University of Washington School of Dentistry — DAT Scores, Requirements and Admissions 2026
Updated: October 14, 2026
The University of Washington School of Dentistry (UW Dentistry) is one of the most respected public dental schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, Washington, UW Dentistry is known for its exceptional clinical training, strong research programs, and commitment to improving oral health access across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
UW Dentistry serves a large regional population and plays an important role in oral health care in the Pacific Northwest.
DAT Expectations at the University of Washington School of Dentistry
UW Dentistry is competitive and evaluates DAT scores as part of a holistic application review. Strong scores across all sections are expected.
CODA’s 2025–2026 Survey of Dental Education reports the following average DAT scores for first-year students at the University of Washington:
- Academic Average: 440
- Total Science: 440
- Perceptual Ability: 440
These are reported class averages, not minimum admission requirements or guaranteed competitive scores.
Students preparing for UW Dentistry often rely on the DAT Destroyer, created by Dr. Jim Romano, to build the deep conceptual understanding required for competitive scores. To understand how to prepare effectively, see our DAT Study Guide (2026).
👉 Learn how the DAT is scored: DAT Score Conversion — Understand the New 3-Digit Scale
Why the University of Washington School of Dentistry Stands Out
- Regional dental education and outreach serving communities in the Pacific Northwest
- Located in Seattle with access to a large and diverse patient population
- Lower published tuition and fees for students classified as Washington residents
- Strong emphasis on community service and rural oral health access
- High-volume clinical training with broad exposure to dental specialties
- Robust research programs and interdisciplinary collaboration within UW Health Sciences
Dental Programs at the University of Washington School of Dentistry
Degree Programs
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
- Advanced Standing Program for International Dental Graduates
- Combined DDS/PhD program
Post-Graduate and Specialty Programs
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Prosthodontics
- Oral Medicine
- General Practice Residency
University of Washington Dental School Admissions
Application Timeline
- Applications open through AADSAS in May
- Early submission strongly recommended — rolling admissions
- Admission priority is given to Washington residents, followed by WICHE residents. UW also identifies consideration for residents of other states or countries who attended high school or college in Washington, or who are current DDS/PhD applicants.
- Selected applicants are invited to in-person interviews from August through November.
Required Materials
- AADSAS application with personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation submitted through AADSAS. UW suggests a dentist, a science faculty member, and a character reference, often from community service or volunteer work.
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- DAT scores
- Selected applicants are invited to submit a secondary application, with a $100 fee.
Prerequisite Coursework Requirements
Most admitted students have bachelor’s degrees. UW states that students with outstanding academic qualifications may be considered for admission after three years of undergraduate study. Required coursework must be completed before matriculation.
Required Courses
- General Biology or Zoology: 3 quarters or 2 semesters.
- General Chemistry: 2 quarters or 1 semester.
- Organic Chemistry: 2 quarters or 1 semester.
- General Biochemistry: 2 quarters or 1 semester.
- General Physics: 3 quarters or 2 semesters.
- General Microbiology: 2 quarters or 1 semester. One quarter may be sufficient following review of the course.
UW specifies lecture courses rather than laboratory courses for these requirements. Required courses must be completed at a U.S.- or Canadian-accredited college before matriculation.
GPA Review Includes
- Overall GPA
- Science GPA
- Grade trends and academic rigor
- Institution level and course difficulty
Shadowing Requirement
UW expects competitive applicants to demonstrate efforts to understand the dental profession through shadowing and dental-related experiences. Applicants should consult current admissions instructions for any specified hour expectations.
Boosting Your Chances of Acceptance at UW Dentistry
Earn a Competitive DAT Score
Use concept-driven materials like the DAT Destroyer to strengthen Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Quantitative Reasoning. DAT Destroyer does not provide Perceptual Ability or Reading Comprehension preparation.
Demonstrate Community Service
UW values applicants with a strong commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities, particularly in rural and frontier areas of the WWAMI region.
Apply Early
UW uses rolling admissions and recommends completing applications well before the deadline. Its admissions instructions state that individual decisions are not based on the date the application was received.
Write a Strong Personal Statement
Clearly articulate your passion for dentistry and how UW's mission of expanding oral health access aligns with your goals.
Recommended Personal Statement Help: EduWritingServices
DAT Prep Support for UW Dentistry Applicants
DAT Destroyer
Advanced practice in Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Math:
DAT Destroyer
Math Destroyer
Targeted quantitative reasoning practice:
Math Destroyer
General Chemistry Destroyer
Deep concept mastery for General Chemistry:
General Chemistry Destroyer
Organic Chemistry Odyssey
Master Organic Chemistry reactions and mechanisms:
Organic Chemistry Odyssey
Dr. Jim Romano Biology Review Book
Comprehensive Biology review for the DAT:
Dr. Jim Romano Biology Review Book
Free Biology Review
Download Dr. Romano's Dynamite Biology Review inside the DAT and OAT Destroyer Study Group
YouTube Lessons
Free video lessons and study guidance:
DAT Destroyer YouTube Channel
Best DAT Study Materials (2026 Guide)
See how all the books work together: Best DAT Study Materials (2026 Guide)
Frequently Asked Questions — University of Washington School of Dentistry
Is UW a good dental school?
The University of Washington School of Dentistry provides clinical training, research opportunities, and community-focused dental education, including the RIDE track for students interested in rural and underserved communities.
What DAT score do I need for UW Dentistry?
CODA reports an average Academic Average score of 440 for UW’s first-year students in 2025–2026. This is a class average, not an admission cutoff. Applicants should consult UW’s current admissions instructions for score expectations.
What GPA does UW look for?
CODA reports an average overall GPA of 3.69 and an average science GPA of 3.62 for UW’s first-year students in 2025–2026. These are class averages, not minimum admission requirements. UW’s requirements page states that a solid B-average or better is expected in the sciences.
Is shadowing required?
UW expects competitive applicants to demonstrate efforts to understand the dental profession through shadowing and dental-related experiences. Applicants should consult current admissions instructions for any specified hour expectations.
Does UW give preference to Washington residents?
Yes. UW gives first preference to Washington residents, followed by WICHE residents. Its admissions page identifies the participating WICHE states as Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wyoming. UW’s published resident tuition and fees are lower than its nonresident rates.
Does UW accept international students?
UW’s International Dentist DDS Program offers advanced-standing admission to qualified graduates of foreign dental programs. International applicants seeking first-time DDS admission should consult UW’s regular DDS eligibility and residency instructions.
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Math Destroyer
General Chemistry Destroyer
Organic Chemistry Odyssey
Dr. Jim Romano Biology Review Book
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