collageAre you one of the students who has completed the pre-dental courses and is looking forward to further education? If yes, then you should know some information about unlv dental school admission statistics, unlv dental school gpa requirements and unlv dental school acceptance rate. Knowing this data will help you in getting more details on the unlv dental school.
Students who are on the lookout for unlv dental school admission statistics and unlv dental school gpa requirements will be delighted to know that we have put together the unlv dental school acceptance rate. By accessing this page, you will get all of the above details and more at ease.
unlv dental school admissions
Students within the School of Dental Medicine are able to pursue a four-year Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, a two-year Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, a dual degree in public health (DMD/MPH) or business administration (DMD/MBA), a combined PhD or master’s in oral biology and certificate program in orthodontics, as well as two other residency certificate programs in general practice or pediatric dentistry.
You can find so much misinformation about unlv dental school admissions on the Internet that you may find it exhausting to search for credible information. For reliable information on unlv dental school admissions, this article is the place to go.
unlv dental school admissions, unlv dental school tuition, unlv dental school acceptance rate, unlv dental school appointments, unlv dental school cost, and unlv dental school ranking can be found along with posts relevant to those terms on our site.
Application Requirements
Prerequisites
All prerequisite courses and units must be completed by July of the year you intend to enroll. However, we highly recommend that applicants complete prerequisite courses prior to filing their application or taking the Dental Admission Test.
- 1 year of General Biology with lab
- 1 year of General Chemistry with lab
- 1 year of Organic Chemistry with lab
- 1 year of General Physics with lab
- 1 semester or 2 quarters of Human Anatomy, or 1 full year or three quarters of Anatomy and Physiology with lab
- 1 semester or 2 quarters of Biochemistry
- 1 year of English
A minimum of 90 semester units, or the equivalent completed or in-progress at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. Thirty of the 90 semester units must be completed at a four-year institution.
Applying to the Dental School
- American Dental Education Association Application The UNLV School of Dental Medicine participates in the American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) Application Service—AADSAS. For application and procedures, please refer to their website. The application deadline is January 1 of the year you intend to enroll.
- Supplemental Application to the UNLV School of Dental Medicine In addition to the AADSAS application, applicants should submit the UNLV SDM supplemental application along with the $75 processing fee. The supplemental application is a required component that along with your AADSAS application will complete your file and allow your application to enter the UNLV SDM Admissions Committee review process. You must also complete the registration pages located on the UNLV Graduate College website. First time users should click “New User” below the login icon. Users will be prompted to enter an email address and password.
- Dental Admissions Test Scores All applicants applying to dental schools are required to take this test as part of the application process. The DAT is administered through the Prometric Testing Centers located throughout the United States. The Canadian DAT is not accepted. For more information, please write or call the American Dental Association’s Division of Educational Measurements at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, 800-232-1694. We recommended that applicants take the DAT as soon as possible. If your application file is missing your DAT scores, the admissions committee will be unable to review your application for admittance. Scores prior to 2018 will not be considered.
- Letters of Evaluation A letter of evaluation from a college’s pre-health professions committee will satisfy this requirement. If the applicant’s university does not have a committee, he or she must submit four individual letters of evaluation. Two of the letters must be from hard science professors, the third letter must be from a dentist with whom the applicant has shadowed or worked, and the fourth may be from a liberal arts professor, employer, pastor, etc
- Official Transcripts As part of the AADSAS application, transcripts must be submitted from all colleges and institutions attended. Prior to matriculation, accepted students must again submit official transcripts from all colleges and institutions attended to verify prerequisites and degrees.
- Interview After a preliminary review of the AADSAS and supplemental applications, eligible candidates will be extended an invitation for an interview. The Admissions Committee will make the final selection.
*Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
If English is not your native language and you have not attended an English-speaking institution for four or more years, you must demonstrate proficiency. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum scores are as follows:
- Paper-Based (PBT) Minimum Score: 550
- Computer-Based Minimum Score: 213
- Internet-Based (iBT) Minimum Score: 80
The TOEFL ID number for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is 4861. To obtain more information about the TOEFL, contact TOEFL/TSE, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, 609-921-9000.
Foreign-Trained Applicants
UNLV School of Dental Medicine offers a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, which is a two-year (6-semester) fast-track program for dentists who graduated from non-U.S. accredited dental schools. It enables dentists who were trained in non-U.S. accredited institutions to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to practice in the United States. Additional information can be found on the DDS admissions section.
unlv dental school gpa requirements
The University of Nevada – Las Vegas’ (UNLV) dental school is competitive, with only 82 students being admitted each year.
Competitive scores for admission to the UNLV dental school are a 3.4 GPA or higher, and Dental Admissions Test (DAT) scores of 19-20. The UNLV dental school admissions department recommends that applicants who wish to be competitive for admissions take additional upper division biology courses in addition to prerequisites in order to prepare for the first year of the dental program. UNLV does not require students to hold a bachelor’s degree for admissions, but applicants who only meet the 90 credit and prerequisites requirement will be at a disadvantage for admissions compares to applicants who hold a degree. Most applicants to UNLV’s dental school have degrees in the sciences. Those applicants who retake the Dental Admissions test (DAT) will have the highest score in each section counted for admissions evaluation.
unlv dental school acceptance rate
Prerequisites
All prerequisite courses and units must be completed by July of the year you intend to enroll. However, we highly recommend that applicants complete prerequisite courses prior to filing their application or taking the Dental Admission Test.
- 1 year of General Biology with lab
- 1 year of General Chemistry with lab
- 1 year of Organic Chemistry with lab
- 1 year of General Physics with lab
- 1 semester or 2 quarters of Human Anatomy, or 1 full year or three quarters of Anatomy and Physiology with lab
- 1 semester or 2 quarters of Biochemistry
- 1 year of English
A minimum of 90 semester units, or the equivalent completed or in-progress at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. Thirty of the 90 semester units must be completed at a four-year institution.
Applying to the Dental School
- American Dental Education Association ApplicationThe UNLV School of Dental Medicine participates in the American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) Application Service—AADSAS. For application and procedures, please refer to their website. The application deadline is January 1 of the year you intend to enroll.
- Supplemental Application to the UNLV School of Dental MedicineIn addition to the AADSAS application, applicants should submit the UNLV SDM supplemental application along with the $75 processing fee. The supplemental application is a required component that along with your AADSAS application will complete your file and allow your application to enter the UNLV SDM Admissions Committee review process. You must also complete the registration pages located on the UNLV Graduate College website. First time users should click “New User” below the login icon. Users will be prompted to enter an email address and password.
- Dental Admissions Test ScoresAll applicants applying to dental schools are required to take this test as part of the application process. The DAT is administered through the Prometric Testing Centers located throughout the United States. The Canadian DAT is not accepted. For more information, please write or call the American Dental Association’s Division of Educational Measurements at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, 800-232-1694.We recommended that applicants take the DAT as soon as possible. If your application file is missing your DAT scores, the admissions committee will be unable to review your application for admittance. Scores prior to 2018 will not be considered.
- Letters of EvaluationA letter of evaluation from a college’s pre-health professions committee will satisfy this requirement. If the applicant’s university does not have a committee, he or she must submit four individual letters of evaluation. Two of the letters must be from hard science professors, the third letter must be from a dentist with whom the applicant has shadowed or worked, and the fourth may be from a liberal arts professor, employer, pastor, etc
- Official TranscriptsAs part of the AADSAS application, transcripts must be submitted from all colleges and institutions attended. Prior to matriculation, accepted students must again submit official transcripts from all colleges and institutions attended to verify prerequisites and degrees.
- InterviewAfter a preliminary review of the AADSAS and supplemental applications, eligible candidates will be extended an invitation for an interview. The Admissions Committee will make the final selection.
unlv dental school admission statistics
In addition to being accepted to the UNLV Graduate College, prospective students must meet the following criteria.
- Must have passed Parts I and II National Dental Board Examination or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE).
- Must have earned a DMD/DDS degree from a program in the US or Canada that is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
- Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the U.S., or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university.
- Must be eligible for a Nevada state dental license and receive a full or limited dental license from the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners prior to engaging in any clinical activity.
- Application through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) including specified letters of recommendations.
- Background and criminal checks as required.
- Medical history, immunizations and physicals as required.
All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
School of Dental Medicine Admissions Timeline
| Month | Year | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2021 | Begin requesting letters of evaluation: one from a pre-health professions committee or four from individual professors—at least 2 from science professors, 1 from a liberal arts professor, employer, pastor, etc., and one from a dentist (total of 4 letters) Prepare personal statement for AADSAS application. Prepare for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). |
| Summer | 2021 | Shadow a dentist(s) and/or specialist(s). |
| May/June | 2021 | AADSAS online application available from American Dental Education Association (ADEA) website. UNLV Supplemental application available through Grad Rebel Gateway. |
| July | 2021 | Take Dental Admissions Test no later than this date. |
| Sept. | 2021 | Interviews begin and take place through February. |
| Dec. | 2021 | Letters of acceptance mailed to qualified candidates. For status of application, check AADSAS website or call the office. |
| Jan. | 2022 | UNLV AADSAS Application deadline. |
| Feb. | 2022 | Deadline to submit all other supporting documentation. |
| Sept. | 2022 | Classes begin. |
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their application is complete and all supporting documents have been received by our office. Only complete files will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee for interview decisions.
Academic Admissions
Students within the School of Dental Medicine are able to pursue a four-year Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, a two-year Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, a dual degree in public health (DMD/MPH) or business administration (DMD/MBA), a combined PhD or master’s in oral biology and certificate program in orthodontics, as well as two other residency certificate programs in general practice or pediatric dentistry.
Doctor of Dental Medicine (4-year program)
The School of Dental Medicine admits 80 students each year to its Doctor of Dental Medicine program. Classes begin during the fall semester. The application process begins during spring of the previous year.
Successful School of Dental Medicine graduates will earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and be eligible to sit for the state licensure exam.
The School of Dental Medicine does not expressly or implicitly guarantee a license to practice dentistry upon admission to or graduation from the school. Licensure is the exclusive right and responsibility of the State Boards of Dentistry in each state. Students must satisfy the requirements of each state’s regulatory body independently of any college or school requirements for graduation.
COVID-19 Admissions Announcements
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following exceptions and considerations will be taken regarding requirements to the UNLV School of Dental Medicine application process for the next admissions cycle(s). As developments or changes occur, we will update the admissions information on this website.
DAT Test Scores
We recommend taking the DAT no later than October. However, we will work with each applicant on a case-by-case basis.
Online Prerequisite Coursework
Online courses may be acceptable for the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters given the transition of many colleges from in-person instruction to online instruction.
Pass/Fail Prerequisite Coursework
Given that some colleges/universities have required Pass/Fail grades, and others have made it optional, all applications will be reviewed without prejudice. However, we recommend taking prerequisite courses for letter grades if given the option for the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters only.
Application Deadline
AADSAS application deadline remains January 1, 2022.
All operations are currently stationed remotely, so the preferred method for receiving inquiries is via email. For questions, concerns, or additional details, please email unlvdentsch@unlv.edu.
COVID-19 Admissions Announcements
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following exceptions and considerations will be taken regarding requirements to the UNLV School of Dental Medicine application process for the next admissions cycle(s). As developments or changes occur, we will update the admissions information on this website.
DAT Test Scores
We recommend taking the DAT no later than October. However, we will work with each applicant on a case-by-case basis.
Online Prerequisite Coursework
Online courses may be acceptable for the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters given the transition of many colleges from in-person instruction to online instruction.
Pass/Fail Prerequisite Coursework
Given that some colleges/universities have required Pass/Fail grades, and others have made it optional, all applications will be reviewed without prejudice. However, we recommend taking prerequisite courses for letter grades if given the option for the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters only.
Application Deadline
AADSAS application deadline remains January 1, 2022.
All operations are currently stationed remotely, so the preferred method for receiving inquiries is via email. For questions, concerns, or additional details, please email unlvdentsch@unlv.edu.
COVID-19 Admissions Announcements
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following exceptions and considerations will be taken regarding requirements to the UNLV School of Dental Medicine application process for the next admissions cycle(s). As developments or changes occur, we will update the admissions information on this website.
DAT Test Scores
We recommend taking the DAT no later than October. However, we will work with each applicant on a case-by-case basis.
Online Prerequisite Coursework
Online courses may be acceptable for the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters given the transition of many colleges from in-person instruction to online instruction.
Pass/Fail Prerequisite Coursework
Given that some colleges/universities have required Pass/Fail grades, and others have made it optional, all applications will be reviewed without prejudice. However, we recommend taking prerequisite courses for letter grades if given the option for the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters only.
Application Deadline
AADSAS application deadline remains January 1, 2022.
All operations are currently stationed remotely, so the preferred method for receiving inquiries is via email. For questions, concerns, or additional details, please email unlvdentsch@unlv.edu.
COVID-19 Admissions Announcements
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following exceptions and considerations will be taken regarding requirements to the UNLV School of Dental Medicine application process for the next admissions cycle(s). As developments or changes occur, we will update the admissions information on this website.
DAT Test Scores
We recommend taking the DAT no later than October. However, we will work with each applicant on a case-by-case basis.
Online Prerequisite Coursework
Online courses may be acceptable for the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters given the transition of many colleges from in-person instruction to online instruction.
Pass/Fail Prerequisite Coursework
Given that some colleges/universities have required Pass/Fail grades, and others have made it optional, all applications will be reviewed without prejudice. However, we recommend taking prerequisite courses for letter grades if given the option for the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters only.
Application Deadline
AADSAS application deadline remains January 1, 2022.
All operations are currently stationed remotely, so the preferred method for receiving inquiries is via email. For questions, concerns, or additional details, please email unlvdentsch@unlv.edu.
Contact
DMD Contact
University of Nevada Las Vegas
School of Dental Medicine
Office of Student Affairs
Shadow Lane Campus
1001 Shadow Lane MS 7411
Las Vegas NV 89106-4124
Email: unlvdentsch@unlv.edu
Phone: 702-774-2520
Contact
DMD Contact
University of Nevada Las Vegas
School of Dental Medicine
Office of Student Affairs
Shadow Lane Campus
1001 Shadow Lane MS 7411
Las Vegas NV 89106-4124
Email: unlvdentsch@unlv.edu
Phone: 702-774-2520
Tuition
2020–2021 Tuition & Fees
The following is comprised of tuition and fees (billed costs), including registration fees, dental school fees, mandatory health insurance (billed annually) and mandatory UNLV student fees. Actual tuition and fees billed for the 2020-21 academic year appear below. Tuition and fees are established by the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents and are subject to change without notice.
D.M.D. Program
| MANDATORY CHARGES | 1st Year Pre-Doc | 2nd Year Pre-Doc | 3rd Year Pre-Doc | 4th Year Pre-Doc | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | |
| I. Pre-Doc Registration Fees and Nonresident Tuition | ||||||||
| Registration Fee | ||||||||
| General Fund | $37,389 | $37,389 | $37,389 | $37,389 | $37,389 | $37,389 | $24,926 | $24,926 |
| General Improvement | $396 | $396 | $396 | $396 | $396 | $396 | $264 | $264 |
| Capital Improvement | $336 | $336 | $336 | $336 | $336 | $336 | $224 | $224 |
| Activities & Programs: Athletic Complex | $90 | $90 | $90 | $90 | $90 | $90 | $60 | $60 |
| Activities & Programs: Student Union | $54 | $54 | $54 | $54 | $54 | $54 | $36 | $36 |
| Activities & Programs Dental Student Activity Fee | $45 | $45 | $45 | $45 | $45 | $45 | $30 | $30 |
| Student Association | $45 | $45 | $45 | $45 | $45 | $45 | $30 | $30 |
| Student Access | $1,449 | $1,449 | $1,449 | $1,449 | $1,449 | $1,449 | $966 | $966 |
| Financial Aid | $438 | $438 | $438 | $438 | $438 | $438 | $292 | $292 |
| Nonresident Tuition | $39,735 | $39,735 | $39,735 | $26,490 |
| MANDATORY CHARGES | 1st Year Pre-Doc | 2nd Year Pre-Doc | 3rd Year Pre-Doc | 4th Year Pre-Doc | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | |
| II. Dental School Fees | ||||||||
| Special Fee | $15,300 | $15,300 | $15,300 | $15,300 | $15,300 | $15,300 | $10,200 | $10,200 |
| Activity Fee | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 | $100 | $100 |
| MANDATORY CHARGES | 1st Year Pre-Doc | 2nd Year Pre-Doc | 3rd Year Pre-Doc | 4th Year Pre-Doc | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | |
| III. Mandatory Health Insurance (Annual) | ||||||||
| Student Only | $2,639 | $2,639 | $2,639 | $2,639 | $2,639 | $2,639 | $2,639 | $2,639 |
| MANDATORY CHARGES | 1st Year Pre-Doc | 2nd Year Pre-Doc | 3rd Year Pre-Doc | 4th Year Pre-Doc | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | Resident | Nonresident | |
| IV. UNLV Student Fees | ||||||||
| Dental Grad School Association | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 | $50 | $50 |
| Technology Fee | $825 | $825 | $825 | $825 | $825 | $825 | $550 | $550 |
| Facility Fee | $433 | $433 | $433 | $433 | $433 | $433 | $346 | $346 |
| Student Health Fee | $233 | $233 | $233 | $233 | $233 | $233 | $186 | $186 |
| Mental Health Fee | $63 | $63 | $63 | $63 | $63 | $63 | $50 | $50 |
| Recycling Fee | $2 | $2 | $2 | $2 | $2 | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| International Student Fee | $4 | $4 | $4 | $4 | $4 | $4 | $4 | $4 |
| TOTAL | $59,966 | $99,701 | $59,966 | $99,701 | $59,966 | $99,701 | $40,955 | $67,445 |
Doctor of Dental Surgery (2-year program)
The Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) program is a two-year (six-semester) advanced standing program for dentists from non-CODA-accredited dental schools who are interested in gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to be eligible to practice in the United States after successful regional licensing board completion.
COVID-19 Admissions Announcements
Title IX Statement
Program Overview
Application
Contacts
State Dental Boards
Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and a Doctor of Philosophy in Oral Biology
The Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics offers a 60-month combined doctorate degree and certificate residency program. The class size is two residents per year and begins in July of each year. The program is designed to offer a broad spectrum of didactic, clinical, research, and teaching experience in the field of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. The emphasis of this program is the development of researchers that will further the scientific advancement in scholarly research, foster innovation and creativity, and support investigations that will further the understanding of clinical practice in oral health.
Students accepted into the Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics program will also be enrolled to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in oral biology. This is a combined program within the dental school. The doctoral degree is not open for enrollment independent of the certificate program.
Application
Admissions
Contact
State Dental Boards
Master of Business Administration & Doctor of Dental Medicine (dual degree)
The dual Master of Business Administration and Doctorate of Dental Medicine (MBA and DMD) program is designed for those who seek business leadership opportunities within the field of dentistry. The program develops leaders in dentistry by providing students with the needed skills, knowledge, and tools to become outstanding dental leaders. The program provides students with a competitive edge in business and expanded earning power for those practicing dentistry. The dual degree requires that the student apply to and satisfy the degree requirements of both programs.
Program Overview
Application
Application Fees
Contact
GMAT (The Graduate Management Admissions Test)
Transcripts
Additional University Requirements
Admissions
State Dental Boards
Master of Public Health & Doctor of Dental Medicine (dual degree)
The Master of Public Health & Doctorate in Dental Medicine track allows students in the UNLV School of Dental Medicine to gain a deeper understanding of disease prevention, medical delivery, and health promotion at an individual and population level within the field of dentistry.
Program Overview
Application
Contact
Admissions
State Dental Boards
Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics in conjunction with a Master of Science in Oral Biology
The 34-month Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Residency Program begins during July each year and integrates biomedical sciences and clinical sciences to provide a unique opportunity to earn a Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics in conjunction with a Master of Science degree in Oral Biology.
Six residents are admitted each year and those who graduate will be able to successfully complete all examinations and case presentations required for board certification and to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Students accepted into the Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics program will also be enrolled to earn a Master of Science in oral biology. This is a combined program within the dental school. The master’s degree is not open for enrollment independent of the certificate program.
Program Overview
Program Expenses
Accreditation
Application
Contact
Admissions
State Dental Boards
Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry
The 24-month pediatric dentistry program integrates biomedical and clinical sciences, and advanced technology to develop outstanding pediatric dental specialists. Six dentists are selected each year for this advanced education program, who earn a certificate in pediatric dentistry upon completion.
Program Overview
Application
Contact
State Dental Boards
Certificate in General Practice Residency
The General Practice Residency program has been granted full Accreditation Status by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation, and participates in the “PASS” and “MATCH” programs. Requirements for the program include graduation from an ADA accredited dental school and United States or Canadian citizenship, or possession of a valid INS Form I-151 or I-551. Six students are selected each year, and each receives a stipend of $49,500.
Program Overview
Application
Contact
Admission
State Dental Boards
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the prerequisites?
The prerequisites are:
- 1 year of General Biology with lab
- 1 year of General Chemistry with lab
- 1 year of Organic Chemistry with lab
- 1 year of General Physics with lab
- 1 semester or 2 quarters of Human Anatomy, or 1 full year or three quarters of Anatomy and Physiology with lab
- 1 semester or 2 quarters of Biochemistry
- 1 year of English
All prerequisite courses and units listed above must be completed by July of the year you intend to enroll. However, we highly recommend that applicants complete prerequisite courses prior to filing their application or taking the Dental Admissions Test.
A minimum of 90 semester credits is also required with no more than 60 earned at a 2-year community/junior college. A grade of “C” or higher must be attained in the prerequisite courses. Is a bachelor’s degree required?
No, a bachelor’s degree is not required. You may apply to UNLV as long as the prerequisites have been taken and you will have the minimum 90 credits before you start dental school. However, having a degree will give an applicant a competitive edge and is recommended. What should I major in?
Most applicants have majors in the sciences – biology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, etc. However, you may have any major so long as the prerequisites have been completed. It is advisable that additional upped division biology courses be taken in preparation for the first year of dental school. What are the GPA and DAT scores you will be looking for?
An applicant would be considered competitive if he/she had a science/cumulative GPA of 3.5 and 20s on the DAT, specifically the total science, PAT and AA sections. How long is dental school?
Dental school is a four-year full time program. What is the curriculum?
The curriculum is as follows:
- Biomedical and Oral Health Sciences – Study and competencies of breadth and depth of biomedical sciences for the oral health professional with emphasis on the orofacial complex and its relation to systemic health disease
- Competency in Dental Practice – Study and competencies for the clinical practice of dentistry with an emphasis on general dentistry, serving the lifespan of patients
- Clinical and Professional Studies – Study and competencies of the values, ethics, legal and regulatory aspects of health professional practice, including practicing in the public, academic and private health enterprises
- Public Health and Externships – Hands-on participation in service learning and in dental services under close supervision of faculty and associated faculty. A related academic curriculum is required, including classroom assignments and case presentations.
What if I have taken courses at a foreign institution? Can I still get credit for them?
Courses taken in a foreign country are not automatically accepted. You must have your transcript evaluated by a credentialing service that will provide a report of whether or not the courses are equivalent to those taken at an accredited U.S. institution. For more information, contact ECE at (414) 289-3800. An application may also be obtained from their website. The cost of a course-by-course evaluation is approximately $195. When is the best time to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT)?
An applicant would be ready to take the DAT after completing 1 year of general biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. It is best to have scores at the time of application or by September before the application year. An interview invitation will not be released to an applicant if DAT scores are needed; in other words, the sooner the DAT is taken and sent to the school of your choice the better. UNLV will accept test scores no older than 3-years. Canadian DAT scores will not be accepted. What if I retake the DAT?
It would be advisable to be prepared the first time you take the test. Studies have shown repeaters do not markedly improve their test scores and in some cases score lower. If an applicant has retaken the test, the highest of each section will be taken. Keep in mind you will have to wait 90 days between test dates. When do I turn in my AADSAS application?
AADSAS will begin processing applications June 1st. Although UNLV’s deadline isn’t until February 1st, it is recommended the application be turned in as early as possible. The sooner a file is complete, the sooner it is reviewed by the committee for interview decisions. Interviews are mandatory and by invitation only. The committee will typically begin reviewing files as early as August and begin interviewing in September. Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to check with the Office of Admissions to ensure their file is complete and not lacking supporting documents. How soon will I find out if I am accepted?
After the interview, acceptances will be sent out beginning December 1st and continue until the class of 80 is filled (rolling admission). When do I turn in my supplemental application and fee?
The Office of Admissions will accept supplemental applications and fees even before receiving the AADSAS application. However, processing of application materials will commence only after the AADSAS is received. How do I get a supplemental application?
The UNLV SDM application. First time users should click “New User” below the login icon. Users will be prompted to enter an email address and password. Does UNLV grant a waiver for the supplemental application fee?
No, unfortunately fee waivers are not granted. How can I get residency status other than applying for reclassification after the first year in dental school?
In order to be considered a resident, you must have lived in the state at least 12 consecutive months prior to matriculation. You are automatically considered a resident if you have graduated from a Nevada high school. How many letters of evaluation are needed? Do I need a committee letter?
A letter of evaluation from a college’s pre-health professions committee will satisfy this requirement. If the applicant’s university does not have a committee, he or she must submit four individual letters of evaluation. Two of the letters must be from hard science professors, the third letter must be from a dentist with whom the applicant has shadowed or worked, and the fourth may be from a liberal arts professor, employer, pastor, etc. What if I have been out of school for over 10 years and cannot reach my professors for letters?
A letter from a dentist is still required but in lieu of the science professors, employers, and/or colleagues may be used as references. A note explaining your circumstances must be sent to us. I am a graduate of a foreign dental program. How can I obtain a degree from your school?
UNLV School of Dental Medicine offers a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, which is a two-year (6-semester) fast-track program for dentists who graduated from non-U.S. accredited dental schools. It enables dentists who were trained in non-U.S. accredited institutions to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to practice in the United States. Additional information can be found on the DDS admissions section.
collage