- Two letters from science instructors AND one letter from a non-science instructor, dentist you shadowed or employer, OR
- Pre-Dental Committee letter (must include two science instructors)
An $90.00 application fee is due with the application. A separate e-mail will be sent out with instructions on how to submit payment.
Supplemental application materials are required only upon request. We do not require the CASPer.
Dental Admission Test (DAT)
Applicants are required to complete the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), which is administered by the American Dental Association (ADA). Official DAT scores must be sent to AADSAS (see instructions for sending DAT scores under Standardized Tests).
While there is no minimum or cutoff, DAT scores close to the averages of the most recent entering class are considered competitive. See Class Profile for the most current scores.
The DAT should either be taken before application or in June/July of the application year. Scores must be received before the application deadline of October 15th. In order to meet this deadline, tests should not be taken after August 31st of the application year.
Retake tests: If planning to retake the DAT during the application cycle, an applicant should report future test dates on the AADSAS application.
Canadian DAT: Please note that the Canadian Dental Admissions Test (CDAT) is not accepted. The US DAT is required of all applicants.
New DAT scoring will go into effect March 1, 2025. The current 2-digit score reporting scale (1 to 30) will be replaced by a 3-digit reporting scale (200 to 600). The University of Colorado will accept the current two digit scoring until February 2030.
Dental Shadowing Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate a confirmed interest in dentistry by participating in dental-related activities, including direct shadowing of a dentist in a patient-care setting. Shadowing hours should be reported directly on the AADSAS application. No further documentation is required.
50 hours of dental shadowing is required and must be completed at the time of application submission. Applicants without this minimum number of hours will not be reviewed or considered for interview.
Extracurricular Activities
Applicants should report any extracurricular activities in which they are involved, dental-related or otherwise, on the AADSAS application. Such activities could include (but are not limited to) academic enrichment programs, athletics, clubs and organizations, research, volunteering, and work experience.
For each extracurricular, applicants must provide the frequency and duration of the experience, a description of the key responsibilities, and the name and address of the organization or supervisor.
Letters of Recommendations
The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine requires a total of three letters of recommendation, although AADSAS allows up to four. Letters must be uploaded directly to the application by the evaluators. Letters sent directly to the Office of Admissions are no longer accepted. Of the four allotted AADSAS uploads, applicants must have:
- Two science letters* - Two letters must be written by science professors who have taught and graded the applicant at the university level. Letters should be from basic science instructors (biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, microbiology). Science letters should include the course name and number. *If you completed your undergraduate degree before June 2021, only one letter from a science faculty is required.
- One letter of choice - One letter by an evaluator of the applicant’s choice is also required. This evaluator could be a dentist, another professor (science or non-science), an employer, a mentor, or another individual who can write in support of the applicant.
A fourth letter of recommendation will also be accepted but is not required. This optional fourth letter can be written by another evaluator of the applicant’s choice.
- Committee letter option: If the applicant’s undergraduate institution has a pre-health committee, a letter or letter packet composed by the committee members can be submitted in place of the above three letters. AADSAS also allows one individual letter to be uploaded in addition to the committee letter, which is accepted but not required.
Interview
Once the completed application has been reviewed by the Office of Admissions, the applicant may be invited to campus for a formal interview and tour of our school.
Application Fee
Applicants are required to pay an $90 supplemental application fee directly to the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. This fee is separate from any payments made to AADSAS and can only be made online via credit or debit card.
Checks, money orders, and payments over the phone are not accepted. This payment should be made either just before or at the time of application submission.
AADSAS Fee Assistance Program: The $90 nonrefundable application fee can be waived for applicants who qualify for the AADSAS Fee Assistance Program. Such applicants should forward their approval email from AADSAS to our office at DDSadmissioninquiries@ucdenver.edu.
Technical Standards
All students must read and meet the Technical Standards necessary for Admission, Promotion and Graduation at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine: click here to view.
After submitting your deposit, you will receive instructions via email on how to sign and return this document.
If you have any questions regarding admission requirements and procedures, please contact the Office of Admissions at (303) 724-8719 or DDSadmissioninquiries@ucdenver.edu .
Virtual Information Sessions
*Virtual Info Sessions will resume in 2025.*
Please note, these sessions are for interested DDS students only. Find information about ISP here.
Prospective students can sign up for a 30-minute virtual appointment with the DDS admissions team this spring: Schedule an appointment.
