Preparing for dental school
PDI Admissions
Pilot inquiries welcome
Organize your application preparation and ask about joining the private pilot.
Explore Admissions →Pre-Dental Institute · Admissions is our current focus
Your next step toward dentistry.
Start with free guides and application preparation. PDI Academy Chicago and PDI Pro are developing alongside Admissions.
Where are you in your journey?
Exploring dentistry
PDI Academy Chicago
Coming soon · planned for 2028
Preview the proposed in-person program and join its interest list.
Preview Academy →Planning your dental career
PDI Pro
In development · private testing
See the career exploration and preparation tools we are building.
Explore the Pro preview →PDI Admissions
Start with PDI Admissions.
Keep your experiences, reflections and drafts together, then work through one preparation step at a time.
Admissions is in a private pilot.
We are looking for students to try the guided preparation experience and share feedback. Tell us a little about yourself using the inquiry form if you would like to be considered. Access is arranged individually.
Ask about joining the pilotHow Admissions works →How the Admissions pilot works
If you are invited to join, the guided preparation experience follows three steps.
Share your background
Tell PDI about your academics, experiences, goals, and application timeline.
Receive priorities
See what to work on now and what can come next, with guidance tied to your situation.
Work through your preparation
Follow your next steps, keep your records together, and check in as you make progress or need help.
Your preparation foundation stays free. Optional feedback and advisor time are separate. Admissions services & pricing →
Application questions welcome
What would you like help with?
Ask an application question or tell us what you hope to work on in the pilot. We will review your inquiry and respond by email.
No payment is collected here. Any paid service would be discussed separately.
If you are under 18, please ask a parent or guardian to contact us using their own details.
What does application preparation involve?
What strong preparation requires
More than hours and test scores.
A competitive application is built by coordinating the pieces and explaining them clearly. PDI helps students identify the next decision that actually matters.
Academic direction
Course planning, GPA context, DAT timing, and realistic next steps.
Application strategy
School research, timing, evaluations, experiences, and overall coherence.
Written materials
Personal statements and descriptions that are specific, reflective, and authentic.
Interview readiness
Clear answers, ethical reasoning, follow-up questions, and school-specific preparation.
Common questions about PDI
Before you get started
Your questions, answered.
What can I use right now?
You can read and download the free guides, ask an Admissions question, or express interest in the small Admissions pilot. The platform is not open for general self-service enrollment yet.
How do I get access to the Admissions pilot?
Use the pilot interest button and tell us your current stage, timeline, and what you hope to work on. The PDI team will review your inquiry and follow up by email. Pilot access is arranged individually; submitting interest does not guarantee an invitation.
When will PDI Academy Chicago applications open?
Academy Chicago is planned for 2028. Timing may change, and an application date has not been announced. Explore the Academy program and join its interest list to hear about program details and application availability. Enrollment is not open yet, and joining the list does not reserve a place.
Are the guides free, and do I need to sign up?
All guides are free to read on the website, and the six PDF guides are free to download. No account or email signup is required. The Admissions inquiry, Academy interest list, and general email list are separate, optional ways to connect with PDI.
Free pre-dental resources
Understand the process before paying for help.
Read practical guides online without an account. Six PDF guides are also available to download.
Start Here
A Pre-Dental Roadmap That Adapts to Your Timeline
A year-by-year planning guide for coursework, exploration, the DAT, application preparation, and nontraditional paths.
Read the guide →Application Strategy
Building a Competitive Dental School Application
A practical framework for academics, experiences, application materials, timing, and school-specific research.
Read the guide →DAT Preparation
The 2026 DAT Planning and Study Guide
Official structure, current scoring, a flexible preparation framework, test-day logistics, and retake rules.
Read the guide →Founded from two perspectives
A practicing dentist and a current dental student.
PDI combines long-term clinical perspective with recent experience navigating pre-dental education and dental school admissions.
Co-founder · General dentist
Peter Gallos, D.D.S.
Dr. Gallos is a Chicago-area general dentist with more than 26 years of practice experience. He graduated as valedictorian from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and leads Heritage Grove Family Dental in Plainfield.
- General, implant, orthodontic, sedation, and restorative practice experience
- Past President, Chicago Component of the Academy of General Dentistry
- Pierre Fauchard Academy and Omicron Kappa Upsilon
Co-founder · D.M.D. candidate
Andrew Gallos, M.S.
Andrew earned a B.A. in Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism from Case Western Reserve University, completed an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences at Roseman University, and is a Roseman D.M.D. candidate in the Class of 2028.
- More than 1,000 hours of general dental assisting experience
- More than 1,000 hours of oral surgery assisting experience
- Research and presentation experience in oral health
- Recent first-hand experience with the dental school application process
PDI Academy Chicago · Planned for 2028
Get a feel for dentistry.
Find your next step.
We are developing an in-person pre-dental learning program in the Chicago area. Preview the proposed workshops and guidance for your stage of the journey.
Planned for 2028. Enrollment is not currently open. Join our interest list for occasional updates as plans develop. Timing and program details may change.
Proposed program preview
- Where
- Chicago area · Planned in Plainfield
- Format
- Proposed weekend program
- Who it is for
- High-school and college students
Stay connected
Free guides and Admissions updates.
Join the PDI email list for new resources and mentorship availability. This is separate from the Academy interest list.
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Our longer-term vision
PDI Pro
As PDI grows, we plan to support the transition through dental school and into professional life with mentorship, career guidance, and connections.
PDI Pro is in private testing. See what is being developed →