UIC College of Dentistry Advanced Standing (DMD-AS) for International Dentists: Requirements, Cost and How to Get In

  • Dr. T
  • October 14, 2026
  • 0 Comments
UIC College of Dentistry · Program guide · Updated October 2026

UIC College of Dentistry Advanced Standing (DMD-AS) for International Dentists: Requirements, Cost and How to Get In

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry runs the Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing (DMD-AS) program, a 28-month, full-time program for foreign-trained dentists that starts every January and ends with a DMD degree. You apply through ADEA CAAPID plus a separate UIC supplemental application, both by 15 June, with a passed INBDE, a TOEFL score, an ECE course-by-course report and three letters.13

There is no bench test. One rule catches many applicants out: UIC currently accepts applications only from people who already live in the US and hold a status that allows them to study.24

28 monthsfull-time, ends in a DMD
Up to 52places per class
Nobench test
$398,811UIC’s non-resident program costs, 2026-27 rates

At a glanceRequirementsAm I ready?Selection stepsCostHow to prepareOther routesFAQ
Your UIC plan

How The Study Boards helps you get into UIC

  • INBDE passed before you apply: UIC will not look at you without it, so our INBDE Premium Boards course gets you there first, with faculty-written Modules, 35,000+ questions, nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time and a Pass Guarantee.
  • Built around you: the course is extremely personalised. It learns from the way you are studying, red lines and assignments are given to you on the go, and faculty are there to assist you.
  • Every TOEFL section: our TOEFL course for dentists works on each section, because UIC checks all four.
  • A file that stands out in 1,568: our CAAPID program and interview preparation with Dr. T cover your statement, letters and the virtual faculty interview.
The facts in one place

UIC Advanced Standing at a glance

Taken from UIC College of Dentistry’s own pages and UIC’s ADEA CAAPID listing, as of October 2026. People search for it as UIC Dentistry, the UIC School of Dentistry or UIC Advanced Standing. It is all the same program.18

ProgramDoctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing (DMD-AS)CODA-accredited
Degree and lengthDMD, 28 monthsFull-time only. No part-time option
Next class startsJanuary 2027Every class starts in January
Class sizeUp to 5252 enrolled in each of the last five classes
How to applyCAAPID + UIC supplementalBoth are required. No direct route
2026 cycle5 March to 15 June 2026Rolling review. This deadline has passed
Board examINBDE passOr NBDE Parts I and II. Must be passed when you apply
EnglishTOEFL iBT 80 total4.5 on the new scale, with section minimums
Credential reportECE course-by-course onlyWES is not accepted
Bench testNoneUIC’s FAQ and ADEA both confirm
InterviewVirtual, by faculty invitationApril to August
Where you liveIn the US, on a status that allows studyA tourist visa does not qualify
ADATNot requiredPer UIC’s FAQ
Program costs, 2026-27 rates$398,811 non-resident$357,679 for Illinois residents. Living costs extra
Loans if internationalNo federal or need-based aidPrivate loans, often with a US co-signer

UIC’s FAQ also confirms that the DMD is enough for licensing anywhere in the US, not just in Illinois.4

What UIC asks for

Requirements in detail

Start with the rule that decides whether you can apply at all.

You must already live in the USUIC’s requirements page says the College of Dentistry is accepting applications from students who currently live in the US and hold a valid visa status. Its ADEA listing adds that your status must allow you to study, and that a tourist visa does not qualify. You do not need a green card or US citizenship. If you are not sure whether your status allows you to study, UIC tells you to get legal advice.248 If you still live in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or the Middle East, UIC is not open to you under these rules. Use our Advanced Standing programs guide to find schools that take applicants from abroad.
INBDE

Pass the INBDE before you applyUIC accepts the INBDE or NBDE Parts I and II, and you must have passed at the time of application. You cannot send a board result after the deadline. The ADA reports your score to CAAPID. If you are invited to interview, you also ask the ADA to email an official score report to UIC. For international candidates the INBDE costs $890 plus a $435 processing fee, $1,325 in total.24811

ECE

ECE course-by-course, nothing elseUIC accepts only an ECE course-by-course evaluation ordered through CAAPID. It does not accept WES. UIC asks for “a highly competitive” overall GPA on that report but does not publish a cut-off. The report costs $199 at ECE’s current price.2410

3 LORs

Three letters, ideally one from a US dentistUIC prefers that one letter comes from a US dental practitioner. It does not require a letter from your dean. All three go through CAAPID only, on letterhead and signed. UIC will not take extra letters by email.24

Docs

Supplemental uploadsInside the UIC application you upload your dental transcripts and diploma as one PDF, plus English translations if the originals are not in English. UIC recommends a translator who is a member of the American Translators Association. Upload only. UIC does not accept mailed documents.35

$250

Two UIC feesA non-refundable $150 application fee, paid by credit card only, and a non-refundable $100 International Credential Evaluation Fee for anyone with coursework outside the US. Both are on top of the CAAPID fee of $264 for your first program and $115 for each extra program.359

No

No ADAT, no bench testUIC’s FAQ says it does not require the ADAT and does not require a bench test. You also need to read and accept the College’s Safety and Technical Standards.24

TOEFL: the total and every section count

UIC sets a minimum for each section, not just the total. Miss one section and you are not eligible to apply.2

TOEFL iBT Old scale minimum New scale minimum (1 to 6)
Total 80 4.5
Reading 19 4
Listening 17 4
Speaking 20 4.5
Writing 21 4.5
The minimum is not the targetThe average TOEFL iBT score of UIC’s last entering class was 101. Scores must be under two years old when you apply, with no exceptions. UIC does not accept MyBest scores, prefers the test centre version over the Home Edition, and wants ETS to send scores directly (institution code 1851). If you are invited to interview, bring your official, unopened score report.25
Who can skip the TOEFLYou are exempt if you hold a US bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate, or studied in a country where English is the only official language. An English-medium dental school in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Nepal does not count.24

Tick as you go

Am I ready to apply to UIC?

Tick each item you have done. Anything left unticked is your to-do list before the next cycle opens.

New to the CAAPID portal? Our CAAPID login and application walkthrough shows every screen, and our guide to WES or ECE explains why UIC applicants must order ECE.

From application to first day

How UIC selects Advanced Standing students

UIC reviews on a rolling basis and gives preference to earlier applications. Applying in March beats applying on 15 June.23

Submit ADEA CAAPIDSend your CAAPID application with the INBDE, TOEFL, ECE report and three letters. UIC will not take an application without CAAPID.34
Submit the UIC supplemental applicationOn UIC’s graduate portal, choose the 2026-2027 cycle, General Application, Doctorate level, then DMD Advanced Standing. UIC warns that the “professional program” application is the wrong one. Pay the $150 fee, then the $100 credential fee when the checklist asks for it.35
Upload your documentsUploads open one business day after you submit. UIC takes up to 10 business days to confirm your file is complete.4
Faculty review and interviewReview starts in mid-March. Faculty invite only the candidates they rate highly qualified, so do not ask for an invitation. Interviews run from April to August and are held virtually. After the interview you can visit the College for an in-person tour.34
Decision and startUIC sends every applicant a final decision no later than November. The class starts in January.3

How competitive is it?

UIC publishes its own numbers. For the class that started in January 2026 (the Class of 2028):7

Applications665 from India alone1,568
Interviewedabout 1 in 10151
Offers madeabout 1 in 1981
Enrolled15 Illinois residents, 37 non-residents52

The class averaged a TOEFL of 101 and an age of 31. India had 11 of the 52 places. Applications have risen every year, from 897 for the Class of 2024 to 1,568, so an early, complete file matters.7

The application cycle on a timeline

These are UIC’s dates for the class that starts in January 2027. UIC has not posted dates for the next cycle yet, so use this pattern to plan and confirm on UIC’s page.348

Before MarchGet the documents readyINBDE passed, TOEFL taken, letters requested.
5 March 2026CAAPID and UIC openSubmit both as early as you can.
Mid-MarchRolling review startsFaculty begin reading complete files.
April to AugustVirtual interviewsBy faculty invitation only.
15 June 2026DeadlineBoth the CAAPID and the UIC application must be submitted.
By November 2026Final decisionsSent by email.
January 2027Program starts28 months of full-time study. The class that started in January 2026 is expected to graduate in May 2028.7
Today: October 2026Prepare for the next cycleThe 2026 window has closed. If UIC keeps the same pattern, you have about five months to finish the INBDE, TOEFL and letters.

For a month-by-month plan from INBDE to interview, read our INBDE and CAAPID timeline.

2026-27 figures from UIC

What UIC Advanced Standing costs, and how people pay for it

UIC publishes a cost sheet for each year of the program, with separate figures for Illinois residents and non-residents. Pick the one that fits you.6

AS-2: $113,946
AS-3: $113,946
AS-4: $170,919
Non-resident, 2026-27 rates Per semester
Tuition $47,376
University fees (incl. health insurance and transit pass) $2,896
Clinic infrastructure (loupes included) $4,701
Textbooks and other educational expenses $2,000
Program costs across the three years $398,811

AS-2: $102,194
AS-3: $102,194
AS-4: $153,291
Illinois resident, 2026-27 rates Per semester
Tuition $41,500
University fees (incl. health insurance and transit pass) $2,896
Clinic infrastructure (loupes included) $4,701
Textbooks and other educational expenses $2,000
Program costs across the three years $357,679

The totals add up UIC’s three program-year columns (AS-2, AS-3 and AS-4) at 2026-27 rates. The textbook line also covers board exams, licensing exams and extramural rotations. Rates can change before classes start.6

Add living costs to get the real total

UIC estimates living expenses at $30,000 a year, on top of the program costs.6 Over 28 months that is about $70,000.

Program costs, non-residentUIC 2026-27 rates$398,811
Living costs, 28 monthsOur estimate from UIC’s $30,000 a yearabout $70,000
ApplyingCAAPID $264, UIC $150 + $100, ECE $199, INBDE $1,325$2,038
Rough all-in figure, non-residentabout $470,000

How people actually pay: loansBecoming a US dentist through Advanced Standing usually costs somewhere between $250,000 and $450,000 all-in, and a non-resident at UIC lands at the top of that range or a little above it. Almost nobody pays in cash. Most students finance it with loans and repay them from a US dentist’s income. UIC says international students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional need-based aid.12 Federal loans are open to US citizens and “eligible noncitizens”, such as green-card holders. Student and work visas are not on that list.13 If you are on a visa, the usual route is a private loan, often with a co-signer who is a US citizen or green-card holder. A few international lenders lend without a co-signer. Ask UIC’s Office of Student Financial Aid whether it will certify your chosen loan before you count on it.

To weigh the cost against the income, read is becoming a US dentist worth it?

We help with every stage

How to prepare: our full plan for UIC

Four things decide a UIC application. Here is the plan The Study Boards uses for each one.

INBDE

Pass the INBDE first timeUIC will not look at you without a pass on file when you apply. The Study Boards INBDE Premium Boards course has 12 sections, 35,000+ questions and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time. 99% of students who complete the course pass on their first attempt.

  • Pass Guarantee: finish on time with no overdue days, score 60%+ on every test, and if you still do not pass, we refund the course fee and the exam registration fee (about $1,000).
  • Your questions are answered by US-licensed dentists, not AI.

See the INBDE Blueprint

CAAPID

Build an application that stands out in 1,568Master the CAAPID Application covers the personal statement, a review of all three letters, your CV, a strategy session with Dr. T and three mock interviews. Every document is reviewed by a five-faculty bench. 300+ dentists placed, limited to 40 students per cycle.

  • Our letter review covers the US practising dentist letter that UIC prefers.
  • School selection, so UIC is not your only application.

See Master the CAAPID Application

Interview

Be ready for a faculty interviewUIC’s interview is virtual and by invitation. Our 3-session interview program with Dr. Slesnick and Dr. T runs two sessions before invites arrive and one debrief after your first real interview, all live online.

  • Motivation, ethics and MMI-style questions, without a script.
  • School-specific prep for the program that invited you.

See the Interview Program

TOEFL

Clear every section, aim for 100+UIC checks each section score and its last class averaged 101. Our TOEFL iBT course for dentists is a 45-day, mentor-reviewed program built for the January 2026 format, including the new Listen and Repeat and Interview speaking tasks.

  • Check the two-year validity: a score that expires before you apply will not count.

See the TOEFL Course

No bench test at UIC, but other schools on your list may have oneRead what the dental bench test is, check the bench test exercises by school, and see our plan for how to prepare for the dental bench test with Dr. Kaur. These five tough interview questions are a good warm-up for any school.

Keep your options open

Other routes if UIC is not the right fit

UIC has 52 places and only takes applicants who live in the US. Passing the INBDE opens four routes, and many dentists apply to more than one at once.

1

Advanced Standing at another schoolTwo to three years to a DDS or DMD, all through ADEA CAAPID. Many schools accept applicants who live abroad. Compare them in our Advanced Standing programs guide and full list of US dental schools, then shortlist with the CAAPID directory method.

2

AEGD through ADEA PASSAn Advanced Education in General Dentistry program. Some states give a limited licence after an AEGD, but the rules vary by state, so check the state where you want to work. See AEGD programs for international dentists.

3

A specialty residency through PASSSome dentists apply straight to a residency such as orthodontics or endodontics. It is more competitive for international applicants. Start with CAAPID or PASS: how to pick.

4

TeachingSome international dentists join a US dental school as faculty or in an academic role. Each school and state sets its own rules, so ask the school directly.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Does UIC College of Dentistry accept international dentists?
Yes. UIC runs the Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing (DMD-AS) program for foreign-trained dentists. It lasts 28 months, starts each January and awards a DMD. You apply through ADEA CAAPID and a UIC supplemental application. You must already live in the US on a status that allows you to study.12
Can I apply to UIC Advanced Standing from India or another country?
Not under UIC’s current rules. UIC accepts applications only from people who currently live in the US and hold a valid status that allows them to study. A tourist visa does not qualify. A green card is not required.28
Does UIC dentistry require a bench test?
No. UIC’s FAQ says it does not require a bench test, and its ADEA listing agrees. Selection is based on your application, letters and a virtual interview.48
What TOEFL score does the UIC School of Dentistry need?
At least 80 overall (4.5 on the new scale), with section minimums of 19 Reading, 17 Listening, 20 Speaking and 21 Writing. The last entering class averaged 101. Scores must be under two years old, and MyBest scores are not accepted.2
Does UIC accept WES?
No. UIC accepts only an ECE course-by-course evaluation, ordered as part of your ADEA CAAPID application.4
How much does the UIC Advanced Standing program cost?
At 2026-27 rates, $398,811 for non-residents and $357,679 for Illinois residents, plus about $30,000 a year in living costs. International students cannot get federal or need-based aid, so most use private loans.612

Planning to apply to UIC?

Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp. We will help you plan your INBDE, TOEFL, CAAPID and interview steps around UIC’s dates.

Message the Admin Team on WhatsApp

References

  1. UIC College of Dentistry. Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing (DMD-AS): length, start, class size, degree, application route. dentistry.uic.edu (checked 14 October 2026)
  2. UIC College of Dentistry. Admissions Requirements for the DMD-AS Program: dates, boards, ECE, letters, TOEFL, visa status. dentistry.uic.edu (checked 14 October 2026)
  3. UIC College of Dentistry. How to Apply to the DMD-AS Program: supplemental application, $100 fee, selection, interviews, decisions. dentistry.uic.edu (checked 14 October 2026)
  4. UIC College of Dentistry. DMD-AS FAQ: visa status, WES, bench test, ADAT, interviews, licensing. dentistry.uic.edu (checked 14 October 2026)
  5. UIC College of Dentistry. DMDAS Application Checklist (PDF): $150 fee, $100 fee, uploads, TOEFL report at interview. dentistry.uic.edu (checked 14 October 2026)
  6. UIC College of Dentistry. DMD Advanced Standing Estimated Tuition and Fees, Academic Year 2026-2027 (PDF), resident and non-resident. dentistry.uic.edu (checked 14 October 2026)
  7. UIC College of Dentistry. Profile of DMD Advanced Standing Program, Entering Classes 2024-2028 (PDF). dentistry.uic.edu (checked 14 October 2026)
  8. ADEA CAAPID. University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry program listing (updated 24 February 2026). programs.adea.org (checked 14 October 2026)
  9. ADEA. ADEA CAAPID Applicants: 2026-27 fees. adea.org (checked 14 October 2026)
  10. Educational Credential Evaluators. U.S. Services and Fees: Course by Course $199. ece.org (checked 14 October 2026)
  11. JCNDE. INBDE Candidate Guide: $890 fee plus $435 non-CODA processing fee. jcnde.ada.org
  12. UIC Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Eligibility: international students. financialaid.uic.edu (checked 14 October 2026)
  13. Federal Student Aid, US Department of Education. Eligibility for Non-U.S. Citizens. studentaid.gov (checked 14 October 2026)

Current as of 14 October 2026. Program details, dates, costs and class figures come from UIC College of Dentistry and ADEA CAAPID. The living-cost and all-in figures are our estimates built from UIC’s published numbers. Confirm everything on UIC’s site before you apply. This guide by The Study Boards is independent and is not endorsed by UIC.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *