This is your hub for everything related to the admissions process, including admissions requirements, ways to bolster your application, and FAQ's.
In order to be considered for the four-year DDS program at the University at Buffalo, applicants must meet our admission requirements.
2025 Applicants can begin the ADEA AADSAS application process.
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours — two full years — of study at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to application.
Applicants must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of study at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to enrollment in the DDS program. Students are strongly encouraged to earn a bachelor’s degree prior to enrollment in the DDS program. Students who will not earn a bachelor’s degree prior to enrollment must demonstrate a higher level of academic performance.
All applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university:
Students are strongly urged to complete all prerequisite courses at a four-year institution.
If you are unsure if any course you took (or are currently taking) meet our prerequisite requirements, you are welcome to submit the prerequisite course equivalency form and our committee will be able to confirm.
Histology coursework is strongly recommended prior to matriculation.
In addition, while dentistry is a discipline based in the biological sciences, the practice of dentistry is very much a “people” profession based on communication skills and an understanding of human behavior. Prospective dental students are encouraged to take courses in psychology, sociology, public speaking, composition and the humanities to better interact with patients.
Although most applicants choose to concentrate their academic efforts in the sciences, there is no required undergraduate major area of study. Students are encouraged to pursue a major in an area of interest. Students who do not major in the sciences are strongly encouraged to pursue additional coursework in biology and chemistry beyond the minimum required courses as our DDS curriculum is scientifically rigorous.
All applicants must have an undergraduate minimum overall and science college grade-point average of 3.0 (as calculated by ADEA AADSAS) . Exceptions to the minimums are given to all applicants who have completed the equivalent of two semesters of full-time graduate coursework.
Learn more about how ADEA AADSAS calculates grade point averages by visiting the ADEA Frequently Asked Questions page.
Applications without official DAT scores by January 15, 2025 will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered.
In order to be considered, you must have:
DAT Reading Comprehension: 16 minimum score on most recent test date.
All other DAT Sections: 15 minimum score on most recent test date.
The Student Admissions Committee strongly encourages applicants to acquire adequate numbers of hours in health care settings in order to maximize their understanding of the health care field. While this number will vary among applicants, we believe a minimum of 75 - 100 hours is a reasonable expectation. Additionally the committee values a breadth of unique experiences over multiple hours in one setting.
The UB School of Dental Medicine requires applicants to submit either a minimum of one [1] composite committee letter/report or three individual letters of evaluation.
ADEA AADSAS allows applicants to submit one committee letter and one individual letter, or four individual letters.
Because command of the English language is essential for successful professional school study, applicants whose first language is not English, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate their English proficiency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students who have completed a full undergraduate degree in the United States or an English speaking Province of Canada can be considered for a waiver of the TOEFL requirement.
Institution Code | 2925 SUNY U at Buffalo |
Graduate Study Code | 01 |
Name of Department | Biological Sciences |
Department Code | 38 Dentistry |
UB’s English Language Institute offers programs during the summer and the academic year for those students who want or need to improve their competence in reading, speaking, or writing English prior to applying to dental school.
If admitted, International students must document their ability to meet all educational and personal expenses for the duration of the program. Foreign students are eligible for assistantships and fellowships, but not for New York State or federal financial aid. Students should contact their own government or the American Embassy or Consulate for financial information.
All offers of acceptance and admission are conditional pending completion, at the applicant’s expense, of an acceptable Background Check from a vendor approved by the UB School of Dental Medicine. Once accepted, applicants will receive instructions on how to apply for the Background Check. Admission offers may be withdrawn for applicants who refuse to submit to the Background Check or who receive an accurate unacceptable Background Check.
Phone: 716-829-6925
Fax: 716-829-2731
Email: sdmadmit@buffalo.edu
Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., M-F
DDS Admissions
School of Dental Medicine
315 Squire Hall
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14214