Second Year Transfer Students

• Citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
• Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate dental program in:
  
  • Australia
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Turkey
  • United States
• Undergraduate degree and prerequisites - applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of Schulich Dentistry.
• English language proficiency – applicants whose mother tongue (first language) is not English may be required to prove their understanding of the English language.
• Personal Statement - allows applicants to provide additional scholastic and non-scholastic achievements.
• Interview, Letters of Reference – applicants may be required to be present for an interview and/or submit letters of reference.
• Not required: Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) and Casper.

Application for admission into Second Year must be completed by July 1 for entry in September of the same year. In addition to completing the online application, all applicants must submit the following documentation:

• Application fee of $375 Canadian funds
  • Payment by cheque, money order or bank draft only (online payments are not accepted).
  • Make payable to 'Western University'.
  • Ensure applicant name is indicated on the actual cheque, money order or bank draft.
  • Courier or mail payment to:
    • Dentistry Admissions Coordinator
      Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
      Health Sciences Addition, Room H110
      1151 Richmond St North
      London, Ontario, Canada  N6A 5C1
• Official electronic transcripts preferred
  
  • From each university, college or other post-secondary institution previously attended and/or are currently attending. 
  • Must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions Office at  admissions.dentistry@schulich.uwo.ca. If electronic transcripts cannot be provided, applicants must direct the issuing institution to courier or mail transcripts to the same address as the application fee.
• Course syllabus for EACH previous dental course taken. Please attach to the online application or email to admissions.dentistry@schulich.uwo.ca. Course descriptions are not acceptable.
  
• Dental Curriculum Equivalency Summary form completed and uploaded to the online application.
• Additional documentation as outlined in the online application.
• Transfer Application Checklist completed and uploaded to the online application.

For detailed admission requirements and application information, please review the Application Information document.

All of the above documentation must be uploaded to the online application or submitted electronically to admissions.dentistry@schulich.uwo.ca.

Applicants are reviewed based on a holistic assessment of their academic and non-academic achievements. The most competitive applicants:

• Come from a comparable curriculum. Please refer to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Year 1 course listings.

• Have good standing in their current dental program. Applicants who have been required to withdraw from a dental school for academic or other reasons will usually be ineligible for admission to Schulich Dentistry via Second Year transfer.

Decisions on Second Year Transfer applicants are not subject to appeal.

Falsification or misrepresentation of information from any portion of the application will result in removal of the application from consideration.

Admission consideration is based on the most recent 4-year undergraduate degree. Applicants must have achieved at least 80% or higher in each of the 2 best undergraduate years*.

Each of the 2 best years used for academic average consideration must contain ALL of the following:

• At least 30 credit hours (5.0 full or equivalent courses) completed during the September to April academic year. This constitutes a full course load**. Distribution of the 30 credit hours during the September to April academic year (i.e. between the semesters in one academic year) is not relevant. Summer courses are not eligible for academic average consideration.
• At least 18 credit hours (3.0 full or equivalent courses) whose published academic level is at or above the year of study.
  • Distribution of the 18 credit hours completed during the September to April academic year (i.e. between the two semesters in one academic year) is not relevant.
  • Course level restrictions apply only to the 2 years used for academic average consideration:
    • Year 1: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 1st-year level.
    • Year 2: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 2nd-year level.
    • Year 3, 4 or additional undergraduate years: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 3rd-year level.
• A maximum of 6 pass/fail credit hours (1.0 full or equivalent course) is permitted per year.

*The best 2 years used for academic average consideration can be ANY of the academic years within the 4-year undergraduate degree, as long as each year meets the minimum academic average, course load and course level requirements outlined above.

**Part-time years cannot be considered for academic average, regardless of the requirements of degree programs.  A year with less than 30 credit hours cannot be considered for academic average.

Academic transcripts must clearly show that applicants have met both the course load and course level requirements, as outlined above. 

2019-2020 Academic Year Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic

In order to be considered for academic average, the 2019-2020 academic year must meet all of the following requirements.

• Course load and levels:
  • Must have a minimum 30 credit hours (5.0 full or equivalent courses) completed between September 2019 and April 2020, of which 18 credit hours (3.0 full or equivalent courses) have a published academic level at, or above, the year of study.
  • Must have a maximum 6 pass/fail credit hours (1.0 full or equivalent course) in the fall 2019 term (September to December). Discovery Credits will be considered within, not in addition to, the 6 credit hour pass/fail allowance.
• Academic average:
  • Will be calculated on grades reported for the fall 2019 semester only. 

Grade Conversion

Schulich Dentistry uses percentages for determination of academic average. For transcripts that indicate alpha-numeric grades, the percentage grades will be used.

Schulich Dentistry uses the OUAC (Ontario Universities' Application Centre) Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table to convert alpha grades achieved at other Canadian universities to Western University standards. The most current version of the scale can be found on the OUAC website.

The following university-level prerequisite courses are required:

Organic Chemistry: any half year (3 credit hour) course
It must be an 'Organic Chemistry' course. A 'Chemistry' course that includes a section on organic chemistry will NOT be considered for the requirement.

Biochemistry: a half year (3 credit hour) approved course/course combination
Approved Biochemistry Course Equivalents (PDF 201KB) posted August 29, 2024

Human or Mammalian Physiology: a full year (6 credit hour) approved course/course combination  
Approved Physiology Course Equivalents (PDF 220KB) posted August 29, 2024

Please Note

• Successful completion requires a pass or credit designation. If more than one course must be completed to cover the Biochemistry or Physiology content required, a pass or credit must be obtained in each of the courses.
• Lab components are NOT required to meet prerequisite requirements.
• CEGEP courses may be considered for approved prerequisite course requirements.
• Prerequisite courses do NOT need to be:
  • part of the course load of an academic year whose average is used in the application process, or
  • taken within the 4-year undergraduate degree, or
  • taken at the same institution as the 4-year undergraduate degree
• Applicants may be asked to submit official detailed course syllabi to determine whether courses meet the prerequisite requirements.
• Applicants presenting prerequisite courses that are not approved are encouraged to apply as early as possible to avoid delays in the application assessment.

Schulich Dentistry takes a holistic approach to applications to our DDS Program, with emphasis not only on academics but also on non-academic traits and life experiences. We are committed to enrolling self-directed, motivated, resilient students who reflect the diversity of the patients they serve, and who demonstrate compassion and advocacy for others.

The Personal Statement invites applicants to share their story and what makes them unique by highlighting their activities and life experiences.

Online Courses

Online courses may be considered as part of a full course load used for the academic average, course load and course level requirements, as long as they are completed during the September to April academic year.

If it is not clear from the official transcript, applicants may need to provide additional documentation confirming online courses were completed during the September to April academic year.

Repeat Courses

Repeat courses are acceptable in the 2 best years used for academic average consideration, course load and course level requirements. Repeat courses are calculated in the academic year in which they are taken and are not substituted.

Pass/Fail Courses

A maximum of 6 pass/fail credit hours (1.0 full or equivalent course) is permissible in each of the 2 undergraduate years considered for academic average.

• Pass/Fail courses count toward course load and course level requirements, regardless of whether they are passed or failed.
• Discovery Credits will be considered within, not in addition to, this one full course pass/fail allowance.

Spring/Summer Courses

Courses taken during Spring/Summer sessions will not be counted as part of the full course load. Therefore, courses taken outside of the regular academic year (September to April) are not included in the calculation of an academic average used for admission.

Prerequisite courses that are successfully completed during Spring/Summer sessions will be recognized as having fulfilled the Prerequisite Subject Area requirement.

Overload Courses

If more than 30 credit hours is completed during the September to April academic year, the best 5 full or equivalent courses will be used, provided the remaining courses satisfy course level requirements.

If a year has more than 6 pass-fail credit hours and the year has more than 30 credit hours, academic average assessment will be 6 pass/fail credit hours and 24 credit hours with grades that meet the levels requirement.

Exchange Courses

For applicants who attended other universities on an exchange, the competitive academic average calculation may be based on the marks achieved at the exchange institution. Official transcripts from the exchange institution must be provided at the time of application. If the exchange was taken outside of Canada or the United States, a course-by-course WES evaluation is required for the exchange period.

In cases where the course load and academic grades awarded are significantly different from North American standards, assessment of transcripts will be made by Western University Registrar based on known International Guidelines.

Part-time Undergraduate Degree

It is acceptable to have attended university on a part-time basis and still be considered for admission to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program. However, given the rigorous nature of dental education, we require that two years meet our course load and level requirements to be eligible for academic average consideration.

Each of the 2 best academic years completed from September to April must contain a minimum of 30 credit hours (5.0 full or equivalent courses) with at least 18 credit hours (3.0 full or equivalent courses) whose published academic level is at, or above, the year of study:

• Year 1: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 1st-year level
• Year 2: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 2nd-year level
• Year 3, 4 and additional undergraduate years: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 3rd-year level.

In each of the 2 best years, an 80% academic average must be achieved.

Applicants who completed undergraduate part-time years after obtaining an undergraduate degree will not be penalized in the admissions process.

Online Undergraduate Degree

Applicants who completed an undergraduate degree online may apply if the degree is equivalent to a 4-year undergraduate degree from an accredited university.  

Each of the 2 best academic years completed from September to April must contain a minimum of 30 credit hours (5.0 full or equivalent courses) with at least 18 credit hours (3.0 full or equivalent courses) whose published academic level is at or above the year of study:

• Year 1: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 1st-year level
• Year 2: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 2nd-year level
• Year 3, 4 and additional undergraduate years: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 3rd-year level.

In each of the 2 best years, an 80% academic average must be achieved.

If it is not clear from the official transcript, an applicant may need to provide additional documentation confirming that all courses were completed during the September to April academic year.

Co-op Degree

Applicants who completed a co-op degree program may apply, if they have 2 co-op years that meet the academic average, course load and course level requirements.

To be eligible for academic average consideration, a co-op year must consist of the 2 academic terms which combine to complete 1 of the mandatory program years (e.g. academic terms 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8). Academic terms belonging to different program years (e.g. 2&3, 4&5, 6&7) will not be considered.

Each of the 2 best co-op years, as defined above, must contain 30 credit hours (5.0 full or equivalent courses) with at least 18 credit hours (3.0 full course equivalents) whose published academic level is at, or above, the year of study:

• Year 1: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 1st-year level
• Year 2: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 2nd-year level
• Year 3, 4 and additional undergraduate years: 18 of 30 credit hours (3.0 of 5.0 full course equivalents) at or above the 3rd-year level.

Special Year (after graduating)

Applicants who completed an additional non-degree academic year in undergraduate studies - a so-called Special Year – after graduating with a 4-year undergraduate degree are eligible to apply.

For a Special Year to be considered for academic average consideration, the following conditions must be met:

• Within the most recent undergraduate degree completed prior to the Special Year, applicants must already have at least 1 academic year that meets our academic average minimum requirements (see Undergraduate Degree/Academic Average).
• The Special Year must be taken post-completion of the most recent 4-year undergraduate degree.
• The Special Year must contain:
  • 30 credit hours (5.0 full or equivalent courses) completed during the September to April academic year, and
  • at least 24 credit hours (4.0 full or equivalent courses) at, or above, the published academic level of 2nd-year.
• A maximum of 6 pass/fail credit hours (1.0 full or equivalent course) will be permitted. Discovery Credits will be considered within, not in addition to, the 6 credit hour allowance.
• A minimum 80% academic average must be achieved in the Special Year.

Two Special Years will be allowed on a candidate's transcript, if the applicant did not achieve 80% in the first Special Year attempt.

The Special Year must be completed prior to application. Special Years taken during the year of application will NOT be considered.

Repeat courses are permitted in a Special Year. 

International Undergraduate Degree

Applicants who completed their undergraduate university education outside of Canada and the United States may apply to our DDS Program. Transcripts from universities outside of Canada or the United States must be submitted to World Education Services (WES) to be assessed on a course-by-course basis.

In cases where the course load and academic grades awarded are significantly different from North American standards, assessment of transcripts will be made by Western University Registrar based on known International Guidelines.

Graduate Degree

Only undergraduate coursework is considered for calculation of academic average for admission purposes. The academic average from a graduate degree is not eligible for consideration.

Applicants with a conferred graduate degree at the time of application are awarded bonus points.

Collaborative College/University Degree

Applicants who completed a collaborative college/university degree program that is equivalent to a 4-year undergraduate degree may be eligible to apply.  Academic average consideration is based on the academic years completed during the university years of the collaborative degree.  Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

I am enrolled in another dental school. Can I transfer?

Yes. However, transfer is only possible into Year 2 of the DDS Program and only if a vacancy is created by attrition. 

Eligibility is restricted to citizens or permanent residents of Canada who are enrolled in an accredited dental program in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Turkey or the United States.

For complete details please visit the Transfer Students webpage.

Are there undergraduate degree requirements to be eligible for transfer consideration?

Yes. To be eligible for transfer consideration, applicants must meet the same academic average, course load and course level requirements as general admission applicants.

Please review the Admission Requirements section on this webpage.

When will I know if a transfer seat is available?

Determination of whether a seat is available for transfer happens in late July, so applicants must apply without knowing if a seat is available.