Top 20 Hardest-to-Get-Into Dental Schools in the United States: A Deep Dive into Admission Difficulty, Requirements, and What Makes Them So Competitive
Top 20 Hardest-to-Get-Into Dental Schools in the United States: A Deep Dive into Admission Difficulty, Requirements, and What Makes Them So Competitive
Admission to dental school remains highly competitive. Many top U.S. programs admit only a small fraction of applicants. Below are twenty dental schools (or dental-school programs) widely regarded as among the hardest to enter. For each, I outline what makes admission difficult, typical applicant standards, and key admissions factors.
Why some dental schools are harder to get into
Low acceptance rates (often under 5 to 10 percent) because many more applicants apply than spots available.
High academic and exam standards: strong GPA, strong entrance exam scores (such as DAT).
High applicant volume driven by reputation, strong faculty, research, clinical training, and job placement outcomes.
Top 20 hardest dental schools/programs
Because many published “hardest dental school” rankings pool data from multiple sources, no official “top-20 hardest” list exists. The following are schools / programs that repeatedly appear in competitive-admissions lists and are widely regarded as among the most elite and selective.
A program at a leading East Coast research university recognized for very selective admissions.
A large metropolitan private university dental program with high demand, limited seats, and strong reputation.
A public state dental school with extensive clinical and research infrastructure that drives high applicant interest.
A West Coast university dental program known for rigorous criteria and competitive entry standards.
A top-ranked research university with strong biomedical emphasis and high DAT/GPA thresholds.
A private university dental program famed for specialty training and research output.
A dental school with a dual-degree (DDS/PhD or DDS/MS) track, drawing many well-qualified applicants and yielding low acceptance rates.
A university dental program in a high-cost, high-demand urban region, intensifying competition.
A historically strong dental institution with long heritage and limited place-slots, attracting many applicants.
A dental program affiliated with cutting-edge research in oral health and biotechnology.
A large public dental school with high clinical volume and a reputation for competitive selection.
A private university dental school with strong alumni network and high applicant-to-seat ratio.
A dental institution known for its specialty training options (e.g., orthodontics, maxillofacial), making demand steep.
A dental school offering a dual pre-dentistry / dental track, with limited entry slots, raising selectivity.
A research-focused dental school whose reputation draws many applicants internationally and nationally, limiting seats further.
A dental program in a region with severe demand for dentists, pushing up application rates and competition.
A program tied to a major medical center, offering advanced clinical exposure — many applicants vie for few spots.
A dental school with high standards for extracurriculars, research, and patient-care experience, not just grades.
A dental program with a strong track record for postgraduate placements and residencies — attracts many high-quality applicants.
A dental institution that consistently ranks among the top US schools in publications and research output — causing applicant volume and stringent selection.
What typical applicants to these schools look like
GPA well above average for dental school applicants. Many competitive schools expect GPA 3.6 to 3.9+.
High standardized test scores (for example, DAT scores above median), often in the top percentiles.
Strong clinical exposure, patient care hours, volunteer work, and often research or leadership activities.
Well-crafted application package: strong personal statements, solid letters of recommendation, evidence of dedication to dentistry or underserved communities.
Important considerations for prospective applicants
High competition does not make admission impossible. Careful preparation — academic performance, strong DAT score, relevant experience — increases chances.
Consider backup schools with higher acceptance rates to maximize odds of admission.
Seek early clinical exposure, shadowing dentists, volunteering, or working in dental offices to build practical experience.
Maintain high academic standards and balanced application materials (grades, test scores, experience, personal profile).
For broader statistics on dental school admissions, acceptance rates, and what makes certain schools more selective, the following sources provide useful data and analysis.
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High-Value Source Links and Data
2023 Applicants and First-time First-Year Enrollees Report (Admissions Data) — American Dental Education Association: https://www.adea.org/home/publications/research-and-data/oral-health-applicants-and-enrollees/2023-applicants-and-first-time--first-year-enrollees
Hardest Dental Schools to Get Into in the U.S. (2025 Rankings, DAT Scores, GPA Cutoffs, Acceptance Rates) — NYSMDA analysis: https://www.nysmda.com/dental-news/hardest-dental-schools-to-get-into-in-the-us-2025-rankings-dat-scores-gpa-cutoffs-and-acceptance-rates
Dental School Acceptance Rates and What They Mean — CollegeTransitions: https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/dental-school-acceptance-rates/
Average GPA & DAT Scores for Dental Schools in the U.S. — InspiraAdvantage: https://www.inspiraadvantage.com/blog/dat-scores-for-dental-schools
Overview of Dental Assistant and Dental Education Data — Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (to infer demand pressures that increase competition): https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm
