Rutgers School of Dental Medicine — DAT Scores, Requirements and Admissions 2026
Updated: October 14, 2026
The Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) is a public dental school located in Newark, New Jersey. As part of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, RSDM offers exceptional clinical training and a diverse patient population.
Students who thrive at Rutgers demonstrate strong academic preparation, a commitment to community service, and a passion for serving diverse and underserved populations.
DAT Expectations at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Rutgers evaluates DAT scores as part of a holistic application review. Competitive applicants typically present solid scores across all sections with particular strength in the sciences.
Rutgers does not require a minimum DAT score and reviews applications holistically. Its official admissions FAQ reports that the 2024 entering class, the Class of 2028, had average Academic Average and Total Science scores of 22 on the former DAT scale. These are historical entering-class averages, not admissions cutoffs.
Students preparing for Rutgers often rely on the DAT Destroyer, created by Dr. Jim Romano, to build the deep conceptual understanding required for competitive scores. To understand how to prepare effectively, see our DAT Study Guide (2026).
👉 Learn how the DAT is scored: DAT Score Conversion — Understand the New 3-Digit Scale
Why Rutgers School of Dental Medicine Stands Out
- A public dental school offering clinical training and research
- Located in Newark, New Jersey — ideal for NY and NJ applicants
- Part of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — strong interdisciplinary training
- High-volume clinical training with a diverse patient population
- Strong commitment to serving underserved communities
Dental Programs at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Degree Programs
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Combined DMD/PhD program
- Advanced Standing Program for International Dental Graduates
Post-Graduate and Specialty Programs
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Prosthodontics
- General Practice Residency
Rutgers Dental School Admissions
Application Timeline
- Applications open through AADSAS in May
- Rutgers advises applying early because AADSAS processing can take several weeks. Admission is on a rolling basis after January 1.
- Interviews are by invitation from the Admissions Committee. No applicant is accepted without an interview. Acceptance notices begin December 15.
Required Materials
- AADSAS application with personal statement
- One pre-health advisors committee letter, preferred, or three individual letters, including two from science faculty.
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- DAT scores
- Rutgers application processing fee of $125, submitted when requested by the Admissions Office.
Prerequisite Coursework Requirements
Applicants must have completed at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate coursework. A bachelor's degree is strongly preferred.
Required Courses
- Biology — 8 semester credits, including laboratory instruction.
- General Chemistry — 8 semester credits, including laboratory instruction.
- Organic Chemistry — 8 semester credits, including laboratory instruction.
- Physics — 8 semester credits, including laboratory instruction.
- English — 6 semester credits.
Rutgers does not accept Advanced Placement courses toward these prerequisite requirements.
GPA Review Includes
- Overall GPA
- Science GPA
- Grade trends and academic rigor
- Institution level and course difficulty
Shadowing Requirement
Gain experience observing dentistry and consult Rutgers’ current admissions instructions for any specific shadowing requirements.
Boosting Your Chances of Acceptance at Rutgers
Earn a Competitive DAT Score
Use concept-driven materials like DAT Destroyer to strengthen Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Quantitative Reasoning. DAT Destroyer does not cover Perceptual Ability or Reading Comprehension.
Demonstrate Community Service
Rutgers values applicants with a strong commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities. Volunteer and community health experience strengthens your application significantly.
Apply Early
Rutgers advises applying early to allow time for AADSAS processing. Admission is on a rolling basis after January 1.
Write a Strong Personal Statement
Clearly articulate your passion for dentistry and how Rutgers' mission of serving diverse communities aligns with your goals.
Recommended Personal Statement Help: EduWritingServices
DAT Prep Support for Rutgers Applicants
DAT Destroyer
Advanced practice in Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Math:
DAT Destroyer
Math Destroyer
Targeted quantitative reasoning practice:
Math Destroyer
General Chemistry Destroyer
Deep concept mastery for General Chemistry:
General Chemistry Destroyer
Organic Chemistry Odyssey
Master Organic Chemistry reactions and mechanisms:
Organic Chemistry Odyssey
Dr. Jim Romano Biology Review Book
Comprehensive Biology review for the DAT:
Dr. Jim Romano Biology Review Book
Free Biology Review
Download Dr. Romano's Dynamite Biology Review inside the DAT and OAT Destroyer Study Group
YouTube Lessons
Hundreds of free video lessons across all DAT subjects:
DAT Destroyer YouTube Channel
Best DAT Study Materials (2026 Guide)
See how all the books work together: Best DAT Study Materials (2026 Guide)
Frequently Asked Questions — Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
Is Rutgers a good dental school?
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine is a public dental school offering strong clinical training and a diverse patient population.
What DAT score do I need for Rutgers?
Rutgers does not require a minimum DAT score. Its official FAQ reports an average Academic Average score of 22 on the former scale for the 2024 entering class. DAT scores are considered alongside the rest of the application.
What GPA does Rutgers look for?
Rutgers does not require a minimum GPA and reviews applications holistically. Its official FAQ reports average overall and science GPAs of 3.7 for the 2024 entering class. These averages are not admissions cutoffs.
Is shadowing required?
Gain experience observing dentistry and consult Rutgers’ current admissions instructions for any specific shadowing requirements.
Does Rutgers accept international students?
Rutgers offers an Internationally Educated DMD Program for qualified dentists educated outside the United States or Canada. International applicants interested in the traditional DMD program should confirm their eligibility directly with Rutgers Admissions.
Is Rutgers good for New Jersey residents?
Applicants should consult Rutgers’ current tuition schedule and residency rules when comparing the cost of attendance.
Start Your DAT Preparation
If you're planning your DAT test date, the next step is choosing the right DAT study materials.
DAT Destroyer
Math Destroyer
General Chemistry Destroyer
Organic Chemistry Odyssey
Dr. Jim Romano Biology Review Book
If you're preparing for the DAT or OAT, the full Destroyer series is used in Dr. Jim Romano's DAT preparation courses.
Ready to start studying? Follow Dr. Romano's 3-Month DAT Study Schedule (2026)