International/Advanced Standing Program

Admission Requirements
Application Procedures
Application Form
Checklist of Required Application Materials
General Information
Interviews/Selection of Students
Curriculum
Contact Information
Frequently Asked Questions

Admission Requirements

  1. The completion of a dental degree is required. Academic credentials will be evaluated by the Office of International Student Services to ensure that the candidate's undergraduate curriculum prerequisites include the equivalent requirements of biology with laboratory, inorganic (general) chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.
  2. Successful completion of National Board Dental Examination (Part I and II).
  3. TOEFL Score equal to, or in excess of 600 (PBT: Paper-based Total) or 250 (Computer-based Total) or 100 (iBT: Internet-based Total). TOEFL results must be from testing dated after 12/31/06.
  4. Candidates who are offered provisional acceptance will be required to successfully complete the comprehensive summer course which is scheduled during the summer semester. The student will be registered and required to pay the respective fees at the beginning of this course. In addition, there is a tuition deposit in the amount of $750.00 that will be required at the time of acceptance to the summer program.
  5. Application Deadline: Completed applications (including the non-refundable application fee, sealed letters of recommendation [one from Dean of former dental school and a second additional dental school faculty letter], and all official test scores, as well as an official ECE translation of dental school transcripts and a copy of the dental school diploma. (DO NOT send the original as it will not be returned) must be received in the Office of Student Services no later than August 15th of the year prior to starting the program.

Application Procedures
The application form will be available on-line from April 15, 2008 to August 1, 2008 and must include a personal essay and curriculum vitae.

All application instructions should be followed carefully. All incomplete applications will not be considered or returned. We hope that by utilizing this site, the application process and experience will be efficient and "hassle free."

You are required to submit all application materials with the exception of the official TOEFL, ECE translation, and National Board Scores in one envelope. Official TOEFL, ECE translation and National Board Scores should be sent directly from source to the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Carefully read and follow the instructions listed below so that there will not be a delay in the presentation of your application to the Admissions Committee. Use the Application Checklist to ensure the proper submission of application materials.

Mail all application materials in one envelope to:

University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
Admissions & Financial Aid
Attn: Rose Mangold
3501 Terrace Street, Suite 2114
Pittsburgh, PA 15261-1945

Checklist of Required Application Materials

  1. Completed School of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing Program Application for Admission (available on-line from April 15, 2008 to August 1, 2008).
  2. Official score report of the National Board Dental Examinations (Parts I and II). Results are to be submitted directly to the School of Dental Medicine from the National Boards, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678. Copies of Board Scores are not acceptable.
  3. Official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) sent directly to the University of Pittsburgh by the Education Testing Service. Copies of the TOEFL results are not acceptable. For information or application for the TOEFL, you may contact the Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, or visit their web page at http://www.TOEFL.org. Our Institution Code is 2927, and the Department Code is 38.
  4. Three letters of recommendation (the Dean's recommendation and two other academic recommendations) must be submitted in an envelope that is sealed by the individual writing the recommendation and this person's signature must also appear on the back flap of the envelope. All letters must be submitted by the applicant along with their completed Application. Letters received separately will not be accepted.
  5. A non-refundable application fee of $50.00 made payable to the University of Pittsburgh.
  6. Original or certified (notarized) copies of all original language academic records, mark sheets, and transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Certified copies of the original certificates or diplomas awarded at the completion of studies must also be submitted. Where official, original documents are issued in a language other than English, certified (notarized) English translations must also be submitted. English translations of documents alone are not acceptable.
  7. Applicants must provide a written personal statement and a current curriculum vitae.

All of the above (with the exception of the National Board Scores and TOEFL results) are to be returned to the School of Dental Medicine in one envelope.

All materials, including the National Board and TOEFL Scores must be received in our office by August 15, 2008.

All materials submitted for consideration become the property of the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine and will not be returned to the applicant for any reason.

General Information
The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine is committed to diversity within the profession. The School of Dental Medicine has implemented an Advanced Standing Program for dentists holding a dental degree from other countries. This is a mandatory two year curriculum. Qualified Advanced Standing students are placed in the First Professional Program (DMD) as third year dental students and must complete the third and fourth year curriculum as prescribed. No waiver of classes is granted. The deadline for applications is August 15th of the year prior to starting the program.

Interviews/Selection of Students
Interviews will be granted after the applicant's credentials have been reviewed. Interviews are by invitation only. Candidates selected for an interview will be notified in writing. The interview process consists of an orientation to the School of Dental Medicine, faculty interview, student panel discussion, and a bench testing pre-clinical exercise.

Selection of applicants for admission is based on these criteria in addition to academic performance and letters of evaluation. The Admissions Committee will review all applicants, but will only invite potential students to participate in the interview process. Upon completion of the interview process, the Admissions Committee will evaluate and offer provisional acceptances to those selected. Formal acceptance will be granted after successful completion of the summer course. Failure to enroll during this period will require re-application.

Curriculum
Upon successful completion of the mandatory summer program, individuals will be placed into the First Professional curriculum as third-year students.

Contact Information
For additional information, please contact:

University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
Admissions & Financial Aid
Attn: Rose Mangold
3501 Terrace Street, Suite 2114
Pittsburgh, PA 15261-1945
(412) 648-8437
mangold@pitt.edu

Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply?
Applications are accepted from April 15, 2008 through August 15, 2008 of the year prior to entering the program. If you are interested in applying for the 2009-2010 academic year, we must have your application no later than August 15, 2008.

If I am not accepted to the program this time, may I reactivate my file for the next year?
No, you must reapply for each year that you wish to be considered. All test scores, application fees, and mark sheets must be resubmitted.

How many applicants are accepted to the program each year? We will accept up to ten qualified applicants per year based on their interview session, pre-clinical bench testing exercise and number of spaces available.

How much is the tuition for this program?
See Budget