Admission Information

Admissions Requirements for the Undergraduate
Dental Program

Requirements:
Candidates for admission to the freshman class of the School of Dental Medicine must present evidence of the successful completion of 90 semester hours or 135‑quarter hours in an accredited college or university, including the following courses: 
 

Spanish1	12 Semester Hours - 18 Quarter Hours
English1	12 Semester Hours - 18 Quarter Hours
Biology or Zoology2	8 Semester Hours - 12 Quarter Hours
Physics2	8 Semester Hours - 12 Quarter Hours
General Chemistry	8 Semester Hours - 12 Quarter Hours
Organic Chemistry	8 Semester Hours - 12 Quarter Hours
Social and Behavioral Scs.2	6 Semester Hours -   9 Quarter Hours

(Sociology, Psychology, Political Sciences, Economics, Anthropology or Ethics)

¹.In case of applicants who have approved Honor Spanish or English courses with a B grade or above per semester, the Admissions Committee will consider upon request to reduce the requirements to six semester hours.

².These requirements are in addition to the basic courses required at some schools (ex. the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus).  Basic courses in Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences and Social Sciences may not substitute departmental course work.

A minimum grade average of 2.50 (in scale where A=4.00), or its equivalent, both scientific and general is mandatory.  All the requirements must be completed not later than the second semester of the academic year prior to admission.  At the time of application, all required courses should have a minimum average of 2.0 in each course.

All science courses should include both lectures and laboratory teaching. It is advisable that students choose elective subjects that will enhance their academic background and offer a well-rounded education. Biochemistry or Molecular Biology, Histology, Physiology, Anatomy, Microbiology, Genetics, Psychology and Ethics courses are highly recommended.

Instruction may be in English or Spanish, therefore, all students should be proficient in speaking, reading and writing both languages.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

1. The application deadline is December 1^st of the year prior to the academic year of admission.

2. The application to our School of Dental Medicine is processed through the American Association of Dental School Application Service (AADSAS).  It must be received by AADSAS no later than December 1^st.  A request card can be obtained from the Central Admissions Office of the Medical Sciences Campus or directly from:

AADSAS
1400 K Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005 

Customer Service: 202-289-7201 or 1-800-353-2237
AADSAS Fax: 202-289-8698 

                               http://www.adea.org/AADSAS/


3. The candidate must complete the General Application Form from the Medical Sciences Campus.  This application form is obtained from the Central Admissions Office of the Medical Sciences Campus.   It must be received at that office NO later than December 1^st.

4.  In addition, the candidate must submit to the Central Admissions Office, on or before the application deadline, the following documents:

a.      An official transcript from each institution of higher- 
         learning attended

b.      A recent 2” x 2” photograph

c.      Two letters of recommendation or evaluation forms

d.      A certified check or money order for the amount of
        $20.00 to cover the non-refundable application fee
        payable to the University of Puerto Rico

5. The application form for the Dental Admission Test is obtained from the Central Admissions Office or directly from the:

DENTAL ADMISSION TESTING PROGRAM
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678
Tel. 312-440-2689 or 1-800-621-8099 

UPR-MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS
SCHOOL OF DENTAL MEDICINE
Central Admissions Office
P.O. Box 365067
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067
(787) 758-2525, X 1113, 5212, 5216, 2251 or 1008

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF THE CANDIDATE

Candidates for admission to the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental Medicine, are evaluated on four criterions: Academic Performance, Dental Admission Test, Personal Interview, and State Residency.
 

1.Academic Performance

The academic performance is determined by the following:

a.   Academic grade point average during the pre-dental studies with the understanding that a minimum final grade of C (in a scale where A=4.00) is mandatory in every required course.

b.   The number of repetitions, withdrawal, deficient and failing grades as evidenced in the official transcript.

2.Dental Admission Test

Both averages should be competitive. It is highly recommended that the student apply to take the DAT one year in advance to the School’s application deadline so that in case it is necessary he/she can re-take the exam within the application period for that year.  The ADA Council in Dental Education requires a 90-day period before re-applying for the test.  Dental Admission test results will be valid up to three years with respect to the application deadline.

3.Geographic Residence

The School of Dental Medicine of the University of Puerto Rico was established as part of the commitment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to improve and safeguard the health of its citizens.  The University of Puerto Rico recognizes its responsibility in preparing personnel to meet the dental health needs of the Island.    For this reason, initial preference is given to residents of Puerto Rico. 

4.Personal Attributes

This is evaluated by means of:

     a.  A personal interview.  The Admissions Committee, after an    
          initial screening of the three factors above, determines which
          students are to be invited for a personal interview.

     b.   Evaluation forms or letter of recommendations.  The candidate
           must obtain letters from the following sources:

                1. Pre-dental Committee of the particular college of its
                    equivalent.
                2. One of his/her college instructors

     c.      Broadness of educational and life experiences.

ACCEPTANCE

The School of Dental Medicine will send notice of acceptance or non-acceptance.  The accepted applicant must send his own written acknowledgement of acceptance of admission, together with the required deposit.  The student must comply with requirements specified in the letter of admission.  The student must preserve this notice and present it at registration time as evidence of admission.

A regular dental student, who for whatever reason withdraws or is released from the Program, can be considered for readmission following a one-year waiting period.  This student will compete with the candidates for admission in that year.

UPR Technical Standards

ESTIMATED FEES AND EXPENSES

*Tuition for non-residents varies according to geographical residence of   applicant.  Tuition for foreigners is $16,338.00 per year in addition to above-mentioned fees.

¹  Maximum if living in the limit of the metropolitan area.

²  Optional: Pharmacy and Dental. If the student has a private health insurance evidence should be presented the day of registration.

Counseling Staff

Prof. Judith Baralt      (787) 758-2525 Ext. 2251
Prof. Luis Ortiz           (787) 758-2525 Ext. 1008
E-mail: escodont@rcm.upr.edu

IMPORTANT NOTE

A candidate for admission who is not accepted and decides to re-apply must submit the following documents:

1.      A new AADSAS Application Form

2.      An updated official transcript

3.      Provide any other document that the Central Admissions Office
         may require.

Any information that may affect the Committee’s decision should also be submitted.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND TRANSFERS

The Advanced Standing Program of the UPRSD offers the opportunity to the graduate dentist from dental schools not accredited by the American Dental Association, to pursue the DMD degree in our institution. This Program is based on the Puerto Rico dental law which regulates the practice of dentistry in Puerto Rico. This law establishes that any foreign dentist must have ninety credits of predental education and must have studied a minimum of two years in a school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation in order to practice in Puerto Rico.

To apply to this program the candidate must present the official documents which evidence that he/she has a degree in dentistry. These documents must be processed through the embassy of the United States of the country where the dental degree was granted. Also the candidate must submit an official academic transcript from an accredited university in Puerto Rico or the US as evidence of the completion of the required predental education credits.  At this stage the candidate fills out the Application for Admission to Advanced Placement and Transfers. In addition candidates must present the following: Results of the National Boards parts I & II, a letter of recommendation from the Dean from the institution where the dental degree was granted, and two letters of recommendations from professors or colleagues. Based on the academic record and the clinical experience the admissions committee may recommend that the candidate take practical exams in different clinical areas. Once the candidate has completed all admissions requirements, he/she will be considered for admission together with the rest of the candidates. Based on all the evidence the committee determines the class level placement.  The class standing is never higher than the junior year. All advanced standing students must challenge and pass all the required competency exams.

To be considered for transfer the student must file the Application for Admission to Advanced Placement and Transfers. Also an official academic record from the institution where dental studies are being done must be provided. The Academic Affairs Office conducts an analysis of the applicant’s record in terms of the courses approved by the candidate and the current curriculum of the UPRSD. The analysis is used by the admissions committee to make the final decision.  Decisions are made based on space availability.

(See Academic Programs Information)