This is your hub for everything related to the admissions process, including admissions requirements, ways to bolster your application, and FAQ's.
To assist you in navigating the application process and understanding our guidelines, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). This section provides detailed answers on many topics, including eligibility, requirements, submission deadlines and general policy. Reviewing these FAQ is highly recommended.
No. You do not need to complete all your prerequisites before applying. If admitted, you must have all of your prerequisites completed before the first day of dental school. Applying with outstanding prerequisites will not hurt your application.
If you are unsure a course you've taken meets our prerequisites, simply complete the DDS Prerequisite Equivalency Form, and our committee will review and confirm it for you.
Prerequisite courses must be completed within five (5) years of applying to our DDS program. For instance, if you are applying to begin in fall 2026, your prerequisites must have been completed no earlier than fall 2021. The only exception is English, which may be older than five years.
Upper-level science courses may also satisfy lower-level prerequisite requirements. For example, if you completed a 300- or 400-level chemistry course within the past five years, you do not need to retake a 100-level chemistry course to meet our admission criteria.
This requirement ensures applicants possess the most current knowledge necessary for our rigorous curriculum.
We may grant an exemption in unique cases, such as for applicants who have maintained academic relevancy, even if their coursework is older. Examples of academic relevancy include current enrollment or completion of a graduate program or current employment in the health professions.
If you believe you qualify for an exemption, please submit a Five (5)-Year Prerequisite Exemption Form. After submission, our admissions committee will review your request and provide a response.
Yes, with the exception of biology. AP courses must appear on an official undergraduate transcript and be verified by ADEA AADSAS. Upper-level biology courses may be used to satisfy the general biology prerequisite.
Yes, we will accept any writing-intensive course to fulfill the English prerequisite, regardless of the department. (i.e., It doesn't need to be from a college or university English department.)
Many courses, particularly within the social sciences (such as sociology, psychology, history and economics), include a strong writing requirement and will qualify. As long as the course required significant writing assignments, you can use it to meet our requirement.
If you have any uncertainty about a specific course, please submit our prerequisite equivalency form for review.
Yes. If your undergraduate institution accepted the IB credit toward your degree and it is reflected on your undergraduate transcript and verified by AADSAS, we would consider the course as meeting our prerequisite. The only exception is biology. However, we will accept upper-level biology courses in lieu of the general biology prerequisite.
Yes. We accept all online lecture classes and labs from accredited U.S. and Canadian colleges/universities.
Both algebra-based and calculus-based physics courses are accepted to fulfill our prerequisite requirement.
No. Calculus is not a prerequisite for admission to our program.
Yes. Community college courses from accredited U.S. or Canadian institutions can be used to fulfill prerequisite and minimum credit hour requirements for admission.
Yes, provided the postbaccalaureate or graduate-level courses were completed at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.
If you are unsure whether your college or university is accredited, please contact AADSAS Support Services at 617-612-2045.
If you’re unsure where to indicate when you will complete outstanding prerequisites, please contact AADSAS Support Services at 617-612-2045.
There is not a minimum grade requirement for each prerequisite course.
Yes. Upper-level science courses can substitute for lower-level courses. For example, if you completed a 200- or 300-level biology course, you do not need to take a 100-level biology course to meet the prerequisite.
A course taken abroad can be used to meet prerequisite or credit hour requirements only if it was taught by your home school while you were studying overseas. If a course was taught directly by an international institution (a school outside of the U.S. or Canada), it cannot be used to meet prerequisite or credit-hour requirements.
Example: If you are a University at Buffalo undergraduate studying in France, a biology course taken directly from the University of Paris cannot be used to meet our requirements.
No. While many of our students choose majors such as biology, chemistry or biochemistry, many do not. We recognize that students from various academic backgrounds (e.g., physiology, neuroscience, health sciences) often complete advanced science coursework. Therefore, our admissions committee considers your entire academic record.
There is no required undergraduate major for admission. However, because our curriculum is academically rigorous and science-focused, we encourage applicants who are not science majors to take additional upper-level science courses beyond the prerequisites.
Although the majority of our students major in the sciences, we also admit students from diverse academic backgrounds who have followed a variety of paths to enrollment. Applicants are encouraged to choose a major that aligns with their interests. However, those who do not pursue a science major are strongly encouraged to take additional coursework in biology and chemistry beyond the minimum requirements, as the admissions committee looks for strong, consistent performance in upper-level science courses.
You must have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA and a minimum 3.0 Science GPA, as calculated by ADEA AADSAS, for admission consideration.
Exceptions to the undergraduate minimum GPAs are given to all applicants who have completed the equivalent of two semesters of full-time graduate coursework. Our admissions committee considers a minimum of 18 completed graduate credit hours as meeting the equivalent of two full-time semesters of graduate coursework.
Note:
If you have any questions about whether a specific course will be verified at the undergraduate or graduate level, please consult AADSAS support directly at 617-612-2045.
No other exceptions will be made to our GPA minimum requirement.
The fall 2024 incoming student overall GPA was 3.70. The fall 2024 incoming student total science GPA was 3.64
Important: Candidates who do not meet these specific metrics will still be considered, as our admitted students have a wide range of GPAs, including those with 4.0s and 3.0s.
Historical average GPAs can be found in the Commission on Dental Accreditation’s Survey of Dental Education.
No. Both your overall GPA and science GPA must be 3.0 or higher, as reported in the AADSAS portal, by the application deadline. Applications that do not meet these minimums by the deadline will not be considered. The only exception is for applicants who have completed the equivalent of two full-time semesters of graduate coursework (18 graduate credit hours).
We cannot make any other exceptions to the minimum GPA requirements.
Please refer to the ADEA website for information on the following:
We only consider AADSAS grading with +/- grades.
We receive all grades directly from AADSAS, the centralized application service. AADSAS will show both grades, and both will become part of your overall GPA. Please refer to the ADEA website: How does AADSAS calculate GPAs?
No, this is generally not helpful. Students are typically expected to perform well if they retake a course, and the admissions committee usually does not view repeating a course as particularly impressive.
If your GPA does not meet our minimum requirements for consideration, we encourage you to carefully evaluate whether dentistry is the right career path, as our curriculum relies heavily on a strong science foundation.
When deciding between a master’s degree and a postbaccalaureate program, we generally recommend pursuing a master’s degree. This way, if dental school does not work out, you will still have earned a graduate degree. We also encourage candidates to select a program that advances their overall educational and professional goals, regardless of whether they are admitted to our DDS program.
When deciding between pursuing a master’s degree or taking additional undergraduate courses, we generally recommend a master’s degree. This approach ensures that, even if dental school does not work out, the candidate will still have a graduate degree.
Yes, you may take courses at more than one college or university and have them considered for admission. When submitting your application, be sure to send all academic transcripts directly to AADSAS.
Do not send transcripts to our admissions office, as they will not be reviewed. All official transcripts must be submitted through AADSAS.
An Academic Update allows you to update planned or in-progress coursework that you completed since your application was originally verified. View instructions for submitting an Academic Update via AADSAS.
No, we do not give special emphasis to the GPA for your last 60 credit hours. Our admissions committee uses a holistic review process, considering your entire academic record rather than giving extra weight to any specific portion of your undergraduate coursework.
Taking several science courses within the same semester demonstrates an applicant’s ability to manage a rigorous and demanding academic workload similar to that of dental school. Because the DDS curriculum is heavily science-based and often requires mastering multiple complex subjects at once, success in concurrent science courses — such as biology, chemistry, and anatomy — shows strong time management, critical thinking and study skills.
Only scores from tests taken in 2023, 2024, or 2025 will be considered for fall 2026 admission. It is essential to check the official admissions requirements for every dental program you are interested in, as some schools may have a stricter limit.
Unlike in previous admission cycles, we no longer have a minimum DAT score requirement for admission consideration. This change is due to the DAT's new scoring system. However, preference will be given to candidates who have achieved academic averages of 370 or better.
For more information on the updated scoring scales, please refer to the ADA Understanding the New DAT Score Reporting Scale.
All official DAT scores taken in 2023, 2024, and 2025 that are submitted to the AADSAS portal will be reviewed for admission consideration.
No. We only accept official score reports submitted through the AADSAS portal. Our committee will be able to view your official DAT scores once they are submitted to AADSAS. Please do not send or email copies of your DAT score reports to our admissions office. They will not be considered.
It depends. Most students take the DAT during their junior year of undergraduate study, but it is completely up to you. Take it when you feel truly prepared. Please remember that DAT scores are only valid for a certain period of time, and you should consider this when taking your exam. Additionally, official DAT scores take time to reach the AADSAS portal.
Note: Our school is not responsible for the timing of when official DAT scores are uploaded into AADSAS. Remember, we do not accept unofficial DAT score reports.
We’re unable to recommend specific DAT study guides, as we don’t directly oversee that part of the preparation process. We recommend reaching out to one of our current student mentors, who can provide valuable firsthand advice based on their own experience.
The Academic Average for fall 2025 incoming students was 21.5. You do not need to achieve our average score to be admitted. Incoming student academic averages ranged from 18 to 28. Historical average DAT scores can be found in the Commission on Dental Accreditation’s Survey of Dental Education.
No. If a student has a completed application, our office does not place it on hold while awaiting additional DAT scores. Because we use a holistic admissions process, submitting new scores does not guarantee an interview invitation. However, if updated DAT scores are received, they will certainly be considered as part of the interview evaluation.
Submitting updated DAT scores follows the same process as submitting the original score reports. Please do not send copies, as unofficial score reports will not be reviewed for admission consideration.
Yes. The Canadian DAT is acceptable for Canadian applicants. Please note that candidates are encouraged to investigate the timing of score reports prior to taking the Canadian DAT to ensure results will meet the application deadline of Dec. 1, 2025. You will not be considered if you do not meet this deadline.
Only scores from tests taken in 2023, 2024, or 2025 will be considered for fall 2026 admission. It is essential to check the official admissions requirements for every dental program you are interested in, as some schools may have a stricter limit.
There is no minimum CDAT Academic Average or subsection score required for admission consideration. However, preference will be given to those candidates who have achieved academic averages of 17 or better. View the CDAT score scale.
When you register for a CDAT exam, up to five (5) official transcripts of your DAT scores are included in the DAT registration fee (and one personal copy). During registration, you can choose to have official transcripts of your DAT scores sent to the schools of your choice. View instructions for sending your CDAT scores.
No. We can only accept official score reports directly from CDAT testing administration. Please take particular note, as we must receive your official CDAT score report by Dec. 1, 2025.
We are unable to furnish an average CDAT, as the small size of the sample would render the result unreliable.
All official DAT scores taken in 2023, 2024, and 2025 that are submitted to the AADSAS portal will be reviewed for admission consideration.
It depends. Most students take the CDAT exam during their junior year of undergraduate study, but it is completely up to you. Take it when you feel truly prepared. Please remember that CDAT scores are only valid for a certain period of time, and you should consider this when taking your exam. Additionally, official CDAT scores take time to reach our school. Our school is not responsible for the timing of when official CDAT scores arrive. Remember, we do not accept unofficial CDAT score reports.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to recommend specific CDAT study guides, as we don’t directly oversee that part of the preparation process. We recommend reaching out to one of our current student mentors, who can provide valuable firsthand advice based on their own experience.
No. If a student has a completed application, our office does not place it on hold while awaiting additional CDAT scores. Because we use a holistic admissions process, submitting new scores does not guarantee an interview invitation. However, if updated CDAT scores are received, they will certainly be considered as part of the interview evaluation.
Since interview slots begin to fill in September, it is generally advantageous to apply as early as possible, as there will be more interview opportunities available earlier in the cycle. While those who choose to apply later in the application cycle (e.g., October & November) will receive interview offers, the number of interview slots available will be vastly different from those who apply earlier in the admissions cycle.
Once all of your application materials have been received, you’ll get a confirmation email from our office letting you know your file is complete and ready for review. You can also check your AADSAS portal:
If you’re unsure about your status, feel free to email us at sdmadmit@buffalo.edu.
Rolling admissions is the process our admissions committee uses to review DDS applications as they are received, rather than waiting for a single, firm deadline to pass. Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, starting in June and continuing through February, when final interview offers for the admissions cycle are distributed.
No, not exactly. We do review completed applications on a rolling basis, but the distribution of interview offers does not follow a first-come, first-served order. Consequently, a candidate who submitted their application later in the cycle may receive an interview offer earlier than someone who applied earlier in the cycle.
No. Since we do not use rolling admissions for interviews, you could receive an interview offer at any time after you submit your application, up through February of the application cycle.
We receive more than 2,500 applications each year, leading to interviews with approximately 300 candidates. This means the interview process itself remains highly competitive. The ultimate decision to extend an interview offer is made by the DDS Admissions Committee, which meticulously reviews all feedback to select candidates who demonstrate the potential to succeed in the profession and thrive at our institution.
The Admissions Committee starts sending interview invitations in August and continues through February of the application cycle.
No. The standards for admission to our DDS program are the same for every applicant, whether they reside in-state or out-of-state.
Interview offers are extended only after a holistic review of the entire application. While GPA and DAT scores are very important, they are just two of many essential factors we consider. For a complete understanding of our selection process, please refer to our Holistic Admissions webpage.
You are welcome to submit a Letter of Interest or Letter of Intent, but please know that the letter itself will not determine if you receive an interview offer. All candidates are evaluated equally; those who submit a letter are not prioritized, and those who choose not to are not penalized.
No. To maintain a fair and uniform evaluation process for all applicants, we can only review the letters of recommendation submitted via AADSAS. Any recommendation letter sent directly to our office will not be considered as part of the completed application. For further information on Letters of Evaluation, please visit the AADSAS website.
An Academic Update lets you add any new or planned coursework completed after your application was originally verified.
Important: Do not send transcripts or course copies directly to our office. Our Admissions Committee will only review academic coursework that has been verified by ADEA AADSAS. View instructions for submitting an Academic Update via AADSAS.
You are welcome to email non-academic updates to our office if you have a new experience that isn't already included in your AADSAS application. Please know that submitting an update is completely optional. Sending an update will not prioritize your application; choosing not to send one will not penalize you.
No. The AADSAS application is designed to give our committee a holistic sense of your accomplishments and other traits. We recommend you invest time in submitting a comprehensive AADSAS application so that no further additions are necessary. There is no requirement to send supplementary documentation, as we are not looking for one particular component.
Interview invitations are sent to the email address listed in AADSAS. Please ensure the email address in your AADSAS portal is current, as it is vital for communication. Even if the initial email fails, we will make every effort to reach you so you do not miss this important opportunity.
Yes, you can choose from a variety of interview dates that work for you. Please be aware that as we move into January and February, interview date options will be less frequent and more limited.
We understand that you may have conflicts due to academic, professional or personal obligations. While our office will try to accommodate you, please note that we do not offer individual, customized interview dates. This is necessary to maintain logistical efficiency and ensure a fair, standardized process for all candidates. Please email sdmadmit@buffalo.edu with any scheduling questions.
Interviews are held exclusively in person. This policy ensures that the interview process is standardized and fair for all candidates, and as such, we cannot offer virtual accommodations.
If you are selected for an interview, you will be sent all of the detailed information directly.
Once our committee has finished sending out all interview invitations — typically by the end of February — we will notify all remaining candidates that they are no longer being considered for an interview offer.
Yes. However, only academic credit hours completed at U.S. or Canadian institutions are eligible for consideration toward admission. International applicants are advised to consult the American Dental Association or the Canadian Dental Association to determine any post-graduation practice restrictions.
No. If you already have a dental degree from another country, you are eligible for our International Dentist Program (IDP), which is two years in length compared to a traditional four-year DDS program. Please contact the IDP Admission Office with any questions.
Please refer to the UB New York State Residency page.
Unfortunately, we cannot give personal tours of the dental school. Our school is clinic-based, which means we can have a few hundred patients in our clinics at any given time. However, if you are interested in visiting our school, we encourage you to join our Buffalo ASDA Pre-Dental group. This group works with our admissions office to coordinate open houses throughout the year.
Given the high volume of applications we receive each year, our admissions office is unable to provide preliminary reviews or informal assessments of admission chances. However, we encourage you to connect with our Buffalo ASDA Pre-Dental group for guidance and insight from current students.
No. New York State residents are not given preference in the admissions process. While many applicants are from New York due to our status as a state institution, all applicants are evaluated equally. We do not have quotas for the number of New York State residents admitted each year. Typically, about 30–35% of our incoming class is from outside New York State, including Canadian and other international students.
No. Undergraduates and alumni of the University at Buffalo are not given preference in the admissions process, and we do not have legacy admissions. While many applicants come from the University at Buffalo, our program receives applications from a wide range of institutions. Each year, our incoming class of 95 typically represents students from more than 50 different colleges and universities.
Asylum seekers may be considered for admission to the DDS program. However, there are strict regulations governing their ability to practice dentistry. We strongly recommend that asylum seekers contact the American Dental Association (ADA) or the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) to determine their eligibility to practice after graduation, as our dental school does not make decisions regarding postgraduation licensure or practice rights.
Historical admissions data is available in Report 2 of the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Survey of Dental Education series.
No. Each dental school has its own way of handling its admission process. Please do not assume all school handle their admissions in the same manner. We cannot speak for how other schools choose to manage their admissions process.
Per AADSAS, Verification is the process used to ensure all of your coursework was entered correctly and consistently. Since credit values, grade values, and course subjects vary widely from school to school, your programs need some form of standardization to accurately compare applicants. This standardization is achieved by using your coursework to create a standard set of GPAs, ensuring you are compared to other applicants fairly and equally.
Read instructions on updating your AADSAS Profile.
A gap year refers to a year-long break in a student’s formal education, often taken between completing an undergraduate degree and beginning dental school. Many students use this time to gain additional experience by shadowing, working in the dental field, participating in community service or traveling abroad. Our Admissions Committee does not have a specific policy regarding gap years, and taking one is not viewed negatively. We understand that applicants may choose to take time off for personal, academic, or financial reasons before starting dental school.
Phone: 716-829-6925
Fax: 716-829-2731
Email: sdmadmit@buffalo.edu
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., M-F
DDS Admissions
School of Dental Medicine
315 Squire Hall
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14214