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How to Apply - DDS


 

Be sure to review the New Information below!

Steps for AADSAS

  1. Complete and submit an AADSAS application (What is AADSAS?).
  2. The AADSAS application (for the entering class of 2013) will be available online beginning June 4, 2012.
  3. At the same time you submit your application online, you should request official transcripts to be sent to AADSAS.  Without your transcripts, AADSAS will not process your application.
  4. Submit all letters of recommendation through AADSAS.
  5. Once you submit online, it takes 4-6 weeks for the University of Michigan to receive your application from AADSAS.
  6. Currently, Michigan does not participate in the AADSAS online application status service.

Steps for the University of Michigan

  1. When your AADSAS application is received by the School, you will receive an email from the Admissions Office, typically within 2-3 weeks (depending upon application volume)
  2. It is very important that you watch for this email, as the email message will provide you with instructions on how to check the status of your application using the University of Michigan's Wolverine Access system. Currently, Michigan does not participate in the AADSAS online application status service.  You cannot check the status of your Michigan application using AADSAS.
  3. Once your application has been received, we require a $65 application fee, payable online only.  Please do not mail a check to our office.  You should pay the fee after you've submitted your AADSAS application, not before.  
  4. It is the student's responsibility to check his/her application status on Wolverine Access to verify that we have received all of the required materials (see next item).  Failing to provide all required materials will result in a delay in processing your application and review by the Admissions Committee.
  5. Once we receive the AADSAS application - including official DAT scores, application fee, and required letters of recommendation, your application will be considered complete and ready for review by the Admissions Committee.
  6. Official U.S. DAT scores are automatically posted to your application from the ADA. Do not fax your unofficial DAT score report!   We do accept Canadian DAT scores but the official scores must be mailed to the school. We will not consider official those Canadian DAT scores that are self-reported on the AADSAS application.
  7. As applications become complete they are reviewed by the Admissions Committee and decisions are made whether to invite a candidate to interview or not. If you are invited for an interview, we will contact you directly.

Selection Factors (be sure to review 'New Information' below)

Overall, each application is carefully reviewed with special attention to scholastic achievement, character, and personality, in addition to the categories noted below.  Admission criteria are applied equally to all applicants regardless of race, sex, creed, age, or national origin.  Applications are encouraged from women, veterans, and students with diverse backgrounds.

GRADES
The cumulative grade point average (GPA) and the prerequisite science GPA are closely evaluated, as they are a strong indicator of academic success in dental school.  The Admissions Committee will examine grades for consistency, minimal repeated or withdrawn courses. A letter grade is required for all prerequisite courses.  Grades of Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit are not accepted towards satisfying prerequisites.  Currently, the average GPA of our entering class is 3.5, with a science GPA of 3.3.

DENTAL ADMISSIONS TEST (DAT)
This test, given by the American Dental Association, examines several areas:  perceptual ability, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension and the survey of natural sciences (biology/general chemistry/organic chemistry).  Scores range from 0-30.  To be considered competitive, an applicant should have scores at or above 19 in all areas of the test.  More information can be found at www.ada.org.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Three letters of recommendation are required.  Read more about letter requirements in the Prerequisites section.  

EXPERIENCE AND ACTIVITIES (New Information)
It is expected that candidates will exhibit a confirmed interest and motivation in a dental career by participating in career-related activities such as job shadowing, community service and other volunteer opportunities.  Applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum of 100 hours of dental shadowing and/or volunteering.  Applicants without this minimum number of hours may not be reviewed or considered for interview.  Candidates who show a demonstrated interest in addressing health disparities or commitment to service and care for underserved communities are desirable.

A candidate’s professionalism and maturity, which are strongly considered, may be revealed by significant life experiences and accomplishments. 

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
As your application is reviewed, the committee may request more information such as current semester grades or new DAT scores.  We will promptly contact you if such a request is made.

INTERVIEWS
Each year we interview approximately 300 candidates, beginning in early fall and ending in the winter semester.  Interviews are by personal invitation only.   Should you be invited, you may be asked to send official transcripts from all schools/colleges attended to us at that time.  Official transcripts are those which are sent directly from your school Registrar to our Admissions Office.  

Admissions Decisions

The earliest a candidate can expect to be notified of their acceptance is December 1.  After December 1, we follow a ‘rolling admission’, and decisions will continue until the class is full.

If offered admission, the candidate will be required to submit a non-refundable enrollment deposit of $1,500 to matriculate and reserve a seat in the class.  The deposit will be applied towards the first term tuition.  Matriculated students must complete immunization requirements before enrollment, and are also required to attend the School’s new student orientation.

Some candidates may be offered an alternate position.  We maintain an unranked alternate list each year so that if the class falls below capacity, we may select an alternate for that seat.  In some years, a few students are moved into the class from the alternate list, while in other years, no candidates have been selected.

What is AADSAS?

The School of Dentistry is a member of the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS), which is the national application service used by most US (and some Canadian) dental schools.  The application is only offered online and the University of Michigan's deadline is October 15.  This is the date by which your application must be received by AADSAS. Find out more at  www.adea.org