AADSAS GPA Calculations

AADSAS calculates standardized GPAs to help dental schools evaluate applicants consistently. To calculate an applicant's GPA, the AADSAS application uses all courses a grade is earned in at all secondary education schools an applicant has attended.  This includes repeated coursework meaning all attempts at all courses are factored into a GPA.  Applicants can read more on the ADEA website.  

There are several different types of GPAs calculated by AADSAS.  As an applicant, it is important to know what kinds of GPAs are shared with dental schools and how those GPAs are calculated.  Many dental schools look at undergraduate and science GPA when initially evaluating applications.  To review all seven types of GPAs that are calculated by AADSAS, please visit the ADEA website.  

Important Notes about GPA Calculations

• AP, IB, withdraw (W), and Pass/Fail (P/N) course types are not included in GPA calculations 
• Initial and repeated coursework is included in GPA calculations 
• Grades and credit hours for all failed courses will be included in all GPA calculations, even if they are not included in the GPA calculations of the transcript-issuing institution  

The ADEA AADSAS Applicant Help Center has a GPA Calculator available for download.  Pre-dental students are encouraged to download and save the calculator to keep track of their application GPA calculations.  This information can be very helpful during advising appointments.  

What is a competitive GPA for dental school admissions?

A competitive GPA can vary by dental school.  Most dental schools publish a 'class profile' each academic year highlighting various aspects of the matriculants in the school's most recent class.  The PMHSC suggested students target a GPA of 3.70 or higher.  Students are encouraged to investigate competitive GPAs at the individual schools they are interested in applying to using the ADEA Dental School Explorer.