Potential Careers
- Dentist
- Dental public health specialist
- Dental anesthesiologist
- Orthodontist
- Oral pathologist
Pre-Professional Pathway
Pre-Dental Program
Our pre-dental program prepares you for dental school through faculty mentorship, research, and hands-on experience.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Pre-Professional
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
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.
Selected students participate in an immersive, hospital-affiliated, medical school-like experience that involves shadowing physicians at Crozer-Chester Medical Center (CCMC), located a few blocks from Widener University. The CCMC 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. To qualify for the program as a high school senior, you must satisfy Widener University admissions criteria, select an academic major in which to pursue your pre-medical preparation, and submit a Supplemental Widener Medical Scholars Application by January 15 of your senior 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 medicine and to your decision to seek admission to the Widener Medical Scholars Program. Selected applicants will be notified on or by April 15.
Widener Medical Scholars accepted as high school seniors will enroll in SCI 190: Introduction to Research during their first semester at Widener to prepare for research with a faculty member as early as their freshman year.
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.
Ideal high school candidates will have a combined critical reading and mathematics SAT score of 1350 or greater with at least a 600 in the two sub-tests. Applicants should also have community service and medically related volunteer experience.
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Pre-Dental Students
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.
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.
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Student Stories
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A Clear Path Ahead: Pre-Professional Pathways Give Students a Head Start
Whether students want a career in medicine or law, Widener’s seven pre-professional pathway programs put them on track to graduate school and one step closer to achieving their career goals.
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.
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.
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!
Paths to Savings
95% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new 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 $90,000 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.
Alexis A. Nagengast
Chair of Biochemistry
-
Kirkbride Hall
Room 562C - (610) 499-4020
- aanagengast@widener.edu