| QUALITY OF COLLEGE PERFORMANCE |
| Grade-point average (overall and science) is viewed in terms of consistency and improvement. But the quality of coursework and challenge per term are also considered. An overall GPA of 2.7 is the minimum required; however, much higher overall and science GPAs are usually necessary to be considered competitive. Applicants are required to provide written documentation of academic difficulties (e.g., “I,” “W,” “D” and “F” grades). |
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| COMPLETION OF REQUIRED COURSES |
| Upon acceptance and prior to matriculation, official transcripts must be sent directly to the School of Dentistry from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended, and must verify sufficient credits and correct courses. Basic science coursework that is older than five years may be considered obsolete. |
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| PREFERRED ELECTIVE COURSEWORK |
| Competitive applicants will take a combination of the following preferred electives: art (3-D drawing or sculpture), cell biology, histology, human anatomy, microbiology, physiology, genetics, immunology and statistics. |
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| DENTAL ADMISSIONS TEST (DAT) |
| This standardized exam consists of subtests in Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Reasoning and Perceptual Ability. Students should score at or above the national average in each area. Applicants must submit official score reports to the School of Dentistry by December 1, 2008. The School of Dentistry Admissions Committee strongly encourages applicants applying to Minnesota to take the exam at least one year prior to entering dental school. |
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| RESIDENCY STATUS |
| Preference is given to Minnesota residents. Applicants from other states are also strongly encouraged to apply. |
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| PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR AADSAS APPLICATION |
| Why is the applicant interested in dentistry? What are some other interests and special achievements? Applicants submit an essay describing their interest in dentistry as well as other interests and special achievements. |
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| OFFICIAL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION |
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Students must submit to the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) three strong Letters of Recommendation. Refer to AADSAS Application Instructions for the 2009 Entering Class. The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry requires two letters of recommendation from science faculty and the third from an employer.
Individuals reapplying to the School of Dentistry must provide three new letters of recommendations.
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| ORIENTATION TO DENTISTRY STATEMENT |
| Applicants must submit a written statement documenting their observation of and participation in patient care in a general dentistry practice. Additional observation experience in a specialty practice is also welcome. A minimum of 30 hours of observation in general dentistry is required. Practice observation should occur outside of a parent’s dental practice. |
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| DEMONSTRATED INTEREST IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY |
| Students must demonstrate their interest in the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry through a personal visit, phone contact, etc. |
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| CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROGRAM |
| The School of Dentistry is committed to enrolling and graduating a diverse student body of thought, interest, background, and intellect. Diversity enhances the educational experience of all students and better prepares our graduates to practice dentistry in today's world. In evaluating an applicant's potential contribution to diversity, the DDS Admissions Committee considers the following factors: geographic diversity, first generation college student, financial need, disadvantaged educational background, racial and ethnic diversity, evidence of outstanding leadership, special talents, high academic potential, unique work or service experience, community involvement, experience and/or interest in research or teaching, and interest in providing dental services to underserved areas. Applicants will be asked how they, if accepted into the DDS program, will contribute to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and to the profession of dentistry. |
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| PERSONAL INTERVIEW |
| Invitations for an interview/visit are extended to applicants based on the competitive nature of their applications. By interviewing qualified applicants, the Admissions Committee gains further information on the following attributes which contribute to students’ success in the program and career: communication skills, maturity, motivation for dentistry, responsibility, social awareness, and empathy. |
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| PERSONAL SERVICE TO PEOPLE ON A ONE TO ONE BASIS |
| Examples include involvement as a youth counselor, big brother/big sister, chairside dental assistant, hospital orderly, nurses aid, youth worker. |
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| DEXTERITY EXPERIENCES |
| Individuals must demonstrate a competency and comfort level in manual dexterity and a grasp of spatial relationships. These experiences may include: jewelry making, model building, carpentry, sculpting, drawing (3-D preferred), painting, playing an instrument, needlework, etc. |
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| ENGLISH PROFICIENCY |
| The School of Dentistry requires all applicants who are not native speakers of English to submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This requirement applies regardless of the applicant’s citizenship, or high school or college attended. The TOEFL must have been administered not more than two years before the date of a student’s application to the School of Dentistry. Official score reports must be received at the School of Dentistry by December 1, 2008. The TOEFL is administered via the Internet. Required minimum scores are as follows: |
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Computer Based
Total Score: 240
Listening: 21
Essay: 5
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Internet Based
Overall Score: 96-97
Writing: 25
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| INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS |
| International applicants who have been accepted must guarantee sufficient funds to meet all their educational and personal expenses for the duration of their F-1 status at the University of Minnesota. |
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| EVALUATION OF INTERNATIONAL COURSEWORK |
| A minimum of 87 semester credits or 130 quarter credits of liberal arts courses from an officially accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university is required. However, the School of Dentistry will consider international coursework from an accredited college or university, if supplied with official or certified transcripts, mark sheets, and degree statements from all institutions attended. Transcripts, diplomas, etc. must be evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). Applicants must complete a minimum of 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits of prerequisite courses and/or upper division science courses from an officially accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation. English courses taken from an international college or university do not fulfill the School of Dentistry English requirement for admission |
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| These criteria are not necessarily ranked in order of importance. |