Admissions

The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois considers for admission those students who possess the academic, professional, and personal qualities necessary for development as exemplary dental professionals. To select these students, the College uses a rolling admissions process within a competitive admissions framework.

Admission Requirements 

To be competitive, an applicant should have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and possess both a science (biology, chemistry, and physics) and total GPA of 3.00 or more on a 4.00 scale.  

Prerequisite Courses*: 

*Final official transcripts (including all pre-requisite courses) must by received by June 1 (prior to matriculation)
**Survey science courses are not accepted

In order to be considered for admissions, an applicant must: 

1. Complete above prerequisite courses with grades of "C" or better.
2. Submit competitive scores on the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
   • All candidates must submit results from the US DAT.
   • The following scores, or higher, will be preferred for these exam sections:
     • Academic Average: 370 new scale, 17 old scale
     • Reading Comprehension: 340 new scale, 17 old scale
     • Perceptual Ability: 360 new scale, 17 old scale
     • Total Science: 380 new scale, 17 old scale
   • The DAT test must have been taken no more than 3 years prior to the matriculation date.
3. Submit three letters of recommendation.
   • One must be from either a predental advisory committee or a science professor.
   • One must be from someone with a D.D.S./D.M.D. degree.
   • One must be from someone who can testify to the integrity and ethical standards of the applicant.
   • Letters written by family members will not be accepted.
   • All letters must be submitted directly from the evaluators. The Office of Admissions will not accept any letters submitted by students.
4. Demonstrate a sincere understanding of, and interest in, the humanitarian ethos of health care and particularly dental medicine.
5. Reflect a service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
6. Reflect proper motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous salaried work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
7. Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with faculty, colleagues, and patients, consistent with the standards applicable to the College’s required curriculum, learning environment (preclinical and clinical), and the practice of dentistry.
8. Agree to abide by Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
9. Pass the Midwestern University finger printing and criminal background check.

Competitive Admissions 

Within the competitive admissions framework, the College uses multiple criteria to select the most qualified candidates. Applicants are evaluated on academic coursework, performance on the Dental Admission Test (DAT), their application (AADSAS) essays, letters of evaluation, and interviews. Demonstrated prior dental experience and community service through volunteerism or service-oriented employment is preferred.

Rolling Admissions 

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois uses a rolling admissions process. Applications are reviewed and decisions to interview individual candidates are made at regular intervals during the admissions cycle. Interviews are conducted and the selection process of each candidate for College admission is made until the class is filled. Applicants are notified of their selection status as soon as possible after their interview date, but not prior to the earliest date the U.S. and Canadian dental schools have agreed to extend a position in the class.

Application Process 

To initiate the application process, prospective students must apply directly to the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) online. Students may access an AADSAS application in mid-May of the academic year preceding the year in which they plan to matriculate.

Please note: Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of application materials and verifying the status of their application on the applicant portal. Candidates must notify the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address and/or e-mail address. All requests for withdrawal of an application must be done in writing to the Office of Admissions via e-mail at admissil@midwestern.edu.

Application Deadline 

1. The deadline to submit the initial AADSAS application is January 1.
2. The deadline to submit all supportive documentation (e.g. DAT scores, letters of recommendation, etc.) is February 1.

Interview and Selection Process 

After the Office of Admissions receives these materials, applicant files are reviewed by Admissions Committee members to determine whether applicants merit interviews based on established criteria of the Admissions Committee. Applicants who receive invitations to interview must respond within three days. 

When applicants accept interviews, they join other interviewees for an Interview Day that includes interviews with dental faculty. Applicants are rated on a standardized evaluation form relative to pre-determined criteria. At the conclusion of the interviews, interviewers forward their evaluations to the Chair of the Admissions Committee. The Chair of the Admissions Committee will recommend to the Dean to accept, to deny, or to place applicants on the alternate list. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, officially notifies applicants of their status. The College follows the ADEA AADSAS^® Guidelines for Dental Schools when extending offers of admission.

Reapplication Process 

After receiving either denial or end-of-cycle letters, or letters of dismissal from the College, applicants/students may reapply for the next enrollment cycle.

To initiate the reapplication process, applicants must submit their applications to AADSAS. Applications are then processed according to standard application procedures.

Transfer Admission 

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois may in its own discretion elect to accept transfer students from other U.S. dental schools. A transfer student must be currently enrolled in good standing, provide a compelling reason for the transfer, and meet all other requirements established by the College. Students that are on a leave of absence at their current institution are not eligible for transfer to the College.

Candidates must also observe the following procedures:

1. All inquiries for transfer to Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
2. Completed applications are returned to the Office of Admissions and must include transcripts from the previous dental school, class rank, a statement of the reason for transfer and a Dean's letter of "Good Academic Standing."
3. The Admissions Committee reviews all completed applications to determine whether applicants merit interviews based on established criteria of the Admissions Committee.
4. Selected candidates undergo an interview process and a psychomotor hand skills test.
5. The Admissions Committee makes recommendations to the Dean for a transfer admission decision, as well as recommendations for additional coursework that may be required to achieve curriculum equivalency.
6. Applicants are notified by the Dean of final transfer admission decisions.

Advanced Standing Admission 

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois may in its own discretion elect to award advanced standing credit for well-qualified dental graduates from other countries.  An advanced standing student must meet all other requirements established by the College. Applicants that have been disciplined by any regulatory board or licensing agency are not eligible for transfer.

Candidates must also observe the following procedures:

1. All inquiries for transfer to Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
2. Completed applications are returned to the Office of Admissions and must include national board scores, results from TOEFL with a minimum score of 80, transcripts from the previous dental school, course-by-course evaluation by a recognized service (WES or ECE), and a personal statement. TOELF Home Edition is not accepted
3. The Admissions Committee reviews all completed applications to determine whether applicants merit interviews based on established criteria of the Admissions Committee.
4. Selected candidates undergo an interview process and a psychomotor hand skills test.
5. The Admissions Committee makes recommendations to the Dean for a transfer admission decision, as well as recommendations for additional coursework that may be required to achieve curriculum equivalency.
6. Applicants are notified by the Dean of final transfer admission decisions.