Admissions FAQ’s
If you have additional questions or need additional information on any of the following questions, please submit your question in writing to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at admissions@mmc.edu.
What is the class size? When is the best time to apply?
The class size is 75. Candidates can begin applying in June by completing their AADSAS application and should complete and submit their application no later than December 15th of the year prior to the year the candidates plan to enter dental school.
Is a BA or BS degree required for admission?
The Admissions Committee considers candidates with a strong academic foundation. While a bachelor’s degree is preferred, it is not required. Ideally, students will have a strong record of success in upper division science courses and MUST complete 90 credit hours. In addition to prerequisite coursework, ideal candidates have a solid foundation in the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
How do I apply to dental school? How early can I apply?
Candidates can begin applying online in June by completing the required AADSAS application.
Does Meharry require a Supplemental Application?
Yes, candidates should complete their Meharry Supplemental Application when they complete their AADSAS Application and pay the $65.00 Supplemental Application Fee before their applications will be considered complete.
How will I know that my application is complete and/or has been received by Meharry?
You will be able to check the status of your application online through AADSAS. Meharry will also send you regular email notifications updating your application status. Please be aware that it is each candidate’s responsibility to regularly check with AADSAS to ensure that his/her application is complete.
When does Meharry begin reviewing applications for admission?
The review of applications for admission begins August 1 annually and continues until the class is filled.
Does Meharry allow early admission to dental school?
No. We have a rolling admissions policy and students will be interviewed and accepted until the class is filled.
When is the best time to schedule a visit to Meharry?
Meharry offers tours of the college campus year-round for groups and individuals. Campus tours for individuals or groups of fewer than 5 people can schedule tours only on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. Candidates may call 615.327.6223 to schedule a tour. However, a specific visit to the School of Dentistry should be scheduled between May 1 and September 15 to avoid conflicts with campus interviews. Call 615.327.6076 to schedule a visit to the School of Dentistry.
Are community college courses acceptable?
Community college courses are accepted. The prerequisite science courses MUST be taken at an accredited college or university. ALL prerequisite courses must have a letter grade.
Are online courses permitted?
It is recommended that science prerequisites are taken in an in-person format. An exception considers institutions that only offer a particular course in a virtual or hybrid format. Coursework taken virtually during 2020-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be accepted.
Would Advanced Placement (AP) credit from high school satisfy any prerequisites? Is there a limit in the number of hours for which I can receive credit?
Advanced Placement (AP) credit from high school may be accepted, as long as it is listed on the college transcript and the grade for the AP coursework is B level or better. While there is no defined limit to the number of hours accepted, we strongly advise that no more than 16 credit hours of basic science and prerequisite courses be taken for advanced placement.
Is there an expiration for pre-requisite courses?
Yes. Pre-requisites expire five years from the date the degree is conferred. However, the admissions committee for the School of Dentistry may consider candidates that have been engaged in academic pursuits. A master’s or postbaccalaureate science related academic degree may be considered if the new knowledge earned strongly supports the candidate’s application. It is recommended that all prerequisite courses are completed with a C grade or higher.
What is the average grade point average (GPA) of students admitted?
Average number of applicants – 3,000
Cumulative Grade Point Average – 3.35
Basic Science Average – 3.25
How many letters of recommendation are required? Where are they sent?
Three letters of recommendation are required, two must be from science professors.
The recommendations should be sent to AADSAS and not to Meharry. Note: A Pre-Health Committee recommendation from the candidate’s college or university will meet the recommendation requirement.
How important is the personal statement?
The personal statement is very important and is carefully reviewed. Candidates should spend time writing their personal statements—writing error-free essays without redundancy, run-on sentences, clichés, embellishments, fancy words, and spelling errors—and avoid inserting their own names in the text.
When should I take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT)? What scores on the DAT are considered competitive?
Prospective students should take the DAT after taking the subjects covered by the test and only after preparing for it—not “just for practice.”
Preparation and review should be ongoing, beginning after completing the first year of college Biology and General Chemistry.
Dental Admissions Test (DAT): All applicants must take the DAT. An official report of performance is required. Only test scores within the last three (3) years will be considered.
You can take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) up to four times in 12 months, with a minimum of 60 days between each attempt:
- First three attempts: You can take the DAT three times without special permission.
- Fourth attempt: You need to apply for permission to take the DAT for the fourth attempt. You will need to provide proof that you have recently applied to dental school
The American Dental Association (ADA) at Prometric Test Centers offers the DAT year-round.
Once you have received your eligibility letter confirming that your test application has been accepted, you must contact Prometric to secure an appointment. We recommend doing this at least 60 to 90 days before your desired test date since schedules fill up. Please check the ADA website for examination fees.
Is an interview required of all applicants? Who will interview me?
Yes, an interview is required. All candidates invited for an interview will receive two interviews from: Meharry Medical College basic science faculty, Meharry School of Dentistry faculty (active and retired), Meharry School of Dentistry alumni or dentists from the Nashville community.
How should I dress for the interview?
Candidates should dress in professional business attire:
- Men—suit or sports jacket with a tie
- Women—a solid blouse and suit (pants suit, or a jacket with knee-length skirt, heels or pumps no higher than three inches)
When will I be notified of acceptance?
By agreement, all dental schools affiliated with ADEA AADSAS have agreed to initially notify candidates of acceptance on December 15th. After December 15th, acceptances are ongoing with the goal of making final decisions by April 15th prior to matriculation.
How are candidates selected to fill the class?
Candidates are selected based upon academic performance in undergraduate and, DAT scores, personal characteristics, awareness of the dental profession, leadership experience, community service, and potential for success in dental school as expressed in the letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
If I am not admitted and decide to re-apply, how can I become a more competitive applicant?
Candidates re-applying to dental school after having been denied admission should have demonstrated significant improvements in their applications since their previous applications were submitted. These improvements may include:
Additional coursework in the basic sciences (especially graduate level basic science coursework)
- Improved DAT score
- Shadowing
- Community service
- At least one (1) new letter of recommendation
What should I do if I have not been in school for several years but now wish to pursue dental school?
Candidates who have been out of school for more than two (2) years and/or who have not had science courses for three years or more should take review courses before taking upper-level science courses and before taking the DAT. (Note: many dental schools have a five-year window; candidates must have completed prerequisite coursework within five (5) years of matriculation to dental school).
Can I transfer from another dental school to the Meharry School of Dentistry?
The following policies apply to dental students’ seeking to transfer to the School of Dentistry:
- Transfer students must be reviewed and approved by the Admissions Committee. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis when space is available in the second- or third-year class for which the transfer student is seeking admission. The Admissions Committee will submit its recommendation regarding transfer admission to the Dean for final approval. Upon approval, the Dean will forward the decision to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment for processing and communication with the applicant.
- Under exceptional circumstances, qualified students who are currently enrolled in a CODA- accredited dental school may be considered for transfer. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:
- Be enrolled in, or seeking transfer from, a CODA-accredited dental school.
- Be in good academic standing, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, as verified in writing by the dean or academic dean of the transferring institution.
- Have completed coursework that is substantially equivalent to the School of Dentistry’s DDS curriculum. The Admissions Committee, in consultation with the appropriate academic officials, will determine the applicability of transfer credit and the student’s placement within the curriculum. Because of the unique structure and sequencing of the dental curriculum, each transfer application is evaluated on an individual, case-by-case basis.
- If previously completed coursework is determined not to be equivalent, the School of Dentistry may require additional coursework, remediation, competency assessments, or other academic requirements to ensure the student’s readiness for progression in the curriculum.
- No courses will be accepted with a grade of 0, F, N, or /.
- Prior to matriculation, the transfer student must submit copies of immunization records, official transcripts and all necessary documents to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
- The transfer student must be evaluated by the preclinical course directors prior to entering into comprehensive patient care.
- Awarded credit is attributed toward the student’s overall degree plan progress, but not placed within the student’s official Meharry transcript. Copies of the transcript from the institution from which the student is transferring is housed with the student’s official record in the Office of the Registrar.
- Once a student matriculates with the School of Dentistry, the Meharry transcript does not record any prior credit hours for the transfer student. However, the transfer student’s transcript for the years at another institution is kept on file in the Office of the Registrar.
The transfer process will take a significant amount of time, and the applicant should submit the request to transfer in writing to the Office of Admissions & Recruitment, along with an $800.00 application fee.
- Transfer requests must be made no later than December 1 of the year prior to matriculation to the Meharry School of Dentistry.
Does Meharry have a Ph.D./D.D.S. Degree Program?
Yes. The Ph.D./D.D.S. Program is designed to prepare outstanding clinical and research professionals who are capable of identifying and addressing significant problems in oral health. The Ph.D. adds three to four years to the D.D.S. education so that a student will graduate with both degrees in seven to eight years.
Candidates must first be admitted to the Meharry School of Dentistry and then express his/her interest in writing to the Dean of the Meharry School of Dentistry. After an interview with the Dean, the Dean will recommend a candidate to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Students must also apply to the Graduate School for Admission and must take the GRE in addition to the DAT. Click here to review the Graduate School’s admission requirements.
Can I enroll in courses at another institution if I am pursuing the DDS/PhD?
Candidates in pursuit of the DDS/PhD must enroll in course work at Meharry
What do Meharry dental graduates pursue after graduation?
Dental school graduates have a variety of career choices. Many dental graduates go to graduate school for additional or specialized training; many graduates work in the military or in community health centers to work off student scholarships or accrued student loans; and many go to work in private practice.
The post-graduate programs for the DDS class of 2021 are distributed as follows:
| GPR & AEDG | OMS | Pediatrics | Orthodontics | Periodontics | Private Practice or Military |
| 26% | 2% | 5% | 6% | 2% | 54% |
Does Meharry have a specific program designed for candidates seeking admission, particularly foreign-trained doctors, to the D.D.S. program with advanced standing?
Yes. Meharry has a two (2) year advanced standing program for foreign trained doctors. Candidates must apply online through ADEA CAAPID. Additional information regarding the program may be found on our website under the School of Dentistry International Track Program.
What is the deadline for applications?
What is the deadline for applications?
The deadline for submitting application through ADEA AADSAS is December 15
of the year prior to the year the candidates plan to enter dental school.
International Track Program
English Language Proficiency
- All applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a total score of 100 or more to be considered for admission with a minimum score of 25 for each section). Please note on the new scoring table applicants must achieve a minimum score of 5 in each category.