All applications are submitted through the American Dental Education Association - American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS).

• Submission Period: Applications open for inputting information on May 9 and can be submitted starting June 1.
• Deadline: Applications must be electronically submitted by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on October 1. Late applications will not be considered.

Tips: Begin your ADEA AADSAS application early to allow yourself ample time to complete it before the deadline.

Supplemental questions 
The UCSF-specific supplemental questions are included in the UCSF section of the ADEA AADSAS application. These biographical statement questions allow us to learn more about you as an individual:

1. What is important to you in selecting a dental school? How will you make your decision about which school to attend? (1,500-character limit)
2. Why do you want to join the UCSF community? Please state briefly how you will contribute to the UCSF School of Dentistry. (1,500-character limit)
3. Optional: Please use this space to tell us anything additional that you believe is relevant to your application for admission. (5,000-character limit)
    

Ensure you meet UCSF’s course requirements by visiting our prerequisites webpage.

On the ADEA AADSAS application  

• In the “Colleges Attended” section, report all institutions attended, including foreign institutions or study abroad programs.
• In the “Transcript Entry” section, enter all courses taken. This includes foreign coursework if the ADEA AADSAS system allows it (note: this option is unavailable for most non-U.S. schools).
• Request official transcripts from all U.S. and English-speaking Canadian colleges to be sent directly to ADEA AADSAS by October 1. 

Note: For international coursework or study abroad programs, please refer to our International Coursework webpage

After admission 
If admitted, you’ll need to submit official transcripts directly to UCSF, as instructed.

Taking the DAT is a required step for all applicants. 

• Recommended timeline: Take the DAT no later than September 1 to ensure UCSF receives your scores by the application deadline of October 1.
• Applications without DAT scores received by the deadline will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
• Score validity: Test scores are valid for two years. For the 2026 admission cycle, scores must be dated no earlier than January 1, 2023.
• Average scores: The average DAT scores for our entering class are approximately 23 in both Academic Average and Total Science. 

Submit three letters of recommendation via the ADEA AADSAS application.  

1. College science professor
2. Dentist, adviser, researcher, or mentor
3. One letter can be from an individual of your choice  

Alternatively, you may submit one composite letter from a pre-professional health advisory committee in lieu of the three required letters.  

Deadline: All letters must be received by ADEA AADSAS no later than October 1.

Submit a non-refundable $75 USD fee via UCSF’s online payment system. Checks are not accepted.

Fee waivers

• Status: All fee waivers for the 2025-26 admissions cycle have been awarded.
• Fee waivers were granted on a first-come, first-serve basis for applicants with a verified ADEA AADSAS application.
• If you submitted a fee waiver application, you should have received an email regarding its status.

Eligibility criteria for fee waivers
Fee waivers are available to:

• Students who have received the ADEA FAP.
• U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, individuals qualified for AB540, and those qualified for DACA.
• Applicants whose gross annual income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. 

Dependent vs. independent status

• Dependent Students: Report your own and your parents’ financial information.
• Independent Students: Report your own information (and your spouse’s, if applicable).

Family size and income guidelines
Below are the ADEA poverty guidelines (300%):

Family Size - Income
1 - $45,180
2 - $61,320&
3 - $77,460
4 - $93,600
5 - $109,740