Admissions Requirements
In order to be considered for the four-year DDS progam at the University at Buffalo, applicants must meet our admission requirements.
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The 2024 ADEA AADSAS Application Schedule
Beginning May 2023
2024 Applicants can begin the ADEA AADSAS application process.
Early Application Strongly Encouraged
We have a rolling admissions process. This means the earlier we receive your completed, verified application, the earlier our committee conducts a full file review of your application and you can be considered for an interview. Waiting until thedeadline is a poor strategy that results in an applicant competing for far fewer positions in the entering class.
Starting May 30, 2023:
2024 Applicants and reapplicants, make the choice to submit early—May 30, 2023 is the first date to submit an ADEA AADSAS application.
If all official transcripts are received, ADEA AADSAS will start the application verification process.
Applicants who submitted all required documents for ADEA Fee Assistance will begin receiving decision statuses.
Minimum Credit Hours
Prior to Application — 60 Credit Hours
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours — two full years — of study at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to application.
Prior to Enrollment — 90 Credit Hours
Applicants must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of study at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to enrollment in the DDS program. Students are strongly encouraged to earn a bachelor’s degree prior to enrollment in the DDS program. Students who will not earn a bachelor’s degree prior to enrollment must demonstrate a higher level of academic performance.
Prerequisite Courses
Required Courses
All applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university:
- 2 semesters = 6 credit hours = 8 quarter hours of English including composition
- 2 semesters = 8 credit hours = 12 quarter hours of General, inorganic chemistry (including laboratory)
- 2 semesters = 8 credit hours = 12 quarter hours of Organic chemistry (including laboratory)
- 2 semesters = 8 credit hours = 12 quarter hours of General biology (including laboratory)
- 2 semesters = 8 credit hours = 12 quarter hours of General physics - algebra or calculus based (including laboratory)
- 1 semester = 3 credit hours = 5 quarter hours of Biochemistry (does not require a laboratory component)
Students are strongly urged to complete all prerequisite courses at a four-year institution.
Courses Effected by COVID-19 - IMPORTANT
- The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine will be flexible in the graded requirement for pre-requisite coursework if an applicant attends a school that made system-wide grading changes.
- In these situations we will accept online labs and pass/fail grades considering many changes due to COVID-19.
Are Your Pre-Reqs Equivalent?
If you are unsure if any course you took (or are currently taking) meet our prerequisite requirements, you are welcome to submit the prerequisite course equivalency form and our committee will be able to confirm.
Suggested Courses
Histology coursework is strongly recommended prior to matriculation.
In addition, while dentistry is a discipline based in the biological sciences, the practice of dentistry is very much a “people” profession based on communication skills and an understanding of human behavior. Prospective dental students are encouraged to take courses in psychology, sociology, public speaking, composition and the humanities to better interact with patients.
Suggested Majors
Although most applicants choose to concentrate their academic efforts in the sciences, there is no required undergraduate major area of study. Students are encouraged to pursue a major in an area of interest. Students who do not major in the sciences are strongly encouraged to pursue additional coursework in biology and chemistry beyond the minimum required courses as our DDS curriculum is scientifically rigorous.
GPA
All applicants must have an undergraduate minimum overall and science college grade-point average of 3.0 (as calculated by ADEA AADSAS) . Exceptions to the minimums are given to all applicants who have completed the equivalent of two semesters of full-time graduate coursework.
How are Grade Point Averages [GPA] calculated?
Learn more about how ADEA AADSAS calculates grade point averages by visiting the ADEA Frequently Asked Questions page.
Dental Admission Test [DAT] /Canadian Dental Admissions Test [CDAT]
Official scores must be received by January 15, 2024
Applications without official DAT scores byJanuary 15, 2024 will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered.
- DAT (or CDAT) scores are required for admission consideration. There are no exam waivers.
- Applications will not be considered before official DAT or CDAT scores are submitted to AADSAS.
- When more than one DAT or CDAT score is reported, the most recent set of scores is considered to meet our admissions requirements..
- Only scores from tests taken in 2021, 2022, or 2023 will be considered for Fall 2023 admission.
- It is recommended that the DAT or CDAT be taken no later than December 1 so your scores may reach AADSAS by the UB School of Dental Medicine application deadline of January 15, 2024.
Minimum DAT or CDAT Scores for Admission Consideration
In order to be considered, you must have:
DAT Reading Comprehension: 16 minimum score on most recent test date.
All other DAT Sections: 15 minimum score on most recent test date.
Canadian Dental Aptitude Test [CDAT] Score Submission
At this time, candidates are unable to send official CDAT scores directly to ADEA AADSAS.
Instead, candidates who take the CDAT should make arrangements to have official scores sent electronically to the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
There is no need to send any paper copy of your scores to our office. We will receive the electronic scores directly from CDAT testing administration and you will receive confirmation.
Experience in Dentistry
The Student Admissions Committee strongly encourages applicants to acquire adequate numbers of hours in health care settings in order to maximize their understanding of the health care field.While this number will vary among applicants, we believe a minimum of 75 - 100 hours is a reasonable expectation. Additionally the committee values a breadth of unique experiences over multiple hours in one setting.
COVID-19 Experience Notes:
- Our admissions committee understands that the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic has impacted dental shadowing availabiliyt and experiences. Plesae utiliize the COVID-19 Impact Statement on your ADEA AADSAS application to address how the pandemic may have have affected your experiences prior to applying to dental school.
- Our committee also suggest obtaining a realistic preview of the profession virtually. This may include social media, webinars, and podcasts. Virtual shadowing will be considered and this can be added to your AADSAS application.
Letters of Evaluation
The UB School of Dental Medicine requires applicants to submit either a minimum of one [1] composite committee letter/report or three individual letters of evaluation.
ADEA AADSAS allows applicants to submit one committee letter and one individual letter, or four indivdual letters.
- Our Admissions Committee accepts a composite committee letter/report. If the undergraduate school does not have such a committee or a mechanism for providing a composite letter, applicants may submit individual letters of evaluation.
- If you are submitting three individual letters, we encourage you to obtain letters from those individuals who can best attest to your academic abilities, personal attributes, and why you are a good candidate for dental school consideration.
- All letters of evaluation must be submitted to AADSAS through the AADSAS Portal. ADEA AADSAS allows applicants to submit a maximum of four individual letters of evaluation or one committee letter/report plus the option of one additional individual letter. Although the School of Dental Medicine only requires three letters of evaluation, the Student Admissions Committee will consider all letters of evaluation submitted to AADSAS.
Letters sent directly to our admissions office, dean, faculty, or staff will not be considered.
Personal Statement
The personal statement provides you the opportunity to let our committee know who you are. Candidates can share their academic, professional, and personal goals; why they are choosing to pursue dentistry; and how the Univeristy at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine can help candidates achieve these goals.
Proficiency in English for Non-Native Speakers
Because command of the English language is essential for successful professional school study, applicants whose first language is not English, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate their English proficiency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students who have completed a full undergraduate degree in the United States or an English speaking Province of Canada can be considered for a waiver of the TOEFL requirement.
TOEFL Score and Deadline
Students must achieve scores at or above minimum of 79 (internet based) or better obtained within 18 months of the application deadline.Official TOEFL score reports must be received by our application deadline of January 15, 2024.
Submit TOEFL Score Reports
Official TOEFL Score Reports must be submitted by using the following codes:
Institution Code | 2925 SUNY U at Buffalo |
Graduate Study Code | 01 |
Name of Department | Biological Sciences |
Department Code | 38 Dentistry |
Improve Your English Skills
UB’s English Language Institute offers programs during the summer and the academic year for those students who want or need to improve their competence in reading, speaking, or writing English prior to applying to dental school.
Learn more about the English Language Institute
Proof of Financial Support for International Students
If admitted, International students must document their ability to meet all educational and personal expenses for the duration of the program. Foreign students are eligible for assistantships and fellowships, but not for New York State or federal financial aid. Students should contact their own government or the American Embassy or Consulate for financial information.
Background Checks
All offers of acceptance and admission are conditional pending completion, at the applicant’s expense, of an acceptable Background Check from a vendor approved by the UB School of Dental Medicine. Once accepted, applicants will receive instructions on how to apply for the Background Check. Admission offers may be withdrawn for applicants who refuse to submit to the Background Check or who receive an accurate unacceptable Background Check.
School of Dental Medicine Background Check Policy
FAQs
What 2 factors are very important for admission? ›
- Grades in college prep courses. ...
- Strength of curriculum. ...
- Admission test scores. ...
- Grades in all courses. ...
- Extracurricular commitment. ...
- Letters of recommendation. ...
- Essay or writing sample. ...
- Demonstrated interest.
College Application and Acceptance
Nearly 9 out of 10 AVID seniors submitted college applications, and nearly 8 out of every 10 AVID seniors were accepted into four-year colleges.
- Don't repeat the question.
- Don't use unnecessarily large words. ...
- Answer honestly. ...
- Supplement your résumé. ...
- Always use details to bring even a short story to life.
- Don't be afraid of the word limit. ...
- Describe your personal growth. ...
- Be specific about each institution.
The state minimum requirements for Freshmen applicants can be found here; however, UF's standards for admissions are significantly higher than the state minimums. Applicants who are admitted typically have at least (and usually higher than) a 3.7 High School GPA.
What are the 3 most important factors in your college decision making process? ›- Safety.
- Academic Support and Career Services. ...
- Campus Life. ...
- Athletics and Extracurricular Activities. ...
- Majors and Minors. ...
- Class Size. ...
- Cost and Fees. ...
- Location and Distance From Home. ...
- Earn Good Grades in Challenging Courses. ...
- Get a High SAT/ACT Score. ...
- Write a Compelling Personal Statement. ...
- Demonstrate Interest. ...
- Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation. ...
- Apply to a Diverse Selection of Colleges. ...
- Opt for an Early Admission Plan. ...
- Manage Your Online Reputation.
To be accepted to the course students must complete the application process. The AVID program is looking at students who have a minimum 2.0 GPA; Average Or Above, High Motivation; Positive Attitude and Parent Contract.
What GPA do you need to be in AVID? ›AVID programs are for student's grades 6-12 who are not necessarily college-bound, but who are willing to work hard and push themselves, and will hopefully become college-bound by the end of their high school career. AVID looks for students who have: Passed STAAR. 2.0-3.5 GPA in non-weighted classes.
What GPA do you need to stay in AVID? ›Does my student have to maintain a certain GPA to remain in AVID? Yes. Students in the AVID program must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and receive no Ds or Fs on grade reports.
What are the 3 things college admission officers are looking for in your college essay? ›Colleges look for three things in your admission essay: a unique perspective, strong writing, and an authentic voice. People in admissions often say that a great essay is one where it feels like the student is right there in the room, talking authentically to the admissions committee!
What do you say when talking to an admissions officer? ›
Say hello, tell them your name, and thank them for being there. College admissions officers are people, too, and they're always thrilled to connect with kind and friendly students!
What do colleges ask for in admissions? ›Good grades, a challenging high school curriculum, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, and a strong essay are a few key factors admissions officers assess. Each university may emphasize different elements of the application process.
What is the lowest GPA UF will accept? ›Must have a minimum 2.0 overall GPA and a minimum 2.0 GPA at the last institution attended, as calculated by UF. Must complete or will complete specific prerequisites for the intended major before attending UF. Must be in good standing and eligible to return to any institution previously attended.
Will Harvard accept 3.7 GPA? ›Can I get into Harvard with a 3.7 GPA? Harvard does not have a minimum GPA requirement. However, Harvard is highly competitive, so it may be challenging to get in with a 3.7 GPA. The average GPA for entering Harvard students is 3.9.
Do Ivy Leagues accept 3.7 GPA? ›Yes, you can get into an Ivy League with a 3.7 GPA. Though, the lower your grade, the less your chances of getting into an Ivy League, but with a strong personal statement and a properly packaged application, you can get in with a grade even less than 3.7 GPA.
What are the three 3 C's in decision-making? ›Clarify= Clearly identify the decision to be made or the problem to be solved. Consider=Think about the possible choices and what would happen for each choice. Think about the positive and negative consequences for each choice. Choose=Choose the best choice!
What are 4 major reasons why decisions are difficult to make? ›Overall, common factors that make it harder to make decisions are complexity, uncertainty, and serious consequences, in addition to other factors, such as lack of self-confidence.
What is the most important factor in college admissions? ›Courses and Grades
A student's grades in college-preparatory classes remain the most significant factor in college admission decisions. Highly selective colleges look for students who: Complete core academic requirements.
Failure to meet high GPA or test score standards. Insufficient academic rigor. Lack of demonstrated interest. Application essay errors.
What to do if a college rejects you? ›Many students opt for one of the other schools on their list. But if you are determined to get into your first choice, you essentially have two options: attend another school and transfer or reapply after taking a gap year. The good news: you can get accepted into a college after being denied.
Can you reapply to a college after getting rejected? ›
In most cases, yes! You can usually reapply to a college after being rejected. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, so you will want to ask the admissions office about their procedures for reapplying before potentially wasting your time on another application.
What major requires the lowest GPA? ›Science majors tend to have lower GPAs on average, with chemistry being the major with the lowest average GPA. Meanwhile, education majors earn the highest GPAs on average.
What's the lowest GPA you can have? ›What Is the Lowest GPA You Can Get? Most high schools measure grades on a scale of 0.0 to 4.0. The highest unweighted grade point average you can earn is a 4.0, which is an A average. While a 0.0 is technically the lowest GPA possible, with an F average, a 1.0 is generally considered the lowest passing grade.
What is the average GPA that colleges look for in students? ›What is the average GPA for college admission? While admissions officers base acceptance on several factors, the average GPA for college admission is between 3.5 and 4.0. Even if you don't have this GPA, you may gain acceptance with a lower GPA from a less selective school.
Is a 2.912 GPA good? ›A 2.9 GPA is equivalent to 84% or a B letter grade. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 2.9 is an okay GPA, just a tiny bit below average and with a few quick tips can easily be improved to stand out from the crowd.
How do you get a 10.03 GPA? ›For example, one student actually managed to get a 10.03 GPA score. He did this by taking 17 advanced classes at his school, which awarded him many points. The most common scale is from 0 to 4. This is also known as an unweighted scale, and it provides a more general scoring system with no numbers in between.
What percent of AVID students go to college? ›Of the more than 20,000 AVID graduates nationwide, 93% have gone on to college (Gomez, 2001). One study found, “students that participated in AVID were 20% more likely to participate in 4-year colleges and universities with the overall AVID college participation rate at 93%.
How are AVID students selected? ›Candidates for AVID are identified according to the following criteria: Ability—academic potential to succeed in college preparatory courses (GPA of 2.0-3.5). Desire and determination—desire to attend college, have a good attendance record and willingness to undertake demanding preparation for college.
How low of a GPA can you graduate with? ›for an undergraduate at most colleges, the lowest GPA accepted to graduate is a 2.0, and on the secondary level a student can graduate with a GPA as low at a D average or 1.0, and a passing grade on your state's competency exam.
Is AVID class worth it? ›According to the AVID website, first-generation low-income students who go through the program are much more likely to earn a bachelor's degree within six years than their peers nationwide without an AVID experience, at a rate of 42% to 11%.
What impresses college admissions? ›
Basically, there are six main factors that college admissions officers consider: AP classes and challenging course loads, high school GPAs, SAT and ACT scores (unless they are test-optional), meaningful extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement.
Do colleges read your entire essay? ›Yes, every college essay is read if the college has asked for it (and often even if they did not ask for it). The number of readers depends on the college's review process.
What do admissions officers look at first? ›Admissions officers look at “hard factors” (GPA, grades, and test scores) and “soft factors” (essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and demonstrated interest) to gain a full picture of applicants.
What are admissions officers looking for in recommendation letters? ›It should include any relevant projects or work you've done. Experiences that relate to your character and academic potential are helpful, too. The teacher should include specific details about their experiences with you. Letters of recommendations can be brief and bullet points are fine!
What traits do college admissions look for? ›- Curiosity. ...
- Persistence. ...
- Risk-taking. ...
- Compassion. ...
- open-mindedness. ...
- Social Consciousness. ...
- Creativity. ...
- Collaboration.
The specifics of the decision-making process depend on the school, but members of the admissions committee vote to decide whether an application is accepted, rejected, or needs further review.
Do college admissions look you up? ›Yes, college and university admissions departments can check up on teens and 20-somethings via public-facing social media platforms.
What is the lowest GPA to stay in college? ›OVERALL GPA POLICY
The most common overall GPA requirement is a 2.0. This means that a student's cumulative GPA from all terms, excluding grades received from other institutions, must be at least 2.0 at the end of each semester or quarter.
The average high school GPA of admitted students at Harvard is around 4.2. 73% of students had a GPA of at least 4.0, indicating that admitted students typically mostly earned A grades in high school. If you're studying the IB, this translates to scoring mostly 7s and achieving a minimum score of at least 42.
What GPA is a B+ at UF? ›Grades | Grade Points |
---|---|
A | 4.0 |
A- | 3.67 |
B+ | 3.33 |
B | 3.0 |
What was the lowest GPA accepted to Yale? ›
You should also have a 4.14 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Yale, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What is the hardest school to get into? ›Harvard, Stanford and Princeton, unsurprisingly, are America's toughest colleges to get into in 2023, according to Niche's most recent rankings.
What is the average GPA in America? ›The average high school GPA in the US is 3.0, which also accounts for roughly 35% of students who don't end up applying for college. However, for college applicants, the average GPA is more likely between 3.5 and 4.0.
Can I get into Harvard with 2 B's? ›Does Harvard Accept B Students? Yes, just like I mentioned above, it's completely possible to get admitted into Harvard University with B grades.
What's an excellent GPA? ›Most commonly, students graduate cum laude (Latin for "with praise") when they earn a 3.5-3.7 GPA, magna cum laude ("with great praise") when they earn a 3.7-3.9 GPA, and summa cum laude ("with highest praise") when they earn a 3.9 GPA or higher.
What GPA is required for Yale? ›GPA Requirements
Yale University does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admissions. However, admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.8 to 4.0, with an average GPA of 3.9.
- Challenging high school curriculum. ...
- Strong grades, especially in college preparatory coursework. ...
- Solid test scores on the SAT/ACT and SAT Subject Tests. ...
- Meaningful involvement in extracurricular activities. ...
- Well-conceived and well-written essays.
- 1) Availability of your College Major. ...
- 2) Availability of Professors Teaching the Course. ...
- 3) Student/Faculty Ratio. ...
- 4) Percentage of Students Who Graduate in 4 Years. ...
- 5) Quality of the Career Placement Department. ...
- 6) The Total Cost of College – Know it or be prepared to overpay.
Good grades, a challenging high school curriculum, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, and a strong essay are a few key factors admissions officers assess. Each university may emphasize different elements of the application process.
What is the most important factor in determining whether students attend college? ›Grades & Curriculum
Grades in college preparatory courses are by far the most important consideration in college admissions.
What are the 5 most important factors in deciding a college? ›
Before making your choice, consider these factors: cost, location, size, your interests, campus life, graduation rates, and the potential return on your investment. Once you make your decision, be sure to commit to the college by the deadline.
What is the single most important fact for the admission team to know about you? ›Academic Achievement
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important for college-bound students to understand that grades are the most important factor that colleges will consider when evaluating applications.
- Seriousness of Purpose (to pursue graduate education)
- Intellectual Ability (to handle graduate study)
- Intellectual Curiosity (about the field you wish to enter)
You should absolutely consider applying to a school you're interested in, even if you're worried about your test scores and grades. Colleges look at many factors when deciding which students to accept.
What is the first thing to do when applying for college? ›- Create a list of colleges you're interested in.
- Research and visit schools to narrow down the list.
- Fill out the FAFSA®, and consider finances and scholarship opportunities.
- Get letters of recommendations, if required.
- Take college admission tests.
The college officials will usually compare the two applications to see if any issues that concerned them the first time around have been resolved and also to ascertain whether information on the second application seems to conflict with earlier data. Some inconsistencies are to be expected.
What qualities do colleges look for? ›- Curiosity. ...
- Persistence. ...
- Risk-taking. ...
- Compassion. ...
- open-mindedness. ...
- Social Consciousness. ...
- Creativity. ...
- Collaboration.
Your first year and sophomore year affect your cumulative GPA, which is important to most colleges. However, a solid academic record in your junior year is likely to carry more importance with an admissions committee.
How do colleges pick students? ›Offers of admission are based on each school's enrollment objectives. Making admissions decisions is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Large state schools may use a test score and GPA formula. Highly selective schools may have multiple reviewers with many voices weighing in on a decision.
What happens if you get accepted to college but don't go? ›Most college acceptances have a kind of “expiration date” to them. For example, if you do not formally commit to attending the school by submitting a deposit, then your acceptance will be canceled for the year in which you applied. Schools will also rescind any financial aid packages they offered you.
Do college admissions look at attendance? ›
In the admissions process, colleges do not care about high school attendance and whether it's perfect or not. Instead, they place a higher priority on things like the difficulty of classes and one's GPA. Students should still make an effort to attend class regularly and arrive on time though.