Frequently Asked Questions

Applying to Advanced and Graduate Education programs at Tufts

• Can you send me information regarding the post graduate programs that Tufts offers? 
• I am interested in applying to one of the post graduate specialty programs. How do I apply? 
• When should I apply? 
• What address should I send my application to? 
• How can I expedite the processing of my application? 
• I have submitted all of my application materials, what happens next? 
• When will interviews be held? 
• Is it possible to set up a time to meet with the faculty from the specialty departments? 
• I am currently enrolled in the Tufts DMD program, are there any different application procedures?  

PASS Application

• I plan to apply via PASS, should I also fill out the Tufts application form? 
• How do I know if I should use the PASS application? 
• Is there any advantage to using one application form over the other? 
• If I apply through PASS, what other documents should I send to your office?

Application Status

• I have submitted my application materials to the Admissions Office, when will it be processed? 
• I was notified that my application was missing some materials. How can I confirm that these documents have arrived? 
• My post graduate application is complete, when can I expect an update on my status? 
• Can I apply to more than one post graduate program? 
• If I apply to more than one program, can I apply using the same application form? 
• I applied last year and was not accepted, can I reactivate my application?  

International Student Questions

• Can foreign applicants apply to the post graduate programs? 
• I am a foreign trained dentist and I am interested in obtaining a license to practice within the United States. Will a post-graduate program lead to licensure? 
• I am an international applicant utilizing the PASS service. What else should I submit? 
• As an international applicant, am I required to submit National Dental Board scores? 
• Can I utilize a PO Box as my mailing address? 
• If I am accepted to the program, when will my I-20 Visa be processed?  

 

Applying to the Advanced and Graduate Programs at Tufts

Q.  Can you send me information regarding the post graduate programs that Tufts offers?

A.  The best place to learn more about the post graduate programs is on our website: Advanced and Graduate Education.  Tufts University offers a dynamic curriculum for the post graduate students and our website provides students with the most current information available.

 

Q.  I am interested in applying to one of the post graduate specialty programs.  How do I apply?

A.  Depending on which program you are interested in, you may have the option of utilizing the PASS application service.  If you apply via PASS, do not fill out the Tufts application. 

 

The following programs will accept the PASS application:

Endodontics
General Practice Residency
Orthodontics
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Pediatric Dentistry
Periodontics
Prosthodontics

The following programs will not accept the PASS application; applicants must utilize the Tufts Application Form:

CM Disorders and Orofacial Pain
Esthetic Dentistry
Implant Dentistry
Master’s Program

-The application form for these programs above can be downloaded at: PG Application

 

Q.  When should I apply?

A.  Our office will begin accepting applications on July 1^st of the year prior to the year in which the applicant wishes to matriculate.  It is strongly recommended that candidates submit their materials as early as possible regardless of the application deadline.  Over the past few years we have experienced extremely competitive application cycles.  The sooner your application arrives in our office, the sooner it can be reviewed by the appropriate department.  Please be aware that each department has a separate deadline.

 

Q.  What address should I send my application materials to?

A.  All application materials should be sent to the Admissions Office, the address is listed below.  Please note that application materials should not be sent to the individual departments, this will delay the processing of your file.

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Office of Admissions – 7^th Floor
One Kneeland Street
Boston, MA 02111

 

Q.  How can I expedite the processing of my application?

A.  There are a few things to keep in mind so your application can be processed quickly:

-  Plan Ahead – Be sure that you have enough time to secure all of the necessary documents to complete your file.

-  Apply Early – Some programs will review files on a rolling basis, applying early can be beneficial.  We begin accepting applications after July 1st.

- Letter of Recommendation Forms – If applying directly to Tufts, without PASS, you are required to utilize these forms for faster and easier identification.

- Name Changes – Please notify our office of any name changes so we can find all of your documents.  On the application, please use your full legal name (as it appears on your passport or other official identification.)  If any of your documents will be using a different name (i.e. maiden name, nickname, etc), please be sure to include this information in the proper location on the application form.

- Contact Information – Be sure that all of your contact information (including email address) is clearly written or typed on the application form to reduce any data input errors.  Your full legal name (as listed on the application) should also be included on all documents sent to our office.  Failure to do so can result in delays in processing your application.

- Send Documents Together – Sending all required documents at one time may expedite the processing of your file.  Test scores, letters of evaluation and transcripts must arrive in their original, signed and sealed envelopes.

 

Q.  I have submitted all of my application materials, what happens next?

A.  Once our office receives your application materials they will be processed and prepared for the respective department to review.  All applicants will receive an email to confirm the receipt of your file and to detail any outstanding items.  Missing documents should be sent to the Admissions Office as quickly as possible.  Be sure that all documents sent to our office include your full name, as listed on your application.  Any document that arrives in our office will be automatically matched with your file; our office is not able to confirm the receipt of individual items.  Once a file is complete, it will be available for the specialty department to review.

Please note that during the height of our application season (July-October), the processing of applications may take a few weeks. 

 

Q.  When will interviews be held?

A.   Each department handles the interview process independently from the Admissions Office, and the interview schedule varies between each department.  Candidates selected for an interview will be notified directly by the department.

 

Q.  Is it possible to meet with the faculty from the specialty departments?

A.  Due to the faculty’s fast-paced clinic and academic schedule, they are not able to set up individual appointments with prospective students.  The department will contact you directly if they are interested in pursuing your candidacy.

 

Q.  I am currently enrolled in the Tufts DMD program, are there any different application procedures for my situation?

A.  Yes, Tufts DMD students have several different procedures listed below:

1.  You are not required to pay the application fee.

2.  You do not have to submit NDB scores as they are included on your Tufts transcript.

3.  The composite letter, written by the Dean’s Office, will satisfy the requirement for letters of recommendation.

 

PASS Application

Q.  I plan to apply via PASS, should I also fill out the Tufts application form?

A.  If you apply to our post graduate programs by using the PASS application service, do not submit the Tufts application form as well.  Submitting both applications will delay your application.  Please utilize only one of the application methods. 

 

Q.  How do I know if I should use the PASS application?

A.  Individuals intending to apply to several schools are best served by utilizing the common PASS application.

 

Q.  Is there any advantage to using one application form over the other?

A.  No, they are both evaluated in the same manner.  The PASS service is helpful to those students who wish to apply to several institutions at once.  We strongly encourage you to utilize this service.

 

Q.  If I apply through PASS, what other documents should I send to your office?

A.  Applicants who apply through PASS should also submit:

1.  $70 application fee –

-  Check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars and made payable to Trustees of Tufts College.

-  Please include your name and social security number, if applicable.

2.  2x2 Photo

3.  Official Transcripts of all Post-Secondary Education -

            -  Transcripts must arrive in the original signed and sealed envelope

4.  National Dental Board Exam Scores (NDB) –

-  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 NDB Examination, Part II results prior to matriculation.

When sending these documents, please be sure to include your name (as it appears on the PASS application, as well as a note indicating which program you will are applying to and that you are applying through PASS.)

 

Application Status

Q.  I have submitted my application materials to the Admissions Office, when will it be processed?

A.  All post graduate applications are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Once your file is processed, you will receive a confirmation email.  All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

 

Q.  I was notified that my application was missing some materials.  Can I confirm that these documents have arrived?

A.  Unfortunately, due to the large volume of applications that our office processes, we are not able to provide receipt confirmation for individual items.  Once any document arrives in our office with your name, it will be automatically matched with your file.  Please note that if you have changed your last name while completing your education (i.e. maiden to married name), be sure to notify us of all names to search for. 

 

Q.  My post graduate application is complete, when can I expect an update on my status?

A.  Each post graduate department will handle the review and selection of candidates independently from the Admissions Office.  The respective departments will contact candidates directly regarding interview opportunities.  Please refrain from inquiring at the Admissions Office, or at the individual departments.  Candidates will be notified directly.

 

Q.  Can I apply to more than one post graduate program?

A.  Yes, candidates are able to apply to no more than three post graduate programs during an application cycle.

 

Q.  If I apply to more than one program, can I apply using the same application form?

A.  No, as each department reviews files independently, you must submit a separate application form and documents for each department.  When submitting supplemental materials (application fee, test scores, transcripts, letters of evaluation, etc.) please be sure to include which program this material is intended for so we can include it in the appropriate file.

 

Q.  I applied last year and was not accepted, can I reactivate my application?

A.  Yes, applicants are able to reactivate an application once as long as you applied during the previous application cycle.  To initiate this process, the Admissions Office must receive the following items:

            1.  Application fee of $70

            2.  A letter/email showing intent to reactivate

            3.  Any new or updated documents (i.e. personal statement, letters of evaluation, etc.)

           

International Students Questions

Q.  Can foreign applicants apply to the post graduate programs?

A.  Yes, foreign applicants are eligible to apply to the post graduate programs here at Tufts.  Please note the additional application requirements for international students.

 

Q.  I am a foreign trained dentist and I am interested in obtaining a license to practice within the United States.  Will a post-graduate program lead to licensure?

A.  No, the International Student program is the only program in which foreign trained dentists are able to secure a license to practice within the United States.  For more information on this program please click here: International Student Program

 

Q.  I am an international applicant utilizing the PASS service.  What else should I submit?

A.  All internationally trained dentists will need to submit the following documents, in addition to the completed PASS application, and the materials listed above:

1.  Course-by-course and Degree Evaluation –

-  If not included in the PASS application, Tufts will require an official evaluation of your education.

-  Suggested providers of credentials evaluation are:

Educational Credential Evaluators – www.ece.org

World Education Services – www.wes.org

2.  Official TOEFL Score Report -

-  Waived if applicant provides proof of at least four years of study within United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the United Kingdom.

 

Q.  I am an international applicant, am I required to submit National Dental Board scores?

A.  Foreign trained dentists are not required to submit NDB scores, however if you have taken the exam you are encouraged to submit those test results.  Due to the competitive nature of the Orthodontic program, all international applicants are strongly encouraged to submit scores to this specialty program. 

 

Q.  Can I utilize a PO Box for my mailing address?

A.  Unfortunately, no, Tufts University utilizes an expedited mailing service that cannot send documents to a PO Box.  Please do not use a PO Box as your mailing address as this will delay the process.

 

Q.  If I am accepted to the program, when will my I-20 Visa be processed?

A.  Upon acceptance, applicants will be asked to submit a deposit to secure a position in the program.  When this deposit and corresponding paperwork has been received by the Office of Admissions, the student will be contacted by the Office of International Affairs regarding the process of securing the I-20. 

Please note t