REQUIRED TESTING
How important is the Dental Admission Test (DAT)?
An applicant's DAT scores and grade point average provide the admissions committee with important predictors of success. Therefore, the DAT is important with emphasis being placed on the academic average, perceptual ability and total science portions. These scores need to be high, as you will be competing with other applicants.
The averages of admitted students in this past cycle had 21 on the AA portion, a 20 on the PAT portion and a 21 on the TS portion of the DAT.
When should I first take the DAT?
Applicants must take the DAT no later than September 30th of the year preceding the academic year for which they are seeking admission. For example, applicants for the 2024 entering class must take the DAT no later than September 30, 2023.
As a general rule, students interested in applying to dental school should plan to take the DAT early enough to have a second opportunity to take the test before the test deadline for a particular year. It is a good idea to take the DAT during the spring of your junior year, so you have another chance to take the test during the summer or early fall of your senior year, if your scores from your first attempt at the test were not as high as you would have liked.
Since the DAT has sections related to biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry, it would be beneficial to have completed as many of the required courses as possible before taking the DAT. Since there is no physics section, this required course can be taken later if scheduling permits or dictates.
Does the DCG take unofficial DAT scores?
The Dental College of Georgia will accept unofficial DAT scores by email for the purpose of moving forward for review of a candidate’s application. An applicant can scan their unofficial scores which they receive from the testing center and email them to dcgadmissions@augusta.edu. These scores are temporarily valid in deciding if an application is to move forward in our admissions process. However, all official DAT scores must still be forwarded with your ADEA AADAS application and are usually available to the DCG within several weeks after the DAT has been taken.
How do I know if I have to take the TOEFL exam?
The TOEFL exams is required if any applicant's native language is not English. The internet-based version of TOEFL (iBT TOEFL) is the only option available for current testers. The four-hour exam will cover all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 100, with 26 in the speaking component. Test must be taken by the September 30th application deadline.
What if I speak English well and I do not need to take the TOEFL?
If you feel that your English is sufficient and you do not need the TOEFL, you can make an appointment via phone with our director to attempt to have it waived. Contact us at (706) 721-3587 or at dcgadmissions@augusta.edu.
Application Process
Where do I apply?
Apply online through the AADSAS application portal.
Is there an application deadline?
Yes. The application deadline is September 30th. This deadline applies to the AADSAS application and test scores (DAT and TOEFL). Supplemental applications are due two weeks after the link is emailed to an applicant.
How does the application process work?
The AADSAS application is typically available the first week of June through September 30th. Once the AADSAS application is complete, AADSAS then verifies information. This could take up to six weeks depending on when they receive your official transcripts.
Once verified, AADSAS sends your application to the DCG. After receiving the AADSAS application, all applicants will be emailed a link. Here, applicants will be prompted to choose if they want the DCG Admissions Committee to review the supplemental component of their application for further consideration.
The supplemental information processing fee is $40. It is non-refundable and must be paid electronically in order for the DCG Admissions Office to receive an applicant’s supplemental component.
A candidate’s packet is not considered complete until the supplemental information has been submitted and received by the DCG Admissions Office. Once an application is considered complete (AADSAS application, supplemental application, letters of recommendation and DAT scores received), a decision about granting an interview is made.
Interviews are conducted from mid August to early December. All decisions are made soon thereafter.
What is the Admissions Committee looking for in an applicant?
The Admissions Committee will select the best applicants for admission from received applications in a given application cycle. This means you will be "competing" with other applicants.
Each applicant will be assessed by the Committee based on the following factors (not in any particular order): overall grade point average (GPA), science GPA, pattern of grades, Dental Admission Test scores, letters of recommendation, interviews, proficiency in English and communication skills, motivation for becoming a dentist, unusual educational experiences or background, life experiences, work experiences, demonstrations of leadership in activities, involvement in community and extracurricular activities, volunteer work, honors and awards received, residence in a health professions shortage (underserved) area, research experiences and experience in an oral health care setting. While all applicants may not have experiences in all of these areas, the Committee considers achievement in all of these areas as part of the student selection process.
High grades and DAT scores alone do not guarantee acceptance. However, the dental school curriculum is demanding and rigorous, therefore high grades may indicate the applicant's potential ability to successfully complete our program.
The ideal applicant will have performed very well in all categories, but many are accepted because they show exceptional promise in certain areas.
The Admissions Committee strongly encourages applicants to shadow a dentist in order to learn as much as possible about the practice of dentistry from a practitioner. On average, successful applicants accrue about 300 hours of exposure in a dental setting. It is important to have some first-hand knowledge of dental practice prior to a decision to pursue a career in dentistry.
How many students will be selected for admission?
The entering classes are scheduled for 96 students; up to 10 percent of accepted students will be non-Georgia residents.
How high do my grades have to be to get admitted?
As you will be compared with other applicants, it is impossible to tell at the outset
just how high your grades have to be. Much depends on how good the other applicants
look in comparison to you. It is possible to have high grades and not be accepted
due to other factors that the committee considers important. DAT scores, references
and interviews all provide information about you that will be considered in an admissions
decision.
Minimum requirements are as follows:
- Overall GPA: 2.8
- Science GPA: 2.8
- DAT: Academic – 16, Perceptual – 16, Total Science – 16
*Average for entering class of 2023 - overall GPA 3.75; science GPA 3.69
*Average for entering class of 2023 - Academic Average: 21; Perceptual Ability: 20; Total Science: 21
Students accepted with grades below the average generally had poor beginnings in undergraduate school, but then performed at a very high level their last several semesters, both overall and in the required science areas, or as part of a Master’s degree or courses taken beyond their undergraduate degree. While many of these so-called "late bloomers" were not accepted, several are taken each year.
How many letters of recommendation should I submit? Whom should I choose to send recommendations?
All letters of recommendation to The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University must be submitted through the AADSAS service. The applicants for the entering class have two options for submitting (4) letters of recommendation:
Option 1:
- Packet or composite/committee letter (counts as one letter). A committee letter can be one letter that is collaboratively written by a group of people or a collection of letters submitted on behalf of an institution or office.
- A dentist (whom you have shadowed)
- Personal letter*
- Personal letter*
Option 2:
- An academic professional (science instructor, advisor, department chair, etc.)
- A dentist (whom you have shadowed)
- Personal letter*
- Personal letter*
*academic advocate, another dentist, a supervisor or someone who knows the applicant
well enough to speak positively on the applicant's behalf
You should not use members of your family as references and we suggest that you try to select people in responsible positions or professions, if possible. Of course, it is very important that the person knows you personally. Recommendations from political figures or other well-known personalities are fine, provided the person knows you personally and can comment on your abilities from first-hand experience. Otherwise, a recommendation from someone who can comment about you from direct knowledge would carry much more weight.
On what basis are applicants invited to interview? How important are the interviews?
As applications are received, they are screened by the Admissions Committee based on pre-set admission criteria. Applicants who are judged to be qualified based on grades, DAT scores, letters of recommendation and other non-cognitive factors such as community involvement, leadership in extracurricular activities, experience in oral health care or health care, awards and honors and residency in a health professions shortage area, are invited to visit the campus for admission interviews.
Because the Admissions Committee is interested in the personal qualities of the applicants as well as their grades and DATs, interviews play an important part in the admissions process. While the shortcomings of interviews are well-understood, they do provide the Committee with useful, though subjective, information. The interviews also provide the selected applicants with a chance to present themselves on a personal basis.
Who decides whether or not I'll be accepted?
Acceptance into The Dental College of Georgia is recommended to the Dean by the Admissions Committee appointed by the Dean of the DCG. The Office of Students, Admissions and Alumni has the administrative responsibility of advising applicants on admissions procedures and preparing applicant files for Committee decisions.
When will I know whether I'm accepted or not?
Dental school acceptance notification dates are set by ADEA AADSAS®. This year, Decision Day is December 15, 2023. A letter will be sent to you notifying you of the committee's decision.
Who decides whether or not I'll be accepted?
Acceptance into The Dental College of Georgia is recommended to the Dean by the Admissions Committee appointed by the Dean of the DCG. The Office of Students, Admissions and Alumni has the administrative responsibility of advising applicants on admissions procedures and preparing applicant files for Committee decisions.
When will I know whether I'm accepted or not?
Dental school acceptance notification dates are set by ADEA AADSAS®. This year, Decision Day is December 15, 2023. A letter will be sent to you notifying you of the committee's decision.
Will it hurt my chances if I'm also applying to medical schools or other professional schools?
The Admissions Committee considers each applicant on his or her merits, including motivation. If you are well-motivated for the study of dentistry, the fact that you are interested in other professions at the same time will not adversely affect your chances. However, if the Admissions Committee members are aware that you have applied to other programs, they may question your interest in dentistry.
Out-of-State Applicants and Residency
How much difference does it make if I'm a resident or a non-resident of Georgia?
Around 90 percent of the incoming class to The Dental College of Georgia will be Georgia residents. Up to10 percent will be residents of states other than Georgia.
If I am an out-of-state student, will I get the supplemental right away?
Out-of-state applicants will not receive the supplemental application automatically. Their AADSAS application is reviewed. Depending on the results, out-of-state applicants are invited to complete the DCG supplemental application on a case-by-case basis.
If I apply as an out of state student, can I be considered a Georgia resident if I move to Georgia once I’m accepted?
You must be a resident of the State of Georgia for 12 consecutive months prior to matriculation into the dental program. For instance, if you are applying for the entering class of 2024, you would have to establish residency in Georgia during the first week of July 2023.
Some of the ways that you might be asked to provide proof of residency could be a
Georgia driver's license, a statement of property taxes, voter registration, automobile
registration, etc. If your relatives that currently live in Georgia are your parents,
spouse or court-appointed guardian and you are a dependent, then there is an exception
to the rule and you may claim Georgia residency.
For additional information on Student Residency, please visit the Board of Regents policy manual.
International Applicants/Credits and Foreign Trained Dentists
May I apply to the DCG if I am an internationally trained-dentist or a resident of Canada?
The Dental College of Georgia considers students applying to the DMD program who are U.S. citizens, international students, or have proof of permanent residency in the U.S. Applicants who hold specific VISA credentials will have their application considered for admissions. You can learn if your VISA is considered by DCG by inquiring at dcgadmissions@augusta.edu.
However, all of our candidates must complete at least 90 semester hours of course work at a U.S. accredited institution (giving them a GPA, not pass/fail grades). It usually takes about 3 years to get 90 semester hours completed. Furthermore, because the applicant pool is so competitive, our candidates are advised to be working towards a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited institution instead of being satisfied with receipt of the required 90 semester hours.
Does DCG have a program for internationally-trained dentists?
Unfortunately, DCG does not have an advanced-standing program for internationally trained dentists. There are several residency programs where internationally-trained dentists are eligible for consideration at DCG. Otherwise, internationally-trained dentists are encouraged to visit adea.org to learn of the dental schools that have advanced-standing programs for internationally-trained dentists.
I have completed courses in another country and had my transcript evaluated by WES. Will these courses be accepted as prerequisites?
Unfortunately, any courses taken in another country will not be considered when applying to The Dental College of Georgia. While there are some dental schools that do accept the results of professional evaluations of foreign transcripts, the DCG does not. All coursework, including prerequisites, must be taken at a U.S. accredited college or university. Prospective students who have degrees from foreign colleges and universities have been able to attend the DCG, but they each had to take at least 90 semester hours of additional college course (including the required courses) at a U.S. accredited institution.
Diversity
Will the fact that I'm a minority person or a woman be taken into consideration?
Augusta University is an equal educational opportunity institution and The Dental College of Georgia is committed to enrolling minority and women students. Those judged to have promise as future dentists are given every consideration for admission. There are a number of minority and women students enrolled in the dental school. We encourage students with diverse backgrounds to apply, including minorities, women, and other non-traditional students, because we believe that a diverse student body is an asset to the education of all students at the DCG, as well as an asset to the dental profession and the State of Georgia.
Age Limit
Is there any age limit for applicants?
Age is generally not a factor, so long as you are competitive with other applicants. We have accepted applicants as young as 19 and as old as 47. Individuals in the workforce who desire a career change are also encouraged to apply as long as they can substantiate their reasons for desiring a career in dentistry.
