Booster Prep

Dentistry Admissions
School Statistics

South Carolina

Admissions Statistics for MUSC Dental School Requirements

Background Information

  • Location: Charleston, SC
  • Institution Type: Public
  • Campus Setting: Urban
  • Dental Doctoral Degree: Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D)
  • Mission Statement: “The mission of the College of Dental Medicine is to develop transformative leaders and oral health providers to improve wellness. Our commitment to education, research and patient care will be driven by a collaborative and entrepreneurial approach that will result in global impact on the profession.”
  • Year Opened: 1967
  • Number of Months to Earn Degree: 48
  • Campus Housing Available: No
  • Class Size: 78
  • Term Type: Semester

Combined degrees offered:

B.A./B.S.
M.B.A.
M.P.H.
M.S.
Ph.D.
Other Degrees

International Dental Graduate Programs:

Traditional Predoctoral Program for IDGs
Advanced Standing Program for IDGs
Yes
No

Admissions Statistics: (2024 Applicant and Entering Class Data)

  • Mean Age of First-Time, First-Year Enrollees: 23

Acceptance Rates by Location:

Number of Applicants
Number of Enrollees
Enrollment Rate
Overall
1,764
78
4.42%
In-State
163
59
36.20%
Out-State
1,568
18
1.15%
International
33
1
3.03%

Class Breakdown by Residency:

Number of Enrollees
Percentage of Incoming Class
In-State
59
75.64%
Out-State
18
23.08%
International
1
1.28%

Academic Averages for Acceptance:

DAT Academic Average
DAT Natural Science
DAT Perceptual Ability
Cumulative GPA
Science GPA
20.4
19.9
20.3
3.73
3.69

Range of Academic Averages for Acceptance:

5th Percentile of Enrollees
95th Percentile of Enrollees
DAT Academic Average
18
23
Cumulative GPA
3.19
4.00
Science GPA
3.09
4.00

Prerequisites

Preferred
Strongly Preferred
Required
Baccalaureate is:

Required Coursework:

Required Course
Credits (Semesters/Quarters)
Required Lab
Biology
8/12
General Chemistry
8/12
Organic Chemistry
8/12
Physics
8/12
Science Electives (e.g. Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, etc)
8/12
English
6/8
Mathematics
6/8
  • Recommended courses include: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology/Genetics, Physiology, and Zoology

Community College Coursework and Advanced Placement Credit:

Prerequisites
Electives
AP Credit Accepted
Yes
Yes
Community College Coursework Accepted
Yes
Yes

Maximum number of Community College Credit Hours:

  •  60

Required Shadowing Hours:

  • O Hours Required
  • 100+ Hours Recommended to be competitive

Letters of Recommendation: 

  • Option 1: Three letters of recommendation from individuals of the applicant’s choice
  • Option 2: One committee letter

Dental Admissions Test Requirements:

Mandatory DAT
Canadian DAT Accepted?
Applicants Evaluated Before Official DAT Submission?
DAT Score Considered
Yes
No
No
Only highest score

Supplemental Information:

Mandatory Casper
Participation in ADEA AADSAS
Required Supplemental Application
Supplemental Application Fee
No
Yes
Yes
Yes: $95 for all applicants

Interview Format

  • Interviews are conducted virtually. The day begins with a welcome session, an overview of MUSC’s campus, and an explanation of the day’s events. Applicants then have two 30-minute interviews with faculty members. There is also a virtual tour of the Charleston area and an opportunity to ask questions of current students.

Finances and Application Logistics

Financial Estimations for students starting Fall 2025:

Year
In-State Tuition
Out-State Tuition
Additional Fees
Estimated Living Expenses
D1
$47,415
$83,290
$30,450
$27,720
D2
$34,300
$60,000
$26,354
$22,176
D3
$47,415
$83,290
$26,889
$30,492
D4
$47,415
$83,290
$26,889
$30,492

University Offerings

1. Academic Offerings 

  • College of Graduate Studies Summer Health Professionals Program introduces students to biomedical research under a mentor
  • Research focuses include: 
    • Molecular and cellular biology of periodontal inflammation and disease progression
    • Head and neck cancer biology and therapeutics with a focus on RNA silencing
    • Bioengineering/Biomechanics of temporomandibular joint and craniofacial regeneration with an emphasis on dentin regeneration
    • and more
    • Students may pursue a D.M.D./PhD in Oral Health 

2. Clinical Experiences

  • Clinical Curriculum Overview
    • D1-D2: Basic science and preclinical courses
    • D3: Clinical courses and patient treatment
    • D4: Patient treatment and extramural rotations. Elective courses in specialty topics and practice administration.
  • Postdoctoral and Residency Programs
    • Residency Programs:
      • Advanced Education in General Dentistry
      • Digital Dentistry (MSD)
      • Endodontics (MSD)
      • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
      • Orthodontics (MSD)
      • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Periodontics (MSD)
    • Fellowship Programs:
      • Fellowship in Digital Dentistry
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