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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS) Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location San Francisco, CA, United StatesEstablished 1881Interviews October–FebruaryDecisions Rolling admissions
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Full guide

How to get into UCSF School of Dentistry (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 UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS) interview

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

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Overview

About UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS)

The UCSF School of Dentistry, founded in 1881, is consistently ranked among the top dental schools in the United States and is the leading public dental school in California. Located on the UCSF Parnassus Heights campus in San Francisco, the school is deeply integrated with UCSF's world-class medical and health sciences research enterprise. UCSF Dentistry produces academic dental leaders and innovative clinician-scientists.

What makes it different

Applications via ADEA AADSAS. UCSF is the premier public dental school in California — in-state tuition represents extraordinary value given the school's international ranking. The UCSF research ecosystem is unmatched among US public dental schools.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum at UCSF's integrated health sciences campus. Early patient exposure through the UCSF Dental Center and affiliated community clinics. Research is embedded throughout — all students complete a research project. Strong community dentistry program serving diverse San Francisco populations.

Research strengths

UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS) has notable research strength in Oral biology, Craniofacial development, Oral cancer, Dental materials, Health disparities.

Interview

UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews via Traditional one-on-one interviews — two separate Zoom interviews, one with a faculty member and one with a current student.

Intake

Approximately 88 students per year.

At a glance

Founded in 1881, based in San Francisco, CA. Programmes offered: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Oral Biology Research, Community Dentistry.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer is not required. UCSF does not give formal preference to California residents, though most matriculants are Californians in practice. Research experience, dental healthcare exposure, and academic excellence expected.
GPA median
3.70 overall / 3.66 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
5.0%
Class size
88
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Research, dental experience, diversity, academic record (no formal California-residency preference).
Notes
GPA medians hedged. DAT Academic Average median approximately 21–23 (hedged). No formal California-resident preference per official admissions FAQ.
Specialities offered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Oral Biology Research, Community Dentistry
Interview

How UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional one-on-one interviews — two separate Zoom interviews, one with a faculty member and one with a current student
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 30–40% post-interview (estimated).
Tutor insight
UCSF offers a top-ranked dental program at public-school cost. It states it gives no formal preference to California residents, though most matriculants are Californians in practice; all applicants should bring a compelling research or diversity story. Interviews are two one-on-one conversations — one with a faculty member and one with a current student (conducted by Zoom) — not an MMI; interviewers do not see your written application, so be ready to recount your motivations and experiences afresh, grounded in the UCSF patient population context (diverse, multilingual, San Francisco urban).
Practice

Practise for your UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS)

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

EasyPanelQ1

Mindfulness and Mental Health: Dental Student Wellbeing

Dental school is consistently ranked among the most stressful graduate programs in the United States, with high rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout among dental students. Studies report that 30–40% of dental students screen positive for depressive symptoms at some point during training. ADEA has emphasized student wellbeing as an institutional and personal responsibility. Describe your approach to maintaining your mental health and resilience during a demanding academic and clinical training period.

Likely follow-up · If a close friend in your dental school cohort confided that they were experiencing severe anxiety and were thinking about withdrawing from the program, what would you do?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
HardMMI · PanelQ2

Role Play: Explaining Why Insurance Denied a Recommended Treatment

Role-play station: A patient needs a crown on a cracked molar, but their dental insurer has denied coverage, deeming the work 'not medically necessary' and offering to pay only for a less durable filling under a least-expensive-alternative-treatment clause. The patient is frustrated and feels the insurer, not you, is making their treatment decision. An actor will play the patient. Demonstrate how you would explain the situation and discuss the way forward.

Likely follow-up · How do you explain a coverage denial without either blaming the patient or simply blaming the insurer?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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DAT & Admissions

Plan your DAT prep and AADSAS application strategy for UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS).

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Interview preparation

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Personal statement help

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FAQ

UCSF School of Dentistry (DDS) — frequently asked questions

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