Application Process - DMD

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The Director of Career Services is the primary contact for students making applications to LMU-CDM.

ADEA AADSAS Application

Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine participates in a centralized application service, the American Dental Education Association - Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS). The American Dental Education Association offers prospective students a convenient, centralized online application service for accredited dental schools. Through ADEA AADSAS, students can file one electronic application. the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS) then verifies and distributes the information to each of the colleges designated by the applicant. American Dental Education Association can be reached at www.adea.org.

Admissions Requirements by Pathway of Entry

Required Undergraduate Courses:

  • General Biology: 8 semester hours (including lecture and lab)
  • Inorganic (General) Chemistry: 8 semester hours (including lecture and lab)
  • Organic Chemistry: 8 semester hours (including lecture and lab)
  • Physics: 8 semester hours (including lecture and lab)
  • English: 8 semester hours

Note: Labs are required in all science prerequisites unless otherwise noted.

Recommended Undergraduate Courses:

  • Anatomy and Physiology: 4 semester hours
  • Biochemistry: 4 semester hours
  • Cellular & Molecular Biology: 4 semester hours
  • Histology: 4 semester hours


Direct Freshman Entry – BS to DMD
This pathway is appropriate for high school seniors applying to LMU who would like to complete their Bachelor of Science (Biology, Chemistry, or Pre-Health Professions Track) and DMD degree in 8 years via the BS/DMD degree path.
These students must meet the following criteria for undergraduate admissions:
     Required Entrance Test(s):

  •  For high school seniors, either the ACT or SAT to determine eligibility to take biology and chemistry courses. Students applying to the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) program must possess a cumulative high school GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Minimum Score on Required Entrance Test(s): ACT of 25+ or SAT of 1250

Students Must Satisfy the Following Requirements for Admissions:

High School Seniors:

  • Complete the LMU College of Dental Medicine Application for Admissions
  • Initial Admissions Interview with LMU-CDM Admissions Committee (During Senior Year)
  • 1000-word essay – How you arrived at this career goal.
  • Two letters of reference attesting to community service and leadership ability addressing character and other skills (from non-relatives)
  • Overall Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA): 3.3 on a 4.0 grading scale.
    • Required GPA in Undergraduate Major: Students must maintain a 3.3 or higher (science) and 3.2 (non-science) GPA on a 4.0 grading scale.
    • Minimum GPA for each Required Course: A C+ is the minimum grade needed for all required courses. However, a “B” or better is generally needed.
  • Required Technical Standards and Competencies for Program Admission:
    • Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) can be no more than three years old): Student must score a 19 or better
    • A minimum of sixty (60) Observation/Shadowing Hours in a General Dentist’s Office (Signed Documentation required)
  • During the summer before the last year of college, the student will apply to LMU-CDM through the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS) for admissions to the DMD program with three letters of recommendation (preferably from a science professor, medical or dental professional). The student is required to complete the supplemental application and meet for a second interview with the LMU-CDM Admissions Committee.
  • Applicants must pass the Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine criminal background check conducted by LMU CDM recommended service. (Completed upon acceptance to LMD-CDM-DMD Program)
  • Applicants must be drug-free, as evidenced through required drug testing conducted by LMU-CDM recommended service. (Completed upon acceptance to LMD-CDM-DMD Program)

LMU-CDM Technical Standards for Admissions and Retention
Candidates for admission must also have abilities and skills in the following areas: I) Observation; II) Communication; III) Motor; IV) Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative; and V) Behavioral and Social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitations in certain areas, but candidates should perform in a reasonably independent manner (Technical Standards). 

  1. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all other senses.
  2. Communication: The candidate must communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively in both oral and written form and perceive nonverbal communication.
  3. Motor: The candidate must coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium, and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks.
  4. Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem-solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record, and synthesize large amounts of information promptly. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
  5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required to utilize his/her intellectual abilities fully, exercise good judgment, be consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships. The candidate must tolerate physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness, and ability to function as an effective team player, and interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.

Students must attest to their ability to meet technical requirements. Any student seeking accommodation must follow Lincoln Memorial University's established process through the Department of Student Services. No accommodation is available for preclinical and clinical courses. Accommodations, if needed, must be requested each semester by the student. 

Post-baccalaureate Degree Entry
To qualify for entry via this pathway, students must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year institution. Prerequisites and recommended courses align with those of previous pathways.

  1. Complete the Associated American Dental Schools Application through ADEA (adea.org) and the LMU College of Dental Medicine Supplementary Application.
  2. At a minimum, applicants must submit both a science and a cumulative GPA of over 3.00 (however, a 3.33 or higher will be generally more competitive) on a 4.00 scale. In addition, a plan leading to a bachelor's degree must be submitted before matriculation. Minimum science and cumulative GPAs of 3.33 on a 4.00 scale are required.
  3.  Applicants must submit competitive scores on the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT). An Average DAT score of 19 or higher and a Reading Comprehension score of 19 or higher is desired. The DAT must have been taken no more than three years before the application.
  4. Three letters of recommendation are required. One must be from either a predental advisory committee or a science professor; the College of Dental Medicine prefers other letters to be written by either a dental or medical professional or someone who can attest to the applicant's integrity and ethical standards. Letters written by family members will not be accepted. All letters of recommendation must be submitted directly to the school by those completing the letters. The College of Dental Medicine Admissions Committee will not accept letters submitted by students.
  5. Complete sixty (60) observation/shadowing hours before entering the DMD program.
  6. Applicants must demonstrate a genuine understanding of, and interest in, the humanitarian ethos of health care, particularly dental medicine.
  7. Applicants should reflect a people and service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
  8. Applicants should reflect proper motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous salaried work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
  9. Applicants must possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues. Directions for the required essay submission will be provided before scheduling an interview.
  10. Applicants must pass the Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine criminal background check (completed upon offer of admission). 
  11. Applicants must be drug-free, as evidenced through required drug testing (completed upon offer of admission).
  12. Applicants must submit documentation of current vaccine records including titers (completed upon offer of admission.

Admissions criteria are weighted with an emphasis on academic performance and will account for about 1/3 of the final score, which includes science GPAs, nonscience GPAs, cumulative GPAs, number of hours completed per semester or quarter, and institution(s) attended. The DAT scores will account for about 1/3 of the final score. Motivation, experience, recommendations, community service experience, and the interview evaluation will account for about 1/3 of the final score. The ranking formula, the weighting, and the scoring will be analyzed and reviewed before each admission cycle by the Admissions Committee (Applicant Ranking Plan).