Admissions FAQ's
To assist you in navigating the application process and understanding our guidelines, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). This section provides detailed answers on many topics including eligibility, requirements, submission deadlines, and general policy. Reviewing these FAQs is highly recommended.
Prerequisite FAQ
Do I need to finish all of my prerequisite courses before submitting my AADSAS application?
- No. You do not need to have all of your prerequisites completed 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.
How can I determine if my course(s) fulfill your prerequisite requirements?
- Unsure if a course you've taken meets our prerequisites?
- Simply complete the prerequisite course equivalency form, and our committee will review and confirm it for you.
How recent must my prerequisite coursework be to qualify for admission?
- 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.
Why is there a five-year limit on prerequisite coursework?
- We require that prerequisite courses be no older than five years to ensure that 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.
How can I verify that my prerequisite course(s) meet the five-year requirement for admission?
- 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.
Do you accept AP credit to meet prerequisite requirements?
- 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.
Is it possible to use an alternative course to fulfill your English prerequisite?
- Yes, we will accept any writing-intensive course to fulfill the English prerequisite, regardless of the department (e.g., 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.
Do you accept International Baccalaureate (IB) credits to satisfy prerequisite courses?
- Yes. If your undergraduate institution accepted the IB credit toward your degree, and it is reflected on your undergraduate transcript and verified by AADSAS, then 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.
Can my prerequisite courses and/or labs be taken online?
- Yes. We accept all online lecture classes and labs from accredited U.S and Canadian colleges/universities.
Should I take algebra-based or calculus-based physics to satisfy the prerequisite?
- Both algebra-based and calculus-based physics courses are accepted to fulfill our prerequisite requirement.
Some dental schools require calculus as a prerequisite. Is it required for admission to your program?
- No. Calculus is not a prerequisite for admission to our program.
Do you accept community college classes?
- Yes. Community college courses from accredited U.S. or Canadian institutions can be used to fulfill prerequisite and minimum credit hour requirements for admission.
Can post-baccalaureate or graduate-level courses be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements?
- Yes, provided the post-baccalaureate or graduate-level courses were completed at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.
How can I confirm my courses are taken from an accredited college or university?
- If you are unsure whether your college or university is accredited, please contact AADSAS Support Services at 617-612-2045.
Where in AADSAS can I list my outstanding prerequisite courses?
- If you’re unsure where to indicate when you will complete outstanding prerequisites, please contact AADSAS Support Services at 617-612-2045.
Is there a minimum grade required for each prerequisite course?
- There is not a minimum grade requirement for each prerequisite course.
Can upper-level science courses be used to fulfill lower-level science prerequisites?
- 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.
I completed my prerequisites while studying abroad at a school outside the U.S. or Canada. Can these courses fulfill the prerequisite requirements for admission?
- 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.