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Application Process
- Submit AADSAS Application beginning June 4, 2024. Preference is given to candidates who apply early.
- Submit transcripts to AADSAS from each undergraduate school you attended.
- Applicants must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and score at least a 15 Academic Average (DAT) to be considered.
- Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is required for admissions.
- DAT scores are automatically sent to AADSAS.
- Students accepted to Iowa in the past year have an Academic Average of 21 and a Perceptual Ability of 21. National average for admitted D1 students at all dental schools is a 20.8 Academic Average and 20.6 Perceptual Ability.
- DAT scores within 3 years of the application cycle are accepted.
- It is recommended that you complete the DAT prior to submitting your AADSAS application.
- Submitted AADSAS applications will not be reviewed until official DAT scores are received.
- You must wait 60 days before retaking the DAT.
- Visit the ADA DAT Guide for more information.
- Letters of Evaluation/Recommendation:
- Uploaded directly to AADSAS; letters are not accepted outside the AADSAS application.
- Applicant designates in AADSAS who is writing the letters; AADSAS then contacts the writer with further instructions.
- 3 letters required; 1 additional letter may be submitted; no more than 4 letters total.
- Letters should be on letterhead, signed and dated.
- Letters from an instructor, faculty member, dentist, academic advisor, or employer are typical. Information about applicant’s non-academic characteristics may be helpful as well.
- Job Shadowing: There is no minimum requirement for hours. We like to see depth and breadth of shadowing experiences. The more practitioners you observe, the more exposure you will have to a variety of philosophies on running a business, patient interaction, specialty areas, etc.
- We do not have a supplemental application. We do have institutional specific questions on the AADSAS application.
- Completed AADSAS applications must be submitted to the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) by September 15.
Once You Apply
- An email from the College of Dentistry will be sent to you after we receive your AADSAS application.
- Status updates on your application are by email only. No additional information will be available by phone.
- Your application is reviewed by our Admissions Committee once all materials (application, DAT scores, letters of evaluation, official transcripts) are verified by AADSAS.
- Applications that are incomplete will be cancelled after September 30.
Interviews
The Admissions Committee conducts a review of all application materials to determine if a candidate will be invited to interview.
- If you are selected for an interview, you will receive an email from the College of Dentistry. At this point, we require a processing fee of $60 for US Residents, $100 for International applicants.
- Applicants invited to interview must schedule their interview within two weeks of receiving an interview invitation.
- Interview dates are on a first come, first serve basis on dates scheduled throughout the fall application cycle.
- Applicants who sign up for an interview date and do not show will have their application canceled immediately.
- December 15 is the earliest date to receive an acceptance letter.
- The College of Dentistry requires a $500 deposit to reserve a seat in the upcoming class.
- Satisfactory collegiate review of a background check obtained by the University of Iowa College of Dentistry is required.