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Academic Calendar 2015 FACULTIES SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY DENTISTRY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - DDS PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION
UNDERGRADUATE SESSIONAL DATES
STUDENT SERVICES
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
FACULTIES
UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION
FACULTY MEMBERS
AFFILIATED UNIVERSITY COLLEGES
GLOSSARY
NEW MODULES/PROGRAMS
FIRST YEAR UPDATES
TABLE OF CONTENTS




ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - DDS PROGRAM
Please note that the admission policy is reviewed annually and the admission requirements from previous years may not apply. The University reserves the right to review and change the admission requirements at any time, without notice.

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

Competitiveness
In order to be considered competitive, candidates must have achieved at least 80% or higher in two undergraduate level years by the end of the academic year prior to application. Past class statistics have indicated that most successful applicants have a mid to high 80s average over their two most competitive years. Although primary consideration will be given to the most competitive two academic years and the DAT scores, overall academic performance (consistency, trend) and graduate education can also be used as selection criteria.

For applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree and who are in the final year of (or who have recently completed) a subsequent undergraduate degree, grades earned during the previous degree(s) will not be considered. The most recent degree must be equivalent to a four-year degree. Courses taken during the application cycle are not considered towards GPA.

Applicants are ranked on a compiled score representing academics, DAT score, and interview. The quality of the applicant pool in which one is considered for entry could raise the minimum academic competitive level, and will determine the minimum DAT score.

A limited number of positions are available for international students who maintain their international status at graduation.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who indicate on their application that they are from the Indigenous Community. One position is set aside each year for competitive applicants with proven indigenous status or ancestral Indigenous origin.

Scholastic Records
To be eligible for admission to Dentistry, applicants must
  1. be in the final year of, or have successfully completed, an undergraduate degree program leading to a four-year undergraduate degree at a recognized university. Applicants in this category are advised that the following courses are mandatory: at least 0.5 laboratory course in organic chemistry and at least 0.5 course in biochemistry, and 1.0 course in human or mammalian physiology. It is to their advantage to have successfully completed 1.0 laboratory course in biology, chemistry and physics.

    or

  2. 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 defense, if applicable) by June 20 of the year of entry. 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 0.5 laboratory course in organic chemistry, at least 0.5 course in biochemistry, and 1.0 course in human or mammalian physiology. It is to their advantage to have successfully completed 1.0 laboratory course in biology, chemistry, and physics. 
A limited number of positions are available for international students who must satisfy the separate requirements as well as English language proficiency. Please contact Admissions Coordinator at (519) 661-3744 for details.

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

Dental Aptitude Test Results
The Canadian Dental Aptitude Test (DAT), administered by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), taken within two years prior to the December 1 application deadline is a requirement for admission. The DAT is conducted on two occasions each academic year: February and November. Scores must come directly from the CDA to Schulich Dentistry to be considered valid. Schulich Dentistry utilizes the results of the last test written in the eligible time period.

Please note: only Dental Aptitude Tests incorporating the reading comprehension section fulfill Schulich Dentistry admissions requirements. It is this sectional score that is used in the decision concerning invitations for interview. For the past several years, a score of 18/30 or higher has been required in combination with competitive academic grades in applicants’ two most competitive years. This minimum score on the DAT is subject to change depending on the quality of the applicant pool in the given cycle.

Schulich Dentistry uses the Academic Average in its final selection process. This score is based on the scores achieved in the Reading Comprehension, Biology and Chemistry sections of the test.

Specific information and registration materials concerning the Canadian DAT are available on-line on the Canadian Dental Association website.

For Canadian and international students residing outside Canada, the results of the ADA Dental Admissions Test (DAT) will be treated as equivalent to the results of the CDADAT. Information and application forms from the American Dental Association’s website.

It is the applicant's responsibility to confirm receipt of the results with the Dentistry Admissions Coordinator. (DAT transcripts are kept on file for the duration of their eligibility.)

Interview
Selected applicants will be invited to attend a personal interview in order to be considered for admission. One must meet competitive levels in the DAT Reading Comprehension sectional score in combination with achieving competitive university grades in order to be invited to an interview.

Interviews are usually held during a weekend in March or April each year. The interview panel consists of a dentist, a senior dental student and a community member.

English Language Proficiency
All students must satisfy Western's requirements for proficiency in English. Students whose mother tongue (first language) is not English may be required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the Test of Written English (TWE), or equivalent. Additional information on this can be found on the International Admissions page.

APPLICATION DEADLINE AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION


Applications for first-year entry are due December 1 of each year. Online applications are available beginning of October. A non-refundable processing fee applies.

All applicants must:

Submit to OUAC a completed on-line application form. The link to the application form is posted in early October on the Schulich Dentistry admissions page. The competition is open until the end of the deadline day – December 1.

Arrange for the DAT official scores to be sent to Schulich Dentistry directly. (The Canadian Dental Association sends transcripts of applicants who have indicated they wish Schulich Dentistry to receive their scores at the time of the writing of the last eligible DAT for the current application cycle.)

Arrange for any required documents (e.g. transcripts not available electronically, TOEFL, etc.) to be sent to the Registrar’s Office – Professional Admissions.

Academic Documentation
Official transcripts from EACH university, college or other post-secondary institution applicants have attended are required to reach the Registrar’s Office – Professional Admissions by December 1 of the year of application. In June of the year of entry, a final OFFICIAL transcript of active candidates’ records at the end of the current academic year, indicating degree conferred, must be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office – Professional Admissions at Western (if not already ordered via the on-line process). It can arrive at Western no later than June 30 of the year of entry.

Graduate degree candidates must complete all requirements for their graduate degree (including a successful thesis defense, if applicable) by June 20. No extension of this deadline or deferral of admission will be granted.

Western students are not required to submit transcripts of their academic record at Western. In support of your application to Schulich Dentistry, however, you are required to submit OFFICIAL transcripts of all other post-secondary institutions.

If you previously attended, or are currently attending another institution, students must request an OFFICIAL transcript of your record before December 1.

If applying from an Ontario University, students must request all transcripts through the *Transcript Request* section provided in the on-line application process.

Official transcripts (in translation if original is not in English) must be made available at the time of application. Course synopses originating from the institution (again in translation if original is not in English) are also required for prerequisite courses taken outside of Canada.

For those applicants who are not applying from an Ontario University, please request that all transcripts, in support of your application, be sent directly to Western University Professional Admissions – DENTISTRY.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that transcripts are forwarded by the applicable Registrar(s) in time to meet the deadline date.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify Western’s Dentistry’s Admissions Office of any subsequent mark revisions on the transcript. (This includes Western students).

Applications will not be considered if required documents are missing at the time the Admissions Committee meets in late April.

Documents are not retained from year to year. Consequently documents will need to be resubmitted which each application.

Autobiographical Sketch
Students are required to submit an autobiographical sketch and personal statement to identify and expand on academic and non-academic strengths, achievements, significant successes and disadvantages.

Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening
All dental students will interact with vulnerable populations through the course of their academic programs. In recognition of the requirements of clinical agencies to ensure that dental students do not place vulnerable populations at risk, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry requires that all students provide, as a condition of their admission into the DDS and ITD programs, a current Police Records check and a Vulnerable Sector (Position) Screening.

Additional Documentation (if applicable)
  • Applicants submitting academic documentation from outside Canada must provide official transcripts AND official detailed course outlines for any prerequisites.
  • Photocopy of proof of permanent resident status--Immigration Form 1000--showing date landed. (Canadian citizens do not need to submit proof of citizenship).
  • If name change documents are required, a formal request will be sent.
  • Proof of proficiency in English for applicants whose first language is not English.
  • It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the necessary transcripts or reports have been received by the Registrar's Office no later than the December 1 application deadline.
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 PhD degree, at the commencement of that graduate program, following a determination of acceptability by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Schulich Dentistry. For more information, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 519-661-3744.

Policy on Admission to Second Year
These regulations apply to students currently enrolled in approved undergraduate dental programs.

  1. 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.
  2. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
  3. All students applying for admission to Dentistry whose mother tongue (first language) is not the English language will be required to prove their understanding of the English language. See "Proof of English Proficiency" in the Admission Requirements section.
  4. Applicants to second dental year are not required to take the Dental Aptitude Test administered by the Canadian Dental Association.
  5. 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.
  6. Applicants to second year must satisfy the general admission requirements of Western and/or the transfer regulations adopted by Senate.
  7. Applicants may be required to be present for an interview and/or submit letters of reference.
  8. Graduates of non-accredited dental programs should consider taking the Internationally Trained Dentists Program.

Admission Requirements SR.10-25
Admission Requirements S.9-15

Academic Calendar 2015 FACULTIES SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY DENTISTRY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - DDS PROGRAM
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