Howard University College of Dentistry
The Office of Student Affairs
Student Activities Division
Frequently Asked Questions
I need to speak with someone. Whom should I call?
Prior to contacting the College of Dentistry, please review the information on our website regarding the admissions process to prepare your questions in advance. We may be reached Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. EST at (202) 806-0337. If you are unable to reach us at once by telephone, you may email us at HUCDAdmit@howard.edu.
Do you allow visits/tours?
Visits/tours are by appointment. Our admissions team will be happy to correspond with prospective students to address questions or concerns not addressed in our literature or on our website. Inquiries may be sent to HUCDAdmit@howard.edu.
On-campus tours are scheduled on Fridays only throughout the school term via email at HUCDAdmit@howard.edu.
Do you provide individual counseling and/or review applications?
We do not provide individual counseling for applicants. We encourage predental applicants to interact with and seek guidance from pre-health Advisors at your undergraduate/graduate institution. Our admissions team will be happy to correspond with potential students to address questions/concerns that are not addressed in our literature or on our website. We are happy to provide an overview of HUCD and the admissions process to pre-dental societies or clubs in a group setting. Please email us to arrange a visit. Our admissions team also provides a monthly online Q&A session and/or Instagram Live sessions to answer student questions in a group setting. Follow us at HowardUniversityDental (Instagram).
Do you accept AADSAS fee waivers?
No, we do not accept fee waivers for the $75 application fee.
How long will it be until I hear if I will get an interview?
We will review applications from August 1st to November 1st. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive an email invitation. We conduct 8 interview sessions (2 in September; 4 in October; 2 in November). First-round decision letters are sent to applicants on December 15th. Early applications are highly encouraged. Submitting later than November 1st greatly reduces admissions opportunities at HUCD. Interviews may continue on a rolling basis until the class is filled. HUCD first-year class rosters are typically filled by January 31. Applicants who will have outstanding prerequisite courses after December of the application year will not receive priority for a Fall interview.
Can I submit if I have not taken the DAT or need to retake it?
Under the new AADSAS format, applications may not be submitted without official DAT scores. We will not review incomplete applications for interview consideration. Complete applications include current DAT scores, Letters of Recommendation, transcripts, and submission of HUCD application fees. If you plan to retake the DAT, please note that our review of the application and decision will consider only the scores submitted. You may update your DAT scores via email once you have taken the DAT again if you have not already received a decision letter from our Admissions Office. If you have not received a decision letter, updated DAT scores will not change the decision in the letter. Transcripts should be submitted to HUCDAdmit@howard.edu.
Should I send a letter of intent?
Letters of intent are not considered in the application process. All supplemental information should be submitted via the AADSAS portal.
How old should my DAT scores and class completion be in order to submit an application?
We do not accept DAT scores older than 2 years from the beginning of the application cycle for which you apply. A gap year is perfectly fine! We do require that the prerequisite classes be taken no more than 5 years before the application date.
What about letters of Recommendation?
The College of Dentistry requires a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation that must include at least two letters from science professors who taught you and issued a grade in a science course. A letter from a dental professional with whom you are employed or have shadowed is highly encouraged. All letters of recommendation must be on letterhead and include the recommender’s signature. You may submit up to four (4) letters of recommendation.
Committee letters from your pre-professional committee are accepted. In the case where there is a Committee letter, the applicant should also include a letter from a dental professional with whom you are employed or have shadowed. All letters of recommendation should be included when you submit your application directly to AADSAS. Do not send information directly to the Office of Admissions, as this will delay the review of your application. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to verify the information presented in letters of recommendation.
Application Processing Fee: Upon receipt of your application from AADSAS, you will receive a link via email with instructions for submitting the application processing fee of $75. We do not accept fee waivers.
Shadowing Requirement: We highly recommend at least 120 hours of shadowing or significant work hours in a dental office. *Please note: the College of Dentistry cannot provide applicants with shadowing opportunities.
Deferrals: A delay of admission is granted for one year only. Applicants requesting a delay must do so in writing. Deferred applicants must keep the same standards that the offer of admission was based on between acceptance and enrollment. The Admissions Committee may require a follow-up interview.
Transfer: Transfer requests are evaluated on their merits. While not often granted, we will consider transfer requests only after the first year of a successful dental school term. If a student has begun matriculation in the second year or beyond, a transfer will not be considered. Requests should be made in writing prior to February 1st. Send a letter of request, transcripts, a copy of your current institution's curriculum, and a letter of good standing from the Dean of your current institution, addressed to :
Dr. Reginald O. Salter, Director of Admissions
Howard University College of Dentistry
600 W Street NW
Suite 126
Washington DC 20059
Financial Aid: The D1 Merit Scholarship is awarded to a select number of first-year entering students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their course of study. The scholarship may be for full or partial tuition. There is no application process for these scholarships. Students will be awarded based on the recommendation of the Admissions Committee, based on GPA and DAT performance.
The Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students is also awarded. There is no application process for these scholarships. Students seeking consideration must submit parental information with the FAFSA. This is required for independent students as well.
International Students (IDP): For accepted international students ONLY, proof of financial resources must be sent no later than July 15th. The International Dentists Program is designed for dentists trained at an international dental school. Our office does not process applications for the program. Contact Information:
Information for internationally trained dentists may be obtained from the link:
Do you accept nontraditional students?
Absolutely! We encourage all students to follow their passion. HUCD has many students who have worked in various capacities in the dental field and in other professions prior to enrolling in dental school. The road to entering dental school for a nontraditional student may be longer; however, prior work experience often adds value to the student's academic pursuits. Nontraditional students are required to meet the minimum admission requirements as all other applicants. Special attention should be paid to the dates of completion for the required courses. Postbaccalaureate programs and/or classes will not be considered if the completion date of a required course is beyond five years.
What makes a student competitive for HUCD?
We are seeking students who have shown growth in their academic and career experiences. We are also seeking students with a record of leadership, empathy for others' needs, and strong community involvement. This is indicated in your curriculum vitae and letters of recommendation.
While we do use a holistic review of applications, our more successful students meet or exceed the DAT scores (410) and GPA (3.0) requirements for admissions. Your road to success begins with your classroom performance and DAT performance.
What if my GPA and/or DAT do not indicate a competitive application?
Never give up on your dream! Work closely with your pre-health Advisor to access resources that may prepare you for success on the DAT. Joining USNDA and/or your school's Pre-Dental Society is also a great way to gain access to DAT prep tools and a community that will support you on your journey. Many students find success by enrolling in a Master of Health Science program, a Master of Biomedical Science, or an intensive Post-Baccalaureate program. Master of Public Health, while commendable, will not provide the upper-level science courses needed for us to evaluate your academic potential. Seek out a curriculum that will closely mimic the first year of dental school.
Do you accept credits from a community college?
We will accept a maximum of 24 semester hours/36 quarter hours from a community college to satisfy required courses.
Will a Master of Public Health make my application more competitive?
An MPH is a valuable tool for any healthcare provider who has a strong desire to serve populations in need after dental school. While the Admissions Committee may recognize the great value of such training, the Master of Health Science and Biomedical Science programs are preferred when assessing students' competitiveness for dental school. Applicants in graduate-level academic programs will still need to meet minimum DAT and GPA requirements.
Are there areas of the DAT that are weighed more heavily?
Each category of the DAT is reviewed with emphasis on the overall Academic score and cumulative science score. PAT and Reading Comprehension are carefully considered for each applicant.
Contact
Reginald O. Salter, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ph.D.
Director of Admissions, Student Activities, & Programs
600 W Street, NW
Washington DC 20059
(202) 806-0337