Application Process & Requirements

Each year, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine enrolls 100 exceptional, internationally trained dental school graduates into its two-year DMD Advanced Standing program who join—and contribute to—a diverse student body committed to excellence in oral healthcare. GSDM conducts a holistic review of all aspects of candidates’ applications and selects candidates for admission based on the following:

  • Clinical experience practicing dentistry
  • Experience as a dental assistant or hygienist in the US or Canada
  • Scholastic achievement
  • Aptitude in dental medicine
  • Other personal qualifications, experiences, and non-cognitive achievements

Applicants who meet the above criteria are given priority. Additional considerations for admission include research experience, teaching experience, and specialty training.

CAAPID Online Application

Applications for GSDM’s DMD Advanced Standing program must be submitted through the Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (CAAPID). The CAAPID application opens on March 5, 2026, the year before enrollment.

The application components include:

  • CAAPID application
  • An $80 supplemental application fee; instructions on how to submit payment will be emailed to candidates after GSDM receives their application.
  • Three letters of evaluation (one from the dean of one’s dental school, one from a dental school faculty, and one from a clinical employer).
  • Score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT; official score must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to CAAPID, institution code: B451. The Home Edition® is accepted. MyBest® scores will not be considered, and Admissions does not accept results from TOEFL® Essentials™
  • Results from the Integrated National Dental Board Exam or the National Board Dental Exam Parts 1 and 2; official results must be sent directly from the ADA to ADEA CAAPID
  • ECE Dental School Transcript Course-by-Course Evaluation (ece.org)
    Do not send ECE evaluations to Boston University GSDM Admissions.

Additional details on these components are available on the ADEA CAAPID portal.

Requirements & Eligibility

  • To be eligible for the DMD Advanced Standing program, candidates must have earned the international equivalent of the DMD dental degree from an accredited institution and hold a final diploma before applying. Other requirements include:
  • Passage of the INBDE or NBDE Parts 1 and 2. Preference is given to applicants who pass the INBDE or the NBDE Parts 1 and 2 on their first attempt.
  • A TOEFL score of at least 90 before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 on the iBT TOEFL® after January 21, 2026. The TOEFL results must not be older than two years from the date of submission to CAAPID. Applications with a score below 90 or 4.5 or less will not be considered.
  • No TOEFL waivers are granted
  • The ADEA CAAPID application opens on the ADEA website on March 5, 2026, and the CAAPID submission deadline is October 15, 2026. CAAPID will release your application 1-3 days after all required CAAPID documents and payments have been submitted.
  • Note: ADEA CAAPID fees are separate from the Boston University GSDM supplemental application fee

Reapplicants

Individuals who applied in a previous admissions cycle and wish to reapply must submit a new CAAPID application for the current cycle, including an updated CV or resume and new letters of evaluation. Reapplicants are encouraged to highlight their achievements and experiences since their last application to demonstrate their readiness for dental school. Please consult the table on the ADEA Existing Account to Re-Apply page and the  ADEA Recommendations for Reapplying resource for additional information.

Applicants who have interviewed in a prior cycle will not be re-interviewed.

Timeline

GSDM evaluates applications on a rolling basis, considering them as they are completed rather than only at the application deadline. Interviews are generally conducted between May and November, though some candidates may be invited outside this period. Admissions decisions are also communicated on a rolling basis.

Given the large number of applicants, we recommend submitting completed applications early in the cycle. The Admissions Committee may provide updates on application status at any time before the program begins in late July 2027. If an applicant has not yet received a decision, their application remains under active consideration.

Interviews

The Admissions Committee will invite a select number of applicants to interview. While an interview is required for admission, it does not guarantee acceptance. Interviews are conducted remotely via Zoom between May and November, with the possibility of scheduling outside this timeframe.

As part of the interview experience, applicants have the opportunity to meet via Zoom with student Admissions Ambassadors, Student Affairs, and Student Financial Services/Housing Resources.

The DMD Advanced Standing remote interview is complemented by an optional GSDM Visit Day offered throughout the interview cycle. Visit Days are scheduled on Sundays, when no patient care occurs, allowing Admissions Ambassadors to lead tours that include patient treatment areas.

Each Visit Day lasts approximately six hours and includes breakfast and lunch, a presentation by the Associate Dean of Admissions, a technology demonstration in the Simulation Learning Center, and a student panel. Applicants also have the opportunity to participate in interactive discussions with the Deans of Admissions, Student Affairs, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB), as well as GSDM alumni.

Updates

  • Name, Address, Phone number and Email address
  • Academic History and Program Materials, such as:
    • Official test results (INBDE, NBDE, and TOEFL) sent directly from the testing agency to CAAPID
    • ECE course-by-course evaluations
  • Do not send standardized test results or ECE evaluations to Boston University GSDM Admissions.
  • Visa and citizenship status
    • Applicants should update their immigration and visa status throughout the cycle to reflect accurate information
  • New experiences, achievements and licenses.
  • Editing or deleting evaluations that remain incomplete
  • New CVs or resumes cannot be uploaded to CAAPID after you submit your application: e-mail your updated CV to asdent@bu.edu

Campus Visits

GSDM functions as a clinical facility and, therefore, cannot accommodate tours for prospective students. Applicants invited for interviews are given the opportunity to visit the dental school during Visit Days, which are held multiple times throughout the fall and winter. Individual in-person appointments or tours are not available.

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