Applying to Dental School: ADEA AADSAS

Highlights / Important Notes

• The 2025-26 application fees are $264 for the first school an applicant applies to and $115 for each additional school.



• Starting March 1, 2025, the American Dental Association (ADA) will implement a new scoring model for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). The current two-digit score reporting scale will change to a three-digit score scale.
  To learn more, please read the ADA DAT FAQ page



• Changes in ADEA AADSAS application: 
  • Removal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) question from the application,
  • Removal of the gender question and
  • Changed the personal statement prompt to read: What motivated you to pursue a career in oral health? In your response, you may wish to describe and highlight your strengths, experiences, background and uniqueness that will contribute to your success in this career.
  • Updated the Academic/License Infraction questions to prohibit updates after submission.
  • The ADEA AADSAS Fee Assistance Program (FAP) is a fee waiver program that helps eligible individuals who need financial support for their dental school application. Please visit the Fee Assistance Program page for more information.



• Read all of the ADEA AADSAS application instructions carefully before you apply. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your advisor.
  
  
• Speaking of advisors, you should make sure to meet with your health professions advisor before beginning the application, as he or she can provide guidance for all the areas of the application, facilitate the process of gathering letters of evaluation and help you manage your application timeline.
  
  
• ADEA AADSAS applications will not be processed until all official paper and electronic undergraduate transcripts are received. Please view the US and English-Canadian Transcripts requirements information page for more information. 
  
  
• After the ADEA AADSAS application, fee payment and official transcripts are received, it usually takes about four to six weeks to process an application. Check the status of your application regularly to make sure there is nothing holding up the process. 
  
  
• Check with your designated dental schools to make sure you fulfill all of their individual supplemental application requirements.
  
  
• APPLY EARLY!  We suggest submitting your application during the summer. Do not wait until deadlines approach to submit your application. Each dental school has its own application deadline. ADEA AADSAS does not send your application to a school if your application is received by ADEA AADSAS after the school's deadline.