Admission Requirements
Admission to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program is based on academic and non-academic ability. Presentation of the minimum admission requirements will not guarantee an offer of admission.
Academic Admission Requirements
Undergraduate Coursework and Cumulative GPA (cGPA)Prerequisite Subject Areas
DAT
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all documentation is submitted to the appropriate office by the deadlines indicated.
Falsification or misrepresentation of information from any portion of the application process, including interviews, will result in removal of the application from consideration and may be considered in any future applications to the University.
References are NOT required in the admissions process.
Shadowing and volunteer hours are NOT admission requirements.
Admission policies are reviewed annually and admission requirements from previous years may not apply. We encourage applicants to visit our website regularly, as the University reserves the right to review and change admissions policies and requirements at any time, without notice.
Individuals who completed a dental program or equivalent elsewhere are NOT eligible to apply to the DDS Program, but may be eligible to apply to the Advanced Standing Program for International Dental Graduates (ASPIDG). Please visit the ASPIDG webpage for admission information.
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions webpage to assist in the understanding of our admission requirements.
Academic Admission Requirements
Undergraduate Coursework and Cumulative GPA (cGPA)
Applicants must:
- achieve a minimum cumulative GPA (cGPA) of 3.0 across all undergraduate coursework, and
- complete at least 90 credit hours/15.0 credits (3 years) of undergraduate coursework at a recognized university, by April 30 of the year of entry.
- Each year of study must include a minimum 30 credit hours (5.0 credits) taken during the fall and winter terms (September to April).
- A maximum of 6 pass/fail credit hours (1.0 credit) is permitted in each of the 3 undergraduate coursework years.
- An academic year in progress is eligible to be considered toward the 90 credit hours /15.0 credits (3 years) of undergraduate coursework.
An offer of admission would be conditional upon successful completion of the required credit hours/credits, undergraduate coursework and cumulative GPA (cGPA) being maintained.
Academic transcripts must clearly show that applicants have met both the cumulative GPA (cGPA) and undergraduate coursework requirements, as outlined above. Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage for more information.
Applicants Presenting the 2019-2020 Academic Year
- The year may be eligible to be considered toward the 90 credit hours/15.0 credits (3 years) of undergraduate coursework if a minimum of 30 credit hours (5.0 credits) was completed between September 2019 and April 2020.
- Cumulative GPA (cGPA) will only consider grades from the fall 2019 semester. A maximum of 6 pass/fail credit hours (1.0 course) will be permitted in the fall 2019 semester (September to December) and must be passed. Discovery Credits will be considered within, not in addition to, the 6-credit hour pass/fail allowance.
Grade Conversion
The OUAC (Ontario Universities’ Application Centre) conversion scale is used to convert grades. Cumulative GPA (cGPA) is based on ALL undergraduate coursework as indicated on officially submitted transcripts.
- Where percentage and alpha grades are presented, the percentage grade will be used.
- Where only alpha grades are presented, the letter grade will be converted to the OUAC value using the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table.
Cumulative average is determined by adding all the course weights and all the converted grades, then dividing the total course weights into the total converted grades.
Course Considerations
Online Courses
Online courses from a recognized university are considered toward cumulative GPA (cGPA). If taken between September and April, they may be considered toward the 3-year (90 credit hours/15.0 credits) undergraduate coursework requirement.
If it is not clear from the official transcript, applicants may need to provide additional documentation confirming online courses were completed during the September to April academic year.
Repeat Courses
Repeat courses are considered toward cumulative GPA (cGPA).
Repeat course grades are not substituted for the original grade.
Pass/Fail Courses
A maximum of 6 pass/fail credit hours (1.0 course) is permitted in each of the 3-year (90 credit hours/15.0 credits) September to April undergraduate coursework years.
Discovery Credits will be considered within, not in addition to, the pass/fail allowance.
Spring/Summer Courses
Courses taken during spring/summer semesters are included in the cumulative GPA (cGPA) calculation.
Courses taken during spring/summer semesters are not considered toward meeting the 3 years of undergraduate coursework (30 credit hours/5.0 credits). These courses must be taken between September and April.
CEGEP/AP/IB Courses
CEGEP courses are not considered for cumulative GPA (cGPA) or undergraduate coursework. However, CEGEP courses are acceptable toward meeting approved prerequisite course requirements.
IB and AP courses are not eligible for consideration in our admissions process.
Co-op Courses
Applicants who have completed or are enrolled in a co-op degree program may apply if they have:
- a minimum cumulative GPA (cGPA) of 3.0, and
- 3 co-op years that meet the undergraduate coursework requirements.
To be eligible for undergraduate coursework consideration, a co-op year must consist of the 2 academic terms which combine to complete 1 of the mandatory program years (e.g. academic terms 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8). Academic terms belonging to different program years (e.g. 2&3, 4&5, 6&7) will not be considered.
Exchange Courses
For applicants who have attended other universities on an exchange, the cumulative GPA (cGPA) and undergraduate coursework calculations may be based on the marks achieved at the exchange institution.
Official transcripts from the exchange institution must be provided at the time of application. If the exchange is taken outside of Canada or the United States, a course-by-course evaluation by World Education Services (WES) is required for the exchange period.
In cases where the undergraduate coursework and academic grades awarded are significantly different from North American standards, assessment of transcripts will be made by the Western University Office of the Registrar based on known International Guidelines.
Refer to the How to Apply webpage for additional information.
Degree Considerations
Professional Degree
Applicants who have completed a professional degree, or are enrolled in a professional program at a recognized university, may be eligible to apply if they have achieved or will achieve the following prior to entering our DDS Program:
- a minimum cumulative GPA (cGPA) of 3.0 across all undergraduate coursework, and
- at least 90 credit hours/15.0 credits (3 years) of undergraduate coursework taken between September and April. Each year of study must include a minimum 30 credit hours (5.0 credits) taken during the fall and winter semesters (September to April).
- A maximum of 6 pass/fail credit hours (1.0 credit) is permitted in each of the 3 years of undergraduate coursework.
Schulich Dentistry will NOT consider applications from individuals who:
- are currently enrolled in a dental program or equivalent elsewhere.
- have completed a dental program or equivalent elsewhere*.
*Internationally trained dentists may be eligible to apply to the Advanced Standing Program for International Dental Graduates (ASPIDG). Please visit the ASPIDG webpage for information.
International Undergraduate Degree
Applicants who have completed their undergraduate university education outside of Canada and the United States may apply to our DDS Program. Transcripts from universities outside of Canada or the United States must be submitted to World Education Services (WES) to be assessed on a course-by-course basis.
In cases where the undergraduate coursework and academic grades awarded are significantly different from North American standards, assessment of transcripts will be made by the Western University Office of the Registrar based on known International Guidelines.
Refer to the How to Apply webpage for additional information.
Graduate Degree
Schulich Dentistry considers only undergraduate coursework for calculation of cumulative GPA (cGPA) for admission purposes. The GPA from a graduate degree is not eligible for consideration.
Applicants with official transcripts indicating a conferred graduate degree by the application deadline are awarded bonus points. Graduate degrees that are in progress at the time of application or conferred after the application deadline are not eligible for bonus points. Value of bonus points is confidential to the Admissions Office.
Applicants enrolled in a graduate degree program at the time of application should note the following:
- Applicants must be in the final year of the graduate program to be eligible to apply.
- Deferrals and deadline extensions are NOT granted for completion of a graduate program.
- Withdrawal from a graduate program during the application year in order to enroll in Schulich Dentistry will NOT be acceptable.
- Applicants who are given a conditional offer must complete all program requirements for the graduate degree as per the following deadlines:
Thesis-based Graduate Degree
Applicants enrolled in a thesis-based graduate degree program at the time of application must complete all program requirements, including successful defence and final assessment of the thesis, by June 30.
- A final transcript showing conferral of the graduate degree must be received by Western University, Undergraduate Recruitment & Admissions, Attn: Professional Admissions - Dentistry by June 30, OR
- A Confirmation of Graduate Degree Requirements Form* attesting that all requirements for the degree will be completed by June 30 must be received by the Admissions Office by June 30. An official letter from the Dean's or Registrar's Office must then be received by the Admissions Office by July 8 that confirms all graduate degree requirements were met AND an official final transcript indicating graduate degree conferral must be received by Western University, Undergraduate Recruitment & Admissions, Attn: Professional Admissions - Dentistry by November 30.
Course-based Graduate Degree
Applicants enrolled in a course-based graduate degree program at the time of application must complete all program requirements by August 15.
- A Confirmation of Graduate Degree Requirements Form* indicating there are no concerns with meeting all requirements of the course-based graduate degree by August 15 must be received by the Admissions Office by June 30.
- An official letter from the Dean's or Registrar's Office must then be received by the Admissions Office by August 22 that confirms all graduate degree requirements were met AND an official final transcript indicating graduate degree conferral must be received by Western University, Undergraduate Recruitment & Admissions, Attn: Professional Admissions - Dentistry by November 30.
*Form will be provided by the Admissions Office to successful applicants after an offer of admission has been accepted.
Collaborative College/University Degree Programs
Applicants who have completed or are enrolled in a collaborative college/university degree program at a recognized university may be eligible to apply. Cumulative GPA (cGPA) consideration is based on the academic years completed during the university portion of the collaborative degree. Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Prerequisite Subject Areas
Prerequisite university-level courses must be successfully completed in each of the subject areas listed below. Successful completion requires a pass or credit designation.
Please Note
- Lab components are not required to meet prerequisite requirements.
- Prerequisite courses completed more than 10 years prior to the application deadline will not be considered.
- IB and AP credits are not eligible for consideration for prerequisite course requirements.
- CEGEP courses are acceptable toward meeting approved prerequisite course requirements, but are not considered for cumulative GPA or undergraduate coursework.
- Prerequisite courses can be taken at any time but must be completed by April 30 of the potential year of entry.
- Prerequisite courses may be retaken if a pass or credit designation was not achieved on the first attempt. Retaking a prerequisite course will not adversely affect the application.
- Applicants may be asked to submit official detailed course syllabi to determine whether courses meet the prerequisite requirements.
Visit FAQ for information on acceptable courses at Western to assist in determining equivalents at other university institutions.
DAT
All applicants must take the DAT administered by either the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) or the American Dental Association (ADA).
Eligibility Period
The DAT must be written within the two years prior to the November 1 application deadline.
DAT scores must be received by Western University* by the November 1 application deadline.
*DAT scores released by the CDA/ADA can take up to 8 weeks to be received by Western University; applicants are advised to plan accordingly. A request to the CDA/ADA to release a score does not mean the score is released and received by Western immediately. Please contact CDA/ADA directly for information regarding their timeline for release of electronic results to ensure scores are received by our application deadline.
Eligible Scores
- DAT scores must be sent directly to Western University by the CDA/ADA.
- When registering for DAT, check the appropriate box to release your results to Western:
- CDA - select "Western University"
- ADA - select "Schulich School of Dentistry of Western University"
- Only the most recent DAT, written within the eligible time period, will be used. DAT results are kept on file for the duration of their eligibility period (2 years).
- Only DAT incorporating the Reading Comprehension section fulfills Schulich Dentistry admission requirements. The French DAT does not include Reading Comprehension and therefore is not acceptable to meet our DAT requirement.
- All sections of DAT may be considered in the selection process. We do not require the Manual Dexterity section.
Specific information and registration materials concerning DAT are available at the Canadian Dental Association website or the American Dental Association website.
NON-ACADEMIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Casper
All applicants must complete Casper within the application cycle in which they apply.
Casper by Acuity Insights is an online, open-response situational judgement test that measures competencies and attributes that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program.
Please visit Acuity Insights website for Casper test dates and to book your Casper test. Please note, Schulich Dentistry does not require applicants to complete Snapshot or Duet.
We do not accept Casper tests from the United States.
Test Dates and Fees
When registering for a Casper test date, register for CSP-10211 and select the following options:- Country: Canada
- Language: English
- Program: Dentistry
- School: Western University
Eligible Scores
The final eligible test date for the 2025-2026 application cycle is October 16, 2025. Applicants must take one of the test dates listed for Western University. We do not accept Casper tests from the Unites States.
- Scores must be sent by Acuity Insights directly to the Admissions Office.
- Scores must be received by the Admissions Office by the November 1 application deadline.
- Scores are valid for one application cycle only.
Accommodations
Applicants who require accommodation to complete the Casper online test must submit an Acuity Insights Accommodation Request Form to Acuity Insights, signed by the applicant and the applicant's qualified professional, at least 3 weeks prior to the desired test date.
More information regarding accommodations for Casper testing can be found on Acuity's FAQ webpage.
Western Autobiographical Sketch (ABS)
Schulich Dentistry takes a holistic approach to applications to our DDS Program, with emphasis not only on academics but also on non-academic traits and life experiences, ensuring our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We are committed to enrolling self-directed, motivated, resilient students who reflect the diversity of the patients they serve, and who demonstrate compassion and advocacy for others.
Interview
Selected applicants will be invited to attend a personal interview in order to be considered for admission. For more details, please visit the Interviews webpage.
Invitation to interview is highly competitive and based on a holistic assessment of applicants' academic and non-academic achievements.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities through the interview process. Please contact the Admissions Office for information about applying for an accommodation.
