Pre-Dental Society at UCSC

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Pre-Dental society at UC Santa Cruz  is to expose undergraduate students of UCSC to the field of dentistry. It will allow opportunities for members to become the most competitive dental school applicants. Not only will they be given a preview to the dental field, but also a chance to get hands on experience, improve DAT scores, receive mentorships by dental faculty and students, admission contacts at a variety of dental schools, volunteer opportunities to give back to the community, and to gain an appreciation for the various professions in the field and in doing so prepare them for Professional school.

WHY JOIN PDS AT UCSC

​Aspects of the Pre-Dental Society

• Meet students with similar career goals
• Join us at our  General Body Meetings
• Connect with past UCSC alumni
• Meet local dentists in the Santa Cruz community
• Gain leadership skills

Improving DAT scores

• Form Study Groups with club peers
• Get Test Prep Advice
• Hear more about recommended DAT material
• Kaplan DAT Workshops​​

Shadowing Program

• Shadow on campus and off campus
• Program offers insight of the dental field
  
• Can give you connection to doctors
  
• Have all your questions answered by the doctor
  

Network at a variety of dental schools

• University of the Pacific Dugoni Discovery Day
• UCSF Annual Impressions Conference
• UCSF Give Kids A Smile Day
• UC Davis Pre-Health Conference
• WesternU Representative visits​

Volunteer abroad through Global Medical Brigades, VIDA, etc.

• Provide impoverished villages with free healthcare through mobile clinics 

• Get hands-on experience and extensive dental education from a bilingual dentist 

• Become immersed in Latin American culture and learn Spanish 
• Visit tourist attractions on non-clinic  days

Learn more about Pre-Dental Programs

• SMDEP (Offered to 1st & 2nd years)
• Inside UCSF Two-day program
• Rutgers Gateway to Dentistry
• Profile for Success at University of Michigan
• USC Dental Explorers Program

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