Application Procedures

The VCU School of Dentistry participates in CAAPID and abides by all the rules and regulations that they recommend. All candidates, including re-applicants, are required to submit credentials through this service. The earliest date for applications being accepted by CAPPID is June 8, 2009. Applications for VCU must reach the CAAPID offices by November 1, 2009 to be considered for the following year. However, it is HIGHLY recommended that applications be submitted to CAAPID as early as possible as the process is time intensive. CAAPID processing takes 4-8 weeks after your application, transcripts and payment is received. Our school also recommends that candidates apply to CAAPID electronically through the web site www.adea.org.

At the same time that the application is sent to CAAPID, the candidate must send VCU a non-refundable application fee of $30.00 and a personal 2x2 passport type photograph to the Office of IDP. You MUST include your full legal name, address, CAAPID ID number, telephone number and email address with your check and photograph. Send all of the information to the following address:

Office of IDP
School of Dentistry
Virginia Commonwealth University
520 N 12th St.
P.O. Box 980566
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0566

Please note that if you are re-applying through CAAPID for 2010 you need to submit an entirely new application, including NBDE part I scores and letters of recommendation. No data from the 2009 application cycle is carried over to the 2010 application cycle.

A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation is needed to complete the application. At least two of these are to be from science professors and the third must come from a dental practitioner who knows the candidates professional abilities through direct observation via shadowing, research collaboration or volunteer work.

Once the candidate's application is received in our office from CAAPID, it then is reviewed and a decision is made on whether or not an interview will be granted. We highly discourage applicants calling our office to find out the status of their application. All calls requesting such information will be directed to the CAAPID portal to identify information necessary to complete your application. Check the "Status" button on the application tool bar or email inquiries to caapidinfo@caapid.org.

Only candidates who are invited to interview will be sent a supplemental application with his or her invitation letter to be completed and returned to our office as soon as possible.