CAAPID Program Finder: Compare Advanced Standing Programs

Compare every CAAPID advanced standing program in one place: seats, program length, TOEFL minimums, bench test, visa policy and cost. Free, no login.

The definitive comparison of every CAAPID advanced standing program — program length, seats, TOEFL minimums, bench test, visa policy, interview format, and cost. return ( Comparing All CAAPID Advanced Standing Dental Programs The resource that should have existed years ago — every major CAAPID advanced standing program compared across the dimensions that actually matter for your decision: program length, class size, TOEFL minimums, bench test requirement, visa policy, interview format, credential evaluator, and estimated cost. Choosing which CAAPID programs to apply to is not a ranking exercise. There is no best program in the abstract — there is the best program for your specific profile, visa status, geographic preferences, financial situation, and professional goals. The problem is that the information needed to make that decision is scattered across 30+ individual university websites, each formatted differently, each updated on its

own schedule, and none of them designed to help you compare across programs. The ADEA CAAPID Program Finder shows you requirements but doesn't let you sort by what matters most to you. This guide consolidates the key decision variables for every major CAAPID program into a single reference. It is organized so you can scan for the dimensions most important to your situation — whether that's visa eligibility, bench test preparation, program length, or application deadline — and then use DentPrep's school-specific guides for the programs that make your short list. All 47 CAAPID Programs at a Glance Every program accepting applications through ADEA CAAPID for the 2026–27 cycle, with the numbers people actually filter on. Seats marked with an asterisk are ADEA's own estimates rather than fixed figures. Confirm dates before you rely on them. Deadlines and seat counts below are as published on the ADEA CAAPID Program Finder in August 2026 and

apply to the 2026–27 cycle. Programs change both, sometimes mid-cycle. Check the program's own page before building your list around any single date. Program. State. Degree. Seats. Length. 2026-27 deadline. A.T. Still Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health. MO. DMD. 10*. 28.5 mo. June 1, 2026. Boston University Henry M. Goldman. MA. DMD. 100. 24 mo. October 15, 2026. Columbia University. NY. DDS. 25*. 30 mo. August 1, 2026. Harvard School of Dental Medicine. MA. DMD. 8*. 29 mo. May 5, 2026. Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. CA. DDS. 34. 24 mo. July 31, 2026. Howard University. DC. DDS. up to 10*. 24 mo. July 31, 2026. Indiana University. IN. DDS. 16*. 30 mo. May 15, 2026. Loma Linda University. CA. DDS. 32. 27 mo. June 1, 2026. Louisiana State University. LA. DDS. 5*. 36 mo. August 15, 2026. Marquette University. WI. DDS. up to 5*. 36 mo. January 1, 2027. Meharry Medical College. TN. DDS. 10. 24 mo. November 1, 2026. New

York University. NY. DDS. 30\u201340*. 28 mo. June 1, 2026. Nova Southeastern University. FL. DMD. 35. 39 mo. June 5, 2026. Ponce Health Sciences University. PR. DMD. 30. 26 mo. August 31, 2026. Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. NJ. DMD. 40. 27 mo. September 16, 2026. Southern Illinois University. IL. DMD. 6\u201310*. 27 mo. June 5, 2026. Temple University Kornberg. PA. DMD. 30. 24\u201336 mo. July 15, 2026. The Ohio State University. OH. DDS. 4. 28 mo. July 31, 2026. The University of Iowa. IA. DDS. up to 4*. 30 mo. July 31, 2026. The University of Texas at San Antonio. TX. DDS. 20. 29 mo. June 9, 2026. Touro College of Dental Medicine. NY. DDS. 5*. 24 mo. August 1, 2026. Tufts University. MA. DMD. 30\u201335*. 29 mo. May 29, 2026. University at Buffalo. NY. DDS. 20*. 24 mo. June 1, 2026. University of Alabama at Birmingham. AL. DMD. 24. 30 mo. April 30, 2026. University of California, Los Angeles. CA. DDS. 30. 25 mo. June 30, 2026.

University of California, San Francisco. CA. DDS. 20. 36 mo. June 15, 2026. University of Colorado. CO. DDS. 40. 24 mo. January 29, 2027. University of Florida (4-year DMD). FL. DMD. up to 2*. 45 mo. October 1, 2026. University of Illinois Chicago. IL. DMD. up to 52*. 28 mo. June 15, 2026. University of Louisville. KY. DMD. 1*. 28 mo. May 15, 2026. University of Michigan. MI. DDS. 20. 28 mo. May 30, 2026. University of Minnesota. MN. DDS. 18. 29 mo. March 26, 2026. University of Missouri\u2013Kansas City. MO. DDS. 9. 29 mo. June 1, 2026. University of Nebraska Medical Center. NE. DDS. 4\u20136*. 29 mo. June 1, 2026. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. NV. DDS. up to 12*. 24 mo. June 1, 2026. University of New England. ME. DMD. 2*. 29 mo. June 1, 2027. University of North Carolina, Adams. NC. DDS. 8. 29 mo. May 23, 2026. University of Oklahoma. OK. DDS. 18. 29 mo. June 5, 2026. University of Pennsylvania. PA. DMD. 20*. 29 mo. June 1, 2026.

University of Pikeville \u2013 Tanner. KY. DMD. 10. 25.5 mo. October 1, 2026. University of Pittsburgh. PA. DMD. 5\u201310*. 24 mo. June 19, 2026. University of Puerto Rico. PR. DMD. 20. 25 mo. October 1, 2026. University of the Pacific, Dugoni. CA. DDS. 57. 24 mo. June 12, 2026. University of Washington. WA. DDS. 20*. 30 mo. June 1, 2026. UTHealth Houston. TX. DDS. 5. 27 mo. October 30, 2026. Virginia Commonwealth University. VA. DDS. 10. 33 mo. January 29, 2027. WesternU College of Dental Medicine. CA. DMD. 20. 26 mo. July 20, 2026. Twenty of these have a full DentPrep interview guide behind the program name — format, real applicant reports, and sample questions. The rest we are working through. The Critical Context Before You Compare Average Program Cost: $144,438 The Student Loan Planner calculated that the average advanced standing international dentist program costs approximately $144,438 in tuition and fees across the program

length. Private university programs run higher (~$150,000+). Public university programs can be substantially lower for in-state residents, but most international dentists pay out-of-state rates. This figure does not include living expenses. In cities like New York (NYU, Columbia), San Francisco (UCSF), Boston (BU, Tufts), and Los Angeles (UCLA, USC), annual living costs can add $25,000–$45,000 on top of tuition. Minneapolis (UMN) and Aurora, CO (CU Anschutz) have meaningfully lower costs of living. Non-US citizens are generally ineligible for federal student aid. Private loans, institutional scholarships, and home-country financing are the primary funding sources. A few programs have institutional scholarships for international students — confirm availability directly. Visa Status: The Most Important Filter The single most important dimension for F-1 visa applicants is whether a program accepts international students at all. Several

CAAPID programs restrict enrollment to US citizens and permanent residents. Applying to these programs on an F-1 visa is a disqualifying error that wastes application fees and time. Visa-Restricted Programs. Restricted to US citizens and permanent residents: Penn Dental Medicine PASS — explicit: "Only U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are eligible to submit an application." Columbia University CDM — states preference for US citizens/permanent residents. Confirm current policy directly. Harvard ASID Track — primarily for US citizens and permanent residents. Verify current cycle eligibility. Open to F-1 visa holders (confirmed): NYU, BU, Tufts, Rutgers, Temple, UMN, UCSF, UCLA IDP, USC, CU Anschutz, UNC, UMKC, Loma Linda, Nova SE, UF, UNLV, Indiana, Pitt, Buffalo, Howard, UIC, and most Tier 3 programs. Important state licensure note: UNLV explicitly states that "a majority of states still require citizenship or permanent

residency to apply for a dental license." Completing a program on an F-1 visa does not guarantee you can practice in your state of choice after graduation. Research your target state's licensure requirements before committing to a program location. The January vs. Summer vs. August Start Divide Program start dates affect your relocation timeline, loan disbursement timing, and when you'll be licensed. January starts: Tufts DIS, UMN PASS, Rutgers IED, Penn PASS, BU Goldman DIS February starts: Rutgers IED Summer/May starts: CU Anschutz, Pitt, UMKC (orientation January, cohort entry summer) August/Fall starts: NYU, Columbia, Temple, USC, UNC, UCLA IDP, UCSF IDP, most others Tier 1: The Most Competitive Programs These programs have the smallest class sizes, the most selective admissions, and the strongest reputation-to-seat ratios. Competition is highest, preparation requirements are strictest. UCSF International Dentist Pathway (IDP) Full

guide: UCSF IDP Interview Prep Guide → Penn Dental Medicine PASS Full guide: Penn PASS CAAPID School Guide → Columbia University CDM Full guide: Columbia CDM School Guide → Preparing for CAAPID Interviews?. Practice with AI-powered mock interviews tailored to each school's format — Kira, MMI, traditional, or bench test day.. Start Practicing Free →. Tier 2: Large Competitive Programs NYU College of Dentistry Full guide: NYU Advanced Standing Interview Prep Guide → BU Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (DIS) Full guide: BU Goldman DIS Interview Prep Guide → Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (DIS) Full guide: Tufts DIS Interview Prep Guide → USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry (ASPID) Full guide: USC ASPID Interview Prep Guide → UCLA School of Dentistry (IDP) Full guide: UCLA IDP Interview Prep Guide → University of Minnesota PASS Full guide: UMN PASS Interview Prep Guide → Temple Kornberg School of Dentistry Full

guide: Temple Kornberg Interview Prep Guide → Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (IED) Full guide: Rutgers IED Interview Prep Guide → University of Colorado Anschutz (ISP) Full guide: CU Anschutz ISP Interview Prep Guide → Know Your Interview Format. Each program uses a different interview format. Practice Kira, MMI, traditional, and bench test day conversations with AI feedback.. Try a Mock Interview →. Tier 3: Regional and Specialized Programs These programs have significant competitive value for applicants building comprehensive school lists. Several offer meaningful advantages: lower cost, specific geographic access, unique curriculum features, or higher acceptance rates. Quick Reference Comparison Table — All Major Programs Program. Length. Seats. Start. TOEFL Min. Bench. Kira. Visa. ECE/WES. UCSF IDP. 3 yr. 20. Aug/Sep. 95. Reported. No. F-1. Both. Penn PASS. 29 mo. —. Jan. 95 rec. No. No. US/PR only. ECE only. Columbia. 2.5 yr.

~25. Fall. 100+ rec. No. Yes. Prefer US/PR. ECE only. NYU. 28 mo. Large. Fall. 100/5.0. No. Yes. F-1. ECE only. BU Goldman. 29 mo. ~100. Jan. 90/4.5. No. No. F-1. Both. Tufts DIS. 29 mo. 30. Jan. 90/4.5. No. Yes (2-stage). F-1. Both. USC ASPID. ~34 mo. ~34. Fall. 100/5.0. Yes. No. F-1. ECE only. UCLA IDP. 3 yr. —. Fall. 95/5.0. Yes. No. F-1. ECE only. UMN PASS. 29 mo. 18. Jan. 94/5.0. Yes. Yes. F-1. Both. Temple. 24/36 mo. —. Fall. 100/5.5. Yes. No. F-1. ECE only. Rutgers IED. 27 mo. ~35. Feb. None pub. No. No. F-1. Both. CU Anschutz. 2 yr. 40. Jan/Sum. 94/5.0. Yes. No. F-1. ECE only. UNC ASPID. 29 mo. —. Fall. 100 min. Yes. No. F-1. ECE only. Loma Linda. —. —. Fall. 100. Yes. No. F-1. ECE only. UMKC. —. —. Jan/Sum. Not pub. Yes. No. F-1. ECE/WES. Howard. 2 yr. 10. Fall. 100. Yes. No. F-1. Both. Nova SE. —. —. Fall. Not pub. —. —. F-1. Both. Indiana IU. —. —. Fall. Not pub. Yes. Yes. F-1. Both. UF. —. —. Fall. Not pub. —. —. F-1. Both.

UNLV. —. —. May. 98. Yes. No. F-1. ECE only. Pitt. 2 yr. 5-10. May. 100. Yes. No. F-1. Both. Buffalo. —. —. Fall. Not pub. Yes. No. F-1. Both. Always verify current requirements directly with each program. Requirements change between cycles. UNC Adams School of Dentistry (ASPID) 29-month program, August/September start. TOEFL minimum 100 (applications not reviewed below 90). Bench test on interview day — $300 bench test fee. ECE only. F-1 accepted. Proof of funding required for F-1 applicants (COF form for first-year costs). Application deadline May 23, 2026. Loma Linda University School of Dentistry Faith-based institution with lifestyle expectations (abstinence from alcohol/tobacco while enrolled). Admissions testing before interview; invitations issued based on testing results, not CAAPID review alone. TOEFL minimum 100 with section minimums (20 per section). F-1 accepted. ECE only. Rolling first-come first-served for testing

eligibility — submit by July 1. Unique among CAAPID programs for the lifestyle commitment requirement applicants must acknowledge. University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine (IASP) One of the smallest programs in CAAPID: 5-10 seats only, individualized for each admitted student , may extend beyond two years. May start (intensive provisional term); then joins predoctoral program. TOEFL 100 minimum. ECE or WES. Bench test (in-person required). F-1 accepted; all visa statuses welcome to apply. Application fee $75. Low seat count makes this a particularly competitive program proportionally despite its lower profile. UMKC School of Dentistry Public university pricing — one of the most affordable advanced standing programs in CAAPID. January orientation and review courses; summer entry to D3 cohort. Multi-day interview in late July with instrument check-out, procedural lectures, practice time, interview, and bench exam. $2,500

non-refundable skills assessment fee — the highest bench test fee in CAAPID. Rolling admissions from August 1. Flat tuition rate regardless of residency — no in-state/out-of-state premium. Howard University College of Dentistry HBCU program in Washington, DC. Up to 10 seats. Summer clinical calibration period May-July after interview — acceptance conditional on performance. TOEFL 100 minimum, NBDE within last 5 years. F-1 accepted. One of the few CAAPID programs with explicit mission alignment to serving underrepresented communities. Both ECE and WES accepted. UNLV School of Dental Medicine May program start. TOEFL 98 minimum. NBDE within past 8 years (ADAT accepted as supplement if boards older than 8 years). ECE only. F-1 accepted but note: Nevada and most states require citizenship or permanent residency for dental licensure. Applicants on F-1 visas should research their target state's licensure requirements before applying to UNLV.

Las Vegas location with lower cost of living than coastal programs. Indiana University School of Dentistry (IU-IDP) Kira assessment after supplemental review; bench test invitation for final candidates after all interviews complete; $400 bench test fee. INBDE required (not NBDE). ECE or WES. F-1 accepted. Applicants notified by phone no later than September. One of the Midwest programs with a sequential evaluation process (Kira → interview → bench test as separate stages). University of Florida College of Dentistry Gainesville campus. Typically accepts applications March-June. F-1 accepted. Public university with relatively lower out-of-state costs compared to private programs. Moderate competition relative to Tier 1 programs. University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine Three rounds of bench tests before interviews — unusual sequential structure where bench test comes first, interview invitation follows bench performance. ECE or

WES. F-1 accepted. SUNY system pricing — lower cost than private programs. Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine Fort Lauderdale, Florida. F-1 accepted. Private institution. One of the larger programs in Tier 3. Florida location makes it accessible for applicants already in the Southeast US. Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, California. TOEFL minimum 79 iBT — the lowest published minimum among CAAPID programs with a stated floor. NBDE I & II required. ECE or WES. F-1 accepted. Lower academic threshold relative to UC and USC programs makes this a viable option for applicants with slightly lower metrics building a balanced school list. Five Ways to Strategically Filter Your School List With 30+ programs to consider, most CAAPID applicants apply to 8-15 programs. These five filters help you build a balanced, strategic list. Filter 1: Visa Status First If you're on an F-1 visa, eliminate Penn PASS and verify

Columbia and Harvard's current eligibility before spending application fees. This is not a suggestion — it's an administrative requirement. Applying to visa-restricted programs wastes $75–$250 per application and delays your cycle. Filter 2: Timeline by Program Start If you're targeting a January start (for the earliest possible licensure), your programs are: BU Goldman, Tufts DIS, Rutgers IED, Penn PASS (for US citizens/PR), UMN PASS. Programs that start in August or September mean a full additional year before licensure. Filter 3: Bench Test Readiness If your bench test skills are a genuine concern — extended period out of clinical practice, limited restorative/prosthodontic experience — build your list with more programs that don't require bench tests (BU, Rutgers, Tufts, Columbia) rather than programs where the bench is a primary evaluation gate (UMN, Temple, USC, CU Anschutz, UMKC, UCLA, UCSF, UNC, Pitt, Howard, UNLV, Buffalo,

Indiana, Loma Linda). Filter 4: Cost vs. Location The cheapest options in CAAPID are public university programs with relatively affordable tuition: UMKC, Rutgers (public NJ institution), UNC, UF, UNLV, Buffalo, and CU Anschutz. The most expensive are private programs in high cost-of-living cities: NYU, Columbia, Tufts, USC, BU, UCSF, UCLA, Penn. Factor living costs into total program cost estimates — a "cheaper" tuition in New York or Los Angeles may cost more than a "higher" tuition in Kansas City or Newark. Filter 5: Interview Format Alignment If English communication confidence is a concern, programs that use Kira (NYU, Columbia, Tufts, UMN, Indiana) add an additional evaluation dimension specifically testing unscripted communication. Programs using traditional faculty conversations (BU, Rutgers) may be less exposing for applicants who are strong in dialogue but less comfortable with monologue delivery to a blank screen. Read more

about Kira preparation in our Kira Talent CAAPID Prep Guide . The Rolling Admissions Warning March Is the Real Deadline. More than half of CAAPID programs use rolling admissions — applications are reviewed and interview invitations are issued in order of receipt, not in waves after a single deadline. The published deadline is not the competitive deadline. By the time many programs reach their stated June or July deadline, the class may be 70-80% filled. BU Goldman, Tufts, and UMN illustrate this most starkly — their classes typically fill by August, months before the cycle technically closes. Submitting in March is not early. It is on time. Submitting in May is late. Submitting in June — even before the deadline — may mean competing for the final handful of seats against hundreds of applicants who submitted in March. This is the single most underappreciated dynamic in the entire CAAPID process. It is documented in applicant success

stories, program materials, and admissions coaching guidance consistently. Build your March submission as the hard deadline, not the theoretical deadline published on each school's website. Build Your Complete Application Strategy. This comparison guide works best alongside our other CAAPID resources: the 50+ CAAPID Interview Questions bank, the ECE vs WES guide , and the Reapplicant Strategy Guide if you're applying for a second cycle. Ready to Start Preparing?. DentPrep helps you practice for every CAAPID interview format — Kira Talent, traditional faculty interviews, MMI stations, and bench test day conversations.. Start Practicing Free →. ); }; export default CaapidProgramsComparison; How many advanced standing programs does CAAPID currently include? As of the 2026 cycle, approximately 38 schools offer advanced standing or international dentist programs, and the majority participate in ADEA CAAPID. The programs range from Tier 1

research institutions like UCSF and Penn to regional programs at public universities. The full, current list is maintained in the ADEA CAAPID Program Finder. Which CAAPID programs are best for F-1 visa holders? The majority of CAAPID programs accept F-1 visa students, including NYU, BU, Tufts, Rutgers, Temple, UMN, UCSF IDP, USC, CU Anschutz, UNC, UMKC, Loma Linda, Nova SE, UF, UNLV, Indiana, Pitt, Buffalo, Howard, and UCLA IDP. Programs restricted to US citizens/permanent residents include Penn PASS and Harvard ASID. Confirm Columbia's current policy each cycle. Do all CAAPID programs require a bench test? No. Programs without a bench test include BU Goldman, Tufts DIS, Rutgers IED, NYU, Columbia, and Penn PASS. Programs that require bench tests include UMN PASS, Temple Kornberg, USC ASPID, CU Anschutz, UCLA IDP, UMKC, Howard, UNLV, Pitt, Buffalo, Indiana, Loma Linda, and UNC. What is the average cost of a CAAPID advanced standing

program? The Student Loan Planner calculated approximately $144,438 in tuition and fees across the program length. Private university programs run higher (~$150,000+). Public programs can be lower but most international dentists pay out-of-state rates. Living expenses in cities like NYC, San Francisco, Boston, and LA can add $25,000–$45,000 annually. Which CAAPID program has the most seats? BU Goldman School of Dental Medicine has the largest class in CAAPID at approximately 100 students per year. CU Anschutz has 40 seats, Rutgers IED has ~35, USC ASPID has ~34, Tufts DIS has 30, and Columbia has ~25. UCSF IDP has 20 and UMN PASS has 18. How many CAAPID programs should I apply to? Most competitive applicants apply to 8-15 programs. Use the five strategic filters — visa status, timeline, bench test readiness, cost vs. location, and interview format alignment — to build a balanced list rather than applying broadly without strategy.