Allied Dental Programs
Dental Assisting - Indianapolis
Admission (Campus Program)
Admission requirements
Applicants must meet all minimum criteria to be considered for admission to the dental assisting program. Enrollment is limited to 20 students in the campus program. All students meeting minimum requirements are encouraged to apply. However, meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission and not all applicants will be accepted. Final selection will be based on a ranking of the applicant pool.
GPA
Four GPAs will be evaluated as part of the application process: high school cumulative GPA, college cumulative GPA (if applicable), high school life science GPA, and college life science GPA (if applicable). A minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale is required in each of these areas. Applicants are ranked based on the four GPAs and personal statement score, with one bonus point for bi/multilingual applicants, and one bonus point for applicants who have completed dental assisting coursework in high school, or who have at least 200 hours of dental assisting work experience.
The high school cumulative GPA score will be doubled for applicants with less than 12 college credit hours. The high school life science GPA score will be doubled for applicants with less than six college credit hours in life science courses.
Applicants with a cumulative high school GPA below 2.0 will be considered for admission, with a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or above, with a minimum of 15 college credit hours. Applicants with a high school life science GPA below 2.0 will be considered for admission, with a college life science GPA of 2.0 or above, with a minimum of six college credit hours.
Applicants with 26 or more college credits are not required to submit high school transcripts. The college cumulative and life science GPA scores will be doubled for applicants with 26 or more college credit hours.
Required coursework
Completion of at least two science courses in high school and/or college is required.
Commonly accepted courses for life science GPAs: biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and psychology as a biological science. Non–life science courses, for example earth space science or astronomy are not accepted.
English proficiency
If English is not your primary language, English proficiency must be demonstrated. The English for Academic Purposes Exam (EAP) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) may be required.
Admissions Process
- IUPUI Application
All dental assisting applicants must first be admitted to IUPUI through the IUPUI Office of Undergraduate Admissions. There is an application fee to apply to IUPUI. The IUPUI admissions deadline is May 1 for incoming freshman and June 1 for transfer and adult students.
Website: http://enroll.iupui.edu Phone: (317) 274-4591 Email: apply@iupui.edu
- Dental Assisting Observation
All applicants must observe a dental assistant in a minimum of two different dental offices for a minimum of 4 hours total. Each office will need to verify your observation hours. This document must include your name, date, time of observation and the dental assistant’s name that you observed. The observation verification document must be on official letterhead, or equivalent, signed by the doctor or the office manager, and uploaded with your online application.
- Personal Statement and Recorded Interview
In 500-800 words, write a personal statement to submit with the program application. The personal statement should include the following.
Content Questions:
- Describe your goals and explain why you are pursuing dental assisting education.
- Answer only one (1) of the two (2) questions below:
- Describe any leadership roles, service activities, extracurricular activities, accomplishments, and/or achievements that have influenced your personal growth.
- Describe obstacles or challenges you have faced that impacted your life or educational goals.
- Dental Assisting Application and Transcripts
The Dental Assisting Program application, observation verification and all official transcripts must be received by the IUSD Dental Assisting Program by June 15. However, applications and documents received after this date will be considered until the class is full. Please note applicants applying by June 15 will receive priority consideration for admissions.
A link to the online application is available on the program website.
Note: If your current high school and college transcripts are on file with IUPUI, the DA program does not require additional copies.
Submit an OFFICIAL high school transcript (9-12 grades) of all academic work completed. If applicable, submit a copy of GED/TASC Certificate and Scores.
Applicants who are currently enrolled or have attended a college, university, or vocational program must submit an OFFICIAL transcript from each school attended.
Electronic, official transcripts can be emailed to dast@iu.edu. Only official transcripts emailed by the institution will be accepted. Unofficial copies emailed by the applicant will not be accepted.
If electronic, official transcripts are not available, mail official transcripts to: Indiana University School of Dentistry, Dental Assisting Program, 1121 West Michigan Street, DS 317, Indianapolis, IN 46202.