to dentistry with admittance into our Doctor of Dental Medicine program without traditional Dental Admissions Test (DAT) requirements. This program encourages students to focus on developing strong academic and leadership skills, yet allows them to focus on their undergraduate experience without the additional pressures of preparing for the DAT.

Students from any four-year, regionally accredited undergraduate institution in the United States may apply for this program, provided they meet the application requirements.

To be eligible to apply for MOSDOH’s Still Scholars program, the following requirements must be met:

       
  • A minimum of four semesters (or 45 semester credit hours or equivalent) completed by the end of the second/sophomore year of college
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  • Two years of full-time coursework remaining prior to graduation with a BS or BA degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution
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  • Student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
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  • At least 27 semester hours of prerequisite coursework, along with one additional hard science course finished by August 1 after the sophomore year.  Some examples of hard science courses could include:  Microbiology, Genetics, Pharmacology, Exercise Physiology.
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  • All college courses that meet pre-requisites must be taken after high school graduation with the exception of the eligible English advanced standing credit referenced in the prerequisite course list below.
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  • Received a B or above in all pre-requisite courses (see pre-requisite list below)
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  • Completion of a minimum of 50 hours of dental clinical experience (shadowing, paid, or volunteer clinical experience in dentistry)
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  • Completion of a minimum of 50 hands-on community service hours in an underserved area (not fundraising)
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  • Strong leadership experiences strongly preferred
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  • The applicant must have achieved a minimum 3.4 cumulative grade point average and a 3.4 minimum science grade point average on a 4.0 scale
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  • Three letters of recommendation from the following professionals unrelated to applicant:
       
    1. science faculty that you received a grade from OR health professions advisor;
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    2. dentist that you have shadowed;
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    3. advisor for a service organization you are an active member of

     

  • The application cycle will open in March of each year. Completed applications and letters of recommendation must be postmarked by Aug. 1 following sophomore year.

Student applications will be reviewed and an interview conducted in early fall. Students given conditional early assurance into MOSDOH through the Still Scholars Program will be required to successfully complete facilitated assignments and activities prior to submitting a final AADSAS and secondary applications to MOSDOH. A final pre-matriculation interview will be conducted in early fall of the student’s senior year to provide early assurance into MOSDOH’s Doctor of Dental Medicine program.

Prior to matriculation into MOSDOH, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s of art or science degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, plus all remaining pre-requisite courses. Students accepted into the Still Scholars Program are exempted from taking the DAT, and may not submit a DAT score to AADSAS.

Prerequisite courses for MOSDOH

       
  • General Biology - One year lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours (zoology or microbiology are acceptable alternatives)
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  • General Chemistry - One year lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
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  • Organic Chemistry - One year lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
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  • Human Physiology - 3 semester hours/ 4 quarter hours
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  • Biochemistry - 3 semester hours/ 4 quarter hours - 300 college level minimum
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  • Physics (algebra-based) - One year lecture and lab, minimum of 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
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  • English composition/Technical writing - minimum of 3 semester hours/4 quarter hours (English may be taken as Advanced Placement Credit)
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  • Human Anatomy - 3 semester hours/ 4 quarter hours

Evaluation form
Application form