Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

The Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists (ASPID) at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC (HOSD USC) is designed to teach qualified dentists from other countries the knowledge and skills found in the United States. The program can be completed within two years. The first year is devoted to technical and academic procedures and the second year to clinical training as necessary to achieve graduation qualifications. A Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) is awarded at completion of the program. All graduates are eligible to take the clinical board examination required for licensure in the United States.

Requirements to Apply to Program

Step 1: Complete Online Application

HOSD USC participates in ADEA Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (ADEA CAAPID®). All applications must be submitted online, directly to CAAPID.

Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. college or university should submit official transcripts from that program electronically to Corey Berry at cberry@ostrow.usc.edu. Although not required, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) are considered. With the exception of official GRE scores and/or graduate program transcripts, supplemental materials are not to be sent to the HOSD USC.

Step 2: Submit Your Processing Fee

Submit a non-refundable application fee to the HOSD USC after submitting the ADEA CAAPID application. A confirmation email from HOSD will be sent along with payment instructions.

The USC application fee is $150. You must pay online by visiting our online payment portal.

Step 3: Visit the USC Campus for an Interview

If selected as a competitive applicant, an onsite or virtual interview will be required. This interview is by invitation only and may include a Practical Dental Exam, which may also include a written dental exam.

The purposes of the interview are to:

Evaluate each applicant’s methods and skills;

Determine each candidate’s artistic ability;

 a group interview evaluation session; and

Evaluate interpersonal skills, critical thinking and English communication ability.

All offers of acceptances are conditional and contingent upon successful completion of all currently enrolled courses/programs, receipt of official transcripts from the dental school attended and any U.S. college or university attended as well as TOEFL and NBDE scores. Non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent U.S. residents must provide TOEFL scores, which are self-reported via the ADEA CAAPID application.

Only accepted candidates must complete a “Certification of Studies” evaluation for USC through the International Education Research Foundation (IERF). IERF is not required for the general application.

Please visit IERF’s USC web page for general information. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities will result in any offer of acceptance being rescinded without notice.

IERF is not an application requirement. If accepted to the program, students will be instructed at that time to complete IERF.

Step 4: Apply for Your Student Visa

USC will assist ASPID candidates in obtaining student visas to study at HOSD USC.

Once you have been officially accepted to USC, we will issue a form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility,” which you must present when you apply for a visa at the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country.

In order for an I-20 to be processed, you must present to the USC Office of Graduate and International Admissions a notarized statement documenting that you have the financial resources for your first year at USC (approximately $80,000). This document must be verified by a bank stamp or the U.S. consul.

If you wish to include a spouse and/or dependent(s) on your visa, you will also be required to provide their:

Full names,

Dates of birth,

Country of citizenship,

Country of birth and

Relationship to you.

Note that it is university policy to accept only those candidates who have the personal financial resources to pay for graduate study. Foreign students, with the exception of permanent residents, are typically ineligible for financial assistance through the university or U.S. banks.

Step 5: Meet Health Requirements

Please check for Required Health Documentation. https://studenthealth.usc.edu/immunizations/