Admissions Requirements

In order to be considered for the four-year DDS program at the University at Buffalo, applicants must meet our admission requirements.

Fall 2026 ADEA AADSAS Application Schedule

DDS Application opens

May 2025
June 3, 2025:
  • June 3, 2025, is the first date to submit an ADEA AADSAS application.
  • If all official transcripts are received, ADEA AADSAS will begin the application verification process.

Early Application Encouraged

  • We have a rolling admissions process. This means the earlier we receive your completed, verified application, the earlier our committee conducts a full file review of your application and you can be considered for an interview.
  • Waiting until the deadline is not recommended as we have fewer interview opportunities available later in the admissions cycle. 

2026 Completed Application Deadline

DDS Application Deadline - December 1, 2025
  • If we do not receive all application requirements by our deadline, your application will not be considered. 
  • If our admissions committee does not receive your official DAT or CDAT scores by this date, you will not be considered. 
  • We do not accept unofficial DAT or CDAT score reports. 

Minimum Credit Hours

Prior to Application — 60 Credit Hours

  • 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.

Prior to Enrollment — 90 Credit Hours

  • 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.

Prerequisite Required Courses

All applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university:

  • 2 semesters = 6 credit hours = 8 quarter hours of English including composition. 
  • 2 semesters = 8 credit hours = 12 quarter hours of General, Inorganic Chemistry (including laboratory)
  • 2 semesters = 8 credit hours = 12 quarter hours of Organic Chemistry (including laboratory)
  • 2 semesters = 8 credit hours = 12 quarter hours of General Biology (including laboratory)
  • 2 semesters = 8 credit hours = 12 quarter hours of General Physics - algebra or calculus based (including laboratory)
  • 1 semester = 3 credit hours = 5 quarter hours of Biochemistry (does not require a laboratory component)
Are Your Pre-Requisites Equivalent?
  • Not sure if a course you've taken meets our prerequisites? 
  • Just fill out the prerequisite course equivalency form, and our committee will be happy to confirm it for you.
Prerequisite Equivalency Form
Courses Impacted by COVID-19 - IMPORTANT
  • The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine is flexible with the graded requirements for prerequisite courses if your school made system-wide grading changes. 
  • We accept online courses, online labs, and pass/fail grades.

Academic Majors & Suggested Courses

Academic Majors

  • There is no required undergraduate major to apply to our program. While most applicants choose to major in the sciences, you are welcome to apply with any major as long as you have completed all the prerequisite courses.
  • We encourage you to pursue a major that genuinely interests you. We don't prefer one major over another, as many academic majors include the same higher-level science courses.
  • While a science major isn't required, students who major in other fields are strongly encouraged to take additional, higher-level biology and chemistry courses. This extra coursework will help prepare you for our scientifically demanding DDS curriculum and set you up for success.

Suggested Courses

  • 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. These subjects can help you develop the skills needed to effectively interact with patients.

Undergraduate GPA Requirement

Minimum Undergraduate GPA Requirement

  • When you apply, your academic transcripts are verified and your GPA is calculated by the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).
  • All applicants must have both an undergraduate minimum overall and science college grade-point average of 3.0 (as calculated by AADSAS).
How does AADSAS calculate GPA's?
Finding Your AADSAS GPA Calculations
AADSAS Grade Values Chart
Disputing/Correcting AADSAS Course Subjects & GPAs

Exceptions to Undergraduate 3.0 GPA Requirement

  • Exceptions to the undergraduate minimum GPA's 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.

Dental Admission Test (DAT) or Canadian Dental Admissions Test (CDAT) Requirement

DAT (or CDAT) Scores are Required

  • DAT (or CDAT) scores are required for admission consideration. 
  • Applications will not be considered until  official DAT or CDAT scores are submitted to AADSAS.
  • When more than one DAT or CDAT score is reported, the most recent set of scores is considered to meet our admissions requirements.
  • There are no DAT or CDAT exam waivers.
About the DAT Exam
About the Canadian DAT Exam

DAT (or CDAT) Scores Timeframe

  • Only official scores from tests taken in 2023, 2024, or 2025 will be considered for Fall 2026 admission.
  • It is recommended that the DAT or CDAT be taken no later than October 15, 2025, so your official scores may reach AADSAS by our application deadline of December 1, 2025.

Preferred DAT Scores

There is no minimum DAT/CDAT Academic Average (AA) or subsection score required for admission consideration.

However, preference will be given to those candidates who have achieved an AA of:

  • 17 or better under the old DAT scoring system (prior March 2025) or, 
  • 370 or better under the new DAT scoring system (after March 2025).   

DAT or CDAT Scores Submission

DAT Scores Submission

  • Official DAT scores must be sent from the American Dental Association directly to ADEA AADSAS.
  • Refer to the ADEA DAT score submission for more information. 
  • Please do not email unofficial scores to our office. They will not be considered for admission to our program. 
Sending Your DAT Scores to AADSAS

CDAT Scores Submission

  • Candidates taking the CDAT are unable to send official scores directly to AADSAS.
  • Instead, candidates who take the CDAT should make arrangements to have official scores sent electronically to the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
  • We will receive the electronic scores directly from CDAT testing administration and you will receive confirmation.
  • Please do not email unofficial scores to our office. They will not be considered for admission to our program. 
Sending Your CDAT Scores

Scores Submission Deadline

Official Scores must be received by our December 1, 2025 application deadline. 

  • Applications without official DAT/CDAT scores by December 1, 2025 will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered for fall 2026 admission.
  • The DDS Admissions Committee is not responsible for sending your DAT or CDAT scores to our school. 
  • You must arrange to have your scores sent so they reach our office by the admissions deadline.

Dental Experiences & Shadowing

  • We strongly encourage applicants to shadow in a dental health care setting to obtain a realistic preview of the profession. It is essential applicants have a good understanding of the skills required and professional expectations. 
  • While the number of hours vary among applicants, the committee believes a minimum of 75 - 100 hours is a reasonable expectation. 
  • Additionally, the committee values a breadth of unique oral health care experiences over multiple hours in one dental setting. 
COVID-19 Experience Notes:
  • Our admissions committee understands that the COVID-19 pandemic  impacted dental shadowing availability and experiences. 
  • Please utilize the COVID-19 Impact Statement on your ADEA AADSAS application to address how the pandemic may have have impacted your experience.
  • Virtual shadowing will also be considered and this can be added to your AADSAS application.

Letters of Evaluation Requirement

  • Our DDS Admission Committee 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.  
  • Candidates who are able to provide commmittee letters are not given preference over those who are unable to provide committeee letters as many schools may not have pre-health or advisory committees. 
  • If you are submitting three individual letters, we encourage you to obtain letters from those individuals who can best attest to your academic abilities, personal attributes, and why you are a good candidate for dental school consideration.
  • All letters of evaluation must be submitted via the AADSAS Portal. ADEA AADSAS allows applicants to submit a maximum of four individual letters of evaluation or one committee letter/report plus the option of one additional individual letter. 
  • Although the School of Dental Medicine only requires three letters of evaluation, the committee will evaluate all letters submitted via AADSAS only.
Please do not send, or have your referees send, letters directly to our dental school.
  • Letters sent directly to our admissions office, dean, faculty, or staff will not be considered.
  • Our committee only reviews recommendation letters submitted directly to AADSAS.  

Personal Statement

  • The personal statement provides you the opportunity to let our committee know who you are beyond all other facets of the application. 
  • Candidates can share their academic, professional, and personal goals, and why they are choosing to pursue dentistry. 
  • Please note that the admissions committee is not looking for candidates to write anything in particular. Your statement is your own.
  • We strongly encourage you to have others read your personal statement before submitting your application. 

Proficiency in English for Non-Native Speakers

Who is Required to Submit Scores?

  • Because command of the English language is essential for success, 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 who graduated from an English speaking province of Canada, are waived from the TOEFL requirement.

2026 TOEFL Score and Deadline

  • Students must achieve scores at or above minimum of 79 (internet based) or better obtained within 18 months of the application deadline. 
  • Official TOEFL score reports must be received by our application deadline of December 1, 2025.

Submitting TOEFL Score Reports

  • Official TOEFL Score Reports must be submitted by using the following codes:
Institution Code
 2925 SUNY U at Buffalo
Graduate Study Code 01
Name of Department Biological Sciences
Department Code 38 Dentistry

Proof of Financial Support for International Students

  • If admitted, international students must document their ability to meet all educational and personal expenses for the duration of the program.
  • Proof of financial support is not considered during the admissions process. It is only required for admitted students who require the I-20 to process a student VISA. Additional information will be provided to those students who require the VISA. 
  • International students are eligible for assistantships and fellowships, but not for New York State or federal financial aid. 

Background Checks

  • 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 from applicants who refuse to submit the background check, or who receive an accurate unacceptable background check. Please refer to the background check policy below:
School of Dental Medicine Background Check Policy