Students of many different majors are on the pre-dental path at SUNY Plattsburgh.
The PHPAC will help make sure you are prepared to apply to dental school.
Academics
If you are a biology or biomedical sciences major, you will take all of the important
prerequisite classes for medical school application as part of your major. If you
are not one of these majors, it is important to take the following classes:
General Biology (BIO101, 4 credits with lab)
General Chemistry I and II (CHE111 and CHE112, 8 credits with lab)
Organic Chemistry I and II (CH241 and CH242, 8 credits with lab)
Physics (PHY103 and 104) 8 Credits including lab
English (ENG101 and AWR) 6 credits
In addition to basic sciences, you are encouraged to take some art classes or pick
up a hobby that develops manual dexterity skills. Examples are sculpture, ceramics,
and jewelry making. These activities will develop your manual dexterity and also help
you the better visualize objects in three dimensions, which is an important skill
for the DAT.
The Honors Program at SUNY Plattsburgh is an important way to show academic excellence. We advise pre-dental
students to go this route if possible.
Dental Experience
Dental schools will expect that you have some experience in the dental environment,
even if it is just shadowing a dentist. We have relationships with dentists within
walking distance of the campus and can get you the experience you need.
Programs
We have an articulation agreement with the following dental program which can shorten
your time in school.
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is the nation’s largest medical
college and is the only academic health center in the osteopathic profession.
Physicians and administrators at the Millcreek Community Hospital saw the growing
demand for more physicians and opened LECOM in 1992. With the college and the hospital
as the core of a highly innovative medical education system based in Erie, Pa., LECOM
has strived to add to the quality of life of our neighbors by bringing total health
care to the community. The college brought a new concept in medical fitness and wellness
to Erie, built a network of physician offices and has started construction on a senior
living center that is introducing a new model of health care for older adults.
LECOM offers innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy
and dental medicine. From campuses in Erie and Greensburg, Pa. and Bradenton, Fla.,
LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of health
care professionals.
This program is an Early Acceptance Program (EAP) in which SUNY Plattsburgh undergraduate
students are enrolled simultaneously by SUNY Plattsburgh and by LECOM as participants
in EAP. The EAP is designed to facilitate the admission of SUNY Plattsburgh students
into LECOM’s Doctor of Dental Medicine program.
LECOM will interview students prior to their enrollment at SUNY Plattsburgh or within
the first two years of study at SUNY Plattsburgh. Students interviewing successfully
will be offered a provisional acceptance to LECOM’s Doctor of Dental Medicine program.
Application to these programs is initiated by an inquiry through a link on the LECOM portal. Upon meeting the criteria for final acceptance, they will matriculate at the LECOM
Bradenton, Fla. campus.
An applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; and they may not
have already earned a four-year undergraduate degree.
Fulfillment of these criteria will be awarded a letter of provisional acceptance.
An applicant is considered to be officially enrolled in the EAP as of the date shown
on the provisional letter of acceptance.
Applicants rejected prior to matriculating at SUNY Plattsburgh may reapply for the
EAP after completing at least 30 credit hours of undergraduate coursework. At that
time, if their cumulative overall GPA is at least 3.4 and their cumulative science
GPA is at least 3.2, their application will be reevaluated. Once more than 65 credit
hours of undergraduate credits are earned, they are no longer eligible for the EAP
and must apply as a traditional applicant.
SAT and/or ACT and GPA Requirements
An official SAT and/or ACT score is required to participate in the EAP.
4+ Track
SAT Composite Score ≥1240; or
ACT Composite Score ≥ 26; and
High School Un-Weighted GPA ≥ 3.5;
The SAT and/or ACT score must be from a single exam; i.e., we do not super score.
LECOM will not accept SAT or ACT scores earned after a high school diploma has been
received. The following formula is used to convert a percentage grade to a GPA: 𝑮𝑷𝑨
= ((% 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆)/𝟐𝟎) – 𝟏
Interviews
Except for the affiliated institution’s standard admissions interviews, all interviews
will be conducted by LECOM and must be in-person; either on a LECOM campus or at an
off-campus location designated by LECOM. Videoconferencing and phone interviews are
not acceptable.
Alumni Profiles
Aniki Lindsay, Class of ’19
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
“Upon graduating in 2019 I had received a full-time job offer at a big Biotech company
as well as being accepted into my dream dental school. I credit this ‘win’ to my professors
in biology department. They had provided so much guidance during the entire process
such as writing strong letter of recommendations and countless reviewing of personal
statements and resumes. Thank you very much to the biology department for you all
your help!”
Alisala Thatsanasuwan, D.M.D., Class of ’14
Columbia University
“At SUNY Plattsburgh, I met an incredibly dedicated and supportive academic advisor.
He continues to offer his help despite that I am no longer a student there. After
I graduated, I landed a job at an orthodontics office and soon after that I found
a new job at a multi-specialty office where I had the opportunity to have hands on
experience with all phases of dentistry. At times I found myself not knowing what
field exactly between medicine and dentistry I would enjoy going into more, I talked
with my advisor and he helped me see my hidden potential and boosted my confidence.
I chose dentistry because I could see myself living a more flexible life and enjoy
helping the patients restore their oral health.“
Alisala Thatsanasuwan, D.M.D., Class of ’14