San Francisco’s University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry was established in 1896. The University of Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry, formerly the College of Physicians and Surgeons, is dedicated to offering educational programs that are student-centered and the best dental care available in the Bay Area.
The University of Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry is dedicated to giving students a top-notch dental education and comprehensive, reasonably priced adult and pediatric patient care in a humanistic setting.
Mobile Menu – Academics
Here are the answers to your most pressing inquiries about the DDS program.
Q: Are my Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores competitive?
A: Our incoming class averages are:
- Academic average: 22
- Perceptual ability: 21
- Quantitative Reasoning: 22
- Reading comprehension: 22
- Biology: 22
- General chemistry: 21
- Organic chemistry: 22
- Total science: 21
Competitive scores this year were 22 and higher. We advise retaking the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) if your results are significantly below the class averages (below 20). Although there is no set date for taking the DAT, students are given preference for admission if they submit their final DAT results by no later than November for any given admissions cycle. The committee reviews only the most recent DAT scores provided.
For instructions on how to schedule a date for the DAT, please visit the American Dental Association (ADA) website.
Are there any courses in particular that would help me get ready for dental school?
The admissions committee advises each applicant to create their course of study in consultation with their institution’s predental advisor. In the absence of a predental advisor, students should seek advice from professors in the chemistry and biology departments when choosing courses to fulfill the predental requirements. We advise you to enroll in courses like anatomy, histology, biochemistry, physiology, and microbiology that expand on the material covered in the biomedical sciences.
What grade point average in my academic record is the admissions committee looking for?
A lot of our chosen candidates finished three or more terms of full-time college study within the previous three years. Four or more courses per term are required for full-time study. Three out of the four courses per term should be predental science courses that are accepted by biology majors. Candidates must receive a B or higher in each course; no D, W, F, or I grades are acceptable. Our incoming class grade point averages (GPA) are 3. 6 overall and 3. 5 science.
Do elective courses exist that could help me become a good dentist?
A course in journalism, public speaking, debate, interpersonal relationships, or drama is advised to improve your ability to communicate with patients and other healthcare professionals.
We advise taking accounting for small business, marketing for small business, consumer behavior, or economics courses to help you get ready to run your own business.
We advise taking courses in mechanical drafting/drawing, jewelry making, sculpting, or ceramics to improve your hand skills.
Q: Does Pacific require a secondary application?
A: No. You need only to file an Associated American Dental School Application Service (AADSAS) application. We recommend that you apply as early as June but no later than November. The official deadline is early February.
How will your admissions office let me know how my application is progressing?
A: In order to learn the most recent status of your application,
For an interview, candidates chosen by our Executive Admissions Committee are invited to the dental school. Interview invitations are extended over the phone and confirmed via email. Most of our interviews are conducted from September through March. Each applicant will receive a letter informing them of the outcome of their application by the end of May.
What selection criteria are used at Pacific for job interviews?
A: The Admissions Committee carefully examines each applicant’s academic history, DAT scores, AADSAS essay, letters of recommendation, evidence of manual dexterity (including the perceptual ability portion of the DAT), and other personal characteristics as well as evidence of his or her understanding of a career in the dental profession.
Inquiries with one or more members of the admissions committee will be held at the dental school in San Francisco with candidates who appear to meet the requirements. The applicant’s interest in dentistry, future plans, maturity, and other personal qualities necessary for successful patient work are evaluated during the interview. Additionally, candidates will take part in an orientation seminar, have a casual meeting with current dental students, and visit the campus. Those who are given the chance to enroll must finish the planned coursework at a certain performance level.
Interviewers from the faculty may make recommendations for admission, but the Executive Admissions Committee retains the right to reject them.
A: If I’ve previously applied to your dental school, am I guaranteed admission the following year?
A: No. One of the nation’s largest applicant pools is at our dental school. This year more than 2,700 individuals applied for 140 positions.
Unfortunately, because of the small class size, the Admissions Committee had to turn down many qualified applicants. Before being contacted for an interview, competitive candidates might need to submit multiple applications.
Your admissions standing for the upcoming cycle won’t be adversely affected if you indicate on your subsequent application that you are a repeat applicant.
My application was “Received/Waiting Additional Information,” according to my AADSAS status. What does this mean, and what should we do next?
A: In order to have a complete application, we must receive the following items, in addition to the successful submission of your AADSAS Application:
- FINAL Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Scores
- A committee letter OR three letters of recommendation (two from science professors and one of your choosing).
- We do not accept fee waivers for the $75 supplemental application fee. If you don’t send us your payment by the ADEA AADSAS Deadline each year, we won’t be able to review your application for that cycle because the Fee portal closes on that day.
After submitting your application, be sure to regularly check your email for updates to make sure all files have been submitted. Check your spam folder if you don’t receive emails from us for a while.
Check your status in AADSAS. It will indicate that you are on hold or that more information is needed if we are missing files.
Q: Which DAT scores will you accept?
A: As part of our comprehensive application review process, we’ll take a look at your most recent DAT results.
Make sure to specify a planned or upcoming DAT date on your application if you intend to retake the DAT after submitting your application. Up until we receive your updated scores, your file will be placed on hold.
If you applied with a DAT date in mind and later decide against taking the test again, please let us know so that we can release the hold on your application.
Please be aware that DATs must be taken within one year of the June start of the admission cycle. Final DATs submitted to us prior to November 1 will be reviewed first.
How can I make the most of my letters of recommendation so that my character evaluation for my dental school application is effective?
A: Ensure that you include two letters from professors of biomedical science. Science professors can teach courses in biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and other related fields. Your third letter.
Select those who are familiar with you and who can vouch for your character, personality, and/or work ethic.
At least three months before submitting your application, begin looking for letters of recommendation. This will give your writers enough time to prepare the letter and submit it without feeling rushed.
Give your letter writers clear guidance:
- Before sending the letter, the author must physically sign it; unsigned letters will not be accepted.
- The letter should ideally be printed on letterhead or include the logo of the business or institution where the author is employed.
- Make sure to let them know the requirements for ADEA AADSAS letter submission so they will know what to anticipate.
- Set a due date for them to submit the letter, giving them at least a month to do so.
- To maintain the confidentiality of the writing, the letters must be submitted directly to AADSAS; the applicant must not view or submit the letters.
Q: Can I submit additional letters of recommendation?
A: You may submit up to four letters of recommendation with your application through AADSAS. Additional letters will not be accepted.
Does your institution accept intent letters or application updates?
A: You may submit a letter of intent to sf_admissions@pacific. edu, but given the volume of emails we receive daily, we are unable to confirm receipt of your letter. Updates to applications won’t be accepted unless the Office of Admissions specifically requests them.
Q: Why am I not receiving email updates?
A: Due to the volume of applications we receive and review, as well as the busy nature of the admissions cycle, we are unable to answer calls or respond to emails asking about the status of applications.
Please check your AADSAS portal for the most recent version of your status. Your application is complete and has everything we need to review it if it has a “Received/Under Review” status.
We also advise regularly checking your email for updates to make sure all correspondence is being received. To ensure that our emails do not end up being marked as spam, please check your spam and junk folders.
Are interviews necessary to be accepted or to be considered for a different position in the program?
A: Yes, invitation-only interviews are necessary for any open positions in the program.
Q: Are interviews virtual or in person?
A: Interviews, by invitation, are in person. Candidates will be informed of any virtual interview days, if offered, when they are invited for an interview.
My AADSAS status reads “Received/Under Review,” according to my application. What does this imply, and what should we do next?
A: This indicates that we have all the materials we need to review your application and that we don’t need anything else right now. If you’re chosen for an interview, we’ll call to set up the time, but we’ll also email you to let you know.
We may email periodic updates throughout the cycle (June-February). The Office of Admissions is unable to provide status updates once your application is under review due to the high volume of inquiries.
Q: Is the campus open for tours?
A: We welcome pre-arranged visits from prospective students through the Office of Admissions. Tours typically take place from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Other times can be arranged if needed. Please contact Erika Giannini at egiannini@pacific. edu or sf_admissions@pacific. edu to schedule a tour.
When on the clinic floors, visitors must be fully immunized (with a booster) and wear a mask (a surgical mask or an N95). In order for us to find tour guides and prepare the best possible visit for you, we kindly ask that you make your tour reservation at least a week in advance.
Q: I have questions about applying or prerequisites for admission. Can I schedule time to meet with an Admissions Coordinator?.
A: Yes, we offer virtual advising appointments (Phone or Zoom offered) for prospective applicants. Appointments can be made online. If you would like to discuss your transcripts, please make sure to send them to your selected advisor at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Applicants who have already submitted an application for this cycle should call us at 415 780. 2093 or email us at sf_admissions@pacific. edu for questions.
Should You Go To The University Of The Pacific Dugoni School Of Dentistry? | Student Loan Planner
FAQ
What dental school is the easiest to get into?
- University of Mississippi. Acceptance rate: 44.3% …
- University of Minnesota. Acceptance rate: 38.54% …
- University of Puerto Rico. Acceptance rate: 36.70% …
- University of Detroit Mercy. …
- University of Utah. …
- University of Washington. …
- East Carolina University. …
- Ohio State University.
How competitive is UOP dental school?
One of the nation’s largest applicant pools is at our dental school. This year more than 2,700 individuals applied for 140 positions.
What percentage of dental school applicants are accepted?
Dental School Acceptance Rates The American Dental Education Association reports that over the past 20 years, dental school acceptance rates have largely remained unchanged. About 55% of applicants are accepted.
What is the #1 dental school in the US?
1. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Dentistry holds the distinguished distinction of being recognized as the best dental school in not only the U S, but the world.