ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - DDS PROGRAM

Admission to the School of Dentistry is based on academic ability and personal qualities, as evidenced by scholastic records and aptitude tests. Because facilities for pre-clinical and clinical instruction are limited, it is necessary to restrict enrolment to applicants who, in the opinion of the Faculty, are best qualified to meet the mental and physical demands of the curriculum and most likely to successfully complete the full course of study. The presentation of the minimum admission requirements will not assure acceptance.

Applicants are advised that it is to their advantage to take a program which includes at least five full-course equivalents in each academic year, taken concurrently. Special years and repeated years must contain five full-course equivalents, including a minimum of four honors full-course equivalents (i.e., honors-level courses at Western numbered 200 or above). An academic year in which fewer than four full-course equivalents are taken will not be considered. Courses taken during one of the Spring/Summer sessions will not normally be counted as part of the five courses.

Applicants are further advised that the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) administered by the Canadian Dental Association is required and will be a consideration for admission. Only the score of the most recent DAT completed within the two years prior to the application deadline of December 1 will be used.

Primary consideration will be given to the best two academic years and the DAT scores. However, overall academic performance (consistency, trend), honors degree (if applicable), and graduate education will also be used as selection criteria.

The School reserves the right to require an interview as part of the admissions process.

To be eligible for admission to the School of Dentistry, applicants must:

be in or have successfully completed two years of a program at an Ontario University, or an equivalent second year at another university, provided that the program has included a minimum of four honors courses or equivalent (as interpreted by Western) within the first ten courses completed; and have successfully completed one full laboratory course in each of biology, chemistry and physics. In addition, at least one half laboratory course in organic chemistry and at least one half-course in biochemistry (e.g., Biology 280a at Western - see UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION section) will be required. Effective with the 1998-99 incoming class, one full-course or equivalent in human or mammalin physiology (e.g. Physiology 130 or Biology 310 at Western)
or
be in the final year of, or have successfully completed, an undergraduate degree program at a recognized university. Applicants in this category are advised that the following courses are mandatory. At least one half laboratory course in organic chemistry and at least one half-course in biochemistry, and (effective for the 1998-99 incoming class) one full-course or equivalent in human or mammalian physiology (e.g. Physiology 130 or Biology 310 at Western). It is to their advantage to have successfully completed one full laboratory course in biology, chemistry and physics. If all requirements to have the undergraduate degree conferred have not been met by August 1 of the year of admission, applicants will be expected to have completed all prerequisite courses (as listed in paragraph a).
or
be in the final year of, or have successfully completed, a graduate degree program at a recognized university.
Graduate degree candidates must complete all requirements for their graduate degree (including a successful thesis defence, if applicable) by June 20. It will be the students' responsibility to assure confirmation by their Faculty of Graduate Studies no later than June 20 that all requirements for the degree have been met. No deferred admission will be granted. Applicants in this category are advised that the following courses are mandatory. At least one half laboratory course in organic chemistry, at least one half-course in biochemistry, and (effective for the 1998-99 incoming class) one full-course or equivalent in human or mammalin physiology (eg Physiology 130 or Biology 310 at Western). It is to their advantage to have successfully completed one full laboratory course in biology, chemistry, and physics.

A limited number of positions are available for international students who must satisfy the above requirements as well as English language proficiency.

All applicants -- including undergraduate, graduate, and special and qualifying students -- are reminded that careful assessment will be made of their cumulative academic record.

Note

Chemistry 213a/b, 253, or the former Chemistry 203, each satisfy the Organic Chemistry requirements of this Faculty. Biology 280a satisfies the biochemistry requirement. See UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION section.

In their choice of options, students are urged not to anticipate dental school courses. Rather, they should seek a broad background of education in keeping with their own interests.

Research Category with Deferred Admission

Deferred Admission to the undergraduate dental program may be offered to candidates who are accepted to a dentally-oriented graduate program leading to a masters or a PhD degree, at the commencement of that graduate program, following a determination of acceptability by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the School of Dentistry. For more information, please contact the Admissions secretary at 519-661-4074.

Policy on Admission to Second Year

These regulations apply to students currently enrolled in accredited undergraduate dental programs in Canada and the United States.

Admission beyond the second dental year is not permitted and admission to second dental year will be considered only if a vacancy exists for that year.
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
Applicants for whom English is not a first language are required to achieve a score acceptable to The University of Western Ontario on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) together with the Test of Written English (TWE), the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery test (MELAB), or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS).
Applicants may be required to pass special written and/or practical examinations specified by the School of Dentistry. Graduate dentists applying must have successfully completed both the written and Part I (clinical) examinations of the National Dental Examining Board of Canada.
Applicants to second dental year are not required to take the Dental Aptitude Test administered by the Canadian Dental Association.
Applicants who have been required to withdraw by a dental school for academic or other reasons will usually be ineligible for admission to second year.
Applicants to second year must satisfy the general admission requirements of The University of Western Ontario and/or the transfer regulations adopted by Senate.
Applicants may be required to be present for an interview.

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FACULTY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY