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UCLA School of Dentistry (2026): DAT Scores, Requirements and Admissions | DAT Destroyer | OAT Destroyer | Dr. Jim Romano

Brick campus building with twin towers and people walking across the plaza.

The UCLA School of Dentistry is one of the most competitive dental programs in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, California, it is part of the University of California system. This guide covers everything pre-dental students need to know about UCLA dental school requirements, DAT scores, GPA expectations, and how to prepare a strong application.

UCLA Dental School at a Glance

Category Details
Full Name UCLA School of Dentistry
Location Los Angeles, California
Degree Offered Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Program Length 4 years
Application System AADSAS
Published DAT Averages — Class of 2028 23 overall, 23 science, and 22 perceptual ability on the previous 1–30 scale.
Average Undergraduate GPA — Class of 2028 3.87 overall / 3.84 science
Class Size ~88 students per year

What DAT Score Do You Need for UCLA Dental School?

UCLA states that there is no minimum DAT score requirement. Its current FAQ considers scores of 420 and above on the new reporting scale competitive, corresponding to 20 and above on the previous scale. DAT scores are considered alongside the applicant’s academic record and other admissions factors.

UCLA considers:

  • DAT scores, including academic average, science, and perceptual ability
  • Overall and science GPA
  • Experiences, letters of recommendation, and the interview

UCLA’s official FAQ does not specify separate competitive cutoffs for individual DAT sections. It states that scores of 420 and above are competitive and that there is no minimum DAT score requirement.

Learn how DAT scores are evaluated and what is considered competitive:
DAT Percentiles — How to Interpret Your Score and Improve Your Chances

Note: For examinations taken on or after March 1, 2025, the DAT uses a 3-digit scoring scale of 200–600 in 10-point increments, replacing the previous 1–30 reporting scale. Learn more about the DAT Score Conversion (2026).

UCLA Dental School GPA Requirements

UCLA evaluates the applicant’s scholastic record as part of a holistic admissions review. Its published Class of 2028 profile reports an average undergraduate GPA of 3.87 overall and 3.84 in science courses. These class averages are not minimum requirements. UCLA also considers course rigor, graduate studies, and indications of growth and maturity.

UCLA considers both overall GPA and science GPA when reviewing applicants.

UCLA Dental School Prerequisites

UCLA requires the following undergraduate coursework for admission:

  • Biology — 8 semester units or 12 quarter units; one year of laboratory coursework (two semesters or three quarters)
  • Inorganic/General Chemistry — 8 semester units or 12 quarter units; one year of laboratory coursework (two semesters or three quarters)
  • Organic Chemistry — 6 semester units or 8 quarter units; one year of laboratory coursework (two semesters or three quarters)
  • Physics — 8 semester units or 12 quarter units; one year of laboratory coursework (two semesters or three quarters)
  • English Composition — 6 semester units or 8 quarter units; no laboratory component
  • Introductory Psychology — 3 semester units or 4 quarter units; no laboratory component
  • Biochemistry — 3 semester units or 4 quarter units; no laboratory component

Applicants must have at least three years of coursework and at least 90 semester units or 135 quarter units; UCLA notes that the majority of applicants have four years of coursework. Required courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher and completed by June 30 of the year for which admission is sought. Accredited community-college coursework is accepted up to 70 semester units or 105 quarter units. UCLA’s current prerequisites page states that online classes for web-based education are not accepted.

International undergraduate applicants eligible for a student visa must meet the regular admissions requirements and complete all pre-dental prerequisites at an accredited U.S. college or university.

UCLA Dental School Application Requirements

  • AADSAS application
  • Official U.S. DAT scores, taken within UCLA’s three-year period including the current application year, with the examination taken no later than December 31. Canadian DAT scores are not accepted.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • At least three letters of recommendation submitted through AADSAS; UCLA recommends four. Letters may come from objective sources familiar with the applicant’s accomplishments.
  • Personal statement
  • Dental shadowing experience, evaluated as part of UCLA’s holistic review; the official admissions pages reviewed do not specify a numerical hours requirement.
  • Community service and research experience are valued

Applicants must submit their primary application through AADSAS. UCLA lists early June as the earliest submission date and December 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time as the application deadline. After applying, applicants receive instructions to pay UCLA’s non-refundable $60 supplemental fee. Only complete applications are eligible for review.

UCLA Dental School Acceptance Rate

UCLA School of Dentistry is highly selective. UCLA’s current FAQ states that the program admits 88 students each year. The official sources reviewed do not publish an acceptance rate.

A strong DAT score, high GPA, meaningful dental experience, and a compelling personal statement are all essential for a competitive application.

The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications in July and conducts interviews between July and January. Applying early in the cycle is strongly recommended.

Acceptance notifications are issued between December and late April on a rolling basis. Alternates may be notified after April.

How to Prepare for the DAT for UCLA

UCLA considers DAT scores of 420 and above competitive, but no score guarantees admission. Serious, structured preparation remains important.

The DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer by Dr. Jim Romano are the most comprehensive DAT prep books available. Dr. Jim Romano has over 35 years of teaching experience and has helped students prepare for the DAT with the DAT Destroyer series since 2006.

For a structured preparation plan, see the DAT Study Guide (2026) and the Best DAT Prep Books (2026 Guide).

For a full breakdown of the DAT exam structure, read:
What Is the DAT? Understanding the Dental Admission Test

Students comparing top dental schools often also review programs such as the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry to better understand differences in admissions standards.

Frequently Asked Questions: UCLA Dental School

What GPA do you need for UCLA dental school?

UCLA’s published Class of 2028 profile reports average undergraduate GPAs of 3.87 overall and 3.84 in science courses. These are class averages, not minimum requirements. UCLA considers overall and science GPA in its admissions review.

What DAT score do you need for UCLA dental school?

UCLA states that there is no minimum DAT score requirement and considers scores of 420 and above competitive on the new reporting scale. Its current FAQ does not provide separate section cutoffs or identify 440 as an ideal score.

How hard is it to get into UCLA dental school?

UCLA is highly competitive and states that its program admits 88 students each year. Its admissions review considers academic performance, DAT scores, experiences, letters of recommendation, and the interview. The official sources reviewed do not publish an acceptance rate.

Does UCLA dental school require the DAT?

Yes. UCLA requires official U.S. DAT scores from within its three-year period including the current application year, and the examination must be taken no later than December 31. Canadian DAT scores are not accepted. The ADA reports a history of all DAT attempts when a candidate has tested more than once.

Start Your DAT Preparation Today

If UCLA School of Dentistry is your goal, your DAT score is one of the most important factors in your application. Start preparing early and use the right materials.

Students often ask which DAT study materials are actually used in real courses. The DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer are the core books used in Dr. Jim Romano's DAT preparation classes, both online and in person. Dr. Jim Romano has over 35 years of teaching experience and has helped students prepare for the DAT with the DAT Destroyer series since 2006.

➡️ Start your DAT preparation for free

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As Dr. Romano says: "Get the damn book — it is all in there."