2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
UCLA School of Dentistry is a US DDS program in Los Angeles, CA that takes 2027-entry applications through ADEA AADSAS. Its published class profile lists a median GPA of 3.87, a 5.0% acceptance rate and a class of 88. The school holds a traditional interview: October 2026–February 2027.
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Step-by-step: entry requirements, DAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.
Open the guide →Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.
Read the guide →UCLA School of Dentistry was founded in 1964. It is one of the top-ranked dental schools in the United States, and part of UCLA Health, a major academic medical center in Los Angeles. It sits on the UCLA main campus in Westwood. The school is known for research in craniofacial biology, dental public health, and digital dentistry.
Through its main clinic and affiliated community health sites across Los Angeles, it serves one of the most diverse patient populations in the country.
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. UCLA's location in Los Angeles provides exposure to one of the most diverse urban patient populations in the US. The school's research profile and UCLA Health integration offer genuine academic medicine opportunities for dental students interested in research careers.
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum at UCLA's integrated health sciences campus. Early clinical exposure through UCLA's dental simulation lab in Year 1; patient care from Year 2 at the UCLA Dental Center and affiliated community sites. Research integration throughout with a required scholarly project.
UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) is strong in these research areas:
Format: Personal interview (the school's pages do not describe the format further)
Approximately 88 students per year.
UCLA School of Dentistry was founded in 1964 and is based in Los Angeles, CA.
Programmes offered:
These are real recordings of the interviewers you would meet, from a panel of 19 photoreal faces. Speak your answers out loud, get pressed with follow-ups, and receive rubric-scored feedback about two minutes after you finish, with a replay of your answers.
Try the AI interviewer| GPA (median) | 3.87 |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.0% |
| Class size | 88 |
| In-state preference | Strong in-state preference |
| Interview format | Traditional interview |
| Intake | Approximately 88 students per year |
| Admission overview | Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer is not required. California residents have strong preference. Research experience, dental exposure, community health involvement, and strong academic record expected. |
|---|---|
| GPA median | 3.87 overall / 3.85 science (BCPM) |
| Acceptance rate | 5.0% |
| Class size | 88 |
| In-state preference | Strong — primarily in-state |
| CASPer | Not required |
| Holistic review emphasis | California residency, dental experience, research, diversity, community health. |
| Notes | GPA medians hedged. DAT Academic Average median approximately 21–23 (hedged). Strong in-state preference. DAT figure sourced 2026-09-12 from https://dentistry.ucla.edu/about/facts-and-figures (retired 1-30 scale). Interview details checked 2026-10-07 against https://dentistry.ucla.edu/academics-admissions/dds-program/admission-selection-process: a personal interview, July to January; the page does not name an MMI or any other format. |
| Specialities offered | Orthodontics, Oral Biology, Prosthodontics, Dental Public Health, Periodontics |
MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from UCLA School of Dentistry's published admissions data. Class profiles are republished each year — confirm which entering class these numbers describe before you rely on them.
| Format | Personal interview (the school's pages do not describe the format further) |
|---|---|
| Interview window (2027 entry) | October 2026–February 2027 |
| Decision date (2027 entry) | Rolling admissions |
| Post-interview chances | Approximately 30–40% post-interview (estimated). |
California applicants should emphasize dental community service experience — LA's diverse population makes cultural competence a central value at UCLA Dentistry. Research experience, even in non-dental fields, is valued. The UCLA brand and LA location attract very competitive OOS applicants; California residents should not take admission for granted.
Two questions from our US bank that match UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS)’s panel format. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Most US dental graduates start as associates rather than opening their own practice, and some later buy in, stay associates, or join a dental service organization (DSO). Given your likely debt and career goals, which practice model appeals to you, and why?
Likely follow-up · What are the trade-offs of DSO employment, with its stable hours and income, compared with owning an independent practice?
Most dental students hit a serious setback at some point: a failed exam, a difficult board attempt, a struggle in the simulation lab, or a personal crisis. Tell us about a significant setback or failure you have experienced. How did you respond at the time, and what did it teach you about coping under sustained pressure?
Likely follow-up · What specific strategies or support systems do you rely on when you are overwhelmed?
We've helped students into UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) and other US dentistry schools — get tailored support for each stage of the application.
Plan your DAT prep and AADSAS application strategy for UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS).
Learn morePractise the Traditional interview format with students who interviewed at UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS).
Learn moreGet your personal statement reviewed by successful applicants.
Learn moreCompiled from UCLA School of Dentistry's published admissions material and checked for internal consistency. Not independently re-checked against the school's own website for 2027 entry — confirm the figures with the school before you rely on them.
We've helped students turn their DAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) and other US dentistry schools.
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