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Bridge to Dental School Program

The Bridge to Dental School program is now accepting applications!

Program Overview:

  • Dates: Mondays – 10/21, 10/28, 11/4 (skip 11/11 for Veteran’s Day), 11/18
  • Time: 6:00–7:30 PM EST
  • Location: Virtual via Zoom
  • Eligibility: Open to students who have completed at least 1 semester of college classes
  • Application Deadline: Friday, September 20th at 09:00 AM EST

Priority will be given to students who are planning to apply to dental school in the upcoming cycle, so if you're gearing up for this important next step, this program is for you!

Apply Here


About the Program

The Bridge to Dental School program is an interactive program led by current Harvard School of Dental Medicine DMD students and covers general study tips for the DAT and other essential elements for crafting a competitive dental school application. Emphasis will be placed on writing the personal statement and resume, interviewing skills, and demystifying the dental school curriculum.

Instructors share their experiences with graduate studies in oral health, as well as their post-graduation plans. The program grants attendees the opportunity to forge relationships with mentors and peers that will extend beyond the sessions, and the participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from HSDM at the end of the program.

Students who have submitted their dental school application prior to the start of the program are ineligible to apply. Applicants must have had at least 1 semester of college classes before applying.

Program Requirements

  • Applicant must be a college student (of junior or senior rank, gap-year acceptable) or graduate (from any institution of higher education) who intends to apply to dental school in the future. 

  • As diversity is very important to the advancement of the oral health field, we are interested in capturing the range of applicants applying to dental school. We provide an opportunity for applicants to self identify their background/ethnicity, and also any other marginalized group status (e.g., LGBTQ+, first-generation college student). 

  • Applicants must commit to attend all 4 sessions, active engagement by completing assigned tasks, and keep their cameras on, unless the applicant has received approval by instructors not to do so. All sessions will be recorded and available with corresponding materials via CANVAS. 

  • Applications from students who have NOT participated in BDS previously will be prioritized.

The Bridge to Dental School Program is aimed at helping pre-dental students navigate the process of applying to dental school. HSDM’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (ODIB) student Ambassadors organize the program and serve as instructors. In 2021, the program received the INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s Inspiring Programs in STEM Award. The award recognizes programs that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.