UIC DMD-AS Dental Interview: Format & Questions 2026

Prepare for UIC's DMD Advanced Standing interview: no bench test, virtual closed-file format, April-August window, and what US dental experience means here.

Faith-integrated program in Southern California, bench test + personal interview format, 24 months. return ( <> The UIC DMD-AS Admissions Process in Detail No Bench Test — The Strategic Advantage UIC's FAQ states explicitly: "The University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry does not require a bench test." This makes UIC one of a small group of competitive CAAPID programs — alongside BU Goldman , Rutgers IED , Tufts DIS , and Columbia — that evaluates candidates entirely through application review and interview rather than through clinical skills assessment. For applicants who have been out of active dental practice for an extended period, whose bench skills have not been recently maintained, or who are strategically building a school list that doesn't depend on bench test performance, UIC is a meaningful option. The absence of a bench test does not mean clinical readiness is unimportant at UIC — it means that clinical readiness

is assessed differently, through the application materials (particularly the US work experience emphasis), the letters of recommendation, and the interview conversation about your clinical background. The question "how have you maintained your clinical skills?" carries more weight at a no-bench-test program than at a program where the bench test provides direct evidence. The Application Flow Submit CAAPID application (opens March 5; deadline June 15). Rolling admissions — earlier is better. Submit UIC supplemental application simultaneously or immediately after CAAPID. You can submit the UIC supplemental as soon as you submit CAAPID. Log into the application portal one business day after CAAPID submission to begin uploading documents. Ensure TOEFL scores have been sent directly to UIC via ETS code 1851 — in addition to CAAPID. UIC explicitly requires direct electronic reporting from ETS. CAAPID transmission alone is insufficient. When

invited for an interview, request that the ADA send your official NBDE/INBDE score report directly to the UIC COD Office of Admissions via email. This is in addition to the scores already in your CAAPID application. UIC explicitly states this as an interview-stage requirement. Virtual interview with 1–2 faculty and a student panel component. Do not contact admissions to request or schedule interviews — invitations are extended by faculty at the admissions committee's direction. Final decisions communicated no later than November. Dual Application Required. UIC requires both a CAAPID application AND a separate UIC supplemental application. Submitting CAAPID alone does not complete your application. When completing the UIC supplemental, select: 2026-2027 Cycle → General Application → Doctorate level → DMD Advanced Standing. Do not select the professional program supplemental — it's a different application. This error has delayed

applicants in prior cycles. Recording Prohibition. It is UIC policy that recording of any type during the interview is prohibited. This applies to audio recording, video recording, or any other capture method. Violating this policy can disqualify a candidate. Do not record your interview. The Interview Window: April–August UIC's DMD-AS interview window runs April through August — one of the earliest in CAAPID, beginning even before some programs open their review processes. This reflects UIC's commitment to rolling admissions and their March application opening. Applicants who submit complete applications in early March may receive interview invitations as early as April or May. This early timeline has a strategic implication: the applicant who submits in March and interviews in April is competing for a class with more available seats than one who submits in May and interviews in July. At a program with limited capacity and rolling

decision-making, the timeline advantage of early submission is real. Practice UIC's Closed-File Interview Format. DentPrep's AI interview coach simulates closed-file conditions — no application review, pure conversation from 'tell me about yourself,' with instant feedback on how effectively you establish your clinical identity and program fit.. Start Practicing Free →. What UIC Is Looking For UIC's admissions guidance is unusually transparent about what distinguishes competitive from non-competitive applicants — and the emphasis is distinctive enough that it deserves extended discussion. US Dental Work Experience — Paid, Not Just Shadowing UIC's own admissions team states this directly in their published guidance: "Note that actual work experience is different than shadowing. UIC admissions values paid work experience versus shadowing experience." This is the most program-specific signal in UIC's admissions materials. At most CAAPID

programs, US dental shadowing hours are the primary measure of US dental exposure. At UIC, shadowing is a baseline expectation — what distinguishes competitive applicants is paid or substantive volunteer US dental work experience. What counts: Dental assistant (registered or certified in states that require certification) Clinical dental assistant with CE certifications (coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealants, nitrous oxide, radiographic monitoring) Dental hygiene work or clinical support roles Community health center or mobile clinic dental roles General practice residency or AEGD program experience Any paid dental support role in a US dental office What UIC specifically values about paid experience over shadowing: it demonstrates that a US dental employer trusted you with genuine responsibility in a professional clinical setting — not just an observation arrangement. It also demonstrates that you understand the administrative,

interpersonal, and operational dimensions of US dental practice beyond the clinical procedures themselves. For applicants who haven't yet secured US dental work experience: this is UIC's most specific signal about what to prioritize before applying. A dental assistant role — even part-time — acquired before application submission meaningfully strengthens your UIC profile in ways that additional shadowing hours don't. GPA Through ECE UIC uses the phrase "highly competitive comprehensive Grade Point Average per the ECE course-by-course evaluation" — which signals that GPA is a primary screening dimension, not just a threshold. The ECE GPA is the basis of comparison across applicants. Applicants with strong ECE GPAs are more competitive; applicants with ECE GPAs at the lower end of the competitive range should compensate with stronger US work experience, stronger letters, and a particularly strong interview. ECE Only — WES Not Accepted.

UIC accepts only ECE credential evaluations. WES evaluations are not accepted. If you've already completed a WES evaluation for other programs, you'll need a separate ECE evaluation for UIC. Plan this early — ECE processing takes several weeks. Team-Based Learning Fit UIC's curriculum is built around Team-based Learning (TBL) — a pedagogical model that requires students to engage actively in group analysis of clinical case studies rather than passively receiving lecture content. The TBL model demands collaborative reasoning, accurate self-assessment, intellectual honesty about what you know and don't know, and the ability to synthesize multiple viewpoints toward a clinical conclusion. The admissions committee is evaluating whether you have the collaborative orientation, communication ability, and intellectual flexibility that TBL demands. Applicants who have functioned well in team-based clinical environments, who have relevant academic

or professional group learning experience, and who can articulate why they thrive in collaborative learning contexts are well-positioned. Applicants who prefer independent learning styles and haven't thought through TBL's demands may be misaligned. Community Health and Oral-Systemic Emphasis UIC's curriculum explicitly includes courses in Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences, Oral-Systemic Issues, and Community-Based Learning — not as electives but as core curriculum components. The program's stated competency framework centers health promotion, disease prevention, and community engagement alongside clinical skills. Applicants with community health backgrounds, multilingual clinical ability, or experience serving diverse patient populations in Chicago's health professions context align directly with this curriculum emphasis. UIC's location in Chicago's Health Sciences District — adjacent to the University of Illinois Medical Center,

surrounded by diverse urban communities — gives the community health orientation a geographic and patient population specificity that isn't incidental. Interview Format Context. The UIC interview is virtual, closed-file, conducted by 1–2 faculty members, with a separate student panel component. "Closed file" means your interviewer has not read your application — you introduce your background, motivations, and relevant experiences entirely through the conversation. Do not record. This applies to audio, video, or any other form of capture. The policy is explicit and violating it can disqualify you. What UIC's No-Bench-Test Policy Means for Your Preparation What it doesn't mean: That clinical readiness is unimportant. UIC's interview and letters of recommendation serve as the primary mechanisms for assessing clinical background and currency. The program accepts you into a 28-month clinical curriculum that requires genuine dental competency

to complete successfully. Applicants who cannot demonstrate credible clinical readiness through their work experience, their letters, and their interview conversation will not be competitive regardless of the absence of a bench test. What it does mean: That your clinical readiness evaluation is entirely through testimony and documentation rather than performance. Your US work experience, your CE certifications, your letter from a US dental practitioner who has worked with you, and your interview answers about how you've maintained your skills — these are the evidence UIC uses. Make each one as specific and credible as possible. The letter from a US dental practitioner: UIC explicitly prefers one letter from a US dental practitioner who can address your knowledge of the field, dependability, determination, and dedication. This letter carries particular weight at a program that relies on testimony rather than direct clinical assessment.

The most powerful version of this letter comes from a dentist who has actually worked with you in a US clinical setting — a dental office where you've assisted, a community clinic where you've volunteered, or a practice where you've been employed. A letter from a dentist who observed you shadow for 40 hours is significantly less compelling than one from a dentist who worked alongside you in a clinical role over months. Administrative Details That Trip Applicants Up The dual application requirement: Every cycle, applicants submit CAAPID but do not submit the UIC supplemental application — or submit the wrong UIC supplemental. You must submit both. The correct path through the UIC online application system: 2026-2027 Cycle → General Application → Doctorate level → DMD Advanced Standing. Do not select the professional program supplemental application. If you've applied before, follow current cycle instructions — application materials are

not retained from previous years. TOEFL Submission — ETS Code 1851. TOEFL scores must be reported electronically from ETS directly to UIC using institution code 1851 — in addition to whatever you submitted through CAAPID. If you're updating your TOEFL score, request ETS to send the update to both CAAPID and UIC directly. CAAPID code B451 alone is insufficient. Do not send TOEFL Home Edition: UIC prefers the standard iBT administered at a testing center. Home Edition is not explicitly prohibited, but UIC's FAQ states the preference for the in-person version. Given that Home Edition restrictions vary by program, taking the test at a certified Prometric center is the safer choice for UIC applicants. No MyBest scores: UIC does not accept MyBest TOEFL scores. Your score must come from a single testing date. Plan your TOEFL testing strategy accordingly. Do not contact admissions requesting an interview: UIC's FAQ and admissions page both

state clearly that interview invitations are extended by faculty at the admissions committee's direction and should not be requested by applicants. Contacting admissions to ask about your interview status — or to request one — is counter to UIC's established process. Monitor your email and wait. NBDE scores at interview invitation: When you receive an interview invitation, UIC requires that the ADA send your official NBDE/INBDE score report directly to the UIC COD Office of Admissions via email. This is in addition to the scores in your CAAPID application. Confirm you've taken this step after receiving your invitation. Document upload after submission: You can begin uploading supplemental documents to your UIC application one business day after submission. Documents must be uploaded through the portal — do not email or mail documents; UIC will not accept them. Practice Your UIC Closed-File Interview. UIC's virtual closed-file interview

means your entire professional narrative must come through in conversation — nothing is assumed known. DentPrep's AI coach simulates closed-file conditions with instant feedback.. Start Practicing Free →. ); }; export default UICDentalAdvancedStanding; uic-dental-advanced-standing-interview UIC College of Dentistry UIC Dental DMD-AS Format Questions and Prep Guide 2026 UIC DMD-AS Dental Format & Questions 2026 Prepare for UIC s DMD Advanced Standing no bench test virtual closed-file format April-August window and what US dental experience means here. UIC dental advanced standing interview UIC DMD-AS interview University of Illinois Chicago dental interview UIC CAAPID no bench test UIC dental advanced standing program 2025-06-01 2026-03-29 International Program Virtual Closed-File Interview (No Bench Test) School University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry Program Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing (DMD-AS) Degree

Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) Program Length 28 months Program Start January Interview Format Virtual closed-file 1–2 faculty members; student panel component Bench Test No bench test — explicitly confirmed Interview Window April–August (invitations extended by faculty; do not contact admissions to request) Recording Policy Recording of any type is prohibited and can disqualify a candidate Application Deadline June 15 (both CAAPID and UIC supplemental) Applications Open March 5 Rolling Admissions Yes — preference given to earlier applications; reviews begin mid-March TOEFL Minimum 80 iBT with section Reading 19 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 21 Average TOEFL (entering class) 101 TOEFL Submission Electronically to UIC directly via ETS code 1851 — not only to CAAPID TOEFL Home Edition Not preferred (iBT at testing center preferred) MyBest TOEFL Not accepted INBDE/NBDE Required (both Parts I & II or INBDE) Credential Evaluation ECE

only — WES not accepted Letters of Recommendation 3 required (1 preferably from US dental practitioner); dean s letter NOT required Dual Application CAAPID + separate UIC online supplemental application (both required) Supplemental Fee $100 non-refundable International Credential Evaluation Fee Visa F-1 and other valid study-eligible visas accepted; tourist visa holders not eligible Final Decisions No later than November Location Chicago Illinois (Health Sciences District) Contact UIC COD Office of Student Affairs Room 104 801 S. Paulina St. Chicago IL 60612; (312) 996-1020 admissions-process The UIC DMD-AS Admissions Process 2 what-uic-looks-for What UIC Is Looking For 2 interview-questions Sample Interview Questions 2 no-bench-test No-Bench-Test Policy 2 administrative-details Administrative Details 2 expert-tips Expert Preparation Tips 2 program-stats Program Details & Statistics 2 related-schools More School Guides 2 Opening

Questions Tell me about yourself. Lead with your professional identity as a dentist (training years of practice clinical scope) move to your motivation for US licensure anchored in a specific observation or goal close with why UIC s DMD-AS specifically. Keep it to 90 seconds — enough to establish a clear arc. Why do you want to practice dentistry in the United States? Ground it in something specific — a clinical observation during US dental exposure a community you re connected to a professional goal that requires US licensure. Connect to serving Chicago s diverse urban patient population or broader US underserved populations. Why UIC s DMD-AS program? This is the question that requires genuine UIC research. Reference the TBL curriculum and why that learning model appeals to you the community-based learning course and how it connects to your orientation the oral-systemic curriculum integration UIC s location in Chicago s health sciences

district and what the patient diversity means for your training. One or two specific researched reasons outperform a list of generic program virtues. US Experience & Clinical Background Tell me about your experience working in dental settings in the United States. Describe your US dental work experience the practice setting your role what you contributed what you observed about US dental practice that differed from your home country. Name certifications (dental assistant coronal polishing nitrous oxide monitoring). What do you understand about how dentistry is practiced differently in the United States compared to your home country? Name specific documentation and HIPAA requirements infection control and OSHA standards the informed consent culture insurance billing and its effect on treatment planning patient communication expectations in a direct-consent clinical environment. Clinical Skills & Motivation How have you maintained your

clinical skills since completing your dental degree? Without a bench test this question is where UIC evaluates clinical currency. Be CE courses by name US dental assistant work bench preparation clinical volunteering shadowing. Address any gap directly. Describe a complex clinical case you managed in your home country practice. Choose a case that demonstrates diagnostic reasoning treatment planning complexity or a patient communication challenge. TBL emphasizes case-based reasoning — show that you think like a clinical problem-solver. Where do you see yourself professionally after completing the DMD-AS? Be specific about practice type patient population and geographic area. Answers connecting to Chicago s health needs or serving underserved Illinois communities resonate naturally given UIC s emphasis. What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of the DMD-AS for you? Self-awareness question. Authentic the transition from

independent clinical culture to team-based collaborative learning (TBL) or re-entry into structured academic environment after years of practice. Name the challenge genuinely and describe your plan to address it. What do you hope to contribute to the UIC DMD-AS cohort? Differentiation question. What does your cohort gain by having you in it? Your multilingual ability and the patient populations you can communicate with. Your specific clinical specialty background. Your research experience and how it connects to evidence-based practice discussions in TBL. Your community health background and how it enriches case discussions. One specific thing argued directly. Team-Based Learning (TBL) Have you had experience with team-based or collaborative learning? How did you perform in that environment? If you have TBL PBL or group case-based learning experience describe it specifically. If not describe clinical team environments where you ve worked

collaboratively (specialists treatment planning conferences) and connect those to TBL demands. UIC s curriculum integrates basic sciences clinical sciences and behavioral sciences through clinical cases. What s your reaction to that approach? Demonstrate genuine understanding of TBL — not just I love learning in groups but insight about what case-based integration offers that traditional lecture-based approaches don t. How do you approach learning something you don t already know — how do you find and apply new information? Metacognition question connected to TBL s stated goal of developing capacity to find and apply information relevant to clinical cases. Describe literature search habits CE engagement specialist consultation clinical guideline use. Community Health & Oral-Systemic What do you understand about the oral-systemic health connection and how did it show up in your clinical practice? UIC has a dedicated Oral-Systemic Issues

course. Name specific periodontal-diabetes bidirectional relationship cardiovascular associations prenatal oral health. Describe a case where you encountered an oral-systemic issue. Tell me about your experience serving diverse or underserved patient populations. Describe specific populations — linguistically diverse communities limited dental access patients complex systemic health profiles. Connect to Chicago s urban patient communities in UIC s clinical catchment area. Get US Dental Work Experience — Not Shadowing Work This is UIC s most specific competitive signal. If you haven t secured paid or substantive volunteer US dental employment prioritize this before your March CAAPID submission. A dental assistant role even part-time acquired in the six months before application meaningfully strengthens your UIC profile. Learn TBL Before You Arrive UIC s Team-based Learning model is mentioned on every page of the program description. Read

about TBL how pre-class preparation works how team application exercises function how individual and team performance are both assessed. The applicant who can describe TBL s specific mechanics demonstrates a different level of preparation. Submit in the First Week of March Rolling admissions with April–August interviews means March submissions access the earliest interview slots. The $100 UIC supplemental fee is non-refundable — pay it immediately after submitting CAAPID. Completing your application quickly is itself a competitive factor. Build Your Closed-File Narrative Unlike open-file programs where the interviewer has read your application UIC s closed-file format means you must introduce yourself from scratch. Prepare a tight 90-second tell me about yourself dental training US dental work experience motivation for the DMD-AS and one genuine reason for UIC specifically. Have a Genuine TBL Answer The curriculum fit questions about

TBL will surface in the interview. I love working in teams is not an answer. Prepare a specific example of a professional or clinical situation where collaborative reasoning produced a better outcome than independent judgment and connect it to UIC s case-based curriculum. Know the Oral-Systemic Curriculum UIC has a dedicated Oral-Systemic Issues course — not standard in CAAPID programs. Know the documented connections between oral and systemic disease how they show up in clinical decision-making and how your prior training did or didn t prepare you to engage with them. This signals genuine curriculum research. Metric Detail Degree D.M.D. Program length 28 months Start January Interview format Virtual closed-file 1–2 faculty + student panel Bench test None Interview window April–August Invitations Extended by faculty; do not contact admissions to request Recording policy Prohibited; violation can disqualify Application deadline June 15

(CAAPID and UIC supplemental) Rolling admissions Yes — mid-March review begins TOEFL minimum 80 iBT; section Reading 19 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 21 TOEFL average (entering class) 101 TOEFL submission ETS code 1851 directly to UIC + CAAPID MyBest TOEFL Not accepted Home Edition Not preferred INBDE/NBDE Required Credential evaluation ECE only — WES not accepted Letters 3 required; 1 preferably from US dental practitioner; dean s letter not required Supplemental CAAPID + separate UIC online application (both required) Supplemental fee $100 International Credential Evaluation Fee Visa Valid study-eligible US visa required; tourist visa holders not eligible Final decisions No later than November Curriculum TBL; Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences; Oral-Systemic Issues; Community-Based Learning Location Chicago IL — Health Sciences District Contact (312) 996-1020 Pre-Application (6–12 months before) Secure paid US dental work

experience (dental assistant role CE certifications) Complete ECE course-by-course credential evaluation (WES not accepted) Take TOEFL iBT at testing center (aim for 100+; section R19 L17 S20 W21) Pass INBDE or NBDE Parts I & II Identify three recommenders (one preferably US dental practitioner who has worked with you) Application (March–June) Submit CAAPID application as close to March 5 opening as possible Submit UIC supplemental application immediately after ( Doctorate level → DMD Advanced Standing) Send TOEFL scores directly to UIC via ETS code 1851 (in addition to CAAPID) Pay $100 UIC supplemental fee Upload all supplemental documents through portal one business day after submission Interview Preparation (April–August) Prepare 90-second closed-file tell me about yourself narrative Research TBL pedagogy specifically — understand mechanics not just concept Prepare US dental work experience stories with specific details Study UIC s

oral-systemic curriculum and community health emphasis When invited request ADA to send NBDE/INBDE scores directly to UIC admissions Post-Interview (through November) Send brief thank-you email to interview coordinator Do not contact admissions to follow up on decision status Continue strengthening other applications while awaiting UIC decision Final decisions communicated no later than November Does UIC College of Dentistry require a bench test for the DMD-AS? No — UIC explicitly does not require a bench test for the DMD Advanced Standing program. Clinical readiness is evaluated through the application materials US dental work experience letters of recommendation (particularly from a US dental practitioner) and the virtual interview. What is UIC s interview format for the DMD-AS? Virtual closed-file interview with 1–2 faculty members plus a student panel component. Closed-file means the interviewer has not read your application — you

must introduce your background and qualifications entirely through the conversation. Interviews run April through August; invitations are extended by faculty and should not be requested by applicants. Can I record my UIC dental interview? No. UIC explicitly prohibits recording of any type during the interview. Violating this policy can disqualify a candidate. What does UIC mean by valuing US dental work experience over shadowing? UIC s admissions team explicitly states that paid or substantive volunteer US dental work experience is valued more highly than shadowing. This includes dental assistant roles CE certifications GPR or AEGD experience and any paid dental support role in a US clinical setting. Shadowing is a baseline expectation; work experience distinguishes competitive applicants. Does UIC require a letter from your dental school dean? No — UIC explicitly states that a dean s letter is not required. Three letters are required

with preference for one from a US dental practitioner who has worked with you in a professional setting. What makes UIC s curriculum distinctive among CAAPID programs? UIC s curriculum is built around Team-based Learning (TBL) — collaborative case-based reasoning rather than traditional lecture. It also includes dedicated courses in Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences Oral-Systemic Issues and Community-Based Learning as core curriculum components. Applicants who understand and connect with TBL s collaborative model perform better in the interview. Loma Linda University IDP Interview Prep Faith-integrated program in Southern California bench test + personal interview format 24 months. International Program /schools/loma-linda-dental-advanced-standing-interview Nova Southeastern IDP Interview Prep Two-stage evaluation with a $3 000 bench test and a 39-month full DMD curriculum. International Program

/schools/nova-southeastern-dental-advanced-standing-interview BU Goldman Advanced Standing Interview Prep Traditional interview no bench test 24 months Boston campus. International Program /schools/bu-goldman-dental-advanced-standing-interview Rutgers IED Interview Prep Traditional interview no bench test 30 months New Jersey. International Program /schools/rutgers-dental-advanced-standing-interview Prepare for UIC College of Dentistry s DMD Advanced Standing interview — no bench test virtual closed-file format TBL curriculum fit and US dental work experience emphasis.