Doctor of Dental Surgery

Coursework

Applicants must complete a minimum of three years of college coursework in a U.S. or Canadian college or university. At the time of application, applicants must provide documentation certifying completion of a minimum of 90 semester credit hours.

A letter grade must be documented for all required courses completed through in-person, online or hybrid learning platforms. Science courses with grades of Pass/Fail or Satisfactory will not be accepted. Non-science prerequisite courses utilizing Pass/Fail grading system will not be evaluated negatively.

Up to 64 semester credit hours completed at community colleges are accepted toward the minimum course hour requirement. AP credit will be accepted for the English course requirement.

All prerequisite coursework must be completed before June 1 prior to the semester of enrollment in the DDS program. Note: An admission decision cannot be made until an applicant has completed or is enrolled in prerequisite coursework following application. If prerequisite requirements are not complete, the applicant may be classified as a ‘hold’ status, in which the committee will not decide on the applicant’s admission until all coursework is completed or in progress.

Required (regardless of undergraduate or graduate preparation):

• English Composition & Rhetoric: 6 hours
• Biology or Zoology (with Lab): 8 hours
• General or Inorganic Chemistry (with Lab): 8 hours
• Organic Chemistry (with Lab): 8 hours
• Physics (with Lab): 8 hours
• Anatomy (Comparative or Human): 3 hours
• Biochemistry: 3 hours

Recommended:

• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Physiology
• Microbiology
• Embryology/Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Psychology

Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

Applicants must complete the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and submit official scores by November 1 of the year prior to expected enrollment (example: complete DAT in September 2025 prior to enrollment August 2026). Scores are only valid for three years from the test date. The DAT can be taken up to three times and all score reports are released to the school. Visit the American Dental Association DAT Program website for information about registering for a DentPIN and scheduling a test.

Although a DAT score is not required to submit the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) application, the WVU Admissions Committee will not review an application without a DAT score.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation must be submitted to the Admissions Committee through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). The committee recommends letters be submitted within two weeks of application. Applicants will not be invited to interview without successful submission of letters of recommendation.

If a college or university pre-health professions committee or comprehensive recommendation is available, the applicant should request the committee or an adviser submit a letter directly to AADSAS.

If no comprehensive committee letter or packet is available, the applicant should submit two letters written by science professors who have taught and graded the applicant at the undergraduate or graduate level (anatomy, biochemistry, biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry or physics) and two letters of the applicant’s choice from science or non-science professors, advisers, mentors, dentists or other individuals who can recommend the applicant.

Shadowing Experience

Applicants must complete shadowing experiences in clinical dental settings, including private offices, community health clinics and service missions, and submit this information via the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) application process. While there is no specific minimum shadowing hour requirement, successful candidates typically observe at least 100 hours in various dental environments.

• Observation or employment in a series of diverse dental settings (In-person shadowing is preferred. Virtual shadowing experiences will be considered on a case-by-case basis.) 
• Participation in pre-dental organizations
• Community Service
• Manual dexterity
• Life experiences
• Research
• Other (leadership, military service, etc.)

Applications to the WVU Doctor of Dental Surgery program must submitted through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Instructions are provided on the AADSAS website to guide applicants through the process.

Remember to check the requirements for each dental school to which you are applying as they vary.

The deadline for submission of the completed AADSAS application is November 1. The AADSAS application becomes available in mid-May each year. It is advantageous to submit the application as early as possible.

Selected applicants will be contacted via email to complete the WVU Graduate Application. Individuals interested in the WVU DDS program should not complete this application until requested to do so.

Selected applicants will be invited for an interview. Interviews generally take place in the fall of each year and are offered both virtually and in person.

Members of the Admissions Committee, aided by the Office of Dental Admissions, Recruitment and Access, participate in this effort. As part of the interview process, individuals will participate in a group introduction, take a tour of the school, meet with dental students, complete a brief writing exercise, participate in an interactive Q&A session and complete a personal interview with two or more Admissions Committee members.

Over the course of the admissions cycle, the Office of Dental Admissions, Recruitment and Access will host several Second Look events in which interviewed candidates who are interviewed virtually can visit WVU in person. The Second Look event consists of a school tour led by student ambassadors, a Q&A with dental faculty and a tour of the Center for Dental Innovation. Candidates who interviewed in person will also be able to attend should they desire to see the school again. The Office of Admissions, Recruitment and Access will contact applicants about this opportunity.

The Admissions Committee will begin notifying applicants of admission status in accordance with the national ADEA AADSAS notification deadline for each cycle.

Admitted students must fulfill specific pre-matriculation requirements:

• Complete Criminal Background Investigation prior to final acceptance, to be paid by applicant.
• Submit required immunizations documentation by June 1 prior to enrollment start date.
• Submit official transcripts of all coursework as specified in the provisional offer letter.
• Review the Technical Standards Policy.
• Become familiar with the Infection and Biohazard Control Policy.
• Complete all other admission requirements as listed in the provisional offer letter.