We are nearing the conclusion of another highly successful admissions season, having recently completed interviews for admission to the School. More than 320 applicants were interviewed. I really want to express my sincerest thanks to all of the faculty, staff and students who were involved in interviewing applicants and reviewing files in conjunction with the process this year.

Achieving a high quality, academically competent and diverse student body is essential to the future of the School of Dentistry. This explains why the admissions process is taken so seriously by the faculty and administration.

Faculty Participation Crucial
If I could be granted one wish to improve the process, it would be for even greater faculty participation. We are moving in that direction and this year many new interviewers participated in the student selection process. As it stands to date, 69 students have been offered positions in the first-year class. For that group, the mean overall GPA was 3.69 and the mean science GPA was 3.66. Mean DAT Academic Average was 21.36 and PAT was 19.97. Applicants are still being selected, and the admissions committee will meet soon to complete the process.

Outstanding Applicants
Once again, this was once an extremely competitive year in admissions. The applicant pool GPA was 3.26, and the science GPA was 3.14. For the 80 slots in the traditional pre-doctoral program, we received 1,933 applications, an increase of 21% over last year.

In order to continue to attract the most talented applicants, it is essential that we put our best foot forward throughout the entire admissions process. In order to achieve this goal, the administration and Faculty Council are appointing a Blue Ribbon Admissions Task Force. Dr. Don Curtis, former Chair of Faculty Council, will chair this committee.

Improving Admissions
The group is charged with evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the admissions program in its current form, and making recommendations to improve the process. Among the questions that this panel will answer are:

• Are we responsive to the members of the applicant pool?
• Are we sending the right messages about UCSF?
• Are we well calibrated in evaluating candidates?

The exact membership of the group is still being determined, but I anticipate that it will be conducting its review over the next several months. It is my hope that this Task Force will provide perspectives into how we can better inspire and capture the attention of the most qualified and sought-after dental school applicants, as well as promote both faculty pride and confidence in the admissions process. I encourage faculty to contact Don Curtis with their thoughts as this review process begins.

All the best,

Charles N. Bertolami, DDS, DMedSc

Dean