DDS Admissions - FAQ
What is the Dental Program like?
Can I tour the campus?
Is there a pre-Dental program?
How do I apply?
How many applications do you normally receive?
Who is eligible to apply?
What is the minimum competitive academic average needed?
When can pre-requisites be taken?
What Pre-applications coursework is required?
Do I have to take my undergraduate courses at Western?
Can I take prerequisites in the summer?
Can I repeat a year without penalty?
What is a full courseload?
What is the Dental Aptitude Test?
What is the minimum DAT score that I need?
When do interviews take place?
Who are the interviewers?
What types of questions are asked during the interview?
How are applicants ranked?
Are reference letters/personal statements required?
Are volunteer hours or work experience required?
Can I combine my DDS degree with a Masters or PhD?
Can students transfer from another Dental School?
What do I need to know if I am an International Student?
What standing will my foreign Dental degree have?
What graduate Programs in Dentistry are offered?
What financial aid is available?
Who do I contact for further information?
What is the Dental Program like?
Western’s Dental Program is four years in length, culminating in the degree Doctor of Dental Surgery. Our program covers basic health science, dental diagnosis, preventative & clinical practice with Simulation clinic experience from Year 1.
Can I tour the campus?
Tours of the Western campus may be booked by appointment. Book your tour of Western online. To see the dental facilities, call Dental Admissions at (519) 661-3744.
Is there a pre-Dental program?
There is no prescribed pre-dental program. Students are chosen from undergraduate programs representing a wide range of disciplines. No preference is given to any specific program, however, a strong background in science is an asset. Students are advised to carefully check the prerequisite courses for their chosen degree program to ensure that our requirements can be satisfied while completing the degree program.
How do I apply?
On-line application for entry to:
- First year are available from October 1 - December 1 from the admissions page of the school website
- For Second year, applications are accepted between January and the July 1 deadline.
The completed form, supporting documents (originals) and a non-refundable application fee of $250.
How many applications do you normally receive?
We normally receive approximately 500-600 applications for 52 positions. (For the Class of 2017, we have had approximately 600 applications.)
Who is eligible to apply?
To apply to the Western dental program, students must meet specific academic requirements and the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT).
There are two separate academic eligibility categories:
- Students who apply from the final year (or after completion of) a four-year University degree program.
- Students who apply from the final year (or after completion of) a University graduate program.
Based on undergraduate academic performance and DAT score, competitive students will be invited to attend an interview for Dentistry.
Please note that application to Dentistry is very competitive. The presentation of minimum admission requirements will not ensure acceptance into the program.
What is the minimum competitive academic average needed?
Historically, students who achieve an average of 80% or higher in each of two individual academic years have been considered competitive. Only averages of completed years on file as of the application deadline will be considered. Western’s Dental program administration does not average years together to achieve 80% over two years. (We use the OMSAS – Ontario Medical School Application Service – to convert grades from other Canadian universities to Western standards. The most current version of the scale can be viewed at the following web address: http://www.ouac.on.ca/docs/omsas/c_omsas_b.pdf.)
When can pre-requisites be taken?
Students are advised that prerequisite courses taken within 10 years of application are acceptable. They can be taken at any time prior to the end of the application cycle in which the applicant is registered. (They do not have to be part of the course load of an academic year whose average is used in the application process.)
What Pre-applications coursework is required?
For applicants applying after completion of a 4-year undergraduate degree program?
- At least one half lab course in Organic Chemistry
- At least one half course in Biochemistry
- One full course in Human or Mammalian Physiology
- It is suggested that upper years (beyond year 2) should consist of a full course load with 4 of 5 courses equivalent to second year level or higher
For applicants applying after completion of a graduate degree program:
- All requirements for graduate degree must be completed by June 20
- At least one half lab course in Organic Chemistry
- At least one half course in Biochemistry
- One full course in Human/Mammalian Physiology
Since Schulich Dentistry wants to ensure that the applicant has covered the areas of the required subjects that would be needed in order to enter our curriculum, it keeps lists of currently approved equivalents to the prerequisite courses which are taught at Western.
Do I have to take my undergraduate courses at Western?
No. Students are welcome to take their undergraduate courses at any accredited institution. Your undergraduate program will be assessed by Professional Admission in the Western Registrar’s Office to ensure that your program meets our minimum requirements as stated above.
Can I take prerequisites in the summer?
If planning to fulfill prerequisite requirements during the summer, these courses should be taken, at the latest, during the summer prior to application (not during the summer prior to potential entry). Provided the courses are successfully completed, it will be acknowledged that the prerequisite requirements has been fulfilled; however the marks obtained will not be used in our admissions process.
Can I repeat a year without penalty?
The academic results of repeated years and special years which closely resemble academic years previously taken during an undergraduate program (in course content and/or level of difficulty) will be averaged together with the corresponding academic year.
What is a full course load?
An academic year with five full courses (or equivalent). For a year to be considered in ranking calculations, a minimum of four full courses must be taken; however a penalty will be applied.
What is the Dental Aptitude Test? (DAT)
First year applicants must complete the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) administered by the Canadian Dental Association. Only the most recent DAT score will be used. The DAT must have been completed within the two years prior to the application deadline. NOTE: The DAT is conducted on two occasions each year – February and November. For the December 1 application deadline, the last acceptable DAT test date is the November prior; not the following February. Obtain information from:
Coordinator, DAT Program
Canadian Dental Association
1815 Alta Vista Drive
Ottawa, ON K1G 3Y6
(613) 523-1770
dat@cda-adc.ca
Schulich Dentistry keeps DAT results for the duration of their eligibility in its application process.
What is the minimum DAT score that I need?
Schulich Dentistry uses the Academic Average in its final selection process. This score is based on the scores achieved in the Reading Comprehension, Biology and Chemistry sections of the test. One must meet competitive levels in the Reading Comprehension sectional score in combination with achieving competitive academic grades in order to be invited to an interview. This minimum score on the DAT is subject to change depending on the quality of the applicant pool.
When do interviews take place?
Interviews are normally held during a weekend in April. Invitations are sent via email about a month prior. Western normally interviews approximately 200-250 applicants for 52 seats.
Who are the interviewers?
The interview panel consists of a dentist, a community person, and a senior dental student.
What types of questions are asked during the interview?
The format of the interview questions is structured. The list of questions is created by the Canadian Dental Association. All students are asked questions from the same list.
How are applicants ranked?
Applicants are ranked based on a compiled score representing 60% academics, 15% DAT and 25% interview. The Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) scale of conversion (http://www.ouac.on.ca/docs/omsas/c_omsas_b.pdf) is used to convert academic marks/grades to Western Academic Average standards.
Are reference letters/personal statements required?
No - reference letters and/or personal statements are not required.
Are volunteer hours or work experience required?
No, these types of experiences are not officially required prior to application, however one gets to draw on his/her past non-academic experience when answering questions at the interview.
Can I combine my DDS degree with a Masters or PhD?
Western Dentistry does not offer a combined-concurrent degree program. Students wishing to complete an advanced degree in relation to the Dentistry program at Western must apply to the Dental Clinician-Scientist Program (http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/dentistry/graduatedentalclinicianscientist). Deferred admission to the undergraduate dental program may be offered to candidates who are accepted to a dentally-oriented graduate program at Western. This program must lead to a PhD degree. Applicants to this program are assessed by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and a subcommittee of the Dentistry Admissions Committee.
Can students transfer from another Dental School?
Transfer into the Schulich Dentistry program is possible only if there is a space, created by attrition, in the second year class. Applications for transfer into Year 2 are accepted from students currently enrolled at an approved Dental school. Applicants who have done well in a curriculum similar to that of the Western program will be most competitive. Information and a link to the application form are accessible via the applicants to second year webpage.
What about International Students?
A limited number of positions are available for international students who maintain international status throughout their Dental Education at Western. For information on the Government of Canada regulations international students must meet in order to study at a Canadian University, please visit: www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp
What standing will my foreign Dental degree have?
Graduates of dental programs not recognized by the Canadian Dental Association may be eligible to apply to the Internationally Trained Dentists Program. This program is held over two and a half academic years to prepare students for the National Dental Examining Board exams. Graduates are awarded a DDS Degree.
For information on credentialing foreign trained dentists, please visit: www.cicic.ca/en/index.aspx
What graduate Programs in Dentistry are offered?
Schulich Dentistry offers several opportunities for study following the completion of a DDS.
- Graduate Orthodontics offers a Master of Clinical Dentistry (MClD) Orthodontics. This is a three year program.
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Program offers a combined study in MD and MSc (Pathology)
- General Practice Residency Program is a one year certificate program
- Other graduate offerings at UWO can be found on the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
What financial aid is available?
Every student has a unique financial situation. Western’s Financial Aid office is there to help students meet their educational goals. Western’s policy is that no student will be denied admittance due to lack of funds for tuition. For information on Western’s Financial Aid, please visit:
Room 1100, Western Student Services Building
The University of Western Ontario
http://www.registrar.uwo.ca
Who do I contact for further information?
If you require any further clarification, please contact:
Admissions Coordinator - Dentistry
Elborn College, Room EC 2163
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
London, ON Canada H6G 1H1
Phone: 519-661-3744; FAX: 519-850-2360
Email: admissions.dentistry@schulich.uwo.ca
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