Application Process & Requirements

Each year, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine enrolls in its two-year DMD Advanced Standing program 100 exceptional internationally trained dental school graduates, who join – and contribute to – a diverse student body committed to excellence in oral healthcare. GSDM conducts a holistic review of all aspects of candidates’ applications and selects candidates for admission on the basis of scholastic achievement and fitness and aptitude for the study of dental medicine, and other personal qualifications, experiences, and non-cognitive achievements. Clinical experience is strongly considered, along with research and teaching experience, advanced dental education, and motivation for the study of dentistry.

CAAPID Online Application

Applications for GSDM’s DMD Advanced Standing program must be submitted through the Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (CAAPID). The CAAPID application is available in early March the year prior to enrollment.

The application components include:

• CAAPID application
• Three letters of evaluation (two from dental school faculty; one from dental school dean)
• Score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT; official score must be uploaded to CAAPID directly from the Educational Testing Service. CAAPID’s institution code is B451. The Special Home Edition is accepted. MyBest® scores will not be considered, and Admissions does not accept results from TOEFL^® Essentials™
• Results from the Integrated National Dental Board Exam or the National Board Dental Exam Parts 1 and 2
• ECE Dental School Transcript Course-by-Course Evaluation (ece.org)
• A $75 supplemental application fee; instructions on how to submit payment will be emailed to candidates after GSDM receives their application

More details on these components are available on the CAAPID portal.

Requirements & Eligibility

To be eligible for the DMD Advanced Standing program, candidates must have earned the international equivalent of the DMD dental degree from an accredited institution and hold a final diploma before applying to the program.

Other requirements include:

• A score of at least 90 iBT or 550 PBT on the TOEFL; a score of 100 or higher on the TOEFL iBT (600 or higher PBT) is considered competitive.
• Passing result on the INDBE or NBDE Parts 1 and 2

GSDM application deadline

The CAAPID application submission deadline for GSDM is November 15, 2023, but we strongly recommend that individuals submit their applications by August.

Due to CAAPID processing requirements, GSDM does not receive applications until a few weeks after they are submitted.

Reapplicants

Individuals who have applied during a prior admissions cycle and who wish to reapply must submit a CAAPID application for the current cycle, including test results, the ECE course-by-course evaluation, and updated letters of evaluation, when possible. Reapplicants should address their efforts and accomplishments since the previous application to strengthen their preparation for dental school.

Timeline

GSDM reviews applications on a rolling basis. Interviews are conducted from summer through March, although individuals are occasionally invited for interviews outside this timeframe.

Decision notifications are sent on a rolling basis. If an applicant has not yet received a decision notification, then their application is still under consideration.

Interviews

The Admissions Committee will invite a select number of applicants to interview. A personal interview is required for – but does not guarantee – admission. During the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, interviews will be conducted remotely through Zoom, starting in the summer and running through March. As part of the interview experience, applicants will also attend sessions via Zoom with Student Affairs, current dental students, and representatives from Student Financial Services and Housing Resources.

Due to the high volume of applications, GSDM does not grant informational or informal interviews to applicants or prospective applicants.

Updates

Applicants can update certain sections of the CAAPID application until the CAAPID cycle closes:

• Clinical, professional, volunteer, research, and teaching experience
• Test results (NBDE, INBDE, and TOEFL); these must be submitted directly by the testing agency to CAAPID
• Visa status
• Address and contact information

Updates CVs or resumes can’t be uploaded to CAAPID after your application has been submitted, but can be emailed directly to asdent@bu.edu.

Campus Visits

Applicants selected for an interview may be invited to attend an in-person “GSDM Showcase” event, which will include a campus tour. These optional events are held approximately monthly during the admissions cycle, beginning in October.