Thank you for your interest in the DDS program at the UCSF School of Dentistry. Whether you are a high school student looking ahead, or a post-traditional student considering a career change, this website will be a helpful resource. You will find information on prerequisites, the application process, and our technical standards.

We recommend that you attend one of our monthly campus tours and other pre-dental events sponsored by our student clubs. Details and registration can be found here.

COVID-19 Related Information for 2020-21 Applicants

Online Courses – Many undergraduate schools have gone to online courses during the pandemic. We will accept online courses if they are offered by the school at which the candidate was enrolled prior to the current crisis. For students who are beyond undergraduate school, we will accept online courses undertaken to meet prerequisites regardless of the institution. Please keep in mind, these courses and units must be earned at an accredited U.S. or English-speaking Canadian institution. If you are uncertain about your specific plans, please email the Office of Admissions & Outreach prior to enrolling in the course.

Pass/Fail Grades – UCSF will accept pass/fail grades (if it's an option, we prefer graded course work), without prejudice, for courses taken during the COVID pandemic. It has always been our practice to consider grades in the context of numerous other aspects of the application, and an international crisis certainly provides a unique and compelling perspective.

Admissions Standards

To be considered for admission, you must present evidence that you have completed, or will complete within the specified time frame, the minimum transferable prerequisite coursework. Although all course requirements need not be completed at the time of application, they must be completed by September 1st, prior to arriving on campus for orientation.

Due to the large number of applicants in our pool, we are not able to offer application counseling. We suggest you seek advice from a counselor or pre-health adviser at your undergraduate institution.

Minimum Requirements

The School of Dentistry has removed minimum requirements for GPA and DAT scores. Candidates are encouraged to explore our class information to get a sense of the profile of successful applicants. The UCSF Dentistry Admissions Committee employs holistic review in selecting the incoming class, and thoroughly evaluates a candidate’s academic preparedness, community engagement, and fit for the institution and profession of dentistry.

All applicants who submit a complete application will be fully evaluated for admission.

Evaluation of Applicants, Interviews and Final Decision

Completed applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Those who are selected to move forward in the process, will be invited for a virtual interview. Interviews take place between September and January.

The School of Dentistry takes a holistic approach to our admissions process. Our Admissions Committee considers all aspects of the application, including academic background and ability, motivation for a dental career, and the potential for future success in the program and dentistry indicated by past achievements and present commitments. Other major factors include an applicant's desire to practice in a medically underserved community and an applicant's performance in an in-person interview. The school welcomes applicants from all economic, social and cultural segments of society, and is committed to increasing the number of professionals from underrepresented minority groups.