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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS) Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Aurora, CO, United StatesEstablished 1973Interviews October–FebruaryDecisions Rolling admissions
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Full guide

How to get into University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS) dentistry

Step-by-step: entry requirements, DAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.

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Interview guide

Prepare for the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS) interview

Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

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Overview

About University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS)

The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (UCSDM), founded in 1973, is the only dental school in Colorado, located on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. As a public institution with a state workforce mission, UCSDM trains dentists primarily for Colorado and the Mountain West, with a strong emphasis on rural and underserved community dentistry. The school benefits from co-location with CU's medical, pharmacy, nursing, and public health schools, enabling genuine interprofessional education. UCSDM is particularly known for its community-oriented curriculum and rural rotation programs across Colorado.

What makes it different

Applications via ADEA AADSAS. As Colorado's sole dental school, UCSDM carries a public mission to train dentists for Colorado communities, particularly rural counties with significant dental access challenges. The Anschutz Medical Campus cluster — one of the largest integrated health science campuses in the Mountain West — provides outstanding interprofessional education opportunities.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum with integrated biomedical sciences and clinical training. UCSDM is on the Anschutz Medical Campus alongside medical, pharmacy, public health, and nursing schools — interprofessional education is built into the curriculum. Patient care begins in Year 2. Rural rotation programs connect students to dental practices across Colorado, including underserved rural communities.

Research strengths

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS) has notable research strength in Oral health disparities, Craniofacial biology, Pediatric oral health, Rural dental health, Biomaterials.

Interview

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS) interviews via MMI and/or traditional interview at Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO. University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine conducts MMI and/or traditional faculty interviews at its Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. As Colorado's only dental school, UCSDM interviews assess motivation for dentistry, commitment to serving Colorado communities (particularly rural and underserved regions), manual dexterity evidence, and the oral-systemic health connection. The school's Anschutz Medical Campus setting — co-located with CU's Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Nursing — means interprofessional education is a core theme. Colorado residents receive strong preference in the admissions process.

Intake

Approximately 55–68 students per year.

At a glance

Founded in 1973, based in Aurora, CO. Programmes offered: General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Community Dentistry.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Colorado residents have a strong preference as the only public dental school in the state — typically the large majority of the class is in-state. Manual dexterity documentation, dental shadowing, and community health experience expected.
GPA median
3.65 overall / 3.60 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
6.5%
Class size
62
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants
78%
CASPer
Not required
AAMC PREview
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Colorado residency, rural dental commitment, interprofessional health interest, dental experience, manual dexterity.
Notes
Estimates from publicly available ADEA AADSAS data; verify for current cycle. DAT Academic Average median approximately 20–22 (hedged). Strong in-state preference as only public dental school in Colorado.
Specialities offered
General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Community Dentistry
Interview

How University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS) interviews applicants

Format
MMI and/or traditional interview at Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 35–50% post-interview (estimated, strong in-state preference).
Tutor insight
Colorado residents have a strong institutional advantage — be specific about your ties to the state and your awareness of Colorado's dental access challenges, especially in rural mountain and eastern plains communities. Out-of-state applicants need a compelling reason for choosing UCSDM over their home state's dental school. The interprofessional Anschutz campus setting is a genuine differentiator — demonstrate interest in collaborative health education. Rural dental rotation willingness is valued.
Practice

Practise for your University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

HardMMI · PanelQ1

Integrating New Evidence When It Contradicts Established Practice

Imagine that, several years into practice, a high-quality systematic review concludes that a procedure you were trained to perform routinely offers little benefit and may carry small but real risks. Many of your respected colleagues continue to do it. Walk us through how you would evaluate this new evidence and decide whether, and how, to change your own practice.

Likely follow-up · What would you actually look at to judge whether this systematic review should change your behavior, rather than just trusting its conclusion?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
MediumPanel · MMIQ2

Science GPA vs. DAT: Navigating an Uneven Academic Profile

Dental school admissions increasingly emphasize a holistic review of applicants, considering the whole person rather than filtering solely on GPA and DAT scores. Some applicants have a strong science GPA but a weaker DAT, while others show the reverse pattern. Imagine that your own application has an academic strength in one area and a relative weakness in another. How would you contextualize that profile for an admissions committee, and more broadly, what do you think an ideal admissions process should measure to identify candidates who will become excellent dentists?

Likely follow-up · A classmate who scored higher on the DAT than you is struggling significantly with the clinical curriculum, while you are thriving. What does this suggest about the predictive validity of standardized testing for dental success?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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DAT & Admissions

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FAQ

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS) — frequently asked questions

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