​Admissions Information

How To Apply

Applicants must apply to the program through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS), via the PASS website. The application deadline is August 15th. Applicants are required to submit all materials to PASS by the application deadline. PASS is only able to forward applications when all requirements have been met. Applications submitted after the deadline or not completed by the deadline will not be processed by the Admissions Office.

Requirements

National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) and the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE)

  • Applicants that have completed their dental program (US or Canadian) Spring 2020 or prior must have taken and passed Part I & Part II at the time of the application. Candidates who have completed testing must request an official score report be submitted via the ADEA-PASS application portal by the application deadline of August 15th.
  • Applicants that are in the process of completing their dental program (US or Canadian) must have taken and passed the INBDE by October 1st. Candidates who have completed testing must request an official score report be submitted via the ADEA-PASS application portal by the application deadline.
  • It is recommended that applicants that are foreign-trained have taken and passed the INBDE.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for foreign-trained applicants

  • Submission of an official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 100 is required. Applicants must be able to demonstrate adequate command of the English language in the following areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Official score reports are to be submitted via the ADEA-PASS application portal at the time you are applying. Applications completed in PASS without submitting an official score report must have an official report requested via the Educational Testing Service (ETS) portal. The institution code for Columbia University - College of Dental Medicine is 2094. TOEFL scores cannot be more than two years old of the application deadline. "My Best" TOEFL scores are accepted and must be within two (2) years old of the application deadline.

Dental Degree

  • Candidates must possess a DDS or DMD degree or foreign equivalent prior to the start of the program

Additional Requirements

  • All applicants are required to submit a minimum of four (4) recommendation letters: One (1) of the four letters must be an Institutional Evaluation letter and three (3) of the letters must be professional evaluation letters from dental faculty. PASS allows up to five (5) recommendation letters: one (1) Institutional Evaluation letter and four (4) professional evaluation letters from dental faculty. All letters must be uploaded into the PASS application. Additional letters beyond the allowable amount in PASS will not be accepted if sent directly to the Admissions Office.   
  • If you have a special circumstance regarding acceptable letters of recommendation, please send inquiries to cdm-pgadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu
  • Applicants wishing to submit updated CVs or personal statements must contact the PASS helpdesk for assistance. These documents are not to be sent to the admissions office.
  • Applicants must submit an application fee online (see below for payment information). All application fees are non-refundable. No other method of payment will be accepted.
  • Submit a 2x2 passport size photograph in jpeg format to cdm-pgadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu.

Application Fee

There is $125 application fee for those applying to the program to be submitted by credit card at the same time you submit your application. For more information or to submit your payment, please visit our Postdoctoral Application Fee page. 

Dental Matching Program

The Postdoctoral Periodontics Program participates in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program. The school’s match program number is 542558.

Interview

Some applicants will be chosen for admission interviews, which are required before acceptance.

International Applicants

In addition to the application requirements described above, international students must provide official evaluation of all documents from foreign institutions that are presented as part of the application process. This should be submitted via the ADEA-PASS application portal. We will accept evaluations from the organizations listed below. Please address any questions about services directly to the organization. Evaluations must contain course-by-course assessments.

World Education Services
P.O. Box 745
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY
(212) 966-6311
www.wes.org

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 92970
Milwaukee, WI 53202-0970
(414) 289-3400
www.ece.org

Licensing

Attending this program in New York does not necessarily allow students without a DDS/DMD from an ADA-accredited program to practice dentistry in the United States. For more information about licensing issues, please contact the responsible State Department of Education or the American Dental Association.

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine does not and will not provide a letter certifying that an international student who has completed this program is qualified for a United States DDS.

Application Questions

Please review the Postdoctoral Program FAQs. If you still have questions, please address them to cdm-pgadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu.