UB SDM - DDS Program, Early Assurance

Early Assurance Program

Applications available January 1 - June 1, 2009

The Early Assurance Program at the School of Dental Medicine was developed to offer the opportunity for early acceptance to academically strong undergraduate students focused on a career in dentistry. Application to the program is made at the end of the second year of undergraduate study. Accepted applicants go on to complete the remaining two years of college and attain a bachelor’s degree before entering the School of Dental Medicine. This program is designed to free students from the pressures and expense associated with dental school application and allow participants the freedom to select from a wider range of courses in the last two years of college.

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum GPA

In order to be considered for the Early Assurance Program, an applicant must have completed two years of undergraduate study (approximately 60 credit hours) and achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 / 4.0

Prerequisite Courses

While there is no major course of study required, the applicant must have completed the English prerequisite and at least two of the four science prerequisites prior to application to the program. The prerequisite courses are:

One year of English (including composition)
One year of general chemistry with lab
One year of general biology with lab
One year of organic chemistry with lab
One year of general physics with lab

Application Process

The application and all required documents must be received by the School of Dental Medicine on or before the application deadline. The deadline for receipt of applications is June 1. In order to complete their application folder, applicants are required to provide the following:

A completed on-line application form.
A letter of recommendation from the preprofessional committee at their undergraduate school. The committee prefers a composite letter of recommendation. In the event this is not possible to obtain, an applicant may substitute three letters of recommendation from course directors in undergraduate courses. At least two of these letters must be from course directors in science courses.
Official transcript of grades from all colleges or universities attended by the applicant. This must include all grades received.
Application fee of fifty dollars.

All letters of recommendation and transcripts must be sent directly to the School of Dental Medicine by the individual or institution providing them. Documents provided by the applicant cannot be considered in the committee's review process.

Each applicant receiving serious consideration for admission to the Early Assurance Program will be invited to visit the School of Dental Medicine to meet with members of the Student Admissions Committee. Following the visit to the school and a review of all submitted materials, the Student Admissions Committee will make a decision. Applicants will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision.

Failure of an applicant to be accepted into the Early Assurance Program or discontinuance following acceptance will not preclude application to the School of Dental Medicine through the regular application process.

DAT (Dental Admissions Test)

Individuals accepted into the Early Assurance Program will be required to complete the DAT during the third year of undergraduate study. To be enrolled through this program, a participant must receive minimum scores in the Academic Average and the PAT (Perceptual Ability Test) sections of the DAT as specified in the contract signed upon admission to the Early Assurance Program. Both of the required minimum scores must be achieved on the same attempt at the DAT.

Continuance in the Program

Following acceptance into the Early Assurance Program, participants will be required to maintain minimum total GPA and BCP (biology, chemistry, physics) grade point average as specified in the contract signed upon admission to the Early Assurance Program. The minimum total GPA and BCP GPA for candidates accepted in 2008 were each 3.5 / 4.0; these minimums are subject to change for candidates accepted in future years. A successful applicant will be required to carry a normal course load (fifteen credit hours) throughout the remaining two years of undergraduate study and complete a bachelor's degree. All predental prerequisite courses must be completed. As future members of the dental profession, participants must remain in good moral and ethical standing. Prior to matriculation in the DDS program participants will be required to submit a letter from their undergraduate Dean of Students verifying their good standing.

Clinical Experience

All participants in the Early Assurance Program must gain experience in clinical dentistry. The experience must constitute at least one hundred hours in a private dental office (general practice or specialty practice) and/or clinic (hospital or dental school). This requirement should be completed during the third year of study, but experience gained before admission into the Early Assurance Program may be included. The nature of this experience should consist of gaining knowledge of the day-to-day aspects of patient care. Participants will be asked to provide letters from supervisory personnel, describing the nature of the experience and the amount of time spent in participation.

All required items should be forwarded to:

University at Buffalo
Student Admissions / Attn: Early Assurance
School of Dental Medicine
315 Squire Hall
Buffalo, New York 14214-8006

The Student Admissions Committee will begin the review of all completed applications after June 1. All applicants will be informed of the comittee's decision on or before July 15.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Barbara Weinberg, DDS Admissions Coordinator, at bdw3@buffalo.edu

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