Current-cycle decision support
Turn confirmed information into a first practice
Clinic appointment access and fairness
Practise making a fair decision when access is limited. Review whether you identify missing information, weigh both patients' needs, and explain the next step clearly; then record the scenario again with one improvement.
Quick facts
- Degree: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), four years.
- Location: Seattle; RIDE is a post-acceptance rural track with early education in Spokane.
- Application: ADEA AADSAS; selected applicants complete a $100 secondary.
- Deadline: November 1 at 9 p.m. Pacific; DAT must also be taken by November 1.
- Test: U.S. DAT required; Canadian DAT not accepted.
- Class: 71 students.
- Residency priority: Washington, then WICHE states, then limited connection/pathway categories.
- Interview: in-person September-November. Current UW application page
Admission requirements
Required lecture courses at a U.S.- or Canadian-accredited college are one semester each of general chemistry and organic chemistry; two semesters each of biochemistry, physics and biology or zoology; and one semester of microbiology, although some one-quarter microbiology courses may be reviewed as sufficient. Laboratory courses do not replace these lecture requirements. All prerequisites must be completed by July 1 before matriculation. Current UW requirements
A bachelor's degree is not mandatory; an outstanding applicant may be considered after three undergraduate years. The school expects a solid B average or better in science but does not publish a minimum GPA. The U.S. DAT is mandatory and must be taken by November 1; Canadian DAT scores are not accepted. Current regular-DDS pages do not publish a score floor or expiration rule.
Three recommendations are submitted through AADSAS. UW suggests one from a dentist, one from science faculty and one character reference, often connected to service. Sustained community service and demonstrated exploration of dentistry through shadowing or other dental experience are valued, but no hour minimum is published. Selected applicants receive a $100 secondary in the fall. The current regular-DDS sources do not publish citizenship or visa eligibility.
Important dates
ADEA AADSAS opened May 12, 2026 and accepted first submissions June 2. UW's AADSAS deadline is November 1 at 9 p.m. Pacific, and the DAT must be taken by November 1. In-person interviews run September-November. Current ADEA timing permits first acceptance notifications December 15, 2026, continuing through spring until the class is filled. UW admissions timeline ADEA AADSAS dates
Prerequisites must be finished by July 1 before matriculation. The current sources do not publish the exact Fall 2027 first day, secondary deadline or final wait-list date.
How selection works
UW gives selection preference in this order: Washington residents; residents of WICHE states Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming; then applicants from other places who attended high school or college in Washington or are applying to the DDS/PhD programme. A typical class is 85-90% Washington residents and 10-15% primarily WICHE residents. Current residency policy
The school values academic preparation, community service and informed dental exposure, and invites approximately 150-200 applicants from more than 1,000 applications. It does not publish factor weights, academic-screen formulas, DAT cutoff, interview scoring or weight, committee voting or wait-list ordering.
Interview details
Confirmed
Selected candidates attend in-person fall interviews between September and November. UW publishes an approximate invitation volume of 150-200. Current application page
Not published
Current regular-DDS sources do not publish the day schedule, interview number or duration, individual, panel or station format, interviewer roles or file access, exact prompts, rubric, scoring scale, weight, accommodations or travel support. Skills testing described for International DDS does not apply to this regular route.
Who this program may suit
UW may fit applicants committed to Washington or western-region oral health, community service and rural or underserved care. RIDE allows selected admitted students to complete early dental education in Spokane and participate in extended community rotations, but it is a track within UW's DDS rather than a separate school application. Current UW application page This page excludes UW Medicine, International DDS and postgraduate programmes.
Practice and next step
Record a response about a community or dental experience that changed how you understand access or service. Ask a reviewer whether you explain the people affected, your own action and one concrete lesson. Make one adjustment, record a second attempt and compare clarity and regional-service motivation.
Frequently asked questions
Does UW accept the Canadian DAT?
No. The current regular-DDS page requires the U.S. DAT.
Is a bachelor's degree required?
No. Most entrants have one, but an outstanding applicant may be considered after three years.
Who receives residency preference?
Washington residents receive first priority, followed by residents of participating WICHE states.
Is RIDE a separate application?
No. Applicants use the regular UW DDS application and RIDE placement is determined after acceptance.
Sources
Verified August 12, 2026. Current official sources: UW DDS application, requirements, timeline, residency, DDS accreditation and ADEA dates.
Recommended preparation
Structured Interview Essentials
Build a repeatable spoken-answer loop across five common structured-interview skills: fair decisions, ethical reasoning, using feedback, teamwork under pressure, and explaining your motivation. Record each response once, choose the weakest one, review one observable weakness, and answer it again with one deliberate adjustment.
Page history
- Published