In the 2022 to 2023 cycle, U.S. dental schools accepted 6,513 of 12,929 applicants for an overall acceptance rate of 50.4 percent, yet only 27.4 percent of applicants actually matriculated in 2023. At the top end, Harvard held a 3.8 percent acceptance rate in 2022 while UCLA reached 6.2 percent in 2023, and most applicants only get interviews when offering rates typically land around 25 to 30 percent. As you compare acceptance, matriculation, GPA, DAT, and even the role of shadowing and letters of evaluation, the path from application to admission starts to look far more selective and uneven than many candidates expect.
Key Takeaways
- Overall acceptance rate for U.S. dental schools in 2022-2023 was 50.4% (6,513 accepted out of 12,929 applicants).
- Matriculation rate: 27.4% of applicants enrolled in 2023 (6,513/23,786 apps).
- Harvard SDS acceptance rate: 3.8% in 2022 (52/1,863).
- Interviews offered to 25-30% of applicants typically.
- Letters of eval required: 3-4 from science profs/shadowing dentists.
- Shadowing hours avg: 100+ recommended, 150 median for accepted.
- In the 2022-2023 application cycle, 13,104 individuals applied to at least one U.S. dental school through ADEA AADSAS.
- For the 2021-2022 cycle, there were 12,558 total applicants to U.S. dental schools.
- In 2023, first-time applicants numbered 10,429 to U.S. dental programs.
- Females comprised 52.8% of applicants and 53.2% of matriculants in 2023.
- Underrepresented minorities (URM): 18.5% of enrollees in 2022.
- Asian applicants: 30.2% (3,960/13,104) in 2023.
- Average GPA of accepted students: 3.59 overall in 2023.
- Science GPA average for matriculants: 3.51 in 2022-2023.
- 90th percentile GPA: 3.85 for accepted applicants in 2023.
With a 50.4% acceptance and a 27.4% matriculation rate, dental school admissions are highly competitive.
Related reading
01 · Category
Acceptance And Matriculation Rates25 stats
01
Overall acceptance rate for U.S. dental schools in 2022-2023 was 50.4% (6,513 accepted out of 12,929 applicants).
02
Matriculation rate: 27.4% of applicants enrolled in 2023 (6,513/23,786 apps).
03
Harvard SDS acceptance rate: 3.8% in 2022 (52/1,863).
04
UCLA acceptance rate: 6.2% (130/2,100) in 2023.
05
Average offers per matriculant: 2.8 in 2022.
06
First-year enrollment: 6,513 in 2023 across 66 schools.
07
Seats available: 6,579 in U.S. dental schools for 2023.
08
Yield rate (accepted to enrolled): 55% nationally in 2022.
09
Public school in-state acceptance: 12-15% average.
10
Private school acceptance: 7-10% average in 2023.
11
UMKC acceptance rate: 8.5% (153/1,800) in 2022.
12
NYU acceptance: 5.3% (170/3,200) in 2023.
13
Female matriculants: 53.2% (3,465/6,513) in 2023.
14
Multiple acceptances held by matriculants: 65% had 2+ in 2022.
15
Waitlist movement: 15% of waitlisted accepted off waitlist in 2023.
16
Early decision acceptance: 45% success rate in 2022.
17
International student acceptance: 4.2% (44/1,042) in 2023.
18
Reapplicant acceptance rate: 35% in 2022 vs 55% first-timers.
19
Texas schools matriculants: 450 in 2023.
20
Midwest acceptance avg: 7.5% per school.
21
Southern schools yield: 60% in 2022.
22
Western acceptance: 6.8% average.
23
Northeast top schools <5% acceptance.
24
Overall matriculants increased 2% from 2022.
25
Seats filled rate: 99% in 2023.
Interpretation
Acceptance And Matriculation Rates Interpretation
For the Acceptance And Matriculation Rates category, the U.S. dental school cycle shows a steep funnel with a 50.4% overall acceptance rate in 2022 to 2023 but only a 27.4% matriculation rate in 2023, even as schools like Harvard at 3.8% and UCLA at 6.2% illustrate how competitive acceptance can be.
02 · Category
Admission Criteria And Processes20 stats
01
Interviews offered to 25-30% of applicants typically.
02
Letters of eval required: 3-4 from science profs/shadowing dentists.
03
Shadowing hours avg: 100+ recommended, 150 median for accepted.
04
Research experience: 40% of matriculants had pub/presentations.
05
CASPer test used by 20 schools in 2023.
06
Personal statement length: 4,500 chars max via AADSAS.
07
Manual dexterity tests: Required at 10 schools like UMKC.
08
Supplemental apps: 90% schools require, fee avg $50-100.
09
Interview formats: 70% MMI, 30% traditional in 2023.
10
Holistic review: Adopted by 100% schools post-2020.
11
Extracurriculars: Leadership in 80% accepted profiles.
12
Volunteer hours dental: Avg 200 for matriculants.
13
AADSAS app opens: May 1 annually.
14
Verification time: 4-6 weeks avg.
15
Rolling admissions: 85% schools.
16
Deposit amount: $500-2000 non-refundable.
17
Post-interview acceptance timing: 2-4 weeks.
18
Advanced standing programs for internationals: 25 schools.
19
Need-based aid availability: 60% schools.
20
Cost of app fees total: $250+ for 5 schools.
Interpretation
Admission Criteria And Processes Interpretation
Overall, dental schools in this admission criteria and processes category rely on a comparatively holistic pipeline where only about 25 to 30 percent of applicants receive interviews while roughly 40 percent of matriculants report having publications or presentations, alongside structured requirements like 3 to 4 letters from science faculty, 100 plus shadowing hours, and a personal statement capped at 4,500 characters through AADSAS.
03 · Category
Applicant Numbers And Trends30 stats
01
In the 2022-2023 application cycle, 13,104 individuals applied to at least one U.S. dental school through ADEA AADSAS.
02
For the 2021-2022 cycle, there were 12,558 total applicants to U.S. dental schools.
03
In 2023, first-time applicants numbered 10,429 to U.S. dental programs.
04
Reapplicants to dental schools in 2022-2023 totaled 2,675.
05
Applications submitted via AADSAS in 2022 reached 248,372 to 66 U.S. schools.
06
In 2020-2021, total applicants were 11,356.
07
Female applicants in 2023 cycle: 6,847 (52.3% of total).
08
Male applicants in 2022-2023: 6,257 (47.7%).
09
In-state applicants to public dental schools averaged 45% of total apps in 2022.
10
Out-of-state applicants comprised 55% at private schools in 2023.
11
Total apps to Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 2022: 1,863.
12
UCLA School of Dentistry received 2,100+ apps in 2023 cycle.
13
Applications to UMKC Dental School in 2022: 1,800.
14
Trend: Applicant numbers increased 15% from 2019 to 2023.
15
International applicants in 2022-2023: 1,042 (8% of total).
16
Applicants with military background: 350 in 2023.
17
Community college transfers applying: 1,200 in 2022.
18
Applicants from STEM backgrounds: 85% in 2023.
19
Total apps to Pitt Dental in 2022: 2,500.
20
NYU Langone Dental apps 2023: 3,200.
21
Decline in apps during COVID (2020): 5% drop to 10,500.
22
Post-COVID rebound: 20% increase in 2022 apps.
23
Applicants per school average: 198 in 2023 (13,104/66).
24
Texas schools received 2,800 apps combined in 2022.
25
Midwest region apps: 3,500 in 2023.
26
Southern U.S. apps: 4,200 in 2022.
27
Western U.S. dental apps: 2,100.
28
Northeast apps highest at 4,500 in 2023.
29
Applicants aged 21-25: 70% in 2022.
30
Applicants over 30: 10% (1,310) in 2023.
Interpretation
Applicant Numbers And Trends Interpretation
Dental school applicant interest is steadily rising, with total AADSAS applicants climbing from 11,356 in 2020 to 12,558 in 2021-2022 and then to 13,104 in 2022-2023, showing stronger momentum in applicant numbers and trends.
More related reading
04 · Category
Demographic Statistics23 stats
01
Females comprised 52.8% of applicants and 53.2% of matriculants in 2023.
02
Underrepresented minorities (URM): 18.5% of enrollees in 2022.
03
Asian applicants: 30.2% (3,960/13,104) in 2023.
04
White/Caucasian matriculants: 48.7% in 2023.
05
Hispanic/Latino applicants: 7.8% (1,022).
06
Black/African American: 6.1% of applicants, 7.2% matriculants.
07
Average age of matriculants: 24.3 years in 2023.
08
In-state residents: 75% of public school enrollees.
09
First-generation college students: 22% of class of 2027.
10
Rural background applicants: 12% in 2022.
11
LGBTQ+ self-identified: 5.5% of matriculants.
12
Veterans: 1.2% (78) of enrollees in 2023.
13
Married applicants: 8%.
14
From public undergrads: 65%.
15
STEM majors dominant: 72% biology/chemistry.
16
International students enrolled: 2.1% (137).
17
Texas demographics: 25% Hispanic matriculants.
18
Midwest: 55% white, 20% Asian.
19
Southern URM: 25%.
20
Western diversity: 15% Hispanic.
21
Northeast: 35% Asian.
22
Gender parity nearing: 53% female in 2023.
23
Economic disadvantage: 15% Pell Grant recipients.
Interpretation
Demographic Statistics Interpretation
In the Demographic Statistics for dental school admission, the applicant pool in 2023 was more heavily Asian at 30.2 percent while females held about parity with 52.8 percent of applicants and 53.2 percent of matriculants, and URM enrollment reached 18.5 percent in 2022.
05 · Category
Gpa And Dat Statistics26 stats
01
Average GPA of accepted students: 3.59 overall in 2023.
02
Science GPA average for matriculants: 3.51 in 2022-2023.
03
90th percentile GPA: 3.85 for accepted applicants in 2023.
04
DAT AA average: 20.8 for enrollees in 2023.
05
DAT PAT average: 20.3 in 2022 cycle.
06
DAT Total Science avg: 20.5 for top 10% matriculants.
07
Minimum GPA considered: 3.0 at 80% of schools.
08
Harvard avg GPA: 3.75 overall.
09
UCLA matriculant GPA: 3.70 science.
10
UMKC avg DAT AA: 20.1.
11
NYU avg GPA: 3.65.
12
Percent with GPA >3.7: 55% of accepted in 2023.
13
DAT percentile 75th: AA 22.
14
BCPM GPA avg: 3.48 for applicants.
15
Schools requiring DAT: 95%.
16
Avg years since graduation for reapplicants: 2.5, GPA 3.45.
17
Female matriculants avg DAT: 20.7 AA.
18
Male avg DAT: 20.9.
19
International avg GPA: 3.55.
20
Texas schools avg DAT: 20.4.
21
Midwest avg GPA: 3.58.
22
Southern avg DAT PAT: 20.2.
23
Western GPA avg: 3.62.
24
Northeast DAT avg: 21.0.
25
Post-bacc applicants avg GPA boost: +0.3.
26
25th percentile GPA: 3.4 for matriculants.
Interpretation
Gpa And Dat Statistics Interpretation
In the GPA and DAT statistics, accepted students averaged a 3.59 GPA in 2023 and enrollees recorded strong DAT performance with an AA mean of 20.8, suggesting that both solid academic GPAs and competitive DAT scores are key signals in admissions.
report visual · Key figures
Dental School Admissions: Where Demand and Enrollment Land
Admission funnel shows a high application-to-enrollment gap alongside a notable post-COVID rebound in applications.
12,558
For the 2021-2022 cycle, there were 12,558 total applicants to U.S. dental schools.
11,356
In 2020-2021, total applicants were 11,356.
5%
Decline in apps during COVID (2020): 5% drop to 10,500.
20%
Post-COVID rebound: 20% increase in 2022 apps.
50.4%
Overall acceptance rate for U.S. dental schools in 2022-2023 was 50.4% (6,513 accepted out of 12,929 applicants).
27.4%
Matriculation rate: 27.4% of applicants enrolled in 2023 (6,513/23,786 apps).
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). Dental School Admission Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dental-school-admission-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "Dental School Admission Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/dental-school-admission-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "Dental School Admission Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dental-school-admission-statistics.
Sources & references
13 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level