Selection Criteria

Virginia Commonwealth University is a state-supported, public university and gives admissions preference to state residents. All candidates are evaluated by uniform criteria without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.

The Admissions Committee is the body that has been given the duties and obligations of selecting each dental school class. They are committed to assembling a class that is representative of the diverse population of both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States as a whole. The areas that are considered include academic abilities at the college or university level, satisfactory performance in the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), and evidence of psychomotor skills to perform the necessary dexterity tasks that dentistry demands. Listed in our
School of Dentistry Technical Standards, candidates should become familiar with the essential requirements of our dental institution and profession. Understand that these Technical Standards are not required for admission, but are intended for promotion and graduation of enrolled students. The committee looks for candidates that can demonstrate knowledge of dentistry and the dental profession that is obtained from observing and working in dental offices, experiences in dental laboratories, and interaction with dental professionals.

The candidate must also exhibit a commitment to serve and help people. Involvement in service organizations at both the community and college level is an example of this. The person interviewing must exhibit the excellent interpersonal skills that are important in being a successful dentist. The committee looks for candidates who show the potential of being lifelong learners and who exhibit intellectual curiosity. Selection occurs on a rolling admission basis, and once the class is complete, an alternate list is created. Candidates are notified of decisions according to the guidelines established by AADSAS.

The first acceptances are announced on December 1st of each year and a $500 nonrefundable deposit (credited to tuition) is required by January 15th to hold a position. A second nonrefundable deposit of $300 toward tuition is due on May 1st. A letter of acceptance offers the candidate a position in the class entering for the session cited. Receipt by the Office of Admissions of the initial $500 nonrefundable tuition deposit within the prescribed period reserves the position in the class. Failure to reserve a position results in that position being offered to another candidate. The second $300 nonrefundable tuition deposit initiates active administrative processing of matriculation into the first year class. Failure to send this deposit results in loss of position, and the position is then offered to another candidate. The act of matriculation also implies a willingness on the part of the student to comply with university rules and regulations, to take an interest in maintaining the ideals of the institution, and to conduct himself or herself in a manner befitted a member of the dental profession.

Additionally, all accepted candidates will be required to submit to a criminal background check prior to matriculation (May 1). Please visit our web site for complete details.