Selection Factors

Complete applications are 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 prerequisite science GPA are closely evaluated, as they are strong indicators of academic success in dental school. The Admissions Committee will examine grades for consistency and minimal repeated or withdrawn courses. A letter grade is required for all prerequisite courses. 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

A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required:Two letters of recommendation must be from science professors (instructors with whom you've taken a course, have given you a grade and can write about your academic qualities). A letter from a research faculty mentor is not considered a science letter unless he/she has given you a grade for a registered course. We strongly recommend that your science letters are from basic science faculty. The third letter of recommendation is a non-science letter and can be from a non-science professor OR a dentist OR an employer.
Alternatively, some institutions offer evaluation letters written from a preprofessional committee. This is acceptable in lieu of the three letters of recommendation

Experience and Activities

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. 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.

Requests for Additional Information

Occasionally, as applications are 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.

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 the first term, 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.

For candidates who are refused or not selected from the alternate list, the Office of Admissions will keep your application for one calendar year. If a student reapplies, we will merge the old with the new application.

Admissions