Admission to 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 enrollment to applicants who, in the opinion of the Admissions Committee, 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 senior full-course equivalents (i.e., senior level courses at Western numbered 2000 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 most competitive years and the most recent DAT scores. However, overall academic performance (consistency, trend), honors degree (if applicable), and graduate education will also be used as selection criteria.
A structured personal interview is part of the admissions process.
To be eligible for admission to Dentistry, applicants must:
- 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
- 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.
Note: The former Biology 1222 or 1223 satisfies the Biology Requirement. The former Chemistry 1050 or Chemistry 1024A/B satisfy the Chemistry requirement. Physics 1021, the former 1020, 1024, 1026 or the combination of Physics 1028A/B plus 1029A/B satisfy the Physics requirement. Equivalent prerequisites taken at outside universities must meet approved standards.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 and/or submit letters of reference.
- Graduates of non-accreited dental programs should consider taking the Qualifying Program.
DDS Program For Internationally Trained Dentists
see: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/adm/after2years_dentistry.pdf
Admission Requirements SR.10-25
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