A dental student examines a patient.
Pre-Professional Pathway

Pre-Dental Program

Our pre-dental program prepares you for dental school through faculty mentorship, research, and hands-on experience.

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  1. Academics
  2. Undergraduate Degree Programs
  3. Pre-Dental Program

At a Glance

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Offered as

Pre-Professional

Format

On Campus

College/School
Campus Location
  • Chester, PA

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Explore the Pre-Dental Program

A pre-dental program is the first step toward becoming a dentist. At Widener, this means choosing from more than 10 majors, ranging from biology and chemistry to mathematics and digital media informatics. No matter which path you choose, you'll work in advanced research facilities, partner with faculty mentors, and shadow local dental professionals. As you complete your pathway, you'll gain the foundational skills you need to excel in dental school and beyond.

With support from your health professions advisor, you'll leave Widener ready for a powerful dental education. It all starts here. 

Pre-Dental Program Options

As part of your pre-dental pathway, you'll pursue your interest in dentistry while also exploring your interest in another major. No matter which path you choose, you'll take the required science courses you need to enter dental school.

Options include: 

The Widener Medical Scholars Program is designed to attract broadly educated candidates who are interested in entering the practice of medicine in the primary care areas of family practice, general internal medicine, or general pediatrics.

Selected students participate in an immersive, hospital-affiliated, medical school-like experience that involves shadowing physicians at hospitals and practices in the Philadelphia-area and its suburbs. This experience affords you the opportunity to explore the clinical areas of pediatrics, internal medicine, and family medicine in-depth while you are at Widener during the summer.

Following the shadowing rotations, Widener Medical Scholars remain on campus and complete a research project with a Widener faculty member and present their results at the Summer Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (SURCA) Symposium. The Widener Medical Scholars Program prepares students to be competitive applicants to medical schools in the Philadelphia area and beyond.

Requirements

No more than eight (8) Widener Medical Scholars are admitted each year. The Supplemental Widener Medical Scholars Application includes a 750-word essay that summarizes the experiences, events, and thoughts that have led you to your interest in primary care medicine and to your decision to seek admission to the Widener Medical Scholars Program.

Preference is given to students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in medicine, including members of underrepresented racial and ethnic populations, socioeconomically disadvantaged or first-generation college students, or students from a medically-underserved area. Residents of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, or Maryland with an interest in practicing medicine in an under-resourced area like Chester are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants should have community service and medically related volunteer experience.

Career Outlook & Outcomes for Pre-Dental Students

Potential Careers

  • Dentist
  • Dental public health specialist
  • Dental anesthesiologist
  • Orthodontist
  • Oral pathologist

Recent Employers

  • Temple University
  • Howard University
  • University of Pennsylvania 
  • Salus University
  • SUNY

Why Study Pre-Dental at Widener?

Shadow Dentists and Dental Students

With support from your health professions advisor, you'll experience life beyond your pre-dental pathway. Volunteer in nearby dental facilities or shadow Widener alumni in dental school. As you build your network, you'll understand what it takes to thrive as a student and professional. 

Prepare for Dental School

Experience constant support as you prepare for dental school. Complete mock interviews with your pre-health advisor and a career advisor. Review your application with the health professions advisory committee. Seek advice from a vast network of alumni. Each step of the way, you'll benefit from the guidance of academic experts. 

Faculty member mentoring student at high top table

Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One

We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.

Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.

Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for academic & career support
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Student Stories

Student Zan Usmani standing in the Amazon rainforest in Peru

"I’ve never felt unsure about what the next steps of dental school were. I always had professors guiding me along my way."

Zan Usmani

Class of 2021
Read Story
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Admissions & Aid

Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!

Admissions Information

Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.

Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.

When to Apply​

We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app. 

Key dates to keep in mind:​

  • October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)​
  • November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin​

What to Expect After Applying​

Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.

Learn more about the application process

If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:

  • Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
  • Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
  • Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
  • Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!

All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!

Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.

Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. 

This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.

Learn more about applying as an international student
Learn more about life at Widener as an international student

To transfer into an undergraduate engineering program, a minimum 2.5 GPA is required for consideration.

Additional Engineering Coursework Requirements:

  • A grade of "C" or higher in calculus
  • A grade of "C" or higher is required in one of the following courses (General Chemistry I, Physics I, or Biology*)
    *Biology course requirement is only for Biomedical Engineering applicants
  • Applicants can still apply if they are in the process of completing one of the course requirements. You will just need to show successful completion of the course before matriculation.

Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.

Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator. 

Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there! 

Learn more about applying as a transfer student

Paths to Savings

Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid

Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.

The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.

Scholarships Start at $100,000 Over 4 Years

(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)

Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.

4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition

In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.

More About Tuition & Financial Aid

Take the Next Steps

Visit Us

To visit Widener is to fall in love with the place. But don't take our word—experience it for yourself. Plan a visit to connect with our students, faculty, and staff.

Request Information

Have a question about Widener? Drop us a line and an admissions counselor will be in touch. We're always happy to help!​

Tuition & Financial Aid

Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.

Apply

To participate in our pathway program, apply to your desired undergraduate major. Applying online has never been easier—and it’s free! We also accept the Common Application. Take the next step toward joining the Widener Pride.