Admissions and Student Affairs

Admission to the dental curriculum

The authority to select applicants for admission to the School of Dentistry is vested in the Admissions Committee and the Dean of the School of Dentistry. This committee is appointed by the Dean of the School of Dentistry, and includes both clinical and basic science faculty of the School of Dentistry, as well as representatives of the dental private practice. All correspondence and records regarding admissions process are filed in the Registrar's Office, become the property of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and cannot be returned or forwarded to the applicant or another school.

Selection factors

Selection of applicants is made on a competitive basis without regard to race, gender, religion, marital status, age, national origin, or veteran status. Decision and consideration is given to cognitive and noncognitive components. Cognitive components include overall GPA, Science GPA, Overall DAT, Overall Science DAT. Noncognitive components include honesty/integrity, ethics/values, respect for others, critical thinking, communication skills, altruism, motivation for dentistry, accountability, support system, maturity, excellence, vision of practice, participation in Health Careers program, leadership, self-appraisal, and research. Recommendations of college science faculty, dentists that have been shadowed, and community service directors are also considered. Multiple mini interviews with members of the Admissions Committee are required. Preference is given to applicants who are legal residents of Mississippi. In recent years, it has not been possible to admit nonresidents. (For residency information, please refer to the UMMC Bulletin)

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Applicants for admission to the School of Dentistry must take the American Dental Association Dental Admission Test (DAT). The test may be scheduled to be taken by computer at individually arranged times at Sylvan Testing Centers. Information regarding the American Dental Association Dental Admission Test may be obtained from the pre-dental advisor in most colleges. Information and application forms also may be secured from the Division of Educational Measurements, American Dental Association, 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, or from the Office of Student Affairs at the School of Dentistry, or by going to: www.ada.org/dat.aspx. By following a well planned schedule, the pre-dental student should be ready to take the test at the end of the second full year of college work. It is strongly recommended that this test be taken in the spring, but no later than in the fall of the year preceding the desired date of admission. DAT scores more than three years old are not acceptable. Candidates seeking to re-take the DAT must wait 90 days before a re-test is allowed.

Interviews

Applicants whose credentials indicate potential for success in the dental school program are invited for interviews. Applicants must not present themselves for interviews until requested to do so by the Admissions Committee. Interviews are scheduled during specific periods and applicants are notified well in advance of such periods.

Estimated expenses

The table below presents minimum estimates of the school expenses an entering student can anticipate. All estimates are based on charges expected for the academic year. Tuition and fees, as well as the types of fees, are subject to change without notice, and all costs are subject to inflation.

Financial aid

There are no dental school scholarships available for which to apply other than the Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students. The priority deadline date for scholarship application is March 1st of each year.

The Student Loan and Scholarship Committee reviews accepted applicants' files and may grant a very limited number of scholarships as they become available. These scholarships are based on academic qualifications, financial need, and the potential to serve in an underserved area. Other student financial aid and eligibility policies and disbursement policies are described in the UMMC Bulletin.