Frequently Asked Questions - US & International Applicants
Can I be accepted if I have not completed all of the listed pre-requisite courses?
No, all applicants must have all pre-requisite courses completed by May 1 in order to be considered for admission.
What is the most important aspect of my application - grades or other factors?
Grades are the first thing considered by the Admissions Committee. Those students with the best academic record are invited for an interview and completion of a personality inventory questionnaire. Generally, the applicant's most recent 10 full-year university courses (or equivalent) and the average in the three 'higher sciences' are most important. Grades in these two areas should be in the B+ to A- range before an applicant is interviewed.
How many interviews are granted?
The Admissions Committee will normally grant twice as many interviews as places accepted to the class. Selection for interviews is based on academic grades.
Should I spend time observing or volunteering in a dentist's office?
Yes, you should observe in a general practice dental office; asking questions of the dentist about his work. It is not necessary to volunteer to work in the dental office; but you should spend time in the office to find out as much about the career as you can. If you are unable to find a dentist who will permit you to observe in practice, please contact the Faculty of Dentistry and we will try to facilitate this.
What other factors are considered, besides academic grades? The results of the interview are an important aspect of the application. At the time of the interview, a personality factors written test is also conducted, and these results are considered with the interview results. Also considered with the interview results are the applicant's confidential evaluation references (forms provided in the application package), which serve as references from instructors, employers or others in support of the application. The Admissions Committee considers the Dental Aptitude Test, and applicants should try to achieve scores of 15 or better in each category of the DAT. The Admissions Committee will review an applicant's statement of work activities, volunteer activities, awards and community service.
How important is volunteer work and what kind of volunteer work should I do?
Volunteer work is important so that you gain interpersonal skills necessary when working with people. Your volunteer work can be any type that interests you and enables you to work with groups and/or individuals (e.g. Working in a nursing home, a health care facility, coaching teams, summer camp counselor, etc.). Experience you gain in your volunteer and employment activities is valuable when responding to questions on the interview.
What does the interview assess?
The interview is designed to assess personal qualities, such as integrity, communication skills, and conscientiousness. It is a structured interview (all applicants are asked the same type of questions). Two dentists will interview you. The interview takes about 40 minutes and is conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry, usually on a Saturday in March or April.
What is the personality inventory questionnaire?
The personality inventory questionnaire is a written test that will be conducted on the same day as your interview. It is designed to measure the same personal qualities as the interview measures, and will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Does the Faculty of Dentistry accept a certain number of applicants from specific geographical areas?
Yes, the majority of the first year class is selected from applicants who are residents of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. For details on how an applicant's residency status is determined, please see the appropriate section in the Faculty of Dentistry calendar. There is no pre-determined number of applicants who are accepted from each of the Atlantic Provinces.
Is it best to take my pre-requisite courses at Dalhousie?
You may study your pre-requisite courses at any accredited university. If you require assistance in selecting courses, please contact the Admissions Office, Faculty of Dentistry; or your pre-dentistry/pre-health adviser at your university.
