A nonprofit educational organization
Log In Sign Up
Search

Student Doctor Network

Schools Database
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

Philadelphia, PA / School Detail
Application Tracking
Log in to track
School Detail Interview Feedback Secondary Essays
APPLICATION FEE
$60
Tuition In State
$70,294
Tuition Out of State
$70,294
Average GPA
3.77
AVERAGE DAT
21

School Overview

Degrees
DMD
Ownership
Private Non-Profit
Program Length
4 years
Total Enrollment
120
Founding Year
1878
Accreditation Year
N/A
Has any information changed? Report an update.

SDN Insights

Cost of Attendance: $473,598
Estimate repayment

Estimated loan burden for Penn using 4 years of in-state tuition, $1,500 annual fees, $3,000 monthly living expenses, government-derived local cost-of-living adjustment, $1,000 loan fees, and an 8.5% interest assumption.

Cost of Living: Near national average cost of living

Philadelphia, PA is close to the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment keeps the $3,000 monthly allowance at about $3,090 per month. Treat this as a city-level budgeting estimate, not the school's official cost of attendance.

Environment: Urban

There is currently insufficient information to assess the neighborhood around Penn.

Interview Feedback

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 13% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.

Read Feedback Interview Prep Add Feedback

Secondary Essays for Penn

1. Career Goals and Future Aspirations
Why are you well-suited for a career in dentistry?
2. Leadership and Teamwork
Dental education involves frequent collaboration with peers, faculty, and staff. How do you typically contribute to a team, and how do you handle disagreements or conflict?
3. Other
What qualities of Penn Dental Medicine do you feel will help you achieve your professional goals and how? Please describe.
4. Career Goals and Future Aspirations
Why are you well-suited to the dental profession?
5. Motivation and Fit
What qualities of Penn Dental Medicine do you feel will help you achieve your professional goals and how? Please describe
Read More Essay Questions Add Essay Questions

About the School

The mission statement of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine (Penn Dental Medicine) articulates its vision of fostering the pioneering spirit of the institution and carrying on its tradition of excellence into the future: Penn Dental Medicine will advance oral health throughout the world by fostering leaders in research, education, and dental care. The School will provide an atmosphere in which dentistry is continuously improved through innovation, research, and access to care.

Curriculum

The first-year curriculum introduces the concepts of human biology as they pertain to medicine in general and dental medicine in particular. This includes studies relating to the principles of oral disease prevention, patient management, and physical examination. A major segment of the curriculum deals with the structure and function of oral tissues and contiguous structures. Because the School has its own basic science faculty, all fundamental science courses (i.e., anatomy, biochemistry, histology and embryology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology) are specifically geared to the needs of dental medicine. During this time, students begin an integrated preclinical course in restorative dentistry. This program combines several disciplines (i.e., dental anatomy and occlusion, operative dentistry and dental materials). Clinical experiences begin upon entry into the D.M.D. Program and increase each succeeding year. In the first year, students begin clinical rotations in medicine, periodontics, preventive dentistry, and radiology.

Facilities

Penn Dental Medicine treats over 18,000 patients each year in its main clinical teaching facilities, located primarily in the Evans Building. A full range of general and specialty services are provided at the School, including treatment for medically complex patients. A new clinical facility, the Robert Schattner Center, was dedicated in 2002.

Last Updated: Aug 28, 2026