Admissions Requirements and Procedures
We are still accepting applications for our August 2023 cohort. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis; you are encouraged to apply as early as possible to maximize your chance for admission. Our priority application date for our January 2024 cohort is October 20, 2023. Candidates that submit their completed application materials, all supporting documents, and an application fee will receive the strongest consideration to the program.
Applicants are required to have a dental degree (BDS, DDS, DMD or equivalent). Advanced dental training and/or clinical practice experience beyond a dental degree is preferred, but not required.
Applicants to the MADS Program at Penn Dental Medicine may be foreign nationals, United States citizens, or hold United States Lawful Permanent Resident status. Matriculation requires compliance with Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulations as determined by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. University of Pennsylvania International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) website has detailed information.
The requirements for application will follow those used for advanced dental education programs at Penn Dental Medicine.
Program Application – All applicants must submit an application through Slate application service. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis; you are encouraged to apply as early as possible to maximize your chance for admission.
Application Fee – The non-refundable application fee is $80. Payment can be made through Slate application service.
Letters of Recommendation –Two letters of recommendation from those who know your academic and professional qualifications are required. Recommenders should be chosen from people most familiar with your former studies, research interests, or work, preferably at least one faculty member in the institution you last attended. We prefer recommendations from instructors familiar with your work in the field in which you expect to study.
Official TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Score – An official TOEFL score is required for all applicants who completed their dental degree at a non U.S. or Canadian CODA accredited dental school. TOEFL scores are valid for two calendar years prior to the program’s application deadline. Penn Dental Medicine only accepts the Internet-Based iBT exam. In order for scores to be considered official, Penn Dental Medicine must receive your electronic TOEFL scores directly from ETS. Instructions for ordering official TOEFL scores are available on the ETS TOEFL website. Penn Dental Medicine’s institution code is 2944. Please use the institution code when requesting your official scores to ensure that we receive them as efficiently as possible. Photocopies or paper copies of scores will not meet this requirement. Applicants whose native language is English, or whose primary language of instruction was in English in high school through dental school and/or postdoctoral training, are waived from this requirement.
Official Transcripts – For domestic students, please submit electronic transcripts directly from the accredited U.S. college and university.
Applicants who do not have a U.S. DMD/DDS (e.g. individuals holding a BDS or other international dental degrees) must provide additional documentation in order to be considered for admission. This additional documentation requires evaluation of their academic credentials by an approved agency. Please upload a copy of your transcripts that have been evaluated by Education Credential Evaluators (ECE). NOTE: If your transcript is not in English, it must be translated into English as well as evaluated on a course-by-course basis and notary-certified
Please DO NOT send any transcripts, CVs, Portfolios to Penn Dental Medicine.
Application Process
The MADS Admissions Selection Committee will review completed applications on a rolling basis. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis; you are encouraged to apply as early as possible to maximize your chance for admission. Interviews will begin in April and final decisions will be communicated in early June. All admitted candidates will be notified by email.
Final decisions for acceptance are based upon the following:
- undergraduate/postgraduate coursework
- clinical experience
- letters of recommendation
- interviews
The applicants will be selected by an admissions committee.