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Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Academic Program Application Process

The application cycle for Fall 2027 admissions is open until January 15, 2027.

Fall-term admissions only are accepted.

Application Instructions

Only applications submitted online through GradCAS will be considered.

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Please review the GradCAS Applicant Help Center if you have any additional questions.

Please visit this GradCAS Applicant Help link for browser compatibility and other technical requirements.

Admission Requirements

  • Baccalaureate degree 
    A baccalaureate degree in a natural or physical science, or engineering program is required
  • Minimum grade point average of 3.0
    A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale of 4) or its equivalent from an accredited institution is required
  • English language proficiency scores 
    English language proficiency scores are required from citizens of countries where English is not the official language (including the Province of Quebec, Canada). Applicants who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the United States are exempt. Applicants must submit scores fewer than 2 years old. The following English language proficiency tests and scores are acceptable for admission:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
      TOEFL scores higher than 600 (paper test), or 250 (computer test), or 100 (iBT internet test). TOEFL scores can be submitted to the OCS Graduate Studies Office using DI Code: 2408.
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
      The minimum acceptable IETLS score is 7.0. IELTS results certificates are to be sent directly to the OCS Graduate Studies Office.
    • Duolingo
      The minimum acceptable Duolingo score is 120.
       

Application Materials

  • Personal Statement
    This statement is a vital part of the application, and carries the most weight in our admissions decisions. Discuss on one page your intellectual and professional interest in graduate study in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. Include your primary interests within your chosen field of study (i.e., Craniofacial Genetics or Tissue Regeneration), describe and list any relevant background experience that might make you a good candidate, suggest names of faculty mentor/lab would you like to work with. Describe where you see yourself after graduate school (what type of career are you training for).
    Note: Mentors are assigned upon acceptance to the program, based on the research interests described in the personal statement. Applicants should not arrange a lab placement in advance.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation 
    Only references sent directly to GradCAS are accepted. 
    Minimum of three letters of recommendation. (Letters from faculty familiar with the applicant's research accomplishments are of particular value to the evaluation process.)
  • Official Transcripts 
    Official transcripts must include all undergraduate and prior graduate coursework. International applicants are required to submit an official transcript evaluation (ECE or WES) directly to the OCS Graduate Studies Office for all education completed outside of the U.S., but should also submit an unofficial copy through GradCAS.
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Scores 
    Official TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo scores must be submitted directly to the OCS Graduate Studies Office (for applicants from non-English speaking countries; TOEFL DI Code: 2408), and applicants must also self-report TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo through GradCAS.

Application Deadline

All interested students should submit their application for admission no later than January 15.

Application Fees

The fee to apply to the program is $50, in addition to a GradCAS processing fee of $38 for each program you apply to. The fees to apply total to $88. The program does not wave the application fees. 

Notification of Admissions Decisions

Admissions review begins after January 15, 2027. Upon review  of all application materials, a phone or video interview may be scheduled with the applicant.
Applicants can expect to be notified of the department's decision within 8-10 weeks.

Financial Aid

All PhD applications will automatically be considered for financial aid in the form of Graduate Student Research (GSR) fellowships. There are no separate forms for financial aid. Oral and Craniofacial Sciences graduate student tuition rates are based on rates charged by the Pitt Schools of Health Sciences.