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School of Dentistry > Application Information > Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Please send all admission questions to dental@udmercy.edu

  1. Fulfill academic prerequisites.
  2. Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and send scores directly from the Dental Association (either American or Canadian).
  3. AADSAS Application: Apply through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) including submittal of all official transcripts, DAT scores and letters of recommendation.  AADSAS application processing typically takes 4-6 weeks.  Once your AADSAS application is received by the UDM Office of Dental Admissions, an acknowledgement will be sent to you via email or standard postal service.
  4. University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry Supplemental Application: Submit a small photo with your signature on the back (for identification purposes), and a supplemental application fee of $75.00 (U.S. funds), made payable to "UDM School of Dentistry."

    PLEASE NOTE THAT THE UDM SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION HAS BEEN CHANGED SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE ADEA AADSAS DENTAL SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION SECTION. APPLICANTS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO SUBMIT OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS DIRECTLY TO UDM WITH THE INITIAL APPLICATION.
  5. Contact the Office of Dental Admissions to follow-up on your application.
(313) 494-6650 - Carol
(313) 494-6615 – Danielle
(313) 494-6652 - Bethsave

Other Important Links:

Academic Prerequisites

Academic preparation must include the following specific requirements, both in time and in credit hours (Please note, eight semester hours in science and six semester hours in English are generally equivalent to a one-year course):

Chemistry:

  • Eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) of Inorganic or General Chemistry with laboratory.
  • Eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) of Organic Chemistry with laboratory.

Biology:

  • Eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) of General Biology or Zoology with laboratory. Additional courses suggested include Microbiology, Comparative Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Statistics, to name a few.

Physics:

  • Eight semester hours (12-quarter hours) with laboratory. Sufficient prerequisite mathematics should be taken as well as High School Physics

English:

  • Six semester hours (9-quarter hours). First year college courses in Composition will satisfy the requirement. Three semester hours of credit in literature may be used to satisfy part of this requirement if the course description confirms that writing was integral to the course.

The Office of Dental Admissions and the Dental Admissions Committee reserves the right to modify the prerequisites when additional courses are necessary to an applicant’s preparation for dental school.  Grades of C or higher are expected in prerequisite courses.

Courses in psychology, especially human behavior are highly recommended, as are business courses. If a student wishes to strengthen his/her academic credentials, he or she should consult with predental advisors at their present university regarding the proper course of action. The School of Dentistry also stands ready to counsel students throughout their predental years. Students requiring specific guidance from the School of Dentistry may schedule an appointment with the Associate Director of Admissions.

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Dental Admission Test (DAT)

All applicants for admission are required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), a national standardized test.  This computerized examination, administered at various Prometric test centers, is available almost any day of the year. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability.  Scores from the DAT are an important component to one's application to dental school and should be recognized as such by the student.  Members of an admissions committee frequently use the DAT to predict a student's success or potential failure in the school's curriculum.  Students are encouraged to obtain sample DAT information, consult commercially available preparatory books and embark upon a systematic, planned study program.  Additional information about the DAT can be obtained by visiting the American Dental Association’s (ADA) website at http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp.

Students are advised to take the DAT only after basic requirements in chemistry and biology have been completed.  An applicant should try to achieve competitive scores of 20 or higher in each section.  Retaking the DAT, with the goal of achieving more competitive scores is encouraged; however, the applicant is encouraged to consult with the Office of Admissions when contemplating retaking the DAT.  DAT scores older than two years from the time of the test are not acceptable.  The Canadian DAT is acceptable for Canadian applicants http://www.cda-adc.ca.

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Application Procedure

The UDM School of Dentistry utilizes the Associated American Dental Schools Application Services (AADSAS). This service is available to all students applying to dental schools participating in the application service.  When you use AADSAS, you complete just one application.  Applications are available from June 1 through February 1 of each year.  Simply visit the AADSAS portal to submit your electronic application.

After the AADSAS deadline, applications may be accepted directly to the UDM School of Dentistry.  This is not encouraged and should only be done when it is not possible to meet the AADSAS deadline (U.S. entering dental school classes are often filled before the AADSAS deadline).  A non refundable application fee of $75.00 (U.S. funds), made payable to "UDM School of Dentistry" is due at the time of application and should be sent directly to:
Office of Dental Admissions
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Detroit, MI  48208-2576
By agreement among American dental schools, the earliest date of acceptance is December 1.  Applicants are accepted from December 1 until the class is filled.

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Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation should be submitted through AADSAS as follows:

A. One Composite Letter from Pre-Professional Advisory Committee or Two Letters from Science Faculty.

A composite letter of recommendation is required if your university has a pre-professional advisory committee. If no such committee exists, two letters are required from science faculty by whom you have been instructed.  The Dental Admissions Committee strongly recommends that the letters are written by faculty within non plant or non environmental disciplines of Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

B. Shadowing Dentist.

All prospective applicants are encouraged to spend time in a dental office and are also required to provide a letter of recommendation from a dentist that also attests to the applicant having spent a reasonable amount of time with the practitioner exploring the dental profession. 

Additional Letters of Recommendation. Additional letters of recommendation are not required.  If additional letters are submitted, the Dental Admissions Committee respectfully requests that candidates carefully consider limiting the number submitted.  Additional letters of recommendation may be submitted through AADSAS or sent directly to the UDM Office of Dental Admissions.

General Guidelines for Letters of Recommendations: Letters of recommendation must appear on official college/university or business (dental office) letterhead.  Professionally, they must include an original signature with typewritten name beneath the signature as well as professional title.  Faculty should ensure the course (code, title and term) for which you were enrolled and they instructed is conveyed within the content of their letter.  It is highly recommended that letters of recommendation from TA's, Graduate Student Instructors or PhD Candidates be cosigned by the course director or department chairperson. 

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Selection Factors

The Office of Dental Admissions and the Dental Admissions Committee carefully considers many components of a dental school application, including cognitive and non cognitive factors.  In addition to numeric achievements (GPA and DAT scores), elements considered may include:  difficulty of curriculum and achievement within that curriculum; a challenging undergraduate science curriculum; letters of recommendation; personal statement; experience/exposure to the profession; motivation for pursuing the profession; community service experiences; time management skills; intrinsic values; and more . . .  Interviews are by invitation and help the Dental Admissions Committee to gain additional information about you.  The interview also enables you an opportunity to learn more about our school. 

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Academic Achievement

A full-time academic load (15-18 semester hours) of three or four science courses each term is encouraged, particularly during the junior and senior undergraduate years.  A minimum science grade point average of 2.95 is recommended.  Candidates who demonstrate strong, steady academic improvement within a challenging science curriculum, for a period of three-to-six terms, may be more strongly considered.

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Reapplication Requirements and Suggestions

Submit your application early.  American dental schools operate on a "rolling admission cycle" (applicants are accepted from December 1st until the class is filled).  With numerous applications being received by dental schools each year, and an increased quality in those applications, dental schools have been filling their incoming classes earlier and earlier.

Continue to enroll FULL-TIME in upper-division (graduate) biologically-based science courses (non plant or non environmental).  If you have already obtained your BS degree, it is suggested you begin working toward a Master's degree (preferably in an area of biology, basic medical sciences, or public health).

Maintain a B+ or higher grade point average.  If you are able to continue to demonstrate strong, steady academic improvement within an academically challenged biology program, this improved academic status may make you more competitive when compared with other applicants.

Submit all transcripts (update) and new/current letters of recommendation.  It is your responsibility to provide updated documentation on your academic activity.  Letters of recommendation should be submitted from current professors each year you may apply.

Update and revise your application essay.  Over time, situations change.  The dental admissions committee views updated, revised, or newly written essays positively.  It also demonstrates initiative and motivation! 

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    1. Proof of Canadian citizenship.
    2. Evidence that the intended U.S. activity is one listed on Schedule 2 (Dentist is listed).
    3. Evidence that the alien has the necessary credentials to be a professional in one of the Schedule 2 fields (diploma).
    4. Proof of license to practice the profession if one is required in the state of intended employment.
    5. Documentation of the arrangement of remuneration for the U.S. activity.
    6. A statement that the purpose of the entry is temporary (note: renewal should be no problem).
    7. Filing fee.

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    Canadian Applicants

    The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry requires an official High School Transcript from all Canadian applicants, regardless of provincial residency.

    Ontario residents:  For those who have completed Grade 13 or OAC, when it was an option, full credit is given for Grade 13 or OAC English toward fulfilling the English requirement (achieved grades of "C" or higher are required in order to be acknowledged).  Grade 13 or OAC science courses do not fulfill the requirements in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  However, credit may be given for these courses toward meeting the requirement of eight semester hours in each science when these courses are also taken in a university.

    Dental Admission Test (DAT)

    U.S. or Canadian examination results are accepted. On either examination, please be certain you request official DAT results be sent to the University of Detroit Mercy. For more information, contact:

    Canadian Dental Association
    1815 Alta Vista Drive
    Ottawa, Ontario K1G-3Y6
    Telephone: (613) 523-1770
    Email: reception@cda-adc.ca

    - or -

    Dental Admission Testing Program
    211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 600
    Chicago, IL 60611
    Telephone: (312) 440-2162

    Financial Aid

    Canadian citizens do not qualify for U.S. federal financial aid programs unless the applicant is also a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. ("Green Card"). The University of Detroit Mercy Scholarship and Financial Aid Office has limited information on alternative loans for nonresidents of the United States (these loans usually require a U.S. cosigner).

    We suggest Canadian applicants contact financial aid/loan institutions in Canada. The University of Detroit Mercy is an approved professional university outside of Canada and many of our Ontario students receive OSAP. For more information, contact:

    Student Support Branch
    Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
    P.O. Box 4500
    189 Red River Road, 4th Floor
    Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B-6G9
    Telephone: 807-343-7260
    Fax: 807-343-7278

    Camellia Taylor

    Financial Aid Coordinator

    University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
    Telephone: 313-494-6617
    Fax: 313-494-6912
    Email: taylorca2@udmercy.edu

    Information about Licensure in Canada

    For more information, contact:
    National Dental Examining Board of Canada
    100 Bronson Avenue, Suite 203
    Ottawa, Ontario K1R-6G8
    Telephone: (613) 236-5912
    Fax: (613) 236-8386
    Email: director@ndeb.ca

    Information about Practicing in the United States

    The North American Free Trade Agreement established a new category of non immigrant visas. One of these visas is called the TN Visa which allows members of professions to apply for admission at an entry point into the United States instead of submitting a formal application to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in Lincoln, Nebraska. The INS Office processing TN applications is located at the Detroit-Windsor tunnel.

    The TN application consists of the following:

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    Questions about admissions? dental@udmercy.edu