California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine offers a four-year Doctor of Dental Medicine program in Elk Grove, California. Direct DMD applicants apply through ADEA AADSAS and are assessed on college-level preparation, DAT, Casper, experiences and interview performance. The BS-DMD Early Assurance Honors Track is a separate undergraduate-entry pathway.
- Program
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Credential
- DMD
- Location
- Elk Grove, California, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- February 5, 2027 (ADEA AADSAS service closes)
- Interview
- Interview
- Length
- Four years
Casper Requirement for California Northstate University Dentistry
California Northstate University Dentistry requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- AADSAS Applicant ID Number
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
The program participates in the Fee Assistance Program (FAP).
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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California Northstate University Dentistry Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- AADSAS
- Applications open
- May 12, 2026
| What | When |
|---|---|
| ADEA AADSAS service closes | February 5, 2027upcoming |
| Last day to submit official documents to ADEA AADSAS | February 11, 2027upcoming |
Apply through ADEA AADSAS. The application opened May 12, 2026, and submissions began June 2, 2026. ADEA AADSAS closes February 5, 2027; individual schools may have earlier deadlines. A CNU-specific deadline is not published here.
California Northstate University Dentistry Admissions Statistics
CNU's published GPA and DAT figures are admissions guidance, not an accepted-student average. A current DMD applicant count, acceptance rate and four-year cost for Fall 2027 entrants are not published here.
Eligibility Requirements for California Northstate University Dentistry
- Degree / credits
Plan to complete a bachelor's degree before matriculation; a bachelor's degree from an accredited North American institution or equivalent foreign institution is recommended for competitiveness. Affiliated-pathway applicants and exceptions are considered individually.
Admission pathways
- BS-DMD Early Assurance Honors Track: A separate undergraduate-entry route through CNU's College of Health Sciences. Admission is conditional; students must meet the track's progression requirements and submit an AADSAS application before admission to the DMD program.
DMD applicants complete college-level prerequisites. Applicants with prerequisite coursework from outside the United States, including Canada, must obtain a World Education Services evaluation sent directly to CDMAdmissions@cnsu.edu.
Other requirements
- Criminal background check: Applicants must pass a criminal background check.
- Communication skills: Applicants must have the oral and written communication skills needed to interact with patients and colleagues.
Selection Factors California Northstate University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | 1 semester or 1 quarter |
| Biology with lab | 2 semesters or 3 quarters |
| General Chemistry with lab | 2 semesters or 3 quarters |
| Organic Chemistry with lab | 2 semesters or 3 quarters |
| Physics | 2 semesters or 3 quarters |
| Biochemistry | 1 semester or 1 quarter |
| English | 2 semesters or 3 quarters |
GPA
- Minimum
- Science and cumulative GPAs of at least 2.80 on a 4.00 scale are required to receive a supplemental application.
- Competitive
- 3.20 or higher is generally competitively necessary.
Both science and cumulative GPA are considered.
Admissions tests
- DAT (required): Submit a competitive Dental Admission Test score taken no more than three years before application. CNU's published desired scores are Academic Average 18 (380) or higher and Perceptual Ability 17 or higher.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
CNU considers community service or extracurricular activities showing a people-and-service orientation, and salaried work, volunteering or other life experiences showing commitment to health care. The published DMD requirements do not specify an hours minimum.
Supplementary application
Three recommendations are required from people who can speak to your character and life experience. Immediate family members cannot write them; the admissions office does not accept letters sent directly by students or evaluators. Applicants meeting the minimum science and cumulative GPA requirements may receive a supplemental application.
How applicants are ranked
Eligible applicants with complete files are reviewed for interview against the admissions committee's criteria. Holistic review considers grades, DAT, experiences, attributes, motivation, communication, cultural humility, emotional maturity and ethics. Interviewers use a standardized evaluation; the committee recommends admission, denial or an alternate-list place, subject to the dean's final approval.
Interview Format at California Northstate University
Format: Interview
Applicants are interviewed by a team including at least one admissions committee member and evaluated using a standardized form.
- Who is invited
- Applicants who meet admissions requirements, submit a complete file and are selected by the admissions committee.
- When
- Interviews typically begin in August or September and end in March or April; cycle-specific dates are not stated.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at California Northstate University Dentistry
- Program length
- Four years
- Structure
Integrated, system-based curriculum with longitudinal small-group active learning. Competency-based progression and research opportunities.
- Campuses
- Elk Grove
The four-year DMD curriculum emphasizes respectful communication, ethics, professionalism and self-directed learning. Clinical care uses a comprehensive-care model, with community-based clinic experiences in the final year.
Campus and facilities
Located in Elk Grove, California, the campus offers access to plentiful amenities.
Tuition and Funding at California Northstate University
- Published 2026-2027 first-year DMD tuition: $93,339
- Published 2026-2027 estimated first-year tuition and fees: $117,841
- Published 2026-2027 estimated four-year tuition and fees: $480,594
The published 2026-2027 schedule estimates tuition and fees for each of four program years; it is not a fixed quote for Fall 2027 entrants and excludes separately estimated living costs. CNU lists private educational loans and payment options through its financial-aid office.
California Northstate University's Mission and Values
To advance the science and art of healthcare through education, service, research, personal wellness, and social accountability.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a culture that emphasizes preparation for healthcare demands, with thoughtful curriculum alignment between undergraduate and professional phases. Students report positive impressions of the interview process. Forums note that students enjoy the Elk Grove area, supporting a balanced lifestyle during rigorous training.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your California Northstate University Dentistry Application
- Complete the DMD's college-level prerequisites and plan for a bachelor's degree before matriculation.
- Arrange three eligible recommendations through the application process.
- Take the DAT within three years of application and review CNU's published desired scores.
- Complete Casper and use Acuity Insights to check available school-specific sittings and score-distribution information.
- Document service, work and other experiences that show commitment to patient care.
- Review the separate conditions if applying through a CNU undergraduate pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Northstate University Dentistry
Does California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine require Casper?
Yes. CNU's published DMD requirements say applicants must participate in Casper.
What is the average GPA for California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine Dentistry?
CNU does not publish an accepted-student average in the cited DMD requirements. It requires science and cumulative GPAs of at least 2.80 for a supplemental application and says 3.20+ is generally competitive.
What DAT score do I need for California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine?
CNU's published desired DAT scores are Academic Average 18 (380)+ and Perceptual Ability 17+; the test must be no more than three years old.
What is the tuition for California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine DMD?
CNU's published 2026-2027 schedule estimates first-year tuition at $93,339 and four-year tuition and fees at $480,594; these are not a fixed price for Fall 2027 entrants.
Does California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine have interviews?
Yes. Eligible applicants with complete files may be invited to a team interview with at least one admissions committee member.
Can international students apply to California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine Dentistry?
CNU describes evaluation of coursework from outside the United States, including Canada, but its cited DMD requirements do not state an international-applicant eligibility rule.
What are high school requirements for CNUCDM BS-DMD track?
The separate BS-DMD undergraduate-entry track has high-school academic, test, experience and recommendation requirements; its admission is conditional on later progression requirements.
How competitive is California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine?
CNU considers academic metrics alongside experiences and attributes. Its cited DMD requirements give 2.80 minimum science and cumulative GPAs for a supplemental application, 3.20+ as generally competitive, and desired DAT scores, not an acceptance rate or accepted-student averages.
Sources
- CNU General Catalog: Admission to the DMD Program
- ADEA: Applying to Dental School
- CNU CDM: 2026-2027 Incoming-Student Tuition and Fees
- Acuity Insights: Test Date and School Information
- CNU: BS-DMD Application Requirements
- CNU: BS-DMD Maintenance and Progression
- CNU: Pathway to the College of Dental Medicine
- CNU: CDM Tuition and Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026