Build a successful career
At CDMI, you will learn from faculty leaders who are committed to excellence in education and patient care. In the classroom and at our dental clinic, you'll benefit from a technology-rich environment designed to enhance your education. As a CDMI student, you will be a valuable part of a team providing patient-centered, comprehensive oral care founded on the principles of ethical practice, scientific research, and evidence-based decision-making. Throughout your education, our faculty will mentor you and help you gain the skills you need to build your future as a qualified, well-trained dentist.
Program
Doctoral
Location
Downers Grove, IL
Duration
4 Years
Class Size
140
Graduation Rate
98%
Midwestern University's College of Dental Medicine - Illinois (CDMI) is part of an outstanding University with a long tradition of providing exceptional educational experiences to students in medicine, pharmacy, and other health-related disciplines. CDMI students will learn the interprofessional roles that are a part of the delivery of optimal oral health as a component of overall general health. Midwestern University's CDMI administration and faculty are leaders committed to excellence in education and patient care, who also strive to contribute to the future of the dental profession. The faculty provides a collegial and positive environment for student learning in one of the most worthy and needed professional disciplines of our healthcare system.
- Basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences
- Preclinical simulation studies
- Practical clinical dentistry
- Community clinical rotations
The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda.
Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.
- General dental practice
- Graduate education in any of the dental specialties
- Armed services (military)
- Public Health Service or Indian Health Service
- Dental industry
- Dental education
- Dental administration
To be competitive, an applicant should have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and possess both a science (biology, chemistry, and physics) and total GPA of 3.00 or more on a 4.00 scale.
Students seeking admission to CDMI must submit the following documented evidence:
- Completion of the prerequisite coursework.
- Grades of "C" or better (grades of "C-" are not acceptable)
- Submit competitive exam scores on the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT).
- All candidates must submit results from the US DAT to AADSAS.
- A total DAT score (summative scores less Total Science and Academic Average) should be 110 and above to be competitive
- Scores in the area of 18 or higher will be expected for the Academic Average, Reading Comprehension, Perceptual Ability, and Total Science sections
- Only DAT exam scores earned from tests taken no more than 3 years prior to matriculation are acceptable
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- One must be from either a predental advisory committee or a science professor
- The other preferentially should be from either someone with a D.O./M.D. or D.D.S./D.M.D. degree and/or someone who can testify to the integrity and ethical standards of the applicant
- Letters written by immediate family members are not acceptable
- All letters of evaluation must be submitted directly by the evaluators to AADSAS.
- Demonstrate a sincere understanding of, and interest in, the humanitarian ethos of healthcare and particularly dental medicine.
- Reflect a service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
- Reflect proper motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous salaried work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
- Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
- Agree to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
- Pass the Midwestern University fingerprinting and criminal background check.
Prerequisite Courses
Courses |
Sem Hrs |
Qtr Hrs |
Biology with lab |
8 |
12 |
General Chemistry with lab |
8 |
12 |
Organic Chemistry with lab |
4 |
6 |
Anatomy* |
3 |
4 |
Microbiology |
3 |
4 |
Physics |
8 |
12 |
Physiology* |
3 |
4 |
Biochemistry |
3 |
4 |
English Composition/Technical Writing |
6 |
9 |
All science prerequisites must be courses designed for science majors. No survey courses will count to fulfill science requirements. |
No grade lower than a C will be accepted for any prerequisite courses (i.e. a grade C– will not be acceptable).
*The Anatomy and Physiology requirements may also be fulfilled by taking Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II, as some universities offer combined courses.
Transfer Admission
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois may elect to accept transfer students from other dental schools as long as these students remain in good academic standing and have an acceptable reason(s) for seeking transfer.
To be considered for transfer, candidates must meet the College's general requirements for admission. Candidates must also observe the following procedures:
- All inquiries for transfer to Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
- Completed applications are returned to the Office of Admissions and must include transcripts from the previous dental school, class rank, a statement of the reason for transfer and a Dean's letter of "Good Academic Standing"
- The Admissions Committee reviews all completed applications and interviews selected candidates
- Applications are also reviewed by the Dean, who will conduct interviews with the selected transfer applicants
- Applicants are notified by the Dean of final transfer admission decisions.
Advanced Standing Admission
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois may award advanced standing credit for well-qualified dental graduates from other countries. The following procedures must be observed:
- All inquiries for transfer to Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
- Completed applications are returned to the Office of Admissions and must include board scores, results from an English proficiency test, transcripts from the previous dental school, course-by-course evaluation by a recognized service, and a statement of the reason for transfer.
- The Admissions Committee reviews all completed applications and interviews selected candidates.
- Selected candidates undergo a psychomotor skills test.
- Applications are also reviewed by the Dean, who will coordinate/conduct interviews with the selected transfer applicants.
- Applicants are notified by the Dean of final transfer admission decisions.
$160,370
Median
Salary
100%
Graduation Rate (2022)
100%
Integrated National Board Pass Rate (2022, overall)
General Requirements
- Bachelor's degree preferred
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 preferred
- Minimum BCP science GPA of 3.0 preferred
- Approximately 50 semester hours or 80 quarter hours of prerequisite course work
- DAT academic average score of 18 or higher desired
- Two letters of recommendation
Transfer and Advanced Standing Admission
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois may elect to accept transfer students from other U.S. dental schools (click here to view procedures) and award advanced standing credit for well-qualified dental graduates from other countries (click here to view procedures).
Class of 2026 Profile
- Female: 63%
- Male: 37%
- Average BCP GPA: 3.25
- DAT TS: 18.7
AA: 19.2
RC: 20.3
PA: 19.5 - Top 3 feeder states in order: Illinois, Florida, Michigan
Board Statistics (Class of 2022)
Overall Pass Rate, INBDE:
100% (129 / 129)
Career Plans/Residency Placements (Class of 2022)
- 2 accepted into GPR/AEGD program
- 1 accepted into Oral Surgery program
- 2 accepted into Orthodontics program
- 1 accepted into Pediatric Dentistry program
- 1 accepted into Periodontics program
- 103 entered a full or part-time position
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- General dental practice
- Graduate education in any of the dental specialties
- Armed services (military)
- Public Health Service or Indian Health Service
- Dental industry
- Dental education
- Dental administration
US Employment Projections and Median Salary
US Employment Projections through 2031
Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for dentists is expected to increase as larger numbers of older people require dental services. Because each generation is more likely to keep their teeth than the previous generation, more dental care is expected to be needed in the years to come.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-6 (visited February 20, 2023).
Median Salary (2021)*
- General Dentist: $160,370
- Specialist: $100,950-$208,000+
* Most recent data.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-5 (visited February 20, 2023).