How to apply to dental school

The 2026–27 cycle (for fall 2027 entry), in plain English. Every date and fee links to its official source, checked September 30, 2026. Always confirm details with each school.

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Timeline at a glance

1. May 1TMDSAS (Texas) application opens source
2. May 12, 2026ADEA AADSAS 2026–27 application opens source
3. May 15TMDSAS submission opens source
4. June 2, 2026First day to submit ADEA AADSAS source
5. SummerADEA's advice: apply early; submit in the summer, not at the deadline source
6. Oct 1TMDSAS submission deadline (letters due Oct 15) source
7. Fall–winterInterviews (timing and format vary by school) source
8. Dec 15, 2026Earliest date schools may make offers (ADEA and TMDSAS) source
9. Feb 5, 2027ADEA AADSAS cycle closes (each school sets its own earlier deadline) source
10. Mar 1–5Schools report who is holding seats; ADEA flags applicants holding more than one source

1. ADEA AADSAS: most U.S. schools

• Opens May 12, 2026; you can submit from June 2, 2026; the cycle closes February 5, 2027. source
• Each school sets its own deadline, and AADSAS won't send your application to a school after that school's deadline. source
• Fees: $264 for the first school, $115 for each additional school; some schools charge a separate supplemental fee. source
• Fee Assistance Program: limited, first-come waivers covering your first three applications (worth $494). It's closed for 2026–27 and reopens in April 2027. source
• Letters of evaluation: up to four: four individual letters, or one committee letter plus up to three individual letters. source
• DAT scores go to AADSAS directly from the ADA; you don't self-report them. Enter your DENTPIN and date of birth exactly so they match. source
• You enter all your coursework yourself (or pay for Professional Transcript Entry). Verification starts once your application, fees and official transcripts are in, and can take up to 10 business days. source
• Liaison suggests sending transcripts 10–12 weeks before a deadline and submitting 6–8 weeks before it. source

2. TMDSAS: Texas dental schools

• Used by Texas A&M, Texas Tech (Woody L. Hunt), UT Health San Antonio and UTHealth Houston. source
• Opens May 1, submission opens May 15, deadline October 1, letters due October 15. source
• $235 flat, however many schools you pick, with no fee waivers. source
• Dental applicants don't go through the TMDSAS Match (that's only for MD/DO); dental schools make offers directly from December 15. Texas A&M also requires a secondary application. source

3. The DAT

• ADEA suggests taking it at the end of the spring semester of junior year, or right after organic chemistry. source
• 2026 fee: $580, including score reports to schools you pick when you register. source
• Retakes: wait 60 days between attempts, at most 4 in any 12 months. From the 3rd attempt you need permission and proof you applied to dental school in the last 18 months; after the 5th, one test per 12 months. Schools see every attempt. source
• A limited hardship fee waiver gives 50% off your first exam and one retest. source
• Study for it free: DAT prep courses, the new 200–600 score scale explained, and the PAT generator.

4. Shadowing and experience

Required hours vary by school, and schools want meaningful exposure (general dentistry and specialties), not just a number. source A few official examples:

• University of the Pacific: 40 hours minimum with a general dentist (dental assisting doesn't count). source
• University of Louisville: 40 hours in a general dentistry setting. source
• University of Colorado: 50 hours, completed before you submit. source
• Indiana University: 100 hours, completed by the October 1 deadline. source

5. Interviews and offers

• Most schools interview. Formats include one-on-one, group and multiple mini-interviews (MMI). source Example: Columbia interviews on Fridays from September to February, on Zoom. source
• No offers before December 15, 2026. Offers made Dec 15–Jan 31 give you at least 30 days to respond; from February 1 that can drop to 15 days. source
• By March 1 schools report who's holding seats; by March 5 ADEA flags anyone holding more than one, and they get at least 15 days to choose. source
• Most schools ask for a deposit when you accept; amounts vary. source

6. Applying in Canada

• There's no single Canadian service: Dalhousie, McGill, UBC, Saskatchewan and Toronto use ADEA AADSAS (with a 25% fee discount for Canadian schools); others use their own portals. source source
• Toronto: UTDAS or AADSAS, September 1 to November 1; DAT written by November 1. source
• Western: through OUAC, deadline November 1 (4:30 p.m. ET), $375 CAD, Casper required; DAT within 2 years, including Reading Comprehension. source source
• UBC: through AADSAS, deadline October 10, 2026; DAT written by August 31, 2026. source
• The Canadian DAT costs $585 CAD. See the Canadian DAT course. source

7. What applying costs

• DAT: $580 (US) or $585 CAD (Canada). source source
• ADEA AADSAS: $264 + $115 per extra school, plus any school supplemental fees. source
• TMDSAS: $235 flat. source
• Some schools require Casper (e.g. Utah source, Case Western source, Louisville source); Indiana uses a Kira video assessment instead. source
• Plus travel for in-person interviews and a deposit when you accept.

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