The following are frequently asked questions about applying:

Q: Are my Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores competitive?

A: Our incoming class averages are:

Although our general minimum acceptable score is 17 on all scales, competitive scores this year were 20 and higher. If your scores are significantly lower than our class averages, you should retake the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) before September.

The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is available on almost any day of the year at any Pro Metric Center. Preference for admission is given to students who provide DAT scores no later than September for the entering class of the following July. To receive an application, please contact the American Dental Association (ADA) Department of Testing at 800-621-8099 or online at www.ada.org .

Effective January 2007, examinees who have attended three or more DAT exams must apply for special permission to take the test again. For test administration purposes, anyone who has been seated at a computer workstation at a Prometric Test Center and started the exam by electronically agreeing to the confidentiality statement will be deemed to have “attended” the exam. This policy is effective beginning January 2007 and includes any previous examination attempts. Requests for additional testing must be submitted in writing to the Department of Testing Services and must include evidence of current (within the previous 18 months) intent to apply to dental school. Acceptable forms of evidence may include: 1) a copy of a completed and submitted application to dental school, 2) a letter of rejection from a dental school, 3) a letter from a dental school admissions officer encouraging you to retest or reapply, or 4) a letter on school stationary from a college or university health profession advisor or instructor verifying that you are applying/reapplying to dental school.

Q: Are there particular courses that would best prepare me for dental school?

A: The Admissions Committee encourages every student to develop his or her course of study in conjunction with the college or university predental advisor. If a school does not not have a predental advisor, the student should consult faculty members in the Departments of Chemistry and Biology to select courses that meet the intent of the predental requirements..

The Admissions Committee recommends that you select courses that extend the content of biomedical sciences such as anatomy, histology, biochemistry, physiology, & microbiology.

Q: What level of performance is the Admissions Committee looking for in my academic history?

A: Many of our successful applicants completed three or more terms of full-time study within the last three years. Full-time study is defined as four or more courses per term. Three of their four courses were predental science courses approved for biology majors. They achieved a B or better in each course; no D, W, F or I grades.

Our incoming class Grade Point Average (GPA) averages are: overall GPA - 3.37 and science GPA - 3.30.

Q: Are there elective courses that would help prepare me to be a good dentist?

A: To develop your doctor/patient relationship skills, we recommend a course in journalism, public speaking, debate, interpersonal relationships, or drama.

To prepare you for managing your own business, we recommend accounting for small business, marketing for the small business, consumer behavior, or economics courses.

To enhance your hand skills, we recommend course work in mechanical drafting/drawing, jewelry making, sculpting, or ceramics.

Q: What other experiences will help prepare me for a career in dentistry?

A: We strongly encourage you to spend a minimum of 40 hours working, volunteering, or observing in a dental office. Join the predental club at your University or College and the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) at (312)-440-2826or online at www.asdanet.org

Q: Does Pacific require a secondary application?

A: No. You need only to file an Associated American Dental School Application Service (AADSAS) application.

You can apply online to the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) website at www.adea.org

We recommend that you apply as early as June but no later than October. The official deadline is December 1.

Q: How will your admissions office notify me regarding the status of my application?

A: Our office will notify you in writing when we have received:

• Your application from the Associated American Dental School Application Service (AADSAS).

• An Application fee of $75.00 (USD), which will activate your file. Activated files are processed and/or reviewed by the Executive Admissions Committee.

In Mid-August, a web site will be available for you to check your status online.  The address and information on this site will be provided to you when our office receives your AADSAS application.

Applicants selected by our Executive Admissions Committee are invited to the dental school for an interview. Invitations for interview are extended by phone and confirmed by mail. Most of our interviews are conducted from October through March. By mid-May, all applicants will be notified by mail as to the final decision on their application.

Q: What are the selection factors for an interview at Pacific?

A: The Admissions Committee carefully considers each applicant's scholastic record, scores on the DAT, AADSAS essay, letters of evaluation, evidence of manual dexterity (including the perceptual ability portion of the DAT), and other personal attributes and qualities as well as demonstration of his or her understanding about a career in the dental profession.

Applicants who appear to meet the requirements will be invited to the dental school in San Francisco for an interview with one or more members of the Admissions Committee. During the interview the applicant's interest in dentistry, future plans, maturity, and other personal qualities needed for successful work with patients are assessed. In addition, applicants will participate in an orientation seminar, meet informally with current dental students, and tour the school. 

Applicants who are offered the opportunity to enroll must complete planned coursework at a specified performance level.

Q: If I have applied to Pacific in previous years, am I guaranteed admission next year?

A: No. Our School has one of the largest applicant pools in the country. This year nearly 3,000 individuals applied for 140 positions. Unfortunately, the Committee had to deny admission to many qualified applicants due to limited class size. Competitive applicants may need to apply several times before being invited for an interview.