APPLYING AS AN ADVANCED STANDING STUDENT (INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED DENTISTS ONLY)
The Advanced Standing program provides internationally trained dentists with the opportunity to pursue a DMD degree in the United States at an accelerated pace. This two-year program begins in August. The application fee is nonrefundable and is not credited toward any charges when an accepted applicant registers as a student.
Note: If an applicant does not have access to a credit or debit card, it is possible to submit the application fee by check or money order in US dollars payable to “Boston University”. The applicant’s name and “Advanced Standing application fee” must be noted on the check. Application fees should be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Student Services when an applicant submits the online application. The application will not be processed or reviewed until the application fee is received. Transcript and Diploma Applicants must send a copy of their original dental school diploma and transcripts to Boston University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
Attention: Advanced Standing Program Admissions
100 East Newton Street, Suite G-305
Boston, MA 02118 USA
STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION
The successful completion of a dental school program outside the USA is a requirement for admission to the Advanced Standing DMD Program at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. In considering applications, the Admissions Committee takes into account the applicant’s academic preparation, prior dental school grades, score on the National Board Dental Examination Part I, and English language ability, as demonstrated by the TOEFL score. Also considered are factors such as an applicant’s dental experience and motivation for the study of dentistry. Letters of recommendation are important elements in the evaluation.
A personal interview is required of all applicants whose credentials are acceptable to the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee contacts selected applicants regarding interview invitations. Interviews are scheduled for October through March. A personal interview does not guarantee acceptance.APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Timing of Applications
The online application for the Advanced Standing program is available from August through January. The application deadline is February 1. However, applications are reviewed on a continuing basis and applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all materials early in the cycle. Early applications will receive early consideration.
Online Application
All applicants must submit a completed application online through the Boston University Advanced Standing DMD Application Service.
Names
In the application, the applicant must provide the full legal name as it appears on the passport. Applicants must also provide a prior or maiden name, if relevant, for matching letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores and other documents that may be under a former name. If application materials are under a different name, the applicant must submit name change documentation such as a marriage certificate to prove identity.
Application fee
We strongly recommend electronic submission of the application fee with the online application for admission. Online payment is the fastest and most efficient method. The Advanced Standing DMD Program application fee is:
$65 USD for US citizens and US permanent residents.
$95 USD for non-US citizens and non-permanent residents.
Transcript Evaluations
Applicants must provide a translated course-by-course evaluation of their dental school transcript and diploma. Credential evaluations for the Advanced Standing Program must be issued by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). An official report must be sent directly from ECE to the Office of Admissions. Only official evaluations will be considered: applicants should not send copies of transcript evaluations.
The translated, verified ECE report must be a course-by-course evaluation in English including a grade point average (GPA) in the American grading system (A as 4.0 scale). Contact Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) for information:
Educational Credential Evaluators
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI, 53203-3470 USA
http://www.ece.org
eval@ece.org
Phone: (414) 289-3400
Fax: (414) 289-3411
Letters of Recommendation
The Admissions Committee values letters from persons who are able to provide a thoughtful, thorough, and candid assessment of an applicant's academic ability and potential for success in dental study and practice. Three letters of recommendation are required. One letter should be from the applicant’s dental school dean. The other two letters should be references from academic faculty or dental professionals. Letters submitted by the applicant should be in sealed envelopes with the recommender’s signature across the seal. Alternatively, the letters may be mailed directly by the recommenders to the Office of Admissions, Advanced Standing Program. The applicant’s name and program of application should be clearly evident on the letter.
NBDE (National Board Dental Examination) Part 1 Scores
Applicants are required to complete the National Board Dental Examination Part I. Because Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine has a rolling admissions cycle, it is in the applicant’s best interest to take the examination series offered in July before the year of intended enrollment. The suggested minimum score for the NBDE Part I is 85.
The applicant’s official National Board Dental Examination Part I score report must be sent directly to Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine by the American Dental Association (ADA). Only official score reports will be considered: applicants should not send copies of score reports.
Contact the American Dental Association (ADA) for information:
American Dental Association
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-2678 USA
http://www.ada.org
Phone: (312) 440-2500
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Score
All applicants, regardless of their residency status, are required to provide a current TOEFL score from a test taken within two years of application. The applicant’s official TOEFL score report must be sent directly to Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine by ETS (Educational Testing Service). Only official score reports will be considered: applicants should not send copies of score reports.
Required minimum TOEFL scores are:
The TOEFL code for Boston University is 3081 and the department code is 38. Contact ETS (Educational Testing Service) for information:
TOEFL
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA
http://www.toefl.org
Phone: (609) 951-1100
Photograph
Applicants must submit a small, recent photograph of themselves (a wallet-size picture of about 2X2 inches or 5X5 centimeters). The photograph must have the applicant’s name and date of birth printed on the back, as well as “Advanced Standing Applicant”.
Application Completion Status
After the Office of Admissions receives the online application, and has taken the necessary time to process related application documents, emails will be sent periodically to the applicant detailing the application status. Correspondence regarding the completion of the application will be sent by email once all documents have been received. Applicants should inform the Office of Admissions in writing about changes to email and other contact information.
Accepted Candidates
Deposit
For Further Information
Candidates who are offered admission are required to submit a nonrefundable tuition deposit of $3,000. This tuition deposit confirms the candidate’s intention to enroll in the program. The deposit is payable by check or money order in U.S. dollars, to Boston University. The candidate’s name must be noted on the check or money order.
Transcript and Diploma
Accepted candidates must send notarized copies of their original dental school diploma and transcripts to Boston University.
Hepatitis Immunization
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts law requires all health care students to be immunized against hepatitis B or provide serologic proof of immunity. Hepatitis B immunization requires a three-dose regimen of vaccine, which must be completed prior to matriculation. Evidence of inoculation (all three doses) must be provided at matriculation.
Contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services, Advanced Standing Admissions, at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, telephone: (617)638-4787 or fax: (617)638-4798.