Apply to Dental School – Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center

Applications

There are three general steps to the dental school application process. See the tabs below to view the three steps, an application checklist, and more information on financial aid resources.

Application Process Application Checklist Financial Aid Tracker Templates

Application Process

There are three general steps in applying to dental schools: the primary application, the secondary application, and the interview.

1. Primary applications

Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
Opens in mid-May
Begins accepting application submissions in early June
Includes a personal statement (4500 characters)
- Prompt: "Please explain why you want to pursue a dental career."
- ADEA's Personal Statement Webinar
Application fee: $264 for the first dental school and $115 for each additional dental school designation
For schools with rolling admission, submit your primary application as early as possible.
If you register for an account with DAT Bootcamp, there are videos explaining how to navigate through AADSAS
Review the ADEA Quick Start Guide for help and support.

2. Secondary applications or supplementary forms are specific to individual dental schools. Schools may include these applications in the AADSAS application. Other schools may send these applications after they have received the AADSAS application. Both frequently request additional information, essays, letters of recommendation, and/or fees. Some schools may even screen applicants before the applications or forms are sent out. Most fees are $35 or more and change from year to year, depending on the applicant numbers.

3. Interviews: After reviewing the primary and secondary applications (or supplementary forms), dental schools invite promising applicants to interview. Applicants are responsible for all costs incurred while interviewing, including airfare, lodging, ground transportation, professional attire, and meals.

Interview Information
Interview-Related Orientations and Workshops
Sample Interview Questions
ADEA-AADSAS's Dos and Don’ts of Virtual Interviews Manual
ADEA Information
ADEA's Acing Your Dental School Interview Video
Health Professional School Interview Room Reservation Request: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many health professional schools are conducting their interviews online. Applicants can submit a reservation request for a private space with Wi-Fi access on-campus.

Check out the ADEA's video on what happens after an application is submitted and your Next Steps after submitting your application!

For Hawaiʻi Residents Only: Apply to the Hawaiʻi WICHE Professional School Exchange Program. PSEP enables residents from WICHE participating states affordable access to enroll in out-of-state professional healthcare programs, at participating WICHE institutions, when those programs are not available at a public institution in their home state. Applications open on August 1.

Traffic Rules: Although the application process varies from school to school, ADEA has established “traffic rules” to ensure fairness for all concerned. The rules are available online and stipulate both schools’ and applicants’ rights and responsibilities during the application process. All applicants should be familiar with these rules before applying.

Background Check: Prior to official acceptance, schools usually contact a background check on accepted students. Thus, please ensure that you conduct yourself professionally at all times. A record of misconduct may result in the residence of acceptance by schools.

Re-applicants: Many applicants may not be admitted to the professional school that they desire on their first try. However, if an when you choose to re-apply, there are many things to consider before re-submitting another application the following cycle.

Tips:

The more you know about the school, the better your chances of being accepted.
Most application questions can be answered by reading the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools.
Review individual schools’ websites to find out how they handle:
- Advanced Placement (AP) credits
- International Baccalaureate (IB) credits
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits
- Military credits
- Courses taken at a community college
- Non-US coursework
- Courses taken for credit/no credit instead of a grade
- Residency issues
- Time limits on prerequisite science courses

Please note that if you are retaking courses because dental schools may not accept Advanced Placement (AP), online, or community college credit, your financial aid and/or scholarship status may be affected.

Application Checklist

Financial Aid

Financial planning is a crucial part of applying to dental schools. It is important for students to create a plan and make decisions in their educational expenses. Students are highly encouraged to budget their finances before, during, and after dental school.

TRIO Mānoa Student Support Services (SSS): is a resource for first-generation college students and students with high-financial need. TRIO Mānoa is an academic advising office specialized in helping students succeed. Services offered include one-on-one advising, a computer lab, free printing, study room spaces, educational workshops, exclusive events, and a summer scholarship for accepted students.

ADEA AADSAS Fee Assistance Program (F AP):

All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.
Applicant eligibility is based on U.S. citizenship/permanent resident status and income levels of the previous tax year.
Awardees will receive fee waivers to cover three dental school designations.
Awardees will have 14 days (from day of notice) to submit their ADEA AADSAS applications for their top 3 dental schools - so be prepared and know which schools are your top 3!
Opens early May for the application cycle.
Provides funding on a rolling basis (first come, first serve)
Fee Assistance Program Overview Video

Free Application for Federal Student Aid:

All applicants are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Must apply the year prior to matriculation even if you do not know if you were accepted into graduate or professional school yet.
Applicants may be considered for grants, work-study, and loans to help fund the cost of undergraduate, graduate, and professional school education.
Opens on October 1st.
Provides funding on a rolling basis (first come, first serve).

Hawaiʻi WICHE Professional School Exchange Program: Hawaiʻi residents are eligible to participate in the Professional School Exchange Program (PSEP), a service of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). PSEP enables qualified residents from WICHE participating states affordable access to enroll in selected out-of-state professional healthcare programs at participating WICHE institutions when such programs are not available at a public institution in their home state. Many Hawai‘i residents must attend professional schools out-of-state to obtain the necessary education and training needed for professional healthcare positions. Therefore, the State of Hawai‘i, through WICHE PSEP, helps subsidize the tuition costs for qualifying Hawai‘i residents to attend a participating WICHE PSEP program. In return, WICHE PSEP students are required to return to work in the State after completing their program of study.

PSEP-selected students pay reduced levels of tuition at the WICHE participating institution. The home state pays a negotiated “support fee” designed to cover a portion of the cost of the student’s education; this fee is paid directly to the enrolling program’s institution. No payments are made directly to students. Students enrolled at public institutions generally pay the resident tuition rate, however, students may be required to pay the unmet non-resident tuition differential if the WICHE PSEP support fee does not cover the entire non-resident tuition differential. Students enrolled at private institutions pay the balance of the full private tuition minus the WICHE PSEP support fee.

Support is available to a limited number of Hawai‘i residents studying dentistry and enrolling at participating WICHE PSEP schools.

List of Participating Schools

Note: To be considered for this scholarship, you must apply one full year in advance of matriculation, generally in the summer of your application year.

ADEA Scholarships, Awards, and Fellowships awards students pursing a career in dentistry a scholarship by demonstrating professional excellence and strive to make a difference in the profession of dentistry.

Health Resource & Service Administration Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program will pay for school tuition/related costs and supply a monthly stipend. In return, you must serve between two - four years (with one year in an underserved area). Students must be able to prove Hawaiian ancestry.

The National Health Service Corps: Reduce or Pay Off Professional School Debt in Exchange for Service

Resources:

Scholarship Opportunities for Test Prep Materials

Military Financial Aid

Additional Funding Opportunities

Tracker Templates

Reminder!

UH Mānoa has an early acceptance program for dental school with the Lake Erie College of Osetopathic Medicine (LECOM)! Learn more about how to apply here.

A.T. Still University's Missouri School of Dentistry has an Early Assurance Program designed for undergraduate students interested in their Doctor of Dental Medicine program. Learn more about how to apply here.

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