Complete college study, including specific courses in the sciences and English. Prospective applicants must have either 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours of coursework, including courses in biological science, physics, and inorganic and organic chemistry--each with laboratory work--as well as a course in English, communication or speech. The total semester or quarter hours required for each of the courses is specified on the website of the dental school. It's also worth noting that grade point average from college studies is considered as part of the admissions process, as well as the quality of science courses completed.
Take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and have the scores reported directly to the Dugoni Dental School. The DAT, administered by the American Dental Association, is a four-hour, 15-minute examination (five hours with the optional tutorial, survey and breaks) that tests in four areas: natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning. Your score in all four areas will be taken into consideration during the admissions process.
Submit a completed financial aid application, available from the Dugoni Admission's Office. All prospective students are expected to complete a financial aid application regardless of income level.
Meet all health requirements. Prospective students must submit to a medical examination and provide evidence of vaccinations for measles, rubella, mumps and Hepatitis B. Students must also have a Mantoux (tuberculosis) test and carry medical and disability insurance.
Submit an Associated American Dental School Application Service (AADSAS), three letters of evaluation and official transcripts from all colleges attended, directly to the AADSAS. The deadline for applying for a new school year, which begins each fall, is the previous December 1, but the Dugoni Office of Admissions suggests that applications be submitted between June and October. Letters of evaluation should be from the pre-health advisory committee of your undergraduate institution, if such a committee exists, or from science professionals (two letters) and a healthcare professional or employer (one letter).The AADSAS application also includes a personal essay.
Pay the application fee of $75, as of January 2011, to the Dugoni School. The fee can also be sent to: University of the Pacific at 2155 Webster Street, Room 202, San Francisco, CA 94115. You must include your AADSAS number with your fee.
Attend an interview at the Dugoni School. The school's Executive Admissions Committee invites successful applicants to the dental school for an interview. Invitations are extended by phone and confirmed by email and are conducted from October through March. By mid-May, all applicants will be notified by mail as to the final decision, based on the scholastic record, DAT scores, AADSAS essay, letters of evaluation, evidence of manual dexterity (including the perceptual ability portion of the DAT), personal qualities and knowledge of dental careers.