Application Process

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The Application Process
Application Requirements
2007-08 Schedule of Fees
Immunization Requirements
Equal Opportunity

The Application Process

Individuals applying to Esthetic Dentistry, Implant Dentistry, Craniomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain, and the Master of Science program must complete the attached Tufts application. 

Individuals applying to Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and the General Practice Residency 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 1-800-353-2237 or 202-667-1887, 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.  Please note all programs will begin in July 2009.  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.

Individuals applying directly to Tufts must submit the following information:

•  A complete application form (enclosed).  Please submit it directly to the Office of Admissions.  Do not send materials directly to the department;
• A $70 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. 
• 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/prof/prac/licensure/natboard/scoring.html 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 Orthodontics program are encouraged to take and 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.
• Individuals applying to the General Practice Residency program must submit all information to: Fernald Program, 200 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452.

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

1. 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. Demonstrate adequate command of the English language in reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension.  Four years of verifiable study at a university in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the United Kingdom or a minimum of 213 on the computer-based version or 80 on the internet-based  version (550 on the written version) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) constitutes evidence of proficiency.  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.toefl.com;
4. Meet the standards of health established by the university.  For protection against hazards of illness or injury, 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.

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, recommendation letters, and dental school transcripts.  Individuals utilizing PASS must submit the following information directly to Tufts by the program deadline:

• A $70 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;;
• 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 have not completed four years of verifiable study at a university in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the United Kingdom, you must submit TOEFL results;
• 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.

2007-08 Schedule of Fees

The fee schedule below shows the actual costs for the 2007-2008 academic year. Tuition and fees are revised yearly.  Figures for the 2008-2009 year will be released in late May 2008.  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 – 2008-2009 Academic Year

Tuition                                    $41,100

Student health insurance        $2,976

Health administration fee        $196

Please visit the Financial Aid homepage 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 a student tests positive for the presence of both surface antigen (HBsAg) and ‘e’ antigen (HBeAg), matriculation will not be allowed. It is advised that immunity to Hepatitis B be determined by the physician before administration of the hepatitis B vaccine.

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.