DMD Program: Application Procedures
New application information for the 2007-2008 admissions cycle will be available in May 2007.
Penn Dental Medicine uses the American Dental Education Association's centralized
application service (AADSAS). Applicants must complete
the application electronically via the web at Associated American Dental Schools Application Service in order to expedite the application process. For more information or questions on this application, contact:
Associated American Dental Schools
Application Service (AADSAS)
1400 K Street NW,
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202-289-7201
800-353-2237
csraadsas@adea.org
Note: Because the quality of the applicant pool has improved
over the past several years (2,205 applications for the class entering
August 2006), it is highly recommended that applicants apply well in
advance of the deadline date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If your application will not be completed prior to the deadline, please
attach a statement to the Penn Dental Medicine Supplemental Application for Admission
explaining what documents will be submitted after the deadline and reasons
for their delay. Decisions to review late applications are at the discretion
of the Admissions Selection Committee.
Supplementary Admissions Requirements:
- Penn Dental Medicine Supplemental Application for Admission
Download the 2-part application documents and send the completed forms, along with the fee card (below) and nonrefundable $50 application fee to the address listed on the forms.
The Supplemental Application will be available for download in May 2007.
- Application Fee Card
Download the fee card and send the completed form, along with the 2-part application documents and nonrefundable $50 application fee to the address listed on the card. The Application Fee Card will be available for download in May 2007.
- Dental Admission Test (DAT) official scores
Applicants
must submit official scores by the deadline. Scores
from tests taken in 2003 and earlier will not be considered. Students
with strong academic records may be invited to interview at Penn Dental Medicine prior to receipt of individual score results. For test sites
and schedule, sample questions, and official score reports, contact:
The American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite
1846, Chicago, IL 60611-2678. Telephone: (800) 232-2162. Canadian
citizens and residents may submit Canadian DAT scores.
- Letters of recommendation/evaluation
Letters of evaluation/recommendation must be submitted from an institution in which you are currently enrolled, have completed a program, or have received a degree. If you have access to the services of a professional advisory committee, the composite recommendation letter of that committee should be submitted to fulfill the letters of evaluation/recommendation requirement. If you do not have access to the services of a professional advisory committee, you must submit two letters on your behalf from faculty in your academic major who know you and can evaluate your academic performance. Penn Dental Medicine does not require letters from science faculty unless you are a science major. Letters must be submitted on official stationary and signed by the evaluator/recommender. Additional letters may be submitted from employers, dentists, or from others with whom you have worked. Such letters cannot be submitted in lieu of the required letters. Although, it is preferred that all letters be sent directly to AADSAS, we will accept letters sent directly to Penn Dental Medicine's Office of Admissions. After December 1, 2006, please have letters forwarded directly to Penn Dental Medicine's Office of Admissions.
- Personal interview (by invitation only)
Personal interviews
are conducted at Penn Dental Medicine from September 2006 through March 2007.
- Official transcripts
All applicants must submit official transcripts to the AADSAS application service for verification. AADSAS applications will not be processed and sent to the individual schools until transcripts are received and verified. The Penn Dental Medicine Admissions Office requires official transcripts only from candidates who have been invited to interview. Please do not forward transcripts to the Penn Dental Medicine Admissions Office until notified to do so.
International Applicants
Course work from students who complete their degrees in countries other than the U.S. and Canada will be considered provided they include the foreign course work on their AADSAS applications. In addition, translated transcripts must be submitted to the Penn Dental Medicine Admissions Office in order to review the student's academic performance.
Although international students are not required to meet their minimum course prerequisites at a U.S. educational institution, preference will be given to those who have taken some course work in the U.S.
Supplementary Admissions Requirements
for Reapplicants
In addition to completing all application procedures, reapplicants must
also submit a statement describing any changes from previous applications
relating to course work, grades, DAT scores, employment, and predental
experience. This statement should be attached to the Supplemental Application
for Admission. Serious consideration will be given to reapplicants who
have completed additional course (full course loads) with exceptional
academic records or completed an advanced degree. In situations where
the Committee has concerns about vocational orientation, students should
demonstrate extensive predental experience. DAT scores from 2003 and
earlier will not be considered. Additional letters of support may be
submitted from employers or professors who are familiar with recent
work experience or course work.
The Admissions Process
The Admissions Selection Committee will review applications beginning
Summer 2006. Selected applicants will be invited for a tour and an interview
at Penn Dental Medicine based upon information from the AADSAS application, the
Penn Dental Medicine Supplemental Application for Admission, and letters of recommendation/evaluation.
Interviews are held weekly from mid-September through March at Penn Dental Medicine. There are no regional interviews. Travel and lodging information
is included with the interview invitation. Due to the large volume of
candidates, we are unable to interview all qualified candidates. Every
attempt is made to interview as many qualified applicants as possible
within the admissions interview calendar. The Admissions Selection Committee
issues acceptances on a rolling basis beginning December 1, 2006 and continuing
through mid-August. Accepted candidates are obliged to make a deposit
of $500 to an offer of admission within the following schedule:
- 45 days after notification if received on or after 12/1/2006
- 30 days after notification if received on or after 1/1/2007
- 15 days after notification if received on or after 2/1/2007
- 10 days after notification if received on or after 5/1/2007*
An additional deposit of $500 is due on May 1, 2007 to
continue to reserve a place in the class entering August 2007. Both
deposits are non-refundable and are credited toward the first semester
tuition payment.
* Candidates accepted on or after May 1 are obligated
to make one deposit totaling $1,000.
