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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

University of Washington School of Dentistry

2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

University of Washington School of Dentistry is a US DDS program in Seattle, WA that takes 2027-entry applications through ADEA AADSAS. Its published class profile lists a median GPA of 3.68, a 5.0% acceptance rate and a class of 66. The school holds a traditional interview: October 2026–February 2027. Decisions for 2027 entry: Rolling admissions, final decisions March 2027.

Location
Seattle, WA, United States
Established
1945
Interviews (2027 entry)
October 2026–February 2027
Decisions (2027 entry)
Rolling admissions, final decisions March 2027
University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) — Suzzallo Library across Red SquareUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) — Drumheller Fountain

Photo: Iamnoone069 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Photo: Keng Susumpow · CC BY 2.0 · Photo: Sajad Mohamad · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: frted · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Overview

About University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS)

The University of Washington School of Dentistry was founded in 1945 and is consistently ranked among the top ten dental schools in the United States. It sits on the UW Health Sciences campus in Seattle.

UW Dental trains dentists mainly for Washington, where about 84% of each class are state residents, and for the rural Pacific Northwest through its RIDE (Regional Initiatives in Dental Education) track. Its research program ranks among the top dental schools for NIH funding. Its specialty programs and residency placement record are both strong.

What makes University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) different

Applications via ADEA AADSAS. UW Dental admits primarily Washington residents (about 84% of the class) and operates the RIDE (Regional Initiatives in Dental Education) rural track with Eastern Washington University. Its top-ten research ranking and strong specialty residency placement make it a premier destination for research-minded dental students.

Seattle's diversity and the Pacific Northwest's rural oral health disparities create distinctive training opportunities.

University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum with integrated biomedical and clinical sciences. Early patient contact via simulation and clinical modules. UW Dental operates several clinics in Seattle and community health rotations throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska. Research opportunities through UW's strong dental research departments.

University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) research strengths

University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) is strong in these research areas:

  • Oral microbiology
  • Craniofacial genetics
  • Periodontal biology
  • Oral cancer
  • Dental implants and biomaterials

How the University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) interview runs

Format: Traditional one-on-one and/or panel interview with faculty

University of Washington School of Dentistry invites selected candidates to in-person interviews in the fall; the school does not describe the interview format or length. Interviews evaluate motivation for dentistry, dental experience, manual dexterity, academic preparedness, commitment to the Pacific Northwest, and awareness of oral health disparities in the region.

Because UW Dentistry draws overwhelmingly from Washington (about 84% of the class are Washington residents) and runs the RIDE (Regional Initiatives in Dental Education) rural track with Eastern Washington University, interviewers assess commitment to practicing in Washington and rural Pacific Northwest communities.

University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) intake

Approximately 63 students per year (about 84% Washington residents, with a small out-of-state remainder).

Where University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) is

University of Washington School of Dentistry was founded in 1945 and is based in Seattle, WA.

Programmes offered:

  • Orthodontics
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Periodontics
  • Endodontics
  • Oral Medicine
Practise

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Entry requirements

What you need to apply to University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS)

University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) at a glance

University of Washington School of Dentistry Dentistry — 2027 entry at a glance
GPA (median)3.68
Acceptance rate5.0%
Class size66
In-state matriculants84%
Interview formatTraditional interview
IntakeApproximately 63 students per year (about 84% Washington residents, with a small out-of-state remainder)
Decisions (2027 entry)Rolling admissions, final decisions March 2027
University of Washington School of Dentistry Dentistry admissions profile — 2027 entry
Admission overviewBachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Washington state residents have strong preference and fill about 84% of the class; out-of-state applicants fill a small remainder and need very competitive profiles. There are no reserved WY/AK/MT/ID compact seats. Dental experience and research or community involvement expected.
GPA median3.68 overall / 3.64 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate5.0%
Class size66
In-state preferenceStrong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants84%
CASPerNot required
Holistic review emphasisWashington/WICHE residency, dental experience, research record, academic achievement.
NotesEstimates from ADEA AADSAS and school data; verify current cycle. DAT Academic Average median approximately 20–23 (hedged). Strong Washington-resident preference (~84% of the class); no WY/AK/MT/ID compact seats. Regional rural pipeline is the RIDE track. Checked 2026-09-12: this school publishes no class DAT average, so none is quoted.
Specialities offeredOrthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics, Endodontics, Oral Medicine

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from University of Washington 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.

Interview

How University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants

University of Washington School of Dentistry Dentistry interview — 2027 entry
FormatTraditional one-on-one and/or panel interview with faculty
Interview window (2027 entry)October 2026–February 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)Rolling admissions, final decisions March 2027
Post-interview chancesApproximately 30–45% post-interview (estimated).
Tutor insight
Washington residents and WICHE compact state residents have significant advantages. Out-of-state applicants need a very strong profile. Research UW Dental's specific research programs and faculty before your interview. If you have research experience in oral biology or related fields, highlight it. Demonstrate Pacific Northwest commitment — interviewers want to train dentists who will practice in the region.
Practice

Practise for your University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS)

Two questions from our US bank that match University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS)’s panel format. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

MediumMMI · PanelQ1

Speaking Up Across a Hierarchy About Unsafe Care

As a junior member of a dental team, you notice the practice is reusing certain single-use items and skipping documented sterilization steps when the schedule is busy. The lead dentist is highly respected, much more senior than you, and has dismissed a colleague's concern before with 'we've always done it this way.'

How would you raise an infection-control concern in that situation, and what qualities does it require?

Likely follow-up · How do you raise a safety concern with someone far senior to you without being insubordinate or timid?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
EasyMMI · PanelQ2

Research Experience Beyond the Checklist

You spent two summers as an undergraduate research assistant in a microbiology laboratory studying biofilm formation, work directly relevant to the pathogenesis of dental caries and periodontal disease, yet absent from most pre-dental checklists: it is not dental shadowing, clinical volunteering or community service.

What did this research contribute to your preparation for dental school that more conventional pre-dental experiences could not, and why should it matter to an admissions committee?

Likely follow-up · Your work was basic science, not clinical research. How does bench microbiology translate into the evidence evaluation a dentist does in practice?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Get support

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Sources

Where University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS)'s figures come from

Compiled from University of Washington 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.

FAQ

University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) — frequently asked questions

Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Washington state residents have strong preference and fill about 84% of the class; out-of-state applicants fill a small remainder and need very competitive profiles. There are no reserved WY/AK/MT/ID compact seats. Dental experience and research or community involvement expected.

Apply to University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) with confidence

We've helped students turn their DAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from University of Washington School of Dentistry (DDS) and other US dentistry schools.