Our primary goal is to select applicants who share the school's educational objectives and can master our curriculum. Beyond that, we seek applicants who reflect the diversity of the people of California. We look for evidence of past achievements, as well as outstanding personal qualities and interest in contributing to the advancement of knowledge and service to the profession and the community.

Over the long term, the School of Dentistry seeks graduates who will return to their communities the clinical, intellectual, and interpersonal skills expected of a health professional. In addition, our graduates should possess the enhanced sensitivities, broad understanding, open-minded attitudes, and appreciation of cultural diversity that assure equitable distribution of high-quality dental health care to all members of our society. Further, we seek people who have the discipline to apply themselves, the desire to use their talents and abilities to the fullest, and the willingness to undertake leadership roles in academia, in their profession, and in their communities.

ADMISSION TO THE SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

Minimum Eligibility for UCSF School of Dentistry Consideration

Students who wish to apply for admission into the first-year dental class must meet certain minimum elegibility requirements:

1. California residents must have a minimum overall and science college grade-point average of 2.70. Non-California residents must have a minimum overall and science college grade point average of 3.0.
   
   
2. All applicants must have minimum DAT scores of 17 in the PAT, Total Science, and Academic Average.
   
   
3. All applicants must be in good academic standing (not on probation) at their current or last school attended.
   
   
4. They must present evidence that they have completed, or will complete within the specified time frame, the minimum transferable prerequisite coursework.

Additional information on minimum University requirements can be obtained from the Information for Prospective Students brochure available at all University of California undergraduate offices.

University of California Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

The University of California requires that all candidates for its baccalaureate degree demonstrate the ability to write English without gross errors in spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. They must also have knowledge of American history and the principles of American institutions.

Dental students who have not earned a bachelor's degree and who have completed 90 semester units with an average of C in the School of Dentistry, including all required basic science courses, will be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Science degree at the end of the second year of the dental curriculum. In addition to the University of California requirements noted above, they must also declare their intention to earn the BS degree by the end of the first year in the dental curriculum.

DENTAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for admission to the dental curriculum must meet the requirements for admission to the University of California as well as the requirements outlined below. Although all course requirements need not be completed at the time of application, they must be completed by the end of the spring session before the desired date of enrollment.

College Subjects

Completion of 139 quarter units or 93 semester units (exclusive of repeated and nontransferable courses) of college work at an accredited institution is a minimum requirement for admission to the UCSF School of Dentistry dental curriculum. A minimum of 30 quarter units or 20 semester units must be completed at an accredited four-year institution. These units must include the following subjects:

It is to the applicant's advantage to complete the prerequisites before taking the The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and filing application. It is required that all above prerequisite courses and units be completed by June of the year of intended enrollment. No required coursework may be taken during the summer prior to fall registration.

WE REGRET THAT THE SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY IS UNABLE TO OFFER ADVISING SERVICES AT THIS TIME.

Advanced Placement (AP) Tests

While actual course work is preferred by our faculty, applicants may use AP Tests to partially fulfill the prerequisites. In order to have AP Tests applied towards the prerequisites, applicants must submit an official copy of their AP Test Score Report from Educational Testing Services (ETS). Using School Code 5482, you may contact ETS at ets.org to request that a copy of your score report be sent to our office.

AP credit may be applied in the following manner:

Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

The Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association (ADA), in cooperation with the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), has developed a nationwide dental aptitude testing program. A battery of aptitude tests is administered at over 500 locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. These tests are also given in foreign countries by special arrangement.

All applicants are required to take this test as part of the application process. The DAT is administered only at the Sylvan Technologies Centers and solely by computer. Early appointments are advised. Test scores over two years old will not be accepted. See Application Procedures for more information. Please click here to obtain more information about the test.

All applicants must have Minimum DAT scores of 17 in the PAT, Total Science, and Academic Average.

Undergraduate Preparation

Predental courses may be completed at any accredited US undergraduate college or university. Professional or vocational courses, such as pharmacy, nursing, dental hygiene, etc., do not carry transferable credit and may not be used as prerequisite subjects or units. Summary courses in the sciences do not satisfy any part of pre-dental science requirements.

Foreign students must have completed a minimum of one full year (at least 30 quarter units) at an accredited US undergraduate institution before submitting applications for admission, and must, in addition, complete all the requirements as listed above.

Choice of Majors

Although most applicants major in biology or biochemistry, the school does not have a preference for any particular major. In fact, it may look upon students majoring in other subject areas as perhaps more well rounded intellectually, and prepared to deal with the diverse aspects of a people-oriented professional career. However, applicants who select non-science majors should complete at least one science course each quarter or semester to keep attuned to the specific disciplines required in scientific training.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Application

Applicants are advised to apply early, to submit all materials as requested, and to resolve promptly any problems or questions that may arise.

The UCSF School of Dentistry has a two-step application process:

1. Applications are processed through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). These applications are generally available from AADSAS after May 15 and must be electronically submitted no later than 12:00 a.m. on October 15th. Late applications will not be considered. It is advised that you begin your AADSAS application early and leave plenty of time to submit it by our deadline, as we will not make exceptions for technical difficulties unless the AADSAS site was unavailable.
   
   
2. Official copies of transcripts for all college work you have completed at an accredtied U.S. institution, or Canadian institution where English is the language of instruction, must be submitted to AADSAS. Do not submit copies of these transcripts to UCSF until instructed. For instructions regarding other transcripts, see our information on Submitting International Documents. All transcripts must be received at AADSAS by the October 15th deadline or your application will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered.
   
   
3. The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is also required. It is recommended that the DAT be taken no later than September 15th in order that your scores may reach UCSF by our application deadline of October 15th. Applications without DAT scores by the October 15th deadline will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered. We do not accept test scores more than two years old.
   
   All applicants must have Minimum DAT scores of 17 in the PAT, Total Science and Academic Average.
   
   
4. You must also send to AADSAS three letters of recommendation. One of them should be written by a college science professor, one by a dentist with whom you have volunteered, or an advisor / researcher / mentor; and one from an individual of your choice. Or, you may have one composite letter sent from a pre-professional health advisory committee in lieu of the three required letters. All letters must be received at AADSAS by the October 15th deadline or your application will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered. Do not submit letters of recommendation directly to UCSF. Additional letters will not be included in your application file.
   
   
5. As applications are forwarded to the school by AADSAS, they are screened to determine if the minimum eligibility requirements have been met. The minimum eligibility requirements are:
   
   a) Overall and science GPAs of at least 2.70 (California residents) or 3.0 (all others).
   
   b) Minimum DAT scores of 17 in the PAT, Total Science, and Academic Average.
   
   Eligible applicants will be notified via e-mail and will be directed to a website where they can download and complete the UCSF School of Dentistry Secondary Application. The completed Secondary Application must be received at UCSF no later than four weeks from the date the applicant is notified of eligibility.
   
   Upon receipt of the Secondary Application and a nonrefundable $60 application fee for US citizens and permanent residents, and an $80 application fee for international students (including Canadian citizens), you are considered an official UCSF dental school applicant, and your application will then enter our review process to determine if you will be invited for an interview.
   

The school strongly encourages applicants to submit their applications as early as possible so that they may complete and return the Secondary Application as early as possible. No review of your application can be conducted until all materials have been received.

Please do not contact the school to inquire about the status of your application. Due to the large number of applications received, we are unable to respond to these inquiries. Applicants may check the status of their application on the AADSAS website and through using Webtools which can be found at http://dentistry.ucsf.edu/webtools/.

OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS

Although the School of Dentistry believes its primary responsibility is to educate California residents, nonresidents with superior credentials are encouraged to apply. Non-California residents must present college-level grade-point averages of at least 3.0, both overall, and in science, to be eligible for admission into the University of California. If they are from Western states with no dental schools, they should also apply for financial support from WICHE.

WICHE - Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

The School of Dentistry participates in the program provided by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) for dental students who reside in Western states where there are no dental schools in operation. Under this program, prospective dental students may apply to participating professional schools in other Western states. They also apply, through WICHE, for financial assistance from their own states. If they are accepted at a school that participates in WICHE and are found eligible for financial assistance from their own states, they will be charged resident fees rather than nonresident tuition and fees. Their home states pay a supplementary fee to help the professional school meet the cost of educational training.

FOREIGN APPLICANTS Students from other countries who want to enter the School of Dentistry must meet the regular requirements for admission to the University of California and to the dental school and prove, through the successful completion of at least one year of college work in the United States, that they can compete in the US educational system. The required courses in English Composition and Literature must be taken in the US. Despite completion of these requirements as described, chances for acceptance by the School of Dentistry are slim. Foreign students who are not permanent residents of the United States should not apply unless they have superior qualifications and adequate funding for their professional educational and living expenses. It should be noted that UCSF financial aid is limited to United States citizens or permanent residents.

SUBMITTING INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS

Applicants are required to report their entire academic history as part of a complete application Failure to report all college-level course work taken may result in an application being canceled For course work taken at a college or university outside the United States, or a Canadian institution where French was the language of instruction, please follow these steps only if you are invited to submit a secondary application:

1. Request that official copies of all transcripts (detailed marks reports, etc.) and degree certificates if applicable, in both the original language and English, be sent directly from the issuing institution to UCSF at the address listed below:
   
   Office of Admissions
   UCSF School of Dentistry
   513 Parnassus Avenue S-630
   San Francisco, CA 94143-0430
   (415) 476-2737 (voice)
   (415) 476-4226 (fax)
   
   
2. Order a course-by-course credential evaluation by either Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE: www.ece.org) or World Education Services (WES: www.wes.org). This will require that an additional copy of your academic records be sent to ECE or WES. Only evaluations from ECE or WES are accepted.
   
   
3. If you wish to apply foreign coursework towards the prerequisites, you must also submit course syllabi and/or catalog descriptions, as the information provided in transcripts does not provide enough information for us to determine if the course will satisfy our prerequisites.

EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS AND FINAL ACTION

The Admissions Committee is composed of faculty members and students. It is responsible for reviewing all eligible applications and for recommending the admission of those who appear best able to complete the dental school's curriculum, and who will represent the diverse aspects of service to the community. The school welcomes applications from all economic, social, and cultural segments of society, and is committed to increasing the number of professionals from underrepresented minority groups, including women. The major factors given consideration by the Admissions Committee are academic background and ability as shown on transcripts of record and DAT scores, perceptual skill as determined by that portion of the DAT, motivation toward a dental career, and the potential for future success in dentistry indicated by past achievements and present commitments. Other major factors include desire to practice in a medically underserved community and how well applicants present themselves in an interview.

Overall and science grade-point averages as presented in the AADSAS application materials are carefully reviewed, as are academic trends. For this reason, the Admissions Committee prefers letter grades to passed–not passed grades, particularly in the sciences. Very few students are admitted with a grade-point average below 3.0.

DAT scores are compared with grades earned in corresponding coursework. Repeated test scores are compared with original scores and improvement is expected.

Committee action during the winter and spring can result in provisional admission, alternate pool status, or denial. Provisionally admitted applicants will have their official transcripts reviewed according to University regulations governing equivalencies and transferability of courses and credit. Final admission can be granted only if this later official university evaluation satisfies the Admissions Committee and all supplementary transcripts are on file.

FOREIGN TRAINED DENTISTS

The School of Dentistry offers an education program for foreign trained dentists, IDP (International Dentist Program). For information about this program please click here.

If you would like to see the statistics of the 2007 entering class, please click here.

FEES

Application Fee

The University of California application fee is $60 for US citizens and Permanent Residents and $80 for international students, including Canadian citizens. This fee is for admission into the first year, or for readmission at any level. This fee is not refundable.

A limited number of application fee waivers are available to socio-economically disadvantaged applicants. Access information is available at the time of application.

Registration Deposit

A non-refundable deposit, which will be applied toward the applicant's registration fee, will be required upon notice of provisional admission. Applicants who do not pay the deposit within the period stipulated will have their admission cancelled. This deposit is not refundable.

School of Dentistry Fees Per Quarter

Fees must be paid in full at the time of registration each quarter. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to The Regents of the University of California.

Registration Fee. All students pay the registration fee each quarter. This fee covers certain expenses of the Student Health Service and use of library books, lockers, laboratory facilities, etc.

Tuition Fee. The nonresident tuition fee is charged to all students whose legal residence is outside of California.

Educational Fee. All students pay this fee each quarter.

Please visit the UCSF Student Financial Services website for updated information on fees including the mandatory student kit fees.

Student kit fees include supplies, instruments, sterilization, instrument management, equipment and facilities use fees and repair and replacement costs. Students utilize and are issued school managed instruments and equipment. Some of the instruments and equipment will be owned by the students. Students pay a use fee for provided materials, instruments and equipment that are owned by the School. Fees include instrument sterilization, instrument procurement, distribution and management, equipment and facilities use fees, repair and replacement.

FINANCIAL AID

The San Francisco campus administers several financial aid programs offering loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study. Funds are limited and are awarded only to students who demonstrate need. Eligibility for need-based financial aid programs available through the University of California is based upon the principle that financial responsibility for attaining educational goals rests with the student and his or her family. Therefore, all student resources and assets will be considered sources of income in meeting educational costs. Because of the high cost of a health professional education, UCSF generally requires parental financial information. The parents’ financial situation does not affect eligibility for financial aid but helps determine the type and amount of aid offered.

Entering students should apply as soon as they have been accepted (or provisionally accepted) for admission. By completing the UCSF financial aid application packet, students are automatically considered for all the programs administered by the Student Financial Services Office.

For more information, please contact the office of Student Financial Services.

UCSF Student Financial Services Office
500 Parnassus Avenue, Room 201 West
San Francisco, CA 94143-0246

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

A variety of awards are made each year from the School of Dentistry scholarship funds. Criteria for these awards and scholarships vary widely, and new scholarships are established each year. All admitted and enrolled dental students are considered for scholarships by the school's Scholarship Committee.

Grant-in-Aid Funds. Students who demonstrate need will receive a portion of their financial aid from University Grant Funds unless they are receiving a significant amount of scholarship funding.

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students. These scholarships are available in limited number for medical, dental, or pharmacy students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students who apply for Health and Human Services funds are automatically screened for these scholarships.

For more information, please contact the office of Student Financial Services.

UCSF Student Financial Services Office
500 Parnassus Avenue, Room 201 West
San Francisco, CA 94143-0246

Please click here to access the most frequently asked questions by prospective students.

AADSAS
The Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
UCSF School of Dentistry
UCSF Campus Directory
Office of Admissions and Registrar
Student Financial Services
International Students and Scholars
UCSF Housing Options

Great site to search for scholarships and other financial aid sources: http://www.fastweb.com/