Marquette Dental School for International Dentists: Advanced Standing Program (2026 Guide)

  • Dr. T
  • October 16, 2026
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School guide · Marquette University School of Dentistry · Updated October 2026

Marquette Dental School for International Dentists: Advanced Standing Program (2026 Guide)

Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee takes up to five internationally trained dentists a year into a three-year Advanced Standing Program that ends with a US DDS degree. You apply through ADEA CAAPID; the window is open now and closes on January 1, 2027, for an August 2027 start.

36months, August start, DDS
Up to 5places a year
Jan 12027 deadline, window open now
Part INBDE Part I or INBDE; Part II not needed
DeadlineJan 1, 2027

The application window is open now.Marquette’s CAAPID application opened in March 2026 and closes on January 1, 2027, for the class starting in August 2027. You must pass the INBDE (or NBDE Part I) before you apply, so if your exam is still ahead, book it with enough time for the result to come back before the holidays.12

Who this guide is for: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nepali dentists with a BDS, and other internationally trained dentists aiming for a US DDS or DMD through the Marquette Advanced Standing Program.

At a glanceWhat they look forRequirementsSelection and timelineAm I ready?Cost and loansHow to prepareOther routesFAQ

How The Study Boards helps you get into Marquette

  • INBDE first: our INBDE Premium Boards course gives you 35,000+ questions, faculty-written Modules and Master Files, full test series and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time. Students who complete the course have a 99% first-attempt pass rate. Marquette needs the pass before you apply, and the deadline is January 1, so there is still time if you start now.
  • Built around you: at The Study Boards, in Dr. T’s words, our courses are extremely personalised. Red lines and assignments are given on the go, the course learns from the way you study, and faculty assist you at every step.
  • TOEFL: our TOEFL course for dentists gets you to Marquette’s 95, or 5 on the new scale.
  • CAAPID file: the Master the CAAPID Application program builds your essays and your school list with our faculty. For Marquette, that means essays that show service to others and a clear reason for choosing Wisconsin.
  • Hands and interview: bench test preparation with Dr. Kaur and interview preparation with Dr. T. Marquette invites selected candidates to an interview with its Admissions Committee and a bench test.
The facts in one place

the Marquette Advanced Standing Program at a glance

From Marquette’s own pages and the ADEA CAAPID listing, checked on October 15, 2026.

Advanced Standing Program for foreign-trained dentists, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
DegreeDDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery)1
LengthThree years (36 months) at Marquette12
Start dateAugust 2027 (CAAPID lists August 1)12
Class sizeUp to 5 a year1
How to applyADEA CAAPID, then a $45 Marquette processing fee1
DeadlineJanuary 1, 202712
INBDEPass before applying; NBDE Part I also accepted; Part II not required1
English testTOEFL iBT 95, or 5 for tests from January 21, 202612
Credential evaluationECE course-by-course12
Bench testYes, for selected candidates1
InterviewWith the Admissions Committee, by invitation1
CitizenshipNot required; non-citizens work with the Office of International Education2
Tuition (2026-27 rate)$71,550 a year out of state; $62,890 for Wisconsin residents3
LoansF-1 and J-1 students must show full funding for the whole program before visa papers are issued4

What the three years look like

Marquette describes a foundational first year of technical and didactic coursework, followed by two years of combined clinical and didactic training.2 Its own page adds that Advanced Standing students join the rising D1 class after acceptance and must complete all three years at Marquette.1

Year 1Foundational technical and didactic coursework
Year 2Clinical and didactic training
Year 3Clinical and didactic training, then your DDS
What the school selects for

What Marquette focuses on

Built from Marquette’s mission, its foreign-trained applicant page and the CAAPID listing.

MissionService to othersThe school aims for excellence in dental education, oral health care, research and leadership, within Marquette’s mission of service to others.3
Where you will serveUrban and rural WisconsinMarquette is Wisconsin’s only dental school and says it trains dentists to bring quality care to urban and rural communities.3
BoardsPart I level is enough to applyA pass on NBDE Part I or the INBDE is required before you apply; Part II is not. Official scores are sent only if Marquette asks, or after admission.12
Hands and interviewAn Admissions Committee interview and a bench testSelected candidates are invited to both. Marquette does not publish the bench exercises.1
LengthA full three yearsMarquette asks for three years of study, longer than many two-year programs. It suits dentists who want a full grounding in US dentistry.1
SeatsUp to five a yearWith so few places, every part of your file counts.1
Our advice (not the school’s words): what to show in your CAAPID essays and interview

  • Write about service to others with concrete examples: free camps, community clinics, teaching, volunteering, with dates.
  • Explain why Wisconsin and why Marquette. Mention where you want to practise after the DDS and the patients you want to serve.
  • Show that a three-year program is a choice you welcome, not a fallback: what you want to learn in the foundational year.
  • Prepare for a committee interview: clear, honest answers about your clinical work and why you left practice at home.
  • Practise your preparations before the bench test. With five seats, a clean preparation can separate you from the next applicant.
What Marquette asks for

Requirements in detail

Marquette’s list is short. The detail that trips people up is the TOEFL score scale and the timing of the INBDE.

A dental degree from outside the USThe program is for dentists trained in countries outside the United States who want to practise here.1
An INBDE pass before you applyPass the INBDE, or NBDE Part I, before you submit. Part II is not required. You report the score in CAAPID; send an official copy only if Marquette asks, or once admitted.12 The INBDE costs $1,325 for internationally trained dentists ($890 plus a $435 processing fee) as of October 2026.7 Start with our INBDE Premium Boards course and the INBDE and CAAPID timeline.
TOEFL iBT 95, or 5 on the new scaleTests taken on or before January 20, 2026 need 95 or more. Tests from January 21, 2026 need 5 or more on the new scale.12 If you are short, see our TOEFL course for dentists.
ECE course-by-course evaluationSubmit it to CAAPID. If admitted, have ECE send the official report straight to Marquette.12 ECE charges $199 for it.6 See WES or ECE: which do you need.
Three letters of recommendationSubmitted through CAAPID; Marquette accepts up to three.12 Our letters of recommendation guide shows who to ask.
A $45 processing feePaid online to the School of Dentistry by card or e-check. Marquette emails you a payment link after it receives your application.12
Not a US citizen or green-card holder?You can apply. Once admitted, you work with Marquette’s Office of International Education, and all immigration requirements must be complete before you enrol. F-1 and J-1 students must show full financial resources for the length of the program.24
From CAAPID to your first day

Selection steps and the application timeline

Dates from Marquette and the CAAPID listing for the class starting in August 2027. Marquette does not publish interview dates for this program.

March 2026The Marquette application opened in CAAPIDMarquette’s page says March 6, 2026; the CAAPID listing says March 5. If CAAPID is new to you, follow our CAAPID login and application walkthrough.12
Before you submitINBDE pass, TOEFL and ECE in placeThe INBDE pass must come before the application.1
After you submitPay the $45 feeMarquette emails the payment link once it receives your application.1
January 1, 2027DeadlineYour CAAPID application must be in.12
After reviewInterview and bench test, by invitationWith the Admissions Committee.1
After acceptanceOfficial scores, ECE and immigration paperworkOfficial INBDE and ECE reports go straight to Marquette; non-citizens complete visa steps with the Office of International Education.12
August 2027Program startsThree years to your DDS.12
Get ready for the bench test earlyMarquette does not publish its exercises, so practise the common preparations. Our guides to what the dental bench test is, how bench work is evaluated and bench test exercises by school are good places to start.
Self-check

Am I ready to apply to Marquette?

Tick what is already done. Anything left unticked is your to-do list before the January 1, 2027 deadline.

Marquette’s own figures, 2026-27

Cost and financing

Marquette publishes its DDS tuition but no separate figure for Advanced Standing. These are the 2026-27 annual rates; tap a tab to see them.3

Tuition, out-of-state$71,550
Tuition, Wisconsin resident$62,890

Books, instruments and living costs are extra; Marquette lists them in its estimated student budget.

Tuition, out-of-state$71,550
Tuition, Wisconsin resident$62,890

Rates are reviewed every year, so later years may cost more.

Tuition, out-of-state$71,550
Tuition, Wisconsin resident$62,890
Tuition at 2026-27 rates, out-of-state$214,650
Tuition at 2026-27 rates, Wisconsin resident$188,670

Our multiplication of Marquette’s 2026-27 annual rate by three years, before books, instruments and living costs. Ask Marquette for the Advanced Standing budget before you plan your loans.

Before you are accepted, budget for the application stage: the INBDE ($1,325), the CAAPID fee ($264 for your first program, $115 for each extra one), the ECE report ($199) and the $45 Marquette fee, plus your TOEFL.567 Our breakdown of what it costs to apply to US dental schools covers the full list.

How international dentists pay for it

Advanced Standing usually costs roughly $250,000 to $450,000 all-in. At Marquette, tuition alone at 2026-27 rates comes to about $215,000 for out-of-state students, before living costs. Almost everyone finances it with loans, so do not let the number stop you.

Marquette says its dental students receive more than $11 million in aid each year, more than $600,000 of it gift aid, with the rest in loans from government and private sources. Ask the Office of Student Financial Aid which of these are open to you; F-1 and J-1 students must show full funding before Marquette issues visa papers.34 Across the US, the common routes are private loans, co-signer loans with a US citizen or green-card holder, and a few international lenders that need no co-signer.

Read is becoming a US dentist worth it for the full picture.

We prepare you for each step

How to prepare: our full plan

Marquette judges five things: INBDE, TOEFL, written file, committee interview and bench test. Here is how The Study Boards prepares you for each part.

INBDE

INBDE Premium BoardsPass before you apply, ahead of January 1:

  • Faculty-written Modules and Master Files, then full test series and Grand Tests
  • 35,000+ focused questions, answered by US-licensed dentists, not AI
  • Nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time
  • 99% first-attempt pass rate for students who complete the course, and a Pass Guarantee
  • $299 for 3 months, $499 for 6 months, $899 for 12 months, or $39 a month

See the INBDE Course Blueprint

CAAPID

Master the CAAPID ApplicationYour written file, built around service:

  • Personal statement, letters and CV, reviewed by our faculty
  • Profile and school-list strategy with Dr. T
  • 3 mock interview sessions included

See the CAAPID Program

Interview

Interview preparation with Dr. TFor Marquette’s Admissions Committee interview:

  • One-on-one mock interviews with Dr. T, with feedback after each
  • The 3-session program with Dr. Slesnick and Dr. T: two sessions before invitations, one after your first real interview
  • Read the five toughest dental school interview questions

See Interview Preparation

Hands

Bench test preparation with Dr. KaurMarquette tests selected candidates on the bench:

  • 7 video sessions with Dr. Kaur, one preparation at a time
  • Your own preparations critiqued by US-licensed faculty
  • A practice week and a competency exam at the end

See Bench Test Preparation

TOEFL

TOEFL iBT course for dentistsMarquette asks for 95, or 5 on the new scale:

  • 45 days, mentor-reviewed, built on the 2026 TOEFL format
  • Reading, listening, writing and speaking practice for the new task types

See the TOEFL Course

Call

Not sure where you stand?Share your INBDE status, TOEFL score and graduation year, and we will tell you honestly whether to file by January 1.

Book a 10-minute call with Dr. T

Keep your options open

Other routes if Marquette is not the right fit

Up to five places a year is a small number, so most dentists apply to several programs.

DDS/DMD

Advanced Standing elsewhereOther US schools run 2 to 3 year programs to a DDS or DMD, mostly through ADEA CAAPID. Compare them in our full list of US dental schools, the Advanced Standing programs guide and our CAAPID shortlisting guide.

AEGD

AEGD programsSome states give a limited licence after an AEGD; the rules vary by state. You apply through ADEA PASS. See AEGD programs for international dentists.

PASS

Residency directlySpecialty residencies through ADEA PASS. This is more competitive for internationally trained dentists. Read CAAPID or PASS to choose.

Teach

TeachingSome dentists start in teaching and research roles at dental schools while they plan their next step.

Also weighing Canada?If you are also weighing Canada, the AFK route through the NDEB is the first step there. Our NDEB AFK exam guide explains how it compares with the INBDE.
Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Can an Indian BDS graduate apply to Marquette’s Advanced Standing program?
Yes. Marquette’s program is for dentists trained outside the US, and US citizenship is not required. You need an INBDE (or NBDE Part I) pass before applying, TOEFL 95 or 5 on the new scale, an ECE course-by-course report, three letters and the $45 fee.
Do Pakistani dentists need the INBDE for Marquette?
Yes, or NBDE Part I. Every applicant must pass one of them before applying. NBDE Part II is not required.
Is there a bench test for Marquette Advanced Standing?
Yes. Selected candidates are invited for an interview with the Admissions Committee and a bench test.
How long is the Marquette program for foreign-trained dentists?
Three years. Marquette says every Advanced Standing student must complete three years of study there, and the program starts in August.
How much does Marquette cost for international dentists?
Marquette lists 2026-27 DDS tuition at $71,550 a year out of state, or $62,890 for Wisconsin residents. It does not publish a separate Advanced Standing figure. Books, instruments and living costs are extra.
When is the Marquette deadline?
January 1, 2027, for the class starting in August 2027.
Your Marquette application starts with the INBDE

INBDE Premium Boards by The Study Boards

Modules, Master Files, test series and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time, with US-licensed dentists answering your questions. Finish the course on time, score 60% or more on every TSB test and still do not pass? The Pass Guarantee refunds the course and your exam registration fee.

35,000+ questions99% first-attempt pass rateNightly live testsPass Guarantee

See the Blueprint

US Dental Schools for International DentistsEvery Advanced Standing program, side by side.Bench Test Exercises by SchoolWhat other schools on your list ask you to prepare.

Planning to apply to Marquette?

Message The Study Boards on WhatsApp. Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp and help you plan your INBDE, TOEFL and CAAPID around the January 1 deadline.

Message the Admin Team on WhatsApp

References

  1. Marquette University School of Dentistry. Foreign-Trained Applicants: three years, up to five students, January 1 deadline, requirements, $45 fee, interview and bench test. marquette.edu
  2. ADEA CAAPID. Marquette University School of Dentistry program listing (updated October 7, 2026): dates, structure, TOEFL, boards, citizenship. programs.adea.org
  3. Marquette University School of Dentistry. Prospective Students: 2026-27 tuition, mission, financial aid. marquette.edu
  4. Marquette University School of Dentistry. International applicants: visa and funding rules. marquette.edu
  5. ADEA. ADEA CAAPID applicants: 2026-27 fees. adea.org
  6. Educational Credential Evaluators. ADEA CAAPID Application Instructions. ece.org
  7. Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. INBDE Candidate Guide: fees. jcnde.ada.org

Current as of October 15, 2026. Program details, dates and costs are from Marquette University School of Dentistry and ADEA CAAPID and can change. Confirm everything with Marquette Dental Admissions ([email protected]) before you apply. The Study Boards is not affiliated with Marquette University.

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