Columbia College of Dental Medicine (DDS) Dental School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
Columbia College of Dental Medicine (CDM), located at Columbia University's Washington Heights Medical Campus in New York City, is one of the most research-intensive dental schools in the United States. Founded in 1852, CDM trains dentists with a strong emphasis on the biological basis of oral health, research integration, and medical-dental collaboration through close ties with Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to Columbia College of Dental Medicine (DDS).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer requirement — check CDM admissions for current cycle. Research experience, dental exposure, and strong academic record expected.
GPA median
3.84 overall / 3.80 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
9.0%
Class size
85
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Required
Holistic review emphasis
Research experience, academic achievement, dental exposure, medical-dental integration interest.
Notes
GPA medians hedged. DAT Academic Average approximately 26 (Class of 2029, official); ~23-24 in recent prior classes. Acceptance rate approximate.
Specialities offered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics, Orthodontics, Dental Research, Prosthodontics
Interview Format
How Columbia College of Dental Medicine (DDS) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional one-on-one faculty interview
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 30–40% post-interview (estimated).
What makes Columbia College of Dental Medicine (DDS) different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Columbia's medical campus integration with CUIMC is distinctive — dental students benefit from co-education with medical students and access to hospital-based oral health care settings. Research opportunities through Columbia's broad basic science departments.
Tutor insight
Columbia CDM interviewers look for intellectual curiosity and a clear research or scholarship narrative alongside clinical interest. Demonstrate awareness of CDM's medical-dental integration model and why you value studying dentistry within a medical research university context.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
405 dentistry questions inside
Interview questions matched to Columbia College of Dental Medicine (DDS)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Columbia College of Dental Medicine (DDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Medium·MMI · PanelQ1
ADA Nonmaleficence: Avoiding Unnecessary Treatment
The ADA principle of nonmaleficence — 'do no harm' — applies not only to avoiding procedural injury but also to avoiding unnecessary treatment that exposes patients to risk, cost, and time without clinical benefit. Overtreatment in dentistry is a documented problem: studies using standardized clinical cases have found significant variation in treatment recommendations among dentists for borderline findings, with some practitioners consistently recommending more aggressive treatment than clinical evidence supports. A new dental school graduate, eager to build a practice, may face subtle incentives to recommend treatment that is not strictly necessary. How do you think about the nonmaleficence obligation in the context of clinical uncertainty and financial incentives?
Likely follow-up · You examine a new patient who has radiographic evidence of incipient interproximal lesions — early caries that appear limited to enamel on radiographs. Operative dentistry textbooks differ on the threshold for restorative intervention vs. watchful waiting with remineralization. How do you make the clinical decision?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Medium·MMI · PanelQ2
Conflict of Interest: Dental Product Endorsement and Industry Relationships
The dental industry — including dental materials companies, equipment manufacturers, and pharmaceutical firms — maintains active relationships with dental professionals through continuing education sponsorship, product samples, speaking honoraria, and research funding. The ADA Code requires dentists to make treatment recommendations based on patient benefit, not on personal financial relationships with industry. As a future dental professional, how do you think about managing potential conflicts of interest with industry, and what transparency obligations do you have toward patients?
Likely follow-up · A company whose composite resin you frequently use offers to pay you $2,000 to present a 30-minute case report at a regional dental conference showcasing your success with their product. What do you do?
Apply to Columbia College of Dental Medicine (DDS) with confidence
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Columbia College of Dental Medicine (DDS) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer requirement — check CDM admissions for current cycle. Research experience, dental exposure, and strong academic record expected.
Traditional one-on-one faculty interview
Columbia College of Dental Medicine (DDS) typically interviews in October–February.
Decisions are released Rolling admissions.
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Columbia's medical campus integration with CUIMC is distinctive — dental students benefit from co-education with medical students and access to hospital-based oral health care settings. Research opportunities through Columbia's broad basic science departments.
