Indiana University DDS Admissions Guide (2027)

Quick facts

• Entry cycle: Fall 2027; complete-file deadline is October 1, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET. How to apply
• Application stages: AADSAS, invitation to IU Grad CAS, Kira video assessment, then selective in-person interview.
• Education: 90 semester hours to apply, including 30 at a four-year institution; bachelor's required by matriculation.
• Experience: 100 shadowing hours across general dentistry and at least two specialties by October 1.
• Interview dates: October 3 and November 14, 2026 in Indianapolis.
• Unknown: no current regular-DDS citizenship, residency preference or Fall 2027 orientation date is published.

Admission requirements

Applicants need at least 90 semester or 135 quarter hours, including 30 semester hours at a four-year college or university, and must complete a bachelor's before matriculation. Science prerequisites must be upper level where specified, intended for science majors and taken in person at a four-year institution; AP and dual-credit science do not count. Planned prerequisites are due May 31, 2027. How to apply

Coursework includes at least 20 semester hours of biological sciences, with 13 specifically covering anatomy or histology with lab, physiology, microbiology or immunology, and cell biology, biochemistry or molecular biology; chemistry 12 including general or inorganic chemistry I-II with labs and organic chemistry with lab; physics 8 with labs; social science 3 in psychology or communication; and humanities 3 in history, literature, philosophy, language or English composition.

The most recent U.S. or Canadian DAT is accepted, must be no more than three years old at application and must be verified by October 1. No current minimum score is published. Two academic recommendations are required: one from science or research faculty under whom the applicant studied, and a second from an academic discipline or a dentist shadowed within 12 months. A committee letter counts as one letter under the page's stated rule.

Applicants must complete 100 shadowing hours by October 1 across general dentistry and at least two specialty practices; in-person and virtual hours may count. The current regular-DDS page does not publish a citizenship, visa or state-residency preference rule.

Important dates

ADEA AADSAS opened May 12, 2026 and first accepted submissions June 2. IU says it begins accepting applications June 2. The completed AADSAS, IU Grad CAS supplemental, official DAT and Kira assessment must all arrive by October 1, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET; no late material is considered. ADEA IU application

After AADSAS prescreening, selected applicants receive IU Grad CAS instructions and pay an $80 fee. After submitting it, applicants email Admissions to receive Kira access. Those who pass full review may be invited to one of the two in-person interview dates: Saturday, October 3 or Saturday, November 14, 2026.

Planned prerequisites are due May 31, 2027. IU does not publish the Fall 2027 orientation, first class day, decision-release schedule, current deposit or wait-list dates on the reviewed regular-DDS page.

How selection works

IU uses holistic review of the academic record and DAT, evaluations, shadowing, Kira, interview, motivation, character, personality and ethics. A file must meet all minimum application requirements before committee review. How to apply

After AADSAS prescreening, the school invites applicants to IU Grad CAS and then Kira. Multiple reviewers independently assess Kira responses using competency-based criteria and structured rubrics. A selected group advances to the in-person interview.

The school does not publish numerical weights for academics, DAT, Kira, experience, evaluations or interview; GPA or DAT cutoffs; Kira question count, response timing or score anchors; interview rubric; committee vote mechanics; residence allocation or wait-list ranking.

Interview details

Confirmed

The regular process has two distinct assessed stages. After the $80 IU Grad CAS supplemental, applicants complete a Kira video assessment; multiple reviewers independently evaluate responses with competency-based criteria and structured rubrics. A selected group then attends an in-person interview in Indianapolis. The current dates are October 3 and November 14, 2026. How to apply

Not published

IU does not publish the Kira prompt count, preparation or response time, exact competency domains, platform accommodations, numerical Kira weight, in-person interview count or duration, panel size, interviewer roles or file access, question domains, scoring anchors or post-interview committee formula.

Who this program may suit

This page covers Indiana University's conventional four-year DDS in Indianapolis. The International Dentist Program, DDS dual degrees, dental graduate programmes and specialties have separate application routes and deadlines. Programme directory

The programme evaluates sustained dental exposure, motivation, ethics and interpersonal qualities across Kira and an in-person interview. A useful fit response should use one specific shadowing example to show how observation changed the applicant's understanding of patient communication or professional judgment.

Practice and next step

Record a video response about a time your first plan failed and you had to adapt while preserving trust. Ask a reviewer to mark whether you explain the change, take responsibility and show what you learned. Make one adjustment, record a second attempt and compare concision, self-awareness and motivation.

Frequently asked questions

What is IU's Fall 2027 deadline?

All AADSAS, supplemental, DAT and Kira materials are due October 1, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET.

Is Kira the final interview?

No. Kira is an assessed video stage. A selected group then attends an in-person Indianapolis interview.

How much shadowing is required?

One hundred total hours across general dentistry and at least two specialties are due by October 1.

Does IU accept the Canadian DAT?

Yes. The current regular-DDS page explicitly accepts it.

Is the International Dentist Program the same route?

No. It uses CAAPID and a separate advanced-placement identity.

Sources

Verified August 12, 2026. Current official sources: regular DDS requirements, application stages, Kira and interview dates, regular DDS programme and Indianapolis identity, programme directory distinguishing DDS and International Dentist routes and ADEA AADSAS dates.