Sharon Babcock, Coordinator
Phone: (540) 568-6652
Email: babcocsk@jmu.edu
Declaring Pre-Dentistry (Admission Standards)
Incoming first year and transfer students can declare pre-dentistry without verification from PPH Advising. After initial enrollment, current students can request to declare the pre-dentistry minor through My Madison but will need approval for the request to be granted. If the student has completed fewer than 13 hours of biology, chemistry, physics or math (BCPM) credits, the request will be granted after verification of course work. If the student has completed 13 hours or more BCPM credits, the request will be granted if the cumulative GPA is 3.00 or greater and the BCPM GPA is 2.90 or greater.
Access to Pre-Dentistry Advising (Progression Standards)
Once students have completed 13 hours of biology, chemistry, physics and math (BCPM) coursework, they become subject to twice yearly review of their academic progress. Performance queries will be conducted after summer and fall semester grades are posted. If the review indicates successful progress (meeting the standard of a 3.00 cumulative GPA and a 2.90 BCPM GPA), they will be invited to formal advising activities. Topics include learning about different dental programs and discussing fulfillment of non-academic requirements and recommendations (shadowing, volunteering, research, leadership). Assuming continued progress, students planning for the applicant stage (typically spring of the junior or senior year) are invited to participate in application planning seminars.
Pre-dentistry students who fall below the standard of a 3.00 cumulative GPA and a 2.90 BCPM GPA are at high risk of not being admitted to a dental school. Targeted advising for these students focuses on strengthening academic skills as well as career exploration. If a student falls below the standard in a subsequent performance review, they will be administratively dropped from the pre-dentistry minor. This action will not impede a student from applying to dental schools, nor will it have an impact on a student’s degree program as the pre-dentistry program is not a major.
Students who wish to re-enter the pre-dentistry program may do so as long as they meet the GPA standard (3.00 cumulative GPA and 2.90 BCPM GPA).
Additional Information
Pre-professional health advisory programs do not ensure that all prerequisites for admission to health professions schools are met. Students should inquire with schools of interest, including JMU, to confirm details of admission requirements.
