Early Dental School Acceptance Program-Houston (EDSAP)

Index:
I. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM
II. REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM
III. REQUIREMENTS FOR FINAL ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM
Biology Major Degree Plan: Premed Concentration
Contact Information

I.   PURPOSE OF PROGRAM

The Dental Early Acceptance Program (“Program”) will offer highly qualified students with an interest in dentistry, and who through personal experiences have demonstrated the ability to overcome adverse or disadvantaged circumstances, the opportunity to be considered for and to receive conditional early acceptance to The University of Texas Dental Branch (UTDB). The Program will offer guidance and support mechanisms to those selected for participation.
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II.   REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM

1. The student must be admitted and currently enrolled at UTB.

2.   The student must declare prior to the start of his/her second year. With the support of the Health Professions Advisor, the following should be supplied to the UTDB Office of Student Affairs:

1. Application (supplied by UTDB) with requested supportive data.
2. Biographical statement.
3. High school transcript and SAT or ACT scores .
4. Transcripts for college level course work completed at time of application to the Program.
5. Health Profession Advisor or Program Coordinator letter of recommendation.

3.   The student must submit an application to the Program following completion of the first full-length semester of enrollment at UTB and prior to the start of the second year of enrollment.

4.   The student must have an acceptable pre-entry interview with UTDB faculty. The interview will be coordinated with UTB and will be conducted at either UTB or at UTDB. The interview will include the student’s Health Professions Advisor and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or a designated Admissions Committee member.  The purpose of the interview is to determine the student’s motivation for the dental profession, qualities of character, and the potential for service to the undeserved populations of Texas.

5.   The student is encouraged to participate in the Academic Enrichment Program offered at The University of Texas-Pan American or The University of Texas at El Paso, the MSFP Programs offered through The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and UTDB or participate in the Summer Enrichment Program sponsored by UTDB.

6.   Tracking- Progress reports in the form of transcripts and written narratives, if needed, will serve to document the student’s progress. Transcripts and/or certified progress reports must be provided to UTDB at the end of each academic term in which the student participates in the Program and is enrolled in classes. Transcripts for course work taken at schools other than UTB should be submitted by the advisor. UTDB will monitor all students participating in the Program based upon submitted transcripts/reports. Grade point averages will be calculated using all course work accomplished by the student in all institutions attended.

7.   UTDB will work with the Health Professions Advisor and Program participants at UTB to make available mentoring relationships, academic enrichment programs, and professional development programs to facilitate the success of program participants.

8.   The student must have Texas resident status.
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III. REQUIREMENTS  FOR FINAL ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM

1.   While at UTB the student must meet the following criteria:

a)   The student must pursue a program of study at UTB, as advised by the Health Profession advisor, which leads to a baccalaureate degree.

b)   The program of study must include the following prerequisite courses:

English:One year of college English.

Biology:Two years, as required for science majors, one year must include formal laboratory experience .

Physics: One year, as required for science majors,
including the corresponding laboratory experience.

Biochemistry: One semester (minimum 3 semester hours).

General Chemistry:One year, as required for science majors,
including the corresponding laboratory experience.

Organic Chemistry:One year, as required for science majors,
including the corresponding laboratory experience.

c)   The student must attain a minimum grade of  “C” or above in the prerequisite courses.

d)   Elective courses in the sciences should be selected to enhance the student’s preparation for the academic rigors of dental school.  Recommended courses include: Microbiology, Anatomy, Cell Biology, Advanced Physiology, Genetics, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Physics of Biological Systems, Analytical and Physical Chemistry and Biomedical Research Seminar.

e)   All courses required for admission must be completed by the end of the Spring semester prior to entry at UTDB. Students who are within good standing in the Program may request a waiver of degree completion if the degree is not completed after the fourth year or may request to have their admission deferred until the following academic year.

f)    Attainment of a minimum overall GPA in course work at UTB of 3.2 and a minimum science GPA of 3.0.

g)   The student must have an acceptable score (at or above the prior year reported national mean) on the Dental Admissions Test. It is recommended that the Dental Admissions Test be taken in early spring of the fourth year thus allowing time for a retake prior to matriculation if scores are not satisfactory.

h)   Must submit an application through The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service by November 1 of the fourth year of studies at UTB.

i)    The student must have positive recommendations from The Health Professions Advisory Committee at UTB.

j)    The student must have a positive record of ethical behavior while a pre-dental
student at UTB.

2.   These requirements can be completed within a four-year period by a full-time student. Students meeting the above requirements and personal qualifications will be offered enrollment at UTDB for the fall term following graduation. The Dental Branch Admissions Committee may grant exceptions to degree completion upon petition by the participant.

3.   Outstanding Program participants may be considered for early enrollment at UTDB (minimum 90 semester hours, including prerequisites) upon the recommendation of the Health Professions Advisor and the Dean of Student Affairs at UTDB. The petition of intention for early enrollment must be received by UTDB no later than September 1 of the year preceding enrollment. Scores on the Dental Admissions Test must accompany this petition. Upon positive recommendation of the Dental Admissions Committee, students will submit application through the Medical and Dental Schools Application Service prior to the November 1 application deadline and subsequently be notified of the status of their offer of enrollment. Admissions will be granted by the Admissions Committee of UTDB once it has received and considered the submitted documentation.

If undergraduate curricular requirements have been followed by the candidate at UTB, they will be eligible to receive their degree from UTB upon successful completion of their first year studies (with a minimum grade of “C” in each course) at UTDB.

4.   Students accepted into the Program that fail to meet the above criteria will have their early admissions offer withdrawn. Their applications will be considered by the Dental Admissions Committee along with other applicants and will be given favorable consideration whenever possible.
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Dr. Shanta Goswami Director, Office of Pre-medical Education Programs 80 Fort Brown LHSB 1.808A Brownsville, Texas 78520 Phone:956.882.5059 Fax:956.882.5043 shanta.goswami@utb.edu