Admission Information for the DMD

Admission Requirements

Admission Policy

The Committee on Admissions selects students based on academic proficiency in pre-dental studies, performance on the Dental Admissions Test, recommendations, and nonacademic factors assessed in a personal interview.

Mission of the Admissions Committee:
The University of Louisville School of Dentistry Admissions Committee shall identify, evaluate, and recommend applicants to the Dean who demonstrate the academic, cultural, social and personal abilities to become competent practitioners.

Applicants are evaluated on academic and nonacademic factors utilizing a holistic scoring model.

Dental students require both cognitive and technical skills to succeed in the curriculum. With this in mind, applicants must be able to meet the minimum technical standards for admission and matriculation with or without reasonable accommodation.

Candidates for the study of dentistry must have sound ethical and moral character and possess the ability to grow professionally. Applicants for the first-year class of the University of Louisville, School of Dentistry are considered on their own merits, without prejudice regarding race, religion, sex, age, handicap, color, or national origin.

Dentistry is the practice of applied biological science and requires precision in technical competence. Since members of the profession have many civic and social responsibilities, a highly developed sense of social awareness is required. An understanding of human nature and human relationships is of utmost importance. In selecting courses in preparation for the study of dentistry, a student should include courses in the natural/physical sciences and in the social sciences and humanities which are the foundations of a liberal education. Additional courses in business, mathematics, and communication skills have proven advantageous to our graduates.

Academic Background

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours of college course work, including 38 hours of science courses. Applicants who attended an international institution must provide an officially evaluated transcript and must meet all requirements. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to modify admission requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Required courses:

• General Chemistry: 2 semesters with labs (8 credit hours minimum)
• Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters with labs (8 credit hours minimum)
• Physics: 1 semester (3 credit hours)
• Biochemistry: 1 semester (3 credit hours)
• Biology: 4 semesters (16 credit hours minimum)

​Recommended Biology courses: 

• Human Anatomy or Comparative Anatomy (strongly recommended)
• Histology
• Physiology
• Cellular Biology
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Other upper-level human biology courses

It is expected that all applicants will also have received a broad exposure to the humanities and social sciences. Additional courses that students have found helpful include fine arts, business, psychology, and communications.

Dental Admission Test

The Dental Admission Test is required of all entering students. Applicants may take the test, at a date and time of their choosing, but are encouraged to take the test no later than September prior to their anticipated enrollment for the following fall. Further information may be obtained by visiting the ADA website: https://www.ada.org.

Application

The School of Dentistry participates in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).

Students are encouraged to initiate the application process during the summer or early fall to insure sufficient time for processing. Kentucky, out-of-state, and international residents are considered for admission.

The Admissions staff and the Admissions Committee strive to recruit, admit, and retain a class that seeks to fulfill the goal of achieving the educational benefits of diversity. Workforce demands of the local, state and national levels may be considered. All applicants seriously considered for admission must participate in an interview. These individuals are provided information regarding the School’s goals, strengths, expectations, and student performance. Financial considerations are also discussed. Applicants meet with faculty and interact with students.

Applications from the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) are accepted from June 1 through December 31. The application deadline is December 31 of each year. Approximately 400-450 applicants are interviewed each year to fill a class. Classes in recent years have had 120 students.

Letters of acceptance are offered beginning December 15 in accordance with AADSAS policy. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a place in the class. The deposit is applied to the cost of registration for the first semester of enrollment. All acceptances are granted contingent upon the satisfactory completion of any college work in progress at the time of acceptance and clearance on an official Certiphi background check.

Inquiries concerning admission should be emailed to dmdadms@louisville.edu.

The School of Dentistry reserves the right to limit enrollment on the basis of scholarship, recommendations, interviews, background checks, and any other factors affecting the admission process.

Application and Acceptance Timelines

Filing of formal application

• Earliest date: June 1
• Latest date: December 31
• Application fee: $65.00

Notification of Acceptance

• Earliest date: December 15
• Latest date: Varies

Applicant Response to Acceptance

• If accepted between December 15 and January 31: 30 days
• If accepted between February 1 and May 15: 15 days
• If accepted after May 15: varies

An advanced tuition fee holds a place in the class. The deposit is non-refundable if applicant cancels acceptance.