DAT Prep Program Award

About this program

DentaQuest, in partnership with SAID, is sponsoring the 2026 DAT Prep Program Award to provide academic coaching, DAT preparation, and mentoring to help American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) undergraduate students gain admission to and succeed in U.S. dental schools. Eligible applicants are AI/AN undergraduate students who are current SAID student members in good standing, have not previously participated in this DAT Prep Program, and are encouraged to have completed prerequisite coursework; applications (reviewed on a rolling basis) require a minimum 500-word essay, proof of enrollment, current transcripts, documentation of volunteer/shadowing experience, and a 200–250-word justification for the selected prep program. Awardees must fully participate in the prep course (recommended minimum 200 hours of study), take the DAT within six months of beginning prep, apply to at least three dental schools, attend required mentoring/peer sessions, check-ins and the 2026 SAID conference (including pre-conference workshops), and award components may cover prep course and testing fees, travel/lodging for testing, mentorship, and conference expenses as agreed with SAID.