DMD Admissions

Admissions Package

A completed application includes: 

• AADSAS application: Complete and submit your AADSAS application.
• Official transcripts: Send your official transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended to AADSAS.
• Letters of evaluation: Submit letters of evaluation through AADSAS. You need either three individual letters or one from a Pre-Health committee. At least two of the three letters must be from science professors who can speak to your academic abilities and potential for success. You may also submit a fourth letter, often from a dentist you have shadowed. We do not accept personal references, such as from family, friends or pastors. If you have more than four letters, have your recommender email the additional letter directly to the Admissions.
• Official DAT scores: Submit your official DAT scores via AADSAS. Scores from the U.S. or Canada are accepted.
• HSDM application fee: A non-refundable application fee of $95 (U.S. funds) must be paid online after your application is processed. Instructions will be emailed to you. The deadline for fee submission is January 1, 2027. Include your name and AADSAS ID on your payment. Cash payments are not accepted.

Fee waiver eligibility

You may qualify for a waiver of the HSDM application fee if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You have received an ADEA AADSAS fee waiver.
• You are a member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• You are a CSTEP student at the University of Buffalo.

To apply for a fee waiver, please email Admissions with a copy of your ADEA AADSAS fee waiver, proof of military service, or documentation of your participation in the CSTEP program. 

When to apply

• Mid-June: Application processing starts. Candidates will receive emails for:
  • Acknowledgment of application receipt
  • A list of any missing materials (one-time)
  • Notification when your application is complete and sent to the Admissions Committee
• December 15, 2026: HSDM's deadline to apply for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle
• January 1, 2027: Applications must be completed by this date to be considered for admission; incomplete applications after this date will be denied.

Interview

• September–February: Interviews take place for selected candidates who will receive an email invitation with scheduling details. Invited candidates will be emailed the HSDM Supplemental Questionnaire (not available online) to complete before their interview. 

Admission offers

• December 15, 2026: First acceptance notifications released and continue on a rolling basis until the class is full. The selection process is usually completed by the end of February. Additional acceptances will be extended if seats become available.
• Waitlisted candidates are notified by March. Waitlisted candidates remain under consideration until the class matriculates in early August. The waitlist is not ranked. 

2026-2027 interview schedule

Interviews are a vital component of our admissions process, offering candidates the chance to showcase their knowledge, experience, and fit for the program, as well as their potential contributions to the field of dentistry. Our interviews are designed to be conversational, allowing candidates to engage meaningfully with faculty, alumni, students, and staff during their visit.

Interview process overview

Interviews are conducted by invitation only and are held during the fall and spring seasons. Candidates invited to interview will receive a supplemental application to complete prior to the first of two possible interviews. 

• Fall interviews (conducted on two days): The first interview is conducted virtually. The second interview may be either virtual or in-person, depending on the candidate's preference. Not all candidates will receive a second interview.
• Spring interviews (conducted on the same day): Both interviews are conducted virtually on the same day.

What to expect

• In-person interview
  • One-on-one interview with an admissions committee member.
  • Includes lunch, a campus tour with current students, and opportunities to interact with faculty and staff.
  • Includes a virtual student panel and financial aid information session.
• Virtual Interview:
  • One-on-one interview with an admissions committee member.
  • Includes a virtual student panel and financial aid information session. 

Letters of evaluation are submitted through AADSAS. Applicants need three individual letters or a Pre-Health committee letter. At least two of the three letters must be from science professors (biology, chemistry, and physics-related courses) who can speak to the candidate's academic abilities and potential for success. Candidates may also submit an optional fourth letter (e.g., from a dentist the candidate shadowed). We do not accept personal references (e.g., family members, friends, or pastors). Any additional letters of evaluation should be emailed directly to the Admissions Office by the recommender or via Interfolio.

We understand that many schools offer students the option to take courses for pass/fail credit, or may have transitioned entirely to a pass/fail curriculum during the pandemic. HSDM will accept pass/fail credit for the following semesters: spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021, summer 2021.

Admissions will consider DAT scores valid for two years from the start of the application cycle. For 2026-2027 applicants, HSDM will accept DAT scores taken after June 1, 2024. Submit your official DAT scores via AADSAS.

Please note that HSDM accepts the Canadian Dental Aptitude Test (CDAT). To expedite the initial review of your application, email your unofficial CDAT score report to DMD Admissions as soon as you receive it. Please be aware that the Admissions Committee requires official CDAT scores before any final admission decisions are released.

Designed for internationally trained dentists, this program allows qualified applicants to join the DMD curriculum at an advanced level and complete their degree at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.