APPLICANT INFORMATION
Doctor of Dental Surgery
 The University of Southern California School of Dentistry features a dynamic learner-centered environment through which the curriculum is presented using various pedagogies including Problem Based Learning (PBL), seminars, simulations and other forms of instruction that provides vertical integration of the fundamental basic and clinical sciences. The University offers a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) upon graduation of the four year, year round program.
USC participates in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) program and as such all applications must be submitted directly to AADSAS. The AADSAS application is the only form of application for the DDS program. USC does not have a secondary application.
USC accepts applications beginning June 1. Applications must be submitted to AADSAS by February 1 of the year for which enrollment is desired. Applications are reviewed on a continuing bases and acceptance are issued on a rolling admission cycle. USC encourages all applicants to apply as early as possible.
[Application Status]
Want to learn more about the UCS School of Dentistry Curriculum?
The Admissions Office provides Q & A, tours, and general information sessions with counselors and current dental students. Below are the next scheduled sessions, please email us at USCSDADM@USC.EDU to reserve your spot and to receive more information about location and time. (Please note: These sessions are for prospective applicants only and are not designed for individuals who are applying to enter in Fall 2009)
Monday June 23, 2008 11:00 AM
Monday June 30, 2008 12:00 PM
Wednesday July 9, 2008 2:00 PM
Thursday July 17, 2008 3:00 PM
Wednesday July 23, 2008 3:00 PM
Monday July 28, 2008 11:00 AM
Class status
Applicant interviews are conducted September through April. Generally, the class is assembled on the following cycle: December 1 – one quarter; March - one quarter, mid-April - one quarter, end of May - one quarter. After June 1 students are selected from the alternate list as needed to fill the class. Acceptances can be extended as late and the first day of classes. All applications remain under consideration until a final decision has been reached.
FAQ’s
1) What does the admissions committee look for in evaluating applications?
- All applications are evaluated under a system of whole file review wherein consideration is given to cognitive (objective) as well as non-cognitive measures. Although there is no minimum GPA requirement, academic performance in the sciences is critical to a successful application as evidence of potential to successfully complete the challenging dental curriculum. Beyond this, the committee looks for academic trends, documented potential for service and leadership, evidence of good character and professional potential and a well-rounded background.
2) Does USC give preference to California Residents?
- As a private institution USC actively seeks a geographic and cultural mix of students who are selected without regard to residency.
3) Do I need a Bachelors degree to attend USC?
- A Bachelors degree is not a prerequisite for admission, however due to the increasing competitiveness of the applicant pool, 100% of all students accepted during the past seven years had earned at least a bachelors degree. Many had earned advanced degrees.
4.) How many students are invited to participate in the interview?
- This number varies annually and seldom exceeds 500 individuals from an applicant pool of over 3,000. An interview does not ensure acceptance and unfortunately, many competitive applicants cannot be interviewed as the number of qualified applicants always exceeds the number of class positions available. It is not uncommon that competitive applicants may need to apply several times before being invited for an interview.
5) Who is the Admissions Committee?
- The Admissions Committee is composed of appointed members of the full and part-time faculty, alumni, administrators and Admissions staff.
6) If I applied to USC previously, am I guaranteed admission next year?
- No. All reapplying applicants must complete the entire application and review process again.
7) Do I need to declare a Science related major?
- No. Students have been selected with a variety of majors; Applicants can declare any major so long as all the prerequisite requirements are completed.
8) What should I know about the DAT examination?
- In order to streamline your application, we recommend taking the DAT prior to submitting your application. If you have taken the exam more then once, the Admissions Committee will consider the most current scores. Please note that the ADA changed its rules in January 2007, examinees may now only take the DAT three times. If you need to take the exam more than that you must apply for special permission to take the test again through the ADA. USC will accept Canadian DAT scores. Scores more than 3 years old will not be considered. The admissions committee has established a minimum DAT score of 15 in each DAT category.
9.) Can pre-dental course work be taken Pass/No Pass?
- It is recommended that all coursework be taken for a letter grade. This is especially true of science and prerequisite course work.
10 ) Can I take my pre-requisites at a community college if so, is there a limit on the number of units that can be taken at a community college?
- USC does not require that all pre-requisites to be completed at a 4 year institution, however, applicants who have taken the majority of their science course work from a 4 year school are evaluated more favorably. It is generally recommended that no more than 60 units be completed at a junior or community college
11) Where do I send my “Application Processing Fee”?
- Personal/business check, cashiers/certified bank check or money orders are accepted. Please make payable to "USC School of Dentistry” and include your AADSAS number on the check. Send payment at time of application to:
USC Office of Dental Admissions
File No. 121452
Los Angeles, CA 90074-2145
12) Does USC accept coursework that was taken at a foreign university?
- No, all coursework much have been taken at an accredited college or university within the US or Canada.
13) Will coursework taken many years ago still be accepted in fulfillment of requirements and prerequisites?
- Yes. However, because of the scope and breadth of the new information, the committee recommends that applicants who have been away from school for some time refresh their knowledge by becoming familiarize with contemporary scientific principles.
Class of 2011 at a glance
The 144 students entering the USC School of Dentistry in fall, 2007 were selected from an applicant pool of nearly 3,200 applicants. The applicant to position ratio is approximately 22 to one.
The 2007 entering class science GPA is 3.57 and the average overall GPA is 3.47. Both GPAs range from 3.21 to 4.00.
The average DAT scores were: Academic Average 19; Science Average 19 and PAT 19. The range -15 to 28.
The class if 37% female; 47% Caucasian; 45% Asian, 1% African American and 1% Hispanic American. One student is Native American.
The average age is 24.6 –with a range of 21 to 36.
California residents compose 63% of the class. 21% are out-of-state students; 16% are international. In addition to California, students come from Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakotas, New Jersey, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
100% of the class has earned a baccalaureate degree; 7 have earned a Masters degree.
35 different majors are represented. 62% completed studies in one of the sciences. Among others, undergraduate degrees include engineering, sociology, economics, English, foreign language, mathematics, computer science, political science, theater arts, classics, history, international relations.
74 different undergraduate institutions are represented: 31% of the class earned a degree from one of 7 University of California campuses while 7.6% earned a degree from one of 5 California State University campuses.
Other universities represented include: Amherst, Cornell, Purdue, Michigan State, Howard, Occidental, Texas Tech, Spelman, U of Chicago, U of Florida, U of Georgia, U of Miami, U of Utah, BYU, Loyola, U of Wisconsin (3 campuses)
USC and UCLA tied as the Top Feeder institution as 16 graduates from each school joining the entering class of 2011. University of California Irvine, BYU and University of California San Diego rounded out the top five feeder institutions.
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