UMKC Dental School Interview: DDS 2026-27

Q: What is the UMKC dental school interview format?

UMKC doesn't publish one. Its requirements page lists an interview “with dental school faculty” that is “an important part of the selection process,” and says interviews are by “invitation only.” Its catalog says “A personal interview with the School of Dentistry is required as part of the selection process. The interview is by invitation only, an applicant for admission may not request it.” Neither page says whether the interview is in person or virtual, how many people interview you, how long it lasts, whether they have read your application, what is asked or in which months. The catalog lists “interview assessment” among the information its committee reviews, and says “it is in the candidate's best interest that this information is consistent among sources.”

Q: Is the UMKC dental interview virtual or in person?

UMKC's pages don't say. The forum's invite tracker, which a volunteer compiles from applicants' reports, lists virtual in 2025–26 (first invitations August 30, first interview date September 16) and in person in 2026–27 (first invitations August 21, first interview date September 14). In the forum's 2025–26 UMKC thread, the three applicants who described the setting all wrote “Virtual”; in the 2026–27 thread, one applicant, invited July 29, wrote that the interview was in person on September 11, which doesn't match the tracker's dates. Go by your invitation, and ask dds@umkc.edu if anything is unclear.

Q: Does UMKC use the MMI?

UMKC's DDS admissions page and the DDS pages of its catalog don't mention an MMI, stations, a panel, one-on-one interviews or open or closed files, and no post in the forum's 2025–26 or 2026–27 UMKC threads describes how the interview runs (one 2025–26 post lists “Part 1” and “Part 2” dates without saying what they are). UMKC's Reserved Admission Program has its own “faculty interview,” and its Advanced Standing Dental Program has “a personal interview and skills test”; UMKC doesn't say how either relates to the DDS interview. Prepare to talk through your whole application, and go by your invitation.

Q: What GPA and DAT do I need for UMKC dental school?

UMKC's requirements page lists a DAT Academic Average of “350 (16) minimum / 370 (17) preferred / 420 (20) average for accepted students” and a science & math GPA of “3.0 minimum, 3.4 and above preferred, 3.6 average for accepted students.” The 3-digit DAT figures are on the 200–600 scale the DAT has used since March 2025, with an old-scale score in parentheses, and they match the ADA's Table 1 for the Academic Average. The averages are for accepted students, not targets, and UMKC doesn't say which class they describe. For sub-scores, UMKC says “Multiple subscores below a 17 (old scale) will impact a candidate's competitiveness”; the ADA's Table 1 converts an old 17 to 370 in Academic Average and Biology, 380 in four other sections, 360 in Perceptual Ability and 340 in Reading Comprehension. UMKC's catalog says “350 (17-old scale)” in its preference line and “350 (16-old scale)” in its interview line, and in the ADA's Table 1 an Academic Average of 350 is an old 16; take the stricter reading, 350 as the floor and 370 as preferred, and confirm with dds@umkc.edu.

Q: Does UMKC accept out-of-state applicants?

Yes, but Missouri comes first: “As a public institution financially supported by the state of Missouri, our first obligation is to qualified residents of Missouri.” Its requirements page gives “Preferred consideration” to residents of Kansas, Arkansas, New Mexico and Hawaii, and says “Applicants from other states are welcome to apply and are considered on an individual basis for highly qualified candidates.” Its catalog names Kansas, New Mexico and Hawaii but not Arkansas, so an Arkansas resident should confirm with dds@umkc.edu. UMKC publishes no counts of resident or nonresident applicants, interviews or offers on the pages we read. Its requirements page says applicants must be “a citizen of the United States or a foreign national with a visa permitting permanent residence.”

Q: When is the UMKC DDS application deadline?

UMKC's catalog says “Although the UMKC deadline for application submission is October 1, early applications are strongly recommended,” with a preference for applications received before September 1; its requirements page says only “Priority deadline for applications is September 1.” Neither prints a year; for 2026–27 we read both as 2026, so both have passed. Take the stricter reading, September 1, and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. For a later cycle, UMKC advises applying “the June or July of the year prior to anticipated entry into dental school.” Interviews are by invitation with no months published, and the catalog says “no notification of the admission decision is made to a candidate before Dec. 15 of the current admissions cycle.”

Q: How many shadowing hours does UMKC require?

UMKC's pages call it “strongly suggested,” not required: “candidates observe in a minimum of 3+ different dental offices (the offices of general dentists and specialists) and acquire a minimum of 80-100 hours of dental office observation or dental work experience.” Its catalog says “a minimum of five different dental offices” and adds “preference is given to candidates who have worked in a dental office.” Take the stricter reading, five offices and at least 100 hours, and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. UMKC also offers student shadowing sessions for prospective students, and doesn't say whether they count toward those hours.

UMKC School of Dentistry DDS guide from its own pages: faculty interview by invitation (format not published), DAT and GPA minimums; Sept 1/Oct 1 dates passed.

UMKC requires an interview with dental school faculty, by invitation only, but publishes no format, setting or interview months. Here is what UMKC publishes, where its own pages disagree, what applicants report, and how to prepare. return ( <> UMKC DDS Requirements and Admission Figures The University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry is in Kansas City, Missouri. Its DDS is an "accredited, full-time, four-year professional program," and its catalog says "Approximately 109 candidates are admitted to the D.D.S. program annually." You apply through AADSAS: "Those who want to apply for admission must apply online through the AADSAS Application Service administered by the American Dental Education Association." The pages we read give no counts of applicants, interviews or offers and no acceptance rate, and we don't compute one. UMKC's pages give these figures, without saying which class the averages describe: Figure. What UMKC

publishes. Admitted each year. Approximately 109 candidates (its catalog). DAT Academic Average. 350 minimum (old 16), 370 preferred (old 17), 420 average for accepted students (old 20), on the 200–600 scale. Science & math GPA. 3.0 minimum, 3.4 and above preferred, 3.6 average for accepted students. College credit. 90 college credit hours toward a bachelor's degree to apply; 120 hours of college credit “and/or a baccalaureate degree” to enroll. UMKC's catalog uses the same 3.00 and 3.40 science GPA figures and gives no average. Preference goes to candidates with 90 or more semester hours of college credit "at the time of application" and a science GPA of 3.40 or higher "and/or" a DAT academic average of 350 or higher (the callout below covers the catalog's old-scale label), and "A candidate with 90 or more semester hours of college credit at the time of application with a science GPA of 3.00 and a DAT academic average of 350 (16-old

scale) or higher can be considered for an interview." The pages we read name no overall GPA bar. Which DAT scale are 350, 370 and 420 on?. The 200–600 scale the DAT has used since 1 March 2025. UMKC's catalog says "DAT scores are based on a range of 200 to 600," and its requirements page prints "350 (16) minimum / 370 (17) preferred / 420 (20) average for accepted students." The numbers in parentheses are old-scale scores (its catalog writes "350 (16-old scale)"), and the pairs match the ADA's Table 1 for the Academic Average: an old 16 is 350, an old 17 is 370 and an old 20 is 420. The sections convert differently. In the same table an old 17 is 370 in Academic Average and Biology, 380 in Survey of Natural Sciences, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Quantitative Reasoning, 360 in Perceptual Ability and 340 in Reading Comprehension. Those conversions are the ADA's, not UMKC's targets. UMKC says only "Multiple subscores below a 17

(old scale) will impact a candidate's competitiveness" and links the ADA's guide; its catalog says "Multiple sub-scores below the preferred score will impact a candidate's competitiveness." Read literally, the catalog's preferred score is 370 in every section, while the requirements page's old 17 is 340 to 380 depending on the section; take the stricter reading, the higher of the two in each section, and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. Since 1 March 2025 the ADA has reported every DAT score to AADSAS on the 200–600 scale, older attempts converted. The 420 and the 3.6 are averages for accepted students, not targets, and UMKC doesn't say which class they describe. DAT: UMKC's pages disagree on the preferred score. UMKC's requirements page says "350 (16) minimum / 370 (17) preferred." Its catalog's preference line says "a DAT academic average of 350 (17-old scale) or higher," its interview line says "350 (16-old scale) or higher," and its DAT

paragraph says the committee "requires a minimum DAT score of 350, but prefers that a candidate's DAT scores be 370 or higher." In the ADA's table an Academic Average of 350 is an old 16, so the "(17-old scale)" beside 350 in the catalog's preference line doesn't match the table, the requirements page or the catalog's own DAT paragraph. Take the stricter reading: 350 (old 16) is the floor and 370 (old 17) is the preferred level. Confirm with dds@umkc.edu. In state or out of state? Missouri first, then agreement states. UMKC says "As a public institution financially supported by the state of Missouri, our first obligation is to qualified residents of Missouri." Its requirements page adds "we have agreements with Kansas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Hawaii to accept qualified residents of those states. Preferred consideration will be given to applicants who are residents of the four states listed above. Applicants from other states are

welcome to apply and are considered on an individual basis for highly qualified candidates." Its catalog names agreements with "Kansas, New Mexico, and Hawaii" (and says a limited number of students are considered through an agreement with the State of Kuwait), while its scholarships page lists Arkansas (ARHEG) among its residency discounts. If you live in Arkansas, don't count on the preference until UMKC confirms it; ask dds@umkc.edu. The requirements page also says "We offer a full waiver on the nonresident tuition to a limited number of residents from Hawaii, Kansas and New Mexico. Qualified candidates from other states may be eligible for an award that waives 50% to 100% of the nonresident tuition rate." UMKC publishes no counts of resident or nonresident applicants, interviews or offers on the pages we read. Prerequisite coursework Course. Semesters. Lab. General biology. One. With lab, “if lab is offered”. Anatomy (or the Anatomy

& Physiology I and II sequence). One. With lab, “if lab is offered”. Physiology (or the Anatomy & Physiology I and II sequence). One. With lab, “if lab is offered”. Biochemistry. One. With lab, “if lab is offered” (the catalog: “lab is recommended but not required”). One of: cell biology, histology, microbiology, molecular biology. One. With lab, “if lab is offered”. Chemistry I and II. Two. With lab, “if lab is offered”. Organic chemistry I and II. Two. With lab, “if lab is offered”. Physics I and II. Two. With lab, “if lab is offered”. English composition I and II (“or other writing intensive courses”). Two. Same group heading: “with lab, if lab is offered”. Timing: "Complete the following prerequisite courses by the end of the spring semester immediately prior to the fall start of the program. Candidates are allowed to take prerequisite courses while applying." The catalog sets "minimal acceptable performance of a 'C' in lectures and

labs" and says there is "no required college major." Credit hours and a degree: the requirements page asks for 90 college credit hours toward a bachelor's degree, and 120 hours "and/or a baccalaureate degree" to enroll. The catalog says "All candidates for this program are encouraged to complete a baccalaureate degree before entry. In fact, college degree-holders with a broad educational background are the preference of the Dental Student Admission Committee," and adds that admitting a candidate without a B.S. or B.A., or unlikely to have one at enrollment, is "rather rare." It also says "no more than 60 hours of college credit can be earned at a community college and preference will be given to candidates who complete the science prerequisites at a four-year institution." Labs: the requirements page asks for the prerequisites "with lab, if lab is offered." The catalog asks for biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics

"with labs," without that qualifier, and says of biochemistry "lab is recommended but not required." Take the stricter reading, lab versions of those four subjects and a biochemistry lab if your school offers one, and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. English: the requirements page lists English composition I and II "(or other writing intensive courses)." The catalog asks for "A minimum of 6 credit hours of English composition. (Courses in speech are not acceptable as substitutes for English composition.)" Take the stricter reading, English composition, and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. Anatomy and physiology: the requirements page lets an "Anatomy & Physiology I and II sequence" stand in for anatomy and physiology; the catalog lists "general biology I, anatomy, physiology, and one of the following" without mentioning the sequence. The stricter reading is separate anatomy and physiology courses; confirm with dds@umkc.edu. Recommended courses: the

requirements page lists cell biology, histology, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, ethics, statistics, public health, social sciences, psychology, nutrition, business, communications, art, ceramics, 3-D design and Spanish (other foreign languages). The catalog says courses with counterparts in the dental curriculum, "genetics, immunology, neuroscience, medical terminology," are "strongly recommended." The DAT: "All dental school applicants must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)," and "a score must be submitted to be fully considered." The pages we read give no validity period or retake rule and don't say how a score reaches UMKC; the ADA reports DAT results to AADSAS. Letters: "A minimum of three letters of recommendation or one pre-health advisory committee letter is required. If there is not a pre-health advisory committee at least one letter from a faculty member and one from a dentist is required." Service:

"Evidence of social conscience and compassion (i.e., caring attitude, sensitivity to those in need, significant community activities)." The requirements page adds "It is strongly suggested that this be active and ongoing participation in 3+ volunteer activities"; the catalog says "volunteer activities," with no count. Technical standards: "Candidates must attest to having the abilities and skills in the following areas to satisfactorily complete the curriculum: (1) Observation (2) Communication (3) Motor (4) Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities (5) Emotional and Behavioral Attributes." UMKC gives no date for the attestation. After an acceptance: "Following acceptance, complete the UMKC general admissions application, including a $45.00 fee," and "Following acceptance, successfully pass a criminal background check." Immunizations are required "Prior to matriculating." Citizenship: the requirements page says

"Applicants must be a citizen of the United States or a foreign national with a visa permitting permanent residence," with exceptions for the "UMKC-Kuwait Dental Agreement" and for dentists trained outside the U.S. who want its Advanced Standing Dental Program. The catalog says a student "should be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S." Take the stricter reading, "must," and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. Shadowing at UMKC: UMKC runs student shadowing sessions in which prospective students "sit chair-side while a third- or fourth-year dental student treats patients," and "Prospective students must sign up to attend a shadowing session." Shadowers must be 18 or older. UMKC doesn't say whether these sessions count toward the observation it suggests (below). Dental-office observation: UMKC's pages disagree. The requirements page says "It is strongly suggested that candidates observe in a minimum of 3+ different dental offices (the

offices of general dentists and specialists) and acquire a minimum of 80-100 hours of dental office observation or dental work experience." The catalog says "a minimum of five different dental offices" and "a minimum of 80-100 hours of dental office observation, preference is given to candidates who have worked in a dental office." Both say "strongly suggested," not required. Take the stricter reading: five offices and at least 100 hours, with dental work experience if you have it, and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. CASPer or Kira?. UMKC's DDS admissions page, the DDS pages of its 2026–2027 catalog and the other UMKC pages we read don't mention CASPer, Acuity Insights, Kira or a situational judgment test, and only its Advanced Standing pages mention a bench test. What they ask for is AADSAS with your personal statement, coursework and letters, the DAT, the technical standards attestation and, if you are invited, an interview. The skills

test and writing sample on UMKC's Advanced Standing pages belong to that program. An “Application Survey”: the catalog only. The catalog lists "responses to items on the UMKC School of Dentistry's Application Survey" among the information its committee reviews, and the requirements page doesn't mention it. The pages we read don't say where the survey is, what it asks or when it is due. Take the stricter reading, that you will be asked to complete it, and ask dds@umkc.edu where to find it. To confirm a rule where UMKC's pages disagree, email dds@umkc.edu, the address its catalog's Reserved Admission page gives for its Office of Student Programs (its scholarships page gives the same address), or call 816-235-2080. UMKC's visit page also offers a one-on-one meeting with an admissions counselor, in person or virtual, and virtual information sessions ("Additional Dates Coming Soon" when we read it). The UMKC Interview: What the School Says

Required, with faculty, by invitation only. The requirements page lists "Successfully complete an interview with dental school faculty. Interviews are by “invitation only” and are an important part of the selection process." The catalog says "A personal interview with the School of Dentistry is required as part of the selection process. The interview is by invitation only, an applicant for admission may not request it." Format, setting and months: not published. The pages we read don't say whether the interview is in person or virtual, how many people interview you, how long it lasts, whether they have read your application or what is asked, and they give no interview months. What it feeds. "A holistic review is provided for each candidate considering academic records, personal statement, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, interview assessment and any other information provided by the candidate." UMKC doesn't say how

much the interview counts. The committee looks across your file. The catalog says "Because the Dental School Admission Committee looks closely at information from all sources included in an applicant's file, it is in the candidate's best interest that this information is consistent among sources. This is especially true with information supplied directly by the candidate (i.e., AADSAS essay, UMKC School of Dentistry's Application Survey, interview and/or personal statement)." Decisions. "In accordance with the guidelines of the American Dental Education Association, no notification of the admission decision is made to a candidate before Dec. 15 of the current admissions cycle." Accepted candidates have 30 days from the date of an acceptance letter to make a required nonrefundable $500 deposit, and "Several individuals are placed on a list of alternates." In person or virtual? UMKC doesn't say. Neither UMKC's requirements page nor the

DDS pages of its catalog, nor any other UMKC page we read, says whether the interview is in person or virtual, who the "dental school faculty" are, how many you will meet, for how long, or whether they have read your application. The forum's invite tracker, which a volunteer compiles from applicants' reports, lists virtual for 2025–26 and in person for 2026–27 (below). Go by your invitation, and ask dds@umkc.edu if anything is unclear. The catalog says the committee "looks closely at information from all sources included in an applicant's file," so reread your whole AADSAS application, your personal statement and any Application Survey answers before the day, and be ready to tell their story yourself. Two other UMKC routes have their own interviews. UMKC's Reserved Admission Program, open to Missouri and Kansas students "in the early years of their undergraduate education" (its dental site adds students from other states who started at

UMKC as first-time freshmen), says "Continuation in the program is based on scoring a 420 (20) on the DAT, meeting expectations of the personal attributes and experiences criteria, and successfully completing a faculty interview," and says that once a candidate meets the full criteria, "they are allowed to bypass the traditional dental application process." Its Advanced Standing Dental Program, for internationally trained dentists, invites candidates "in late June to participate in a personal interview and skills test," which "will take place the end of July and will be a multi-day visit to the School of Dentistry." UMKC doesn't say how either interview relates to the DDS interview, so don't prepare from them. What applicants report These come from a public applicant forum and its invite tracker, which a volunteer compiles from applicants' reports. They are not UMKC's words: This cycle (2026–27): the tracker, last updated 25 September

2026, lists UMKC's first invitations on 21 August and a first interview date of 14 September, in person. In the forum's UMKC thread, one applicant replied on 22 August 2026: "I was invited 7/29 and my interview is in person on 9/11." That invitation is 23 days before the tracker's date (our arithmetic), and the interview date is 3 days earlier. The two don't match, and no post supports the tracker's dates. Last cycle (2025–26): the tracker, last updated 22 October 2025, listed first invitations on 30 August 2025 and a first interview date of 16 September, virtual. In the forum's thread, two members replied on 28 August that they had heard nothing ("Crickets" and "Nothing yet."), and the first invitation posted there is dated 4 September, from an out-of-state applicant who listed a virtual interview. An in-state applicant reported an invitation on 7 September, also virtual. An in-state applicant reported an invitation on 10 October 2025,

listing "Dates available: Part 1: 10/23, 10/27, 10/31; Part 2: 10/29, 11/4" and a virtual interview. The post doesn't say what the two parts are, and UMKC's pages describe no multi-part interview. On 23 November 2025, one applicant wrote that UMKC "sent an email about reserving some applicants for a second round interview in January." The post doesn't say whether the writer received the email, and the UMKC pages we read mention no second round. Two applicants posted acceptances on 15 December 2025, one "via phone call" and one "by email." December 15 is the earliest notification date UMKC's catalog allows. The three applicants in the 2025–26 thread who described the setting all wrote "Virtual." None described the format: how many interviewers, how long, or what was asked. Our 2026–27 interview tracker sets UMKC's row beside every other US and Puerto Rico school on the forum's tracker. What UMKC doesn't publish. How its interview runs:

in person or virtual, one conversation or several, which faculty, for how long, whether your interviewers have read your application, what is asked, in which months, and how invitations are sent. It does say what it looks for: the evidence listed below, including "an ability to communicate orally and in writing, a capacity to listen." The pages we read say nothing of a class profile, an interview rate or an acceptance rate. Practice Your UMKC Answers Out Loud. UMKC interviews by invitation, with dental school faculty, and doesn't publish its format, so prepare to talk through your whole application. Answer motivation, behavioral and ethical questions out loud and get instant AI feedback on structure and clarity.. Start Practicing Free →. UMKC's Admissions Timeline UMKC's pages give these dates without years. The years below are ours, for the 2026–27 cycle (its catalog is the 2026–2027 edition), and ADEA's AADSAS calendar gives December

15, 2026 as this cycle's acceptance notification date: When. What UMKC says. June or July (the year before you start). “competitive candidates should apply the June or July of the year prior to anticipated entry into dental school”; AADSAS “can take up to six weeks to process and deliver an application”. September 1 (2026: passed). The requirements page: “Priority deadline for applications is September 1.” The catalog: “A preference is given to applications received in the Office of Student Programs of the School of Dentistry prior to September 1.”. October 1 (2026: passed). The catalog: “Although the UMKC deadline for application submission is October 1, early applications are strongly recommended.”. Months not published (applicants report interviews from September, before the October 1 deadline). Interviews, by invitation only. Not before December 15 (2026). The catalog: “no notification of the admission decision is made to a

candidate before Dec. 15 of the current admissions cycle”; ADEA's 2026–27 acceptance notification date is December 15, 2026. Within 30 days of an acceptance letter. A required nonrefundable $500 deposit; if notification of acceptance is made after Feb. 1, within 15 days. After an acceptance. The UMKC general admissions application with a $45.00 fee and a criminal background check (“Following acceptance”); immunizations “Prior to matriculating”. Spring 2027 (the year is ours). Prerequisite courses complete: “by the end of the spring semester immediately prior to the fall start of the program”. Fall (2027, ours). The program's “fall start”; the pages we read give no start date for the traditional DDS. The catalog adds that "Denied applicants who are interested in reapplying should make an appointment with the School of Dentistry director of admissions to discuss the reason for the denial." October 1 or September 1? UMKC's pages differ,

and both have passed. The catalog says "Although the UMKC deadline for application submission is October 1, early applications are strongly recommended. A preference is given to applications received in the Office of Student Programs of the School of Dentistry prior to September 1." The requirements page says only "Priority deadline for applications is September 1" and never mentions October 1. Take the stricter reading: treat September 1 as the date to meet, and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. Neither page prints a year, and for this cycle we read both as 2026, so both have passed. ADEA says AADSAS "will not send your application to a school if it is received by ADEA AADSAS after the school's deadline." If you applied, UMKC publishes no interview months, and decisions can't come before December 15. If you are planning for a later cycle, UMKC's own advice is to apply in June or July of the year before you start. What UMKC Looks For UMKC's

requirements page lists the evidence it wants "so our Admissions Committee can provide a full holistic review on a candidate's application." Its technical standards say that "personal qualities such as compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation should be assessed during the admissions and education processes." With its core values and curriculum, they make the best checklist for the interview: Investigating the profession: "Demonstrated investigation of the profession of dentistry," through observation in dental offices and "dental work experience." Have a specific story from each office, and what it taught you. Social conscience and compassion: "caring attitude, sensitivity to those in need, significant community activities." Pick one volunteer experience and describe the people you served with respect. Personal character and leadership: "Indication of fundamental personal character (i.e.,

integrity, maturity, self-reliance, leadership skills, professionalism)." Have an example of a time you took responsibility for an outcome, not only a title. Critical thinking and problem solving: "Evidence of critical thinking and problem-solving ability (e.g., performance in courses requiring this skill such as in laboratory segments, in formal logic or in research experiences)." Practice talking through a problem out loud: the options, what you would weigh, and why you would choose one. Communication and listening: "an ability to communicate orally and in writing, a capacity to listen, a personality conducive to forming personal and/or professional relationships, an involvement in a range of extracurricular activities, especially those in which significant leadership roles have been taken." Answer the question that was asked, and show that you heard it. Time management: "Demonstrated ability to balance full academic schedules with

extracurricular involvement and/or employment (i.e., effective/efficient management of time)." Have an example of a demanding stretch you planned your way through. Working in a team: UMKC's catalog says "Our program takes a team approach to clinical patient care. Peers work together to solve complex patient problems. Faculty members supervise and guide the work." Its general clinic "is organized into subunits called teams." Think of a time you contributed to a group's result. Coping with stress and change: its technical standards say "Candidates must be able to cope with taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. A candidate must also be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties in the clinical problems of many patients." Hand skills: the technical standards say "Candidates must have physical dexterity to master all aspects of patient care." Be

ready to describe one activity concretely. Breadth: the catalog also lists "Significant and sustained level of academic achievement based on full course loads with evidence of a broad science and liberal arts education." Be ready to say what a non-science course gave you. UMKC's own advice on your written materials. The catalog says "You are strongly encouraged to review all written materials for consistency and accuracy before submission," and "Where the candidate feels a question may arise from Committee review, the applicant is encouraged to address this in a personal statement/letter to the Committee." UMKC doesn't say whether a gap or a low grade will come up in the interview; if one might, be ready to talk about it out loud as well. UMKC's core values make a good ethics checklist. UMKC's core values include compassion ("Interacting with others as servant leaders"), integrity ("Demonstrating that ethical behavior is a lifelong

habit of honest and sincere action that benefits the profession and society") and justice ("Being sensitive to the complexities inherent in the diversity of our community" and "Doing what is right through our exercise of collegiality, respect, and fairness in all our interactions"). Measure your answers to ethical questions against these. The best Why UMKC material is in its clinics and its community. The catalog says "Exposure to clinical dentistry in the first semester of the first year is a hallmark of this curriculum," and that patients "are assigned to students for comprehensive care, from diagnosis and treatment planning through procedures necessary for successful case completion." It says "UMKC partners with a large network of nearby hospitals," including "Children's Mercy Hospital, Truman Medical Center, the University of Kansas Medical Center and two local veterans hospitals," with other connections to "several medical

facilities serving low-income residents, developmentally and mentally disabled patients and many other underserved populations." Its course list includes Community-Based Dental Education in the third and fourth years, and it describes itself as combining "the personal atmosphere of a small college with the benefits of a big university." Connect one of these to how you want to learn and whom you want to serve. The practice questions below are ours, built on these criteria. The UMKC pages we read don't publish interview questions. Internationally trained dentist? UMKC's Advanced Standing Dental Program is a separate program "for internationally trained dentists who are now a U.S. citizen or permanent resident," with its own application through CAAPID and its own interview and skills test. This guide doesn't cover it; to compare advanced standing programs, see our CAAPID program finder . ); }; export default UMKCDentalSchoolInterview;

umkc-dental-school-interview University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry UMKC UMKC Dental School Interview (DDS) 2026- Faculty Interview DAT Minimums & Requirements UMKC Dental School DDS 2026-27 UMKC School of Dentistry DDS guide from its own faculty interview by invitation (format not published) DAT and GPA minimums; Sept 1/Oct 1 dates passed. UMKC dental school interview University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry interview UMKC DDS interview UMKC DDS requirements UMKC dental school requirements UMKC dental school DAT minimum UMKC dental school GPA UMKC dental school deadline 2026-10-09 2026-10-09 Domestic Program Interview with dental school faculty by invitation (format not published) UMKC requires an interview with dental school faculty by invitation only but publishes no format setting or interview months. Here is what UMKC publishes where its own pages disagree what applicants report and how to prepare.

UMKC says the interview is “with dental school faculty” and “invitation only”; it publishes no format and its catalog says it is “in the candidate s best interest” that the AADSAS essay Application Survey interview and personal statement be “consistent among sources.” Degree DDS (four years full time) Kansas City Missouri Interview Required with dental school faculty by invitation only; an applicant “may not request it” Interview Format Not published Interview Setting Not published; the forum s invite tracker compiled by a volunteer from applicants reports lists virtual for 2025–26 and in person for 2026–27 Interview Months Not published; the tracker lists first interview dates of September 16 2025 and September 14 2026; one applicant reported an interview on September 11 2026 Deadline October 1 (its catalog; for 2026–27 passed); its requirements page gives a September 1 “Priority deadline” Decisions None before December 15 of the

current admissions cycle ( December 15 2026); a $500 nonrefundable deposit within 30 days of an acceptance letter CASPer / Kira Not on UMKC s DDS pages Admitted Each Year Approximately 109 (its catalog) DAT Academic Average 350 minimum (old 16) 370 preferred (old 17) 420 average for accepted students (old 20) on the 200–600 scale GPA Science & math GPA 3.0 minimum 3.4 and above preferred 3.6 average for accepted students Observation / Service Strongly 80-100 hours in 3+ dental offices (its catalog says five) and 3+ volunteer activities Residency Missouri residents first; “Preferred consideration” for residents of Kansas Arkansas New Mexico and Hawaii (its catalog doesn t name Arkansas) Citizenship Citizen or permanent resident (“must” on its requirements page “should” in its catalog); an exception for its Kuwait agreement requirements Requirements & Admission Figures 2 prerequisites Prerequisite Coursework 3 interview-format What UMKC

Says About the Interview 2 what-applicants-report What Applicants Report 3 timeline UMKC s Admissions Timeline 2 what-umkc-looks-for What UMKC Looks For 2 sample-questions Practice Interview Questions 2 preparation-tips Expert Preparation Tips 2 admissions-stats Admissions Statistics 2 prep-checklist Prep Checklist 2 faq FAQ 2 Traditional / Motivational Tell me about yourself. The UMKC pages we read don t publish interview questions; these are practice questions built on what UMKC says it weighs. UMKC doesn t say whether your interviewers will have read your application and its catalog says the committee “looks closely at information from all sources included in an applicant s file.” Build a 90-second answer that stands on its own and tells the same story as your AADSAS essay and personal who you are the experiences that led you to dentistry and why UMKC is the next step. Why dentistry? UMKC asks for “Demonstrated investigation of the

profession of dentistry” and strongly suggests observing in 3+ different dental offices (its catalog says five) and acquiring 80-100 hours of dental office observation or dental work experience. Anchor your answer in something specific you saw a dentist do with a patient say what it showed you about the profession and how it shaped your plans. Why UMKC? Use what UMKC says about its “Exposure to clinical dentistry in the first semester of the first year ” a general clinic organized into teams of faculty and staff with patients assigned to students for comprehensive care a network of nearby hospitals that includes Children s Mercy Hospital and Truman Medical Center and its status as a public school whose “first obligation is to qualified residents of Missouri.” Connect one of them to how you want to learn and whom you want to serve; the city alone is not a reason. What did you learn in the dental offices where you observed? UMKC strongly

suggests observation in 3+ different dental offices “the offices of general dentists and specialists” (its catalog says five). Name two offices what differed between them and one patient interaction you still think about. Behavioral Tell me about a time you balanced a full course load with other commitments. UMKC lists a “Demonstrated ability to balance full academic schedules with extracurricular involvement and/or employment (i.e. effective/efficient management of time).” Describe one demanding what you were carrying how you planned it what you set aside or shared and what you would do differently. Tell me about your volunteer work. What did it teach you? UMKC lists “Evidence of social conscience and compassion” and strongly suggests “active and ongoing participation in 3+ volunteer activities.” Pick one experience describe the people you served with respect and say what it taught you and how it shapes the dentist you want to be. Tell

me about a time you led a group or took responsibility for a result. UMKC s criteria name leadership “leadership skills” under personal character and “significant leadership roles” among extracurricular activities. Pick a time you took responsibility for an outcome not just a title and say what changed because of you. Describe a problem you solved that had no obvious answer. UMKC lists “Evidence of critical thinking and problem-solving ability ” and its catalog says “Peers work together to solve complex patient problems.” Walk through the options you saw what you weighed what you chose and what happened. Ethical / Scenario A patient is anxious and upset before treatment. How do you handle it? UMKC s technical standards say “Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients.” Show that you would acknowledge the fear explain each step in plain words agree on a signal to pause and involve your supervising

dentist if the patient wants to stop. A patient needs treatment they cannot afford. What do you do? UMKC s catalog describes connections to “several medical facilities serving low-income residents developmentally and mentally disabled patients and many other underserved populations.” Acknowledge the patient without judgment explore legitimate options with your supervising faculty member and never lower the standard of care. Show your reasoning; a question like this rarely has a single right answer. You see a classmate cheating on an exam. What do you do? UMKC s core values include “Demonstrating that ethical behavior is a lifelong habit of honest and sincere action that benefits the profession and society.” Describe an escalation path from a direct conversation to the proper channels and say why integrity matters when patients trust your license. A member of your team isn t doing their share of the work. What do you do? UMKC says “Our

program takes a team approach to clinical patient care.” Talk to your classmate privately first find out what is going on and offer help and involve faculty only if it continues. Show that fairness to the team and respect for the person can go together. Apply in June or July and by September 1 UMKC says “competitive candidates should apply the June or July of the year prior to anticipated entry into dental school ” and that AADSAS “can take up to six weeks to process and deliver an application.” Its requirements page gives a “Priority deadline” of September 1 and its catalog gives a deadline of October 1 with a preference for applications received before September 1; for 2026–27 both have passed. For a later cycle take the stricter reading September 1 and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. Prepare for a format UMKC doesn t publish UMKC says only that the interview is “with dental school faculty ” by invitation. It doesn t say whether it is in

person or virtual how many people interview you how long it lasts or whether they have read your application. The forum s invite tracker compiled by a volunteer from applicants reports lists virtual for 2025–26 and in person for 2026–27; go by your invitation. Keep your story consistent across your file UMKC s catalog says it is “in the candidate s best interest that this information is consistent among sources ” naming the AADSAS essay the Application Survey the interview and the personal statement. Reread each before the day and be ready to talk about any question your file might raise; the catalog encourages addressing such a question in a personal statement or letter to the Committee. Be ready to reflect on your observation and service UMKC strongly suggests observation in 3+ different dental offices (its catalog says five) 80-100 hours of dental office observation or dental work experience and “active and ongoing participation in

3+ volunteer activities.” Prepare one specific story from each and what it taught you. Requirement Detail Degree awarded DDS an accredited full-time four-year professional program; Kansas City Missouri Application AADSAS (“apply online through the AADSAS Application Service”); the UMKC general admissions application ($45.00 fee) only “Following acceptance”; the catalog also lists an “Application Survey” that the requirements page doesn t mention Deadline October 1 (its catalog; for 2026–27 passed); its requirements page gives a September 1 “Priority deadline”; UMKC advises applying in June or July of the year before you start Interview Required with dental school faculty by invitation only; format setting length interviewers and months not published Decisions No notification before December 15 of the current admissions cycle (December 15 2026 per ADEA); a $500 nonrefundable deposit within 30 days of an acceptance letter (15 days if

notified after Feb. 1); a list of alternates Admitted each year Approximately 109 candidates (its catalog) Average GPA accepted students 3.6 science & math GPA (UMKC doesn t say which class) Average DAT accepted students Academic Average 420 (old 20) on the 200–600 scale (UMKC doesn t say which class) Acceptance rate Not published Minimum and preferred GPA Science & math GPA 3.0 minimum 3.4 and above preferred Minimum and preferred DAT Academic Average 350 minimum (old 16) 370 preferred (old 17); its catalog s preference line says “350 (17-old scale) ” which doesn t match the ADA s Table 1 so take 370 as the preferred level DAT sub-scores “Multiple subscores below a 17 (old scale) will impact a candidate s competitiveness”; the ADA s Table 1 converts an old 17 to between 340 and 380 on the 200–600 scale depending on the section College credit and degree 90 college credit hours to apply; 120 hours “and/or a baccalaureate degree” to

enroll; a degree is encouraged and admitting a candidate without one is “rather rare” (catalog); no more than 60 hours from a community college (catalog) Prerequisites With lab if lab is general biology anatomy physiology biochemistry and one of cell biology histology microbiology or molecular biology (one semester each); chemistry organic chemistry physics and English composition (two semesters each); complete them by the end of the spring semester before the fall start; the catalog sets a minimum of a “C” Letters A minimum of three letters of recommendation or one pre-health advisory committee letter; without a committee at least one from a faculty member and one from a dentist Observation Strongly 80-100 hours of dental office observation or dental work experience in 3+ different dental offices ( five) Volunteering Strongly active and ongoing participation in 3+ volunteer activities ( “volunteer activities”) Technical standards

Candidates must attest to the abilities and skills in five areas; UMKC gives no date CASPer / Kira Not on UMKC s DDS pages Residency Missouri residents first; agreements with Kansas Arkansas New Mexico and Hawaii (the catalog doesn t name Arkansas); other states considered individually Citizenship Citizen or permanent resident (“must” on the requirements page “should” in the catalog) with an exception for its Kuwait agreement After an acceptance The UMKC general admissions application ($45.00) a criminal background check and immunizations before matriculating Reapplying Make an appointment with the director of admissions to discuss the reason for the denial UMKC s academic criteria (each with its own timing) 90 college credit hours toward a bachelor s degree to apply and 120 hours of college credit and/or a baccalaureate degree to enroll; the catalog encourages finishing a degree Prerequisite courses (with lab if lab is offered)

complete by the end of the spring semester before the fall start; you may take them while applying A DAT Academic Average of at least 350 (old 16) with 370 (old 17) preferred; UMKC says multiple subscores below an old 17 “will impact a candidate s competitiveness” A science & math GPA of at least 3.0 with 3.4 and above preferred Three letters of recommendation or one pre-health advisory committee letter (without a committee at least one from a faculty member and one from a dentist) UMKC s personal attributes and experiences (its counts are “strongly suggested”) Observation in 3+ different dental offices (its catalog says five) and 80-100 hours of dental office observation or dental work experience Active and ongoing participation in 3+ volunteer activities Evidence of critical thinking communication and leadership and of balancing a full academic schedule with other commitments Apply (UMKC s AADSAS) Apply in June or July of the year

before you start; AADSAS can take up to six weeks to process and deliver an application Meet the September 1 priority date and the October 1 deadline (both passed for 2026–27) Ask dds@umkc.edu about the Application the catalog lists it and the requirements page doesn t Review your essay survey answers and personal statement for consistency and address any question your file may raise in a personal statement or letter to the Committee Don t ask for an UMKC says an applicant “may not request it” If you are invited (interview months not published) Prepare for a format UMKC doesn t know your whole application well enough to tell its story yourself Prepare examples of observation service leadership problem solving and time management Prepare a Why UMKC answer an ethical dilemma to talk through and your own questions Decisions and what follows (UMKC s list) No notification of a decision before December 15 of the current admissions cycle

Accepted candidates have 30 days from the date of an acceptance letter to make a $500 nonrefundable deposit (15 days if notified after Feb. 1) After an the UMKC general application ($45.00) and a criminal background check with immunizations before you matriculate Applicants on the alternate list wait for an opening; denied applicants who want to reapply make an appointment with the director of admissions Hard dates (UMKC gives no years; the years are ours for the 2026–27 cycle) September 1 priority and preference date (passed) October 1 application deadline (passed) December 15 the earliest a decision can be sent (ADEA s 2026–27 acceptance notification date) Spring prerequisite courses complete Fall the program s fall start (UMKC publishes no start date for the traditional DDS) What is the UMKC dental school interview format? UMKC doesn t publish one. Its requirements page lists an interview “with dental school faculty” that is “an

important part of the selection process ” and says interviews are by “invitation only.” Its catalog says “A personal interview with the School of Dentistry is required as part of the selection process. The interview is by invitation only an applicant for admission may not request it.” Neither page says whether the interview is in person or virtual how many people interview you how long it lasts whether they have read your application what is asked or in which months. The catalog lists “interview assessment” among the information its committee reviews and says “it is in the candidate s best interest that this information is consistent among sources.” Is the UMKC dental interview virtual or in person? UMKC s pages don t say. The forum s invite tracker which a volunteer compiles from applicants reports lists virtual in 2025–26 (first invitations August 30 first interview date September 16) and in person in 2026–27 (first invitations August

21 first interview date September 14). In the forum s 2025–26 UMKC thread the three applicants who described the setting all wrote “Virtual”; in the 2026–27 thread one applicant invited July 29 wrote that the interview was in person on September 11 which doesn t match the tracker s dates. Go by your invitation and ask dds@umkc.edu if anything is unclear. Does UMKC use the MMI? UMKC s DDS admissions page and the DDS pages of its catalog don t mention an MMI stations a panel one-on-one interviews or open or closed files and no post in the forum s 2025–26 or 2026–27 UMKC threads describes how the interview runs (one 2025–26 post lists “Part 1” and “Part 2” dates without saying what they are). UMKC s Reserved Admission Program has its own “faculty interview ” and its Advanced Standing Dental Program has “a personal interview and skills test”; UMKC doesn t say how either relates to the DDS interview. Prepare to talk through your whole

application and go by your invitation. Does UMKC require CASPer or Kira for dental school? UMKC s DDS admissions page the DDS pages of its 2026–2027 catalog and the other UMKC pages we read don t mention CASPer Acuity Insights Kira or any similar assessment. What they ask for is AADSAS with your personal statement coursework and letters the DAT the technical standards attestation and if you are invited an interview; the catalog also lists “responses to items on the UMKC School of Dentistry s Application Survey” among the information its committee reviews. What GPA and DAT do I need for UMKC dental school? UMKC s requirements page lists a DAT Academic Average of “350 (16) minimum / 370 (17) preferred / 420 (20) average for accepted students” and a science & math GPA of “3.0 minimum 3.4 and above preferred 3.6 average for accepted students.” The 3-digit DAT figures are on the 200–600 scale the DAT has used since March 2025 with an

old-scale score in parentheses and they match the ADA s Table 1 for the Academic Average. The averages are for accepted students not targets and UMKC doesn t say which class they describe. For sub-scores UMKC says “Multiple subscores below a 17 (old scale) will impact a candidate s competitiveness”; the ADA s Table 1 converts an old 17 to 370 in Academic Average and Biology 380 in four other sections 360 in Perceptual Ability and 340 in Reading Comprehension. UMKC s catalog says “350 (17-old scale)” in its preference line and “350 (16-old scale)” in its interview line and in the ADA s Table 1 an Academic Average of 350 is an old 16; take the stricter reading 350 as the floor and 370 as preferred and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. Does UMKC accept out-of-state applicants? Yes but Missouri comes “As a public institution financially supported by the state of Missouri our first obligation is to qualified residents of Missouri.” Its requirements

page gives “Preferred consideration” to residents of Kansas Arkansas New Mexico and Hawaii and says “Applicants from other states are welcome to apply and are considered on an individual basis for highly qualified candidates.” Its catalog names Kansas New Mexico and Hawaii but not Arkansas so an Arkansas resident should confirm with dds@umkc.edu. UMKC publishes no counts of resident or nonresident applicants interviews or offers on the pages we read. Its requirements page says applicants must be “a citizen of the United States or a foreign national with a visa permitting permanent residence.” When is the UMKC DDS application deadline? UMKC s catalog says “Although the UMKC deadline for application submission is October 1 early applications are strongly recommended ” with a preference for applications received before September 1; its requirements page says only “Priority deadline for applications is September 1.” Neither prints a year;

for 2026–27 we read both as 2026 so both have passed. Take the stricter reading September 1 and confirm with dds@umkc.edu. For a later cycle UMKC advises applying “the June or July of the year prior to anticipated entry into dental school.” Interviews are by invitation with no months published and the catalog says “no notification of the admission decision is made to a candidate before Dec. 15 of the current admissions cycle.” How many shadowing hours does UMKC require? UMKC s pages call it “strongly suggested ” not “candidates observe in a minimum of 3+ different dental offices (the offices of general dentists and specialists) and acquire a minimum of 80-100 hours of dental office observation or dental work experience.” Its catalog says “a minimum of five different dental offices” and adds “preference is given to candidates who have worked in a dental office.” Take the stricter reading five offices and at least 100 hours and confirm

with dds@umkc.edu. UMKC also offers student shadowing sessions for prospective students and doesn t say whether they count toward those hours. KCU Dental School Interview Guide (DMD) In KCU invites selected applicants to a formal personal interview which an undated KCU page says is held virtually. Two of its pages say interviews run August–February; its catalog s deadline is February 1. Domestic Program /schools/kcu-dental-school-interview SIU Dental School Interview Guide (DMD) In SIU s undated interviews page describes a half-day visit with a writing exercise an interview a tour and a student panel with lunch; it doesn t say who interviews you or for how long. Deadline November 15. Domestic Program /schools/siu-dental-school-interview MOSDOH (ATSU Missouri) Dental School Interview Guide (DMD) In MOSDOH s undated DMD page lists two 30-minute interviews one with a faculty member and one with an Admissions staff member in person or on a

virtual day between September and March. AADSAS deadline December 1. Domestic Program /schools/atsu-missouri-dental-school-interview Iowa Dental School Interview Guide (DDS) In Iowa timed “one-on-two” interviews each with a different pair of interviewers in person from August to November 2026 plus one virtual day. The September 30 deadline has passed. Domestic Program /schools/iowa-dental-school-interview Creighton Dental School Interview Guide (DDS) In Creighton s virtual interview with a member of the admissions committee plus a mandatory in-person presentation and tour; AADSAS by December 1. Domestic Program /schools/creighton-dental-school-interview OU (Oklahoma) Dental School Interview Guide (DDS) In Oklahoma OU conducts interviews September–November and publishes no format; it lists a minimum DAT of 16 in each section on the old 1–30 scale with 200–600 equivalents. Its September 30 deadline has passed. Domestic Program

/schools/oklahoma-dental-school-interview