GENERAL QUESTIONS:

Do you offer tours of HSDM?

We are unable to provide tours of HSDM due to the high volume of requests we receive. Applicants who are invited for an interview are given a tour during their visit to HSDM. Potential applicants are invited to check out the online virtual tour of Harvard Medical School. Dental students have access to all of the facilities at HMS.

How will I know if I am missing anything from my application?

Applicants will be sent email notification by the HSDM Admissions Office when their electronic and paper application materials have been received. The applicant may receive subsequent notification that the application is complete or that one or more parts of the application have not yet been received. Since items may cross in the mail, it is possible that the notification may not be accurate. Please contact the Admissions Office for the most up-to-date status.

Do I need to reapply to HSDM if I have applied in the past?

Yes. Applicants to both the DMD and AGE programs must reapply, even if they have applied in a previous year. All new materials must be sent. These applicants should be sure to mention in their personal statement what they have been doing in the time period since their previous application.

Is there campus housing for dental students?

Yes. Vanderbilt Hall is the on campus dormitory in which dental students may live. All rooms are singles and there are shared bathrooms and kitchens. The building is one block from HSDM. Applications for Vanderbilt Hall are sent to accepted DMD students in April. Housing is guaranteed for first-year dental students provided the appropriate paper work is completed and received by the Housing Office by the deadline. A limited number of AGE students may be able to reside in Vanderbilt Hall on a space available basis.

There is limited Harvard-owned housing for married students in the Longwood Medical Area. Harvard@Trilogy, a new apartment facility opened in 2006 and is located within walking distance of the Medical Area. Trilogy has 154 rental units available to graduate students, faculty and staff. In addition, accepted students can contact the Harvard Planning & Real Estate Office (HPRE) for assistance with housing needs. HPRE is responsible for the management and rental of Harvard's Affiliated Housing (open to students, faculty and staff), for new residential development and for the development of University housing policy. The HPRE office serves as the Harvard community's central resource for off-campus housing information and also offers individual real estate counseling to relocating and current faculty members. The properties are primarily in Cambridge. Frequent shuttle bus service is available between Cambridge and the Longwood Medical Area.

Since there is such high demand for HPRE apartments, it is recommended that students use a real estate broker to obtain an off-campus apartment in nearby areas such as Brookline, Cambridge and Jamaica Plain. Vanderbilt Hall also maintains an off-campus housing bulletin board. It is strongly advised that apartments be seen before a lease is signed.

There is no parking on campus for students. If you plan to live off-campus, you should contact the town hall in the municipality in which you plan to live to inquire about parking regulations. Maintaining a car in the Boston area can be very costly. HSDM is easily accessible via public transportation and has several bike racks for student use.

How much is tuition at HSDM?

The tuition at HSDM is $38,600 for the 2007-08 academic year for both DMD and AGE programs. The total estimated cost for a first-year DMD student including room and board, health insurance and other fees is approximately $59,000 (for ten months). The total costs for first-year AGE students vary by program. HSDM is a private institution, and tuition and fees are the same for both in-state and out-of-state residents. Please contact the HSDM Financial Aid Officer for specific details.

Will HSDM grant me a visa?

Upon acceptance to an HSDM program, an applicant who indicated on his/her application that s/he is neither a United States citizen nor a permanent resident of the U.S., will receive materials related to obtaining an F-1 or J-1 visa. A completed Data Sheet along with proof of adequate financial resources in the student's name or that of his/her sponsor must be presented before processing of a visa application will be initiated. Funds must be in U.S. dollars and the student's (or sponsor's) account must be in a U.S. bank.

Please note that since 9/11/01, the process of obtaining a student visa has become more time-consuming. The most up-to-date information regarding any changes can be found on the Harvard International Office web site.

Does HSDM offer a dental hygiene program?

No. HSDM does not have a dental hygiene program. Please refer to the American Dental Association web site for a list of dental hygiene, dental assisting and dental laboratory technology education programs.

DMD ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS:

How and when should I apply to the DMD program at HSDM?

Applicants must apply via AADSAS, the application service of the American Dental Education Association. Applications are reviewed in the order in which completed applications are received. Prospective applicants are advised to apply during the summer or early fall for the following September. The application for the fall 2008 entering class is now available on the ADEA web site.

What is the average GPA and DAT of students who are accepted?

The average GPA for the class that entered in the fall of 2007 was 3.7. It is recommended that applicants have a GPA of at least 3.0. The average DAT scores for the fall 2007 entering class were 22 Academic Average and 22 Total Science average and 21 PAT.

However, higher grades are not a guarantee of admission and lower grades do not necessarily mean rejection. Some applicants with a 4.0 GPA may not be admitted, while students who have more modest grades may be admitted. HSDM considers many factors when making admissions decisions.

Are there courses I should complete before taking the DAT?

Yes. The DAT contains sections on Biology, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry that require a substantial knowledge base. Therefore, it is recommended that you take those courses before the exam. Physics and Calculus are not required for the DAT, although both are required for admission.

How long will you hold onto DAT scores?

HSDM will retain your scores for two years. For the 2008-09 application season, the Admissions Office will accept DATs taken no earlier than the 2006-2007 academic school year.

How many times may I retake the DAT?

HSDM recommends no more than three attempts. An applicant who does not achieve acceptable scores in three attempts should seriously consider their suitability for dentistry.

Do you accept the Canadian DAT?

Yes. HSDM accepts the Canadian DAT. However, only official scores are acceptable.

Do you accept students who do not major in a science field?

HSDM accepts applicants with majors in a wide variety of disciplines. However, all applicants must complete all the necessary admissions requirements prior to matriculation. For details, please see DMD Admissions.

Can I apply before I have taken all the courses required for admission?

Yes, but we strongly encourage you to have a plan for fulfilling all admissions requirements before your last term in school. We do not waive admissions requirements for candidates who may be accepted later in the admissions cycle.

Will Harvard accept a statistics course or computer programming course in place of calculus?

No, HSDM requires a year of calculus (2 semesters or 3 tri-mesters).

I have been out of school for several years, am I still eligible to apply?

HSDM does accept applicants who have been out of school for some time. However, it is highly recommended that these applicants take or retake some core science classes such as biology or chemistry prior to applying. Contact the Admissions Office for specific questions.

When is an application considered complete?

An application is complete once the Office of Admissions has an applicant's AADSAS application, application processing fee of $70, letters of recommendation or committee letter, college transcript(s) and official DAT scores. Please make sure that your Social Security and phone number are on your check.

Does HSDM have a secondary/supplemental application?

A Supplemental Application for will be mailed to individuals who have been invited for an interview.

How many applications do you receive for the DMD program?

In the 2007-08 admissions cycle, HSDM received nearly 1000 applications. Approximately130 applicants are interviewed for each entering class of 35 students.

How soon after I apply can I expect to hear from HSDM?

How do I schedule an interview?

Appointments for interviews are made by invitation only. Members of the HSDM Admissions Committee review all completed applicant files and based on that review, candidates may be invited to the School for an interview.

Does HSDM accept transfer students?

HSDM does not accept transfer students.

I went to university in Canada. Do I need to take The SATs if I have not already?

The SATs are not required for students who went to college or university in Canada.

ADVANCED GRADUATE EDUCATION (AGE) ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS:

How do I obtain an application for an AGE program?

The application is now available to download for the 2008-2009 application cycle.

What are the application deadlines for the AGE programs?

How do I contact PASS and MATCH?

PASS and MATCH are separate services. Both have web sites which can be accessed using the links below. Phone numbers for both are also included.

MATCH  416-977-3431
PASS  1-800-353-2237

Do I need to submit my National Board of Dental Examiners scores?

Applicants who have graduated from a U.S. accredited dental school must submit official NBDE scores. Applicants educated at foreign dental schools are not required to do so.

What score is required for the TOEFL exam?

HSDM requires a minimum of 250 on the computer-based test, 600 on the written test or 100 on the internet-based test. Scores on the 4 sections of the internet based test should not vary significantly. Score reports sent to the Admissions Office must be official. The HSDM institution code is 3430 and the department code is 38. Please make sure to select the right codes in order for us to receive your score without delay.

Are the GREs required for any AGE program?

GREs are required for the Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology programs. For specifics on these programs, please contact Dr. Chester Douglass at chester douglass@hsdm.harvard.edu. You will also need to obtain an admissions application from the Harvard School of Public Health.

How do I obtain information about one of HSDM's hospital-based residency programs?

General Practice Residency
Brigham and Women's Hospital
http://www.hsdm.harvard.edu/asp-html/prospective-BHGPR.html
Please call 617-732-6684 or email Dr. Agnes Lau, program director at alau@partners.org for specific details.

General Practice Residency
Cambridge Health Alliance
http://www.challiance.org/dental_res/dental.shtml
Please email Dr. John Zdanowicz, program director, at john_zdanowicz@hsdm.harvard.edu for specific details.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital
http://www.massgeneral.org/omfs/pages/training.htm
Please call 617-726-8222 or email Dr. Maria Troulis, program director at mtroulis@partners.org for specific details.

Pediatric Dentistry Residency
Children's Hospital
http:childrenshospital.org/dentistry
Please call 617-355-3375 or email Dr. Linda Nelson, program director at linda.nelson@childrens.harvard.edu for specific details.

Is there a Ph.D. program at Harvard School of Dental Medicine?

A Ph.D. program in biological sciences in dental medicine (BSDM) was approved by Harvard University in 2001. The Ph.D. degree is awarded by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). An application and description of the program as well as admissions requirements can be obtained online at the Harvard GSAS web site. The HSDM director of the program is Bjorn R. Olsen, M.D., Ph.D. For further information, please call 617-432-2359 or email Yulia Pittel at yulia_pittel@hsdm.harvard.edu.

I am a foreign-trained dentist and I would like to obtain a U.S. license. Do you have an advanced standing program?

No. HSDM does not have a formal advanced standing program. However, foreign-trained dentists who have a B.D.S. degree or equivalent are eligible to apply to HSDM's AGE programs. Please refer to AGE Admissions.

NON-ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS:

I am a graduate of HSDM. How do I obtain my transcript?

To obtain transcripts, alumni should send a signed letter to the Office of Dental Education requesting their transcripts. Only the former student can request his or her transcript. There is a $3.00 fee for each transcript, and the request will be processed when payment has been received. Checks should be made payable to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Transcript requests are processed on Friday of each week.

Transcripts may be returned directly to a requestor in a signed, sealed envelope or can be sent directly to a third party at the request of the graduate. All transcripts are sent by U.S. Mail.

I work for a credentialing service and would like to confirm that a certain person received his or her degree at HSDM. What is the procedure?

Individuals or agencies seeking to verify the credentials of a student who attended the Harvard School of Dental Medicine should send a written request to the Office of Dental Education. Credential requests are processed the Friday of each week. The Harvard School of Dental Medicine does not verify credentials over the phone.

Please note that the HSDM Office of Dental Education does not verify employment information.