FAQs
DDS Program
Program Information
Each year we admit 88 students.
The School of Dentistry does not accept transfer students under any circumstances.
Information is currently available through the school website. You may also email the admissions coordinator if you have any specific questions that were not answered on the website at: dds_admissions@dentistry.ucla.edu.
Unfortunately, individual tours are not available. If you are interested in scheduling a pre-dental group tour, please contact our ASDA (American Student Dental Association) group at: uclaasdapredental@gmail.com.
No appointment is necessary. To speak with the Admissions Coordinator, Noemi Benitez regarding the application and review process please call 310-794-7971 (Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm). Due to current COVID guidelines our office is closed to the public.
ADEA AADSAS (Associated American Dental Schools Application Service)
Yes, applicants must complete the AADSAS application in order to be considered for admission.
f you have questions or problems with the AADSAS application, please contact the AADSAS Customer Service department. Hours: Monday-Friday (9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time), except federal holidays.
- Phone: (617) 612-2045
- Email: aadsasinfo@aadsasweb.org
No, all applicants must complete the AADSAS application.
Application Process
A complete file includes the AADSAS application, the $60.00 supplemental fee, a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation, and official DAT scores.
No, the supplemental questions for our program are included on the AADSAS application.
Yes, the supplemental fee is to be paid online on the School of Dentistry website after you receive an email notification from the office. Checks or money orders will not be accepted.
Re-applicants must submit a new AADSAS application and pay the supplemental fee again. No part of a previous year’s application can be used in a new application cycle.
You may check if your file is complete on the AADSAS website two to three weeks after paying the supplemental fee. The decision code for complete files will be set to “Received/ Application Complete.” Unfortunately, our office cannot provide status checks over the telephone and does not notify applicants if they are missing any materials. You may also
email the admissions coordinator if your status is not updated on the AADSAS website a few weeks after paying the fee at: dds_admissions@dentistry.ucla.edu. Please include your AADSAS number for verification purposes in the email.
No, all updates must be submitted to AADSAS and cannot be emailed directly to our office.
The Committee will consider significant work experience, community involvement, graduate studies, economic or educational disadvantage, rigor of undergraduate major, course load and indications of growth and maturity. All information in the personal statement and letters of recommendation are given careful consideration.
Yes, interviews are by invitation only.
Rolling admissions at the UCLA School of Dentistry means the Admissions Committee reads files and makes decisions on a continual basis. Applicants are informed of decisions between December and the end of April. Although individual decisions are not based on the date the application is received, applicants are urged to apply and complete their files as early as possible. This will allow all applications to be completed and ready for review as soon as possible.
Letters of Recommendation
No. Letters may be from objective sources who are familiar with your accomplishments which can include employers, supervisors where you have volunteered, as well as college teachers, college recommendation committees, college counselors and other appropriate individuals. If you have had significant involvement in research, a letter from your research supervisor is desirable.
No, a minimum of three letters of recommendation must be submitted directly to AADSAS for processing. The office will not accept any letters of recommendation if they are mailed directly to us.
Yes, you may submit a maximum of four individual letters to AADSAS.
Dental Admission Test (DAT)
Although there is no minimum score requirement, scores of 20 and above are considered competitive for our program.
The DAT must be taken no later than December 31st.
No, the scores may be posted after December 31, but you must take the exam no later than December 31. Please note that official scores are posted to the AADASAS application approximately three weeks after the exam date.
Yes, but your application will not be considered complete and ready for review until the official scores are posted to your AADSAS application.
No, we do not accept unofficial score reports. The official scores must be posted to your AADSAS application in order to be considered.