Admission Steps | Requirements | Technical Standards | Immunization Requirements
California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine prefers a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited, four-year institution within the United States; or a non-U.S. equivalent institution.
Standards in five areas must be met by all candidates: Observation, Communication, Motor Function, Cognitive, and Professional.
All coursework taken from non-US institutions (including Canada) must be submitted to the World Education Services (WES), Inc. for the evaluation of coursework. (WES evaluations should be sent directly to CDMAdmissions)
Most students complete a bachelor’s degree before entering a dental school. However, a minimum of 90 semester credits or 135 quarter credits from an officially accredited US or Canadian College, or equivalent foreign institution, is required.
3+4 BS/DMD Pathway: By virtue of a Memorandum of Understanding between the CNUCDM and the CNU College of Health Sciences, students successfully completing 3 years of pre-dental study in the CNU BS-DMD Combined Pathway will be considered for admission to the College of Dental Medicine after the successful completion of the first 3 years of the program.
At a minimum, an applicant must possess both a science and a total GPA over 2.80 (although 3.20 is preferred and 3.40+ will be the likely mean for each class) on a 4.00 scale as well as a bachelor’s degree. A minimum science and overall GPA of 2.80 on a 4.00 scale is required to receive a supplemental application.
To be competitive, an applicant should complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited North American college or University prior to matriculation. Applicants participating in special affiliated programs with the College and other exceptions to this policy will be considered on an individual basis.
In addition to those noted above, it is advantageous for applicants to have course credit in cellular, molecular biology and histology. To augment the social sciences and holistic admissions course in sociology, psychology, history, arts, ethics and humanism are of value.
Written documentation and explanation is required concerning any academic difficulties, such as grades of I (Incomplete), W (Withdraw), D or F grades. Only under unusual circumstances with credits graded on a Pass/No Pass evaluation process be accepted for required courses.
The DAT (Dental Aptitude Test) is a requirement for admission. The DAT is scored from 1-30 with 18 being the national average.
An applicant must submit competitive scores on the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT). An Academic Average score of 18 or above and a Perceptual Ability score of 17 or above is desired. The DAT test must have been taken no more than three years prior to application. CDM does not accept Canadian DAT results.
The application process will involve the use of the CASPer test. Snapshot is not required. Please visit: www.takealtus.com for test dates and times, as well as to book your test.
In accordance with Federal regulation – the institution admits as regular students only persons who: