Direct Freshman Entry – BS to DMD
This pathway is appropriate for high school seniors applying to LMU who would like to complete their Bachelor of Science (Biology, Chemistry, or Pre-Health Profession Track) and DMD degree in eight years via the BS/DMD degree path.
These students must meet the following criteria for undergraduate admissions:
Required Entrance Test(s):
- For high school seniors, either the ACT or SAT determines eligibility to take biology and chemistry courses. Minimum Score on the Required Entrance Test(s): ACT of 25+ or SAT of 1250
- Students applying to the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) program must possess a cumulative high school GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.
Students Must Satisfy the Following Requirements for Guaranteed Admissions:High School Seniors:
- Complete the LMU-CDM Application for Admissions
- Initial Admissions Interview with LMU-CDM Admissions Committee (During Senior Year)
- 1000-word essay – How have you arrived at this career goal?
- Two letters of reference attesting to community service and leadership ability addressing character and other skills (from non-relatives)
Required GPA in Undergraduate Major: Students must maintain at least a 3.3 (science) and 3.2 (non-science) GPA.
Minimum grade for each Required Course: A C+ is the minimum grade needed for all required courses. However, a B or better is generally needed.
Required Technical Standards and Competencies for Program Admissions:
- DAT – Dental Admissions Test (can be no more than three years old): Student must score a 410 or better.
- 60 observation/shadowing hours in a general dentist’s office
- During the summer before the last year of college, the student will apply to LMU-CDM through the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS) for admission to the DMD program with three letters of recommendation.
- The student is required to complete the supplemental application.
- Applicants must pass the LMU-CDM criminal background check.
- Applicants must be drug-free, as evidenced through required drug testing (completed upon admission).
To apply for the LMU-CDM Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) program, you must apply both through the LMU portal and through the ADEA portal. A student will not be accepted into the program if both applications are not completed.
To qualify for entry via this pathway, students must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year Institution. Prerequisites and recommended courses align with those of the previous pathway.
- Applicants must complete the Associated American Dental Schools Application (ADEA) through ADEA AADSAS (DAT) and must have a 410 or higher academic average. The DAT must have been taken in the three years prior to filling out the LMU-CDM Application.
- Applicants must complete the LMU-CDM Supplementary Application.
- Applicants must report both a 3.3 science GPA and a total GPA of 3.2 or over on a 4.00 scale.
- Complete 60 hours observation/shadowing hours in a general dentist's office before entering the DMD program.
- Applicants must pass the LMU-CDM criminal background check prior to matriculation.
- Applicants must be drug-free, as evidenced through required drug-testing prior to matriculation.
Candidates for admissions must also have abilities and skills in five areas: I. Observation; II. Communication; III. Motor; IV. Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative, and V. Behavioral and Social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitations in certain areas, but candidates should perform in a reasonable independent manner (Technical Standards).
- Observation: The candidate must be able to make observations at a distance and close at hand accurately. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all other senses.
- Communication: The candidate must communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively in both oral and written form and perceive nonverbal communication.
- Motor: The candidate must coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium, and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks.
- Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem-solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record, and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
- Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required to utilize their intellectual abilities fully, the exercise of good judgement, the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships. The candidate must tolerate physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness, an ability to function as an effective team player, and interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.
Students must attest to the ability to meet technical requirements. Any student seeking accommodations must follow the established process for LMU through the Department of Accessible Education Services. No accommodation is available for the preclinical and clinical courses.
