​Admissions Requirements

dental tools on a tray

The College of Dental Medicine enrolls a diverse group of approximately 84 outstanding individuals each year into the four-year DDS program. We seek candidates with strong educational backgrounds, well-rounded extracurricular experiences, and skills in leadership and collaboration. Students of all ages and educational backgrounds are encouraged to apply; those with strong higher-level sciences will be given preference due to our biomedical curriculum.

Prerequisites

All students applying to the College of Dental Medicine must have a bachelor's degree from a US accredited college or Canadian institution. Additional requirements include:

  • Six credits, or the equivalent of one academic year of study, of coursework in English composition or literature or a writing intensive class in a non-English department
  • A minimum of eight credits, or the equivalent of one academic year of study, in each of the following subject areas (including lab): Physics, biology, inorganic or general chemistry, organic chemistry.
  • One semester of biochemistry (no lab required)

We also strongly recommend that students have university-level credits in:

  • Mathematics
  • Sociology
  • History
  • Fine or industrial arts
  • One or more foreign languages

The College of Dental Medicine accepts students with a wide variety of majors. Applicants who major in non-science fields are required to take all of the prerequisite courses; all applicants are encouraged to take upper-level science courses as time and interests permit.

Selection Factors

The College of Dental Medicine receives more than 2,000 applications each year and enrolls approximately 84 students in the DDS program. We seek candidates who will add to the collaborative nature of our student body, contribute to the school and community through outreach and volunteering, and leave a positive and lasting mark with their innovative and creative contributions. We look closely at factors such as academic achievement and rigor, DAT scores, experience with higher level sciences, leadership, and community service, along with personal qualities such as integrity and a passion for healthcare. We select a diverse group of students who have a combination of cognitive and non-cognitive strengths that will help them become the next generation of oral healthcare leaders.

There are no minimum GPA or DAT score requirements; however, we look for grade and DAT scores that are in line with those of our currently enrolled students. The average GPA of the class entering in 2021 was 3.8 and the mean DAT score was 24, (the national average is roughly 19); however, the range varies from year to year.

Contact Us

For admissions questions, please contact:

Admissions Office
212-305-3478
cdm-admissions@columbia.edu