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Application Process

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The Application Process

Individuals applying to Esthetic Dentistry, Implant Dentistry, Craniomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain, the Advanced Dental Technology and Research program (ADT), and the Master of Science program must complete the attached Tufts application.

Individuals applying to Endodontics, General Practice Residency, Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry and Prosthodontics must utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS). Individuals applying to the Periodontology Program may apply directly to Tufts or may utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) sponsored by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). Please contact PASS at 1-617-612-2065 or visit www.adea.org. The PASS fax number is 202-667-4983. Individuals intending to apply to several schools are best served by utilizing the common PASS application, which will be accepted at Tufts in lieu of the separate Tufts application. If applying through PASS, please do not complete the Tufts application in addition to the PASS application.

Please be aware that applicants can submit no more than three applications during one application cycle. If an applicant submits materials for more than three programs, only the first three applications received will be processed. Any additional applications will be returned unprocessed.

The Office of Admissions processes the applications and facilitates the adherence to administrative policies designed to ensure equity in the treatment of all applicants. The respective department will only review applications when they are complete. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In addition, interviews are only granted to individuals whose applications have been reviewed by post-graduate faculty.

Application Requirements

Program Deadlines

Below is a list of program deadlines. With the exception of the ADT program which enrolls students in January and July, all programs begin in July 2011. Most departments conduct rolling admissions; it is therefore strongly advised to submit your application as early as possible. Late applications will be returned unprocessed without exception.

*If you are applying through PASS, you must submit all required materials to PASS by the PASS deadline (please see below for a complete list of requirements). PASS will not forward applications until it receives all required documents. Applications submitted to PASS after the PASS deadline or not completed by the PASS deadline will not be processed by the Admissions Office. If you miss the PASS deadline, but still wish to apply to a postdoctoral program at Tufts, you must complete the Tufts application and submit all required materials by the Tufts deadline listed below.

Program Tufts Deadline PASS Deadline* Requires Match?
Endodontics Does not participate September 1, 2011 No
Esthetic Dentistry November 1, 2011 Does not participate No
General Practice Residency Does not participate November 1, 2011 YES
Implant Dentistry January 2, 2012 Does not participate No
Master of Science Program March 1, 2012 Does not participate No
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery Does not participate September 15, 2011 YES
Orthodontics Does not participate September 1, 2011 YES
Pediatric Dentistry Does not participate September 1, 2011 YES
Periodontology October 3, 2011 September 15, 2011 No
Prosthodontics Does not participate September 1, 2011 No
CM Disorders & Orofacial Pain March 1, 2012 Does not participate No
Advanced Dental Technology and Research Program September 1, 2011 for July 2012 start date March 1, 2012 for January 2013 start date Does not participate No

Individuals applying directly to Tufts must submit the following information:

»A complete application form. Please submit it directly to the Office of Admissions. Do not send materials directly to the department;

»A $85 fee (check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars and made payable to Trustees of Tufts College). Include your name and social security number (if applicable) on your form of payment;

»Official transcripts from all post-secondary education completed prior to enrolling in dental school. The transcripts must be sent in sealed and signed envelopes. If the university awarded you a degree, the degree conferral must be included on the transcript;

»An official dental school transcript. The transcripts must be sent in sealed and signed envelopes. If you have completed your degree, the degree conferral must be included on the transcript. If your university does not post your degree on the transcript, you must submit an official letter from the Registrar's Office at your dental school that verifies completion of the DMD or DDS degree;

»Three letters of recommendation (in English) from the following individuals -the dean of your dental school, a department chairperson or faculty member, and an additional reference of your choice. The identified individual must hold (or have held) the title associated with his/her name. Have the letters of reference returned to you in sealed and signed envelopes and forward them with your application;

»A copy of your curriculum vitae that includes a list of academic honors, military service with dates (if applicable), membership in dental societies, extracurricular activities while in dental school (including continuing education courses), and any additional activities (including continuing education courses) since completing dental school (if applicable);

»A personal statement. Please address the aspect(s) of the selected postdoctoral program that interest(s) you and your plans after completion of the program.

»Individuals applying to the General Practice Residency, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program, Orthodontics program, or Pediatric Dentistry must participate in the National Matching Service. Please contact the service at (416) 977-3431 or http://www.natmatch.com/dentres for additional information. Please note applicants will now register for MATCH through ADEA PASS.

»If you are a student at or graduate of a US or Canadian dental school, an official copy of your National Dental Board (NDB) Examination, Part I results is required. You must also list your results, and the date you took the examination(s), on the designated section of the application form. Please visit http://www.ada.org/JCNDE.aspx to obtain a score report request form. Accepted students who are completing or have completed their dental education at a US or Canadian dental school will also be required to submit official National Dental Board (NDB) Examination, Part II results prior to matriculation. If you are a foreign-trained applicant, you do not need to submit NDB examination results. If you have completed the examination, though, please submit your scores and list your results, and the date you took the examination(s), on the designated section of the application form. Exception: All foreign-trained applicants to the Endodontics Program are strongly encouraged to take and submit scores for Parts I and II of the National Dental Board Examination. Those foreign-trained applicants applying to the General Practice Residency or Orthodontics programs are required to submit scores for Parts I and II of the National Dental Board Examination.

»For Master of Science program applicants, additional references must be provided from a sponsoring department at Tufts and from faculty attesting to the student's research potential.

Dental school graduates from schools where the language of written and oral instruction (including textbooks) or both, is in a language other than English must provide evidence of a minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the internet-based examination (or a score of 577 on the paper-based examination), and minimum section scores of:

25 Written
24 Spoken
21 Reading
17 Listening

*Applicants to the ADT program only must provide evidence of a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based examination. Those applying to the combined ADT and Masters of Science program must achieve the minimum in the individual sections with an overall internet-based score of 90.

The TOEFL must be completed no more than 2 years before the application deadline. A TOEFL score more than 2 years old on the date of the application deadline will no longer be valid. The requirement is mandatory, and any decisions made by the postgraduate department or Admissions Office may be rescinded if the required documentation is not provided by the requested date. To have your scores sent to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine use institution code 3902 and department code 38 on the TOEFL registration form. For more information regarding the TOEFL contact: TOEFL Educational Testing Services, Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, or telephone 609-771-7760. You may also visit the website at http://www.ets.org.

Applicants must meet the standards of health established by the university. For protection against hazards of illness or injury, and to comply with Massachusetts state law, the student must enroll in the university's health insurance plan. Waiver of this requirement is possible if the student can demonstrate that comparable insurance coverage has been secured.

If you are a foreign applicant, you must also fulfill the following requirements:

1. Submit an official copy of an academic credentials evaluation (a course-by-course evaluation is required showing the degree earned.) Suggested providers of credentials evaluation are Educational Credential Evaluators - www.ece.org, and World Education Services - www.wes.org;

2. Provide documentation that you have adequate assurance of receiving sufficient funds to meet the normal expenses of life at the university for the expected period of stay, or an agreed part of it, including the cost of transportation home;

3. Dental school graduates from schools where the language of written and oral instruction (including textbooks) or both, is in a language other than English must provide evidence of a minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the internet-based examination (or a score of 577 on the written examination), and minimum section scores of:

25 Written
24 Spoken
21 Reading
17 Listening

*Applicants to the ADT program only must provide evidence of a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based examination. Those applying to the combined ADT and Masters of Science program must achieve the minimum in the individual sections with an overall internet-based score of 90.

The TOEFL must be completed no more than 2 years before the application deadline. A TOEFL score more than 2 years old on the date of the application deadline will no longer be valid. The requirement is mandatory, and any decisions made by the postgraduate department or Admissions Office may be rescinded if the required documentation is not provided by the requested date. To have your scores sent to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine use institution code 3902 and department code 38 on the TOEFL registration form. For more information regarding the TOEFL contact: TOEFL Educational Testing Services, Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, or telephone 609-771-7760. You may also visit the website at http://www.ets.org

Individuals Applying Through PASS

Please do not complete the Tufts application in addition to the PASS application. Applications received through PASS will include the application form, curriculum vitae, personal statement, PPI, letters of evaluation, and dental school transcripts. Individuals utilizing PASS must submit the following information directly to Tufts by the program deadline:

»A $85 fee (check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars and made payable to Trustees of Tufts College). Include your name and social security number (if applicable) on your form of payment;

»A 2"x2" photograph;

»Official transcripts from all post-secondary education completed prior to enrolling in dental school. The transcripts must be sent in sealed and signed envelopes. If the university awarded you a degree, the degree conferral must be included on the transcript;

»If you are a US or Canadian dental student or graduate, you must submit official NDB exam, Part I results. Accepted students who are completing or have completed their dental education at a US or Canadian dental school will also be required to submit official National Dental Board (NDB) Examination, Part II results prior to matriculation. Please see above for policy (and exceptions) for foreign dental graduates;

»If you are a foreign applicant, and did not submit a copy of an academic credentials evaluation through PASS, you must submit an official copy (a course-by-course evaluation is required showing the degree earned) directly to Tufts. Suggested providers of credentials evaluation are Educational Credential Evaluators - www.ece.org, and World Education Services - www.wes.org;

»If you are a foreign applicant, and graduated from a dental school where the language of written and oral instruction (including textbooks) or both, is in a language other than English you must submit official TOEFL results. Please read above for the minimum TOEFL score required.

If you are interested in pursuing a Master of Science degree in conjunction with a specialty program, you must submit a letter stating your intent.

The Office of Admissions at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine reserves the right to request additional information at any time to complete an assessment of a candidate's abilities and capabilities.

2011-12 Schedule of Fees

The fee schedule below shows the actual costs for the 2011-2012 academic year. Tuition and fees are revised yearly. Figures for the 2012-2013 year will be released in late May 2012. Please anticipate a 5% increase in billed costs per academic year. Instrument and central sterilization costs vary by department or specialty. Accepted students can determine actual costs by consulting the office of the program director or department chair.

Fees for the Certificate Program - 2011-2012 Academic Year

Tuition - $48,500

Student health insurance - $3,384

Health administration fee - $210

Consumer Information for Students and Applicants

Download information on cost of attendance and other important information for:

Please visit Financial Aid for more information on cost of education and financial aid programs.

Immunization Requirements

The School of Dental Medicine requires all students to complete the Hepatitis B (Recombivax) Vaccination series before matriculation. If an incoming student tests positive for HBsAG and HBV DNA, matriculation will not be allowed. The Dental School requires testing for presence of infection prior to vaccination and testing for immunity once complete.

Please visit Immunizations Requirements for a complete list of requirements from the Student Advisory and Health Administration Office.

Criminal Background Check & Disciplinary History Requirements

All students accepted to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine will be required to submit a completed Dean's Certification of Disciplinary History form and have a criminal background check completed. More information regarding both processes will be sent to accepted applicants at the time of admission. All offers of admission are contingent upon the Admissions Committee's favorable review of these items.

Equal Opportunity

Applicants for admission and employment, students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with Tufts University are hereby notified that this institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries or complaints concerning Tufts University's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, or Section 504 is directed to contact the Medford/ Somerville campus, (617) 627-3298. The Special Assistant to the President/Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity has been designated by Tufts University to coordinate the institution's efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Section 504. Any person may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202, or the Director, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Region One, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, regarding the institution's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, 34 C.F.R. Part 100; Title IX, 34 C.F.R. Part 106; Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 45 C.F.R. 90; or, Section 504, 34 C.F.R. Part 104.

Tufts has also formulated an administrative policy that educational and employment decisions be based on the principle of equal opportunity. The consideration of factors such as sex, race, color, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, veteran status, or handicap unrelated to a person's ability, qualifications, and performance is inconsistent with this policy.