How to Apply | School of Dentistry

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How to Apply

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How to Apply

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Applications Are Due October 31.

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Application Procedures

We strongly advise applicants to apply early, to submit all materials as requested, and to promptly resolve any problems or questions that may arise, to ensure timely review and decision notification.

1. Application

Applications are processed through the American Dental Education Association - American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS). The application can be submitted starting June 1 (accessible starting May 9 for inputting information) and must be electronically submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Oct. 31. We advise you to begin your ADEA AADSAS application early to allow yourself sufficient time to complete it by the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.

Supplemental Questions
The UCSF supplemental questions are in the UCSF school section of the ADEA AADSAS application. These biographical statement questions are listed below:

We are interested in learning more about you as a person and the unique experiences, interests and skills that set you apart from other candidates. Your biographical statements are used to expand upon the information in your application. The replies to these questions should not be a repeat of what you wrote in response to the questions in the application.

What is important to you in selecting a dental school? How will you make your decision about which school to attend? (1,500-character limit)
Why do you want to join the UCSF community? Please state briefly how you will contribute to the UCSF School of Dentistry. (1,500-character limit)
Please use this space to tell us anything additional that you believe is relevant to your application for admission. (OPTIONAL and 5,000-character limit)

2. Transcripts and Prerequisites

Please visit the prerequisites webpage for detailed information regarding the course requirements for admissions.

On the ADEA AADSAS Application

In the “Colleges Attended” section, report all colleges or universities attended, including any coursework taken at a foreign institution or study abroad program.
In the “Transcript Entry” section, enter all courses taken. This includes any coursework taken at a foreign institution or study abroad program, if the ADEA AADSAS system allows you to do so. This option is not available for most non-U.S. schools.
Request official transcripts from all U.S. and English-speaking Canadian colleges attended to be sent to ADEA AADSAS for verification. Transcripts must be received by ADEA no later than Oct. 31. Please see our International Coursework section for information about reporting international and study abroad coursework.

After Admission

Please submit official transcripts directly to UCSF when instructed to do so.

3. U.S. Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The DAT is also required. We recommend that the DAT be taken no later than Sept. 30 so that your scores may reach UCSF by our application deadline of Oct. 31. Applications without DAT scores received by the deadline will be regarded as incomplete and will not be reviewed. Test scores are valid for only two years, scores accepted for the 2024 admission cycle must be dated no earlier than Jan. 1, 2021. Our average DAT score for the entering class is around 22 in both Academic Average and Total Science.

4. Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation must be submitted via the ADEA AADSAS application. We require the following:

One letter should be written by a college science professor
One by a dentist; or an adviser; or a researcher; or a mentor
One from an individual of your choice

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 by ADEA AADSAS by the Oct. 31 deadline.

5. UCSF Fee

The University of California requires a non-refundable application processing fee of $75. Please visit our online payment system to submit it electronically.

Fee Waivers

All fee waivers for the 2024-25 admissions cycle have been awarded.

Fee waivers were awarded on a first come, first-serve basis for applicants with a completed/verified ADEA AADSAS application. If you submitted a fee waiver application you will receive an e-mail in regards to the status. We are no longer accepting fee waiver applications.

Eligibility

Students who have received the ADEA FAP are automatically qualified.
Fee waivers are available to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, those qualified for AB540 and those qualified for DACA.
Applicants must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines for gross annual income.

Dependent Status

If you’re a dependent student, you will report your and your parents’ information.
If you’re an independent student, you will report your own information (and, if you’re married, your spouse’s).

Family Size	ADEA Poverty Guidelines (300%)
1	$43,740
2	$59,160
3	$74,580
4	$90,000
5	$105,420

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