You do not need to have all of your prerequisites completed before appling. If admitted, you must have completed all of your prerequisites before matriculating.

There is no expiration date for prerequisites.

Yes.

If your undergraduate institution accepted the credit and it is on your transcript, then yes. You may also visit University of Iowa Transfer Courses

We accept online lecture classes and labs from accredited U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities.

Neither an anatomy class nor a physiology class is required, but many of our current students have found them helpful.

Physics is the one prerequisite not included on the DAT. All prerequisite courses must be completed and passed before matriculation. We encourage you not to delay physics, or any of the other prerequisites as our Admissions Committee will review your transcripts and courses when you apply.

Our admissions committee does not give preferential consideration to those candidates who have earned a degree, or will be graduating, from the University of Iowa.

No. There is no required undergraduate major area of study for admittance. Visit our entering class profile to view the undergraduate majors of the entering class of dental students. 

Our entering class profile shows 75% of students are math/science majors. We welcome all academic majors including social science, business, engineering, and arts/humanities.

You must have a minimum 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.5 minimum Science GPA, as calculated by ADEA AADSAS, for admission consideration.

Please see our entering class profile for the average Total GPA and average Science GPA. We utilize a holistic review of applicants and will evaluate more than just your scores. 

Refer to the ADEA AADSAS Applicant Help Center to see how ADEA AADSAS will calculate your GPA. 

All applicants must complete the prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university with a grade of C or higher no later than June 30 of the intended entering year.

Grades of C- or lower and courses taken pass/fail or credit/no credit will not be considered as meeting the prerequisite requirement.

Only DAT scores from tests taken in 2022, 2023, 2024 will be considered for Fall 2025 admission.

In order to be considered, you must have a DAT Academic Average: 15 minimum score on the most recent test date.

Please see our entering class profile. We utilize a holistic review of applicants and will evaluate more than just your scores. 

The Canadian DAT is acceptable for Canadian applicants.

Although most applicants choose to pursue an undergraduate degree, only our prerequisite courses are required to be passed and completed for admission.

Research experience is not a requirement.

Refer to the regulations and administrative guidelines governing the classification of residents and nonresidents for admission and tuition purposes published on the University of Iowa Office of the Registrar website.

• Applications for Resident Classification for Tuition and Fee Purposes. 
• If you have questions:
  • Email: registrar-residency@uiowa.edu
  • Phone: 319-335-0223.

No. If you already have a dental degree from another country, you may be eligible for Iowa's Advanced Standing Program. 

If you have questions, please contact Kelly Smith via email kelly-smith@uiowa.edu or phone 319-353-4485.

Community college courses can be used to meet prerequisite course requirements and minimum hour admission requirements.

We do not accept transfer students due to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry's education model.

Our Admissions Committee looks for candidates who not only display academic success, but who also display a level of personal growth through life experiences. Pursue leadership opportunities and describe those experiences in detail on your application. While academic success is important, our Admissions Committee also appreciates applicants with diverse backgrounds.

There are 70+ accredited dental programs in the United States. On average an applicant applies to 10 dental schools. You could apply just to Iowa, or to all 70+ dental schools. ​

We advise that you contact your local dentist and other area dentists to find out if they have shadowing opportunities.

The University of Iowa has a Pre-Dental Club and we cover this material. You can also check to see if your institution has a similar program. 

The sooner you submit your application, the sooner you will hear if you have been selected for an interview. Our application process is on a rolling basis, and we work quickly to fill our class. However, the first date any dental school can communicate an acceptance is December 13, 2024.

A candidate can check on their application status online at the AADSAS application portal.