CU Dentistry Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine offers a competitive DDS program with a holistic admissions process and an interview experience that is well-regarded by applicants studentdoctor.net. Interviewees can expect a friendly yet thorough evaluation format, and understanding the school’s mission and distinctive program features will be key. The school emphasizes integrated healthcare innovation and community service in its mission dental.cuanschutz.edu, and its curriculum provides rich clinical, research, and technological opportunities to students. Being aware of relevant dental policy issues in Colorado and nationally can further demonstrate your preparedness, as can highlighting your leadership, service, and other non-academic experiences. Each section of this guide will delve into these areas, helping you approach the interview with knowledge of what makes Colorado’s program unique.

The interview at Colorado is traditionally a one-on-one conversation (often with two interviewers present) and is open-file, meaning the interviewers have access to your application studentdoctor.net. It typically lasts around 40–50 minutes studentdoctor.net and has been described by past candidates as moderately low-stress and "impressive" overall studentdoctor.net. In recent years, many interviews have been conducted virtually (via Zoom) studentdoctor.net forums.studentdoctor.net, though the format remains conversational. The school’s interview day historically includes opportunities to learn about the campus and program, reflecting an effort to make the process welcoming. Gaining an interview invite is significant – with about 2,000+ applications for only 80 seats, reaching the interview stage indicates you’ve met the school’s academic benchmarks dental.cuanschutz.edu. While exact post-interview acceptance rates aren’t publicly stated, the selectivity suggests that a strong interview performance is crucial. Focus on being genuine and aligning your discussion with Colorado’s values (service, innovation, community) as you share your experiences.

The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine’s mission centers on four core areas: education, research, patient care, and community engagement dental.cuanschutz.edu. As part of an academic medical campus, the school strives to be a “dynamic learning, clinical care and research community” dedicated to integrated health innovation and discovery for the well-being of local communities and beyond dental.cuanschutz.edu. Three integrated value threads – expanding access and engagement, promoting health and wellness, and fostering innovation – are woven through all mission areas, guiding the school’s priorities dental.cuanschutz.edu. In practice, this means the school values efforts that improve access to care and encourages innovative approaches to dental education and service. The vision of CU Dental reflects these ideals: the school aims to be a leading transformative dental institution that produces “future-ready practitioners” capable of delivering research-informed, person-centered care in a changing healthcare landscape dental.cuanschutz.edu. For interview prep, understanding these mission-driven values is important – your ability to connect your own goals with the school’s commitment to community, collaboration, and innovation can leave a positive impression.

The University of Colorado’s DDS program is the only dental school program in the state of Colorado chess.vstecb.cz and indeed the entire Rocky Mountain region chess.vstecb.cz. Located on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, it benefits from close proximity to other health professional schools and institutes. Each incoming DDS class has around 80 students, selected from a highly competitive pool (for example, 2,086 completed applications were reviewed for the Class of 2028) dental.cuanschutz.edu. Roughly half of each class are Colorado residents, while the rest represent many other states and even international backgrounds dental.cuanschutz.edu. This diverse student body reflects a blend of in-state commitment and broader geographic reach. The program is known for its hands-on clinical training and integration of advanced technology, producing graduates well-versed in contemporary dental practice. Below are some key facts and features of the CU School of Dental Medicine program:

• Students and residents provide nearly 100,000 patient visits each year in on-campus clinics and community dental sites across Colorado dental.cuanschutz.edu. This extensive patient exposure helps build strong clinical skills.
• The school supports nationally-recognized research programs in areas such as cancer biology, 3D craniofacial modeling, and craniofacial developmental biology dental.cuanschutz.edu. Opportunities exist for students to engage in research and scholarly activity alongside faculty.
• State-of-the-art training facilities include the Dental Advanced Simulation Hub (DASH) and a Virtual Reality & Haptics Suite dental.cuanschutz.edu, allowing students to practice dental procedures in high-tech simulated environments.
• Strong emphasis on community dentistry: CU Dental maintains partnerships throughout the state, enabling students to participate in outreach and service learning in urban, rural, and underserved communities dental.cuanschutz.edu. This aligns with the school’s mission of serving Colorado’s oral health needs.

These distinctive features not only enrich the student experience but can also serve as talking points during your interview. Demonstrating curiosity about the program shows you’ve done your homework. For example, you might consider asking about:

• How students use the DASH simulation lab and virtual reality technology in their training and how it enhances their clinical preparation dental.cuanschutz.edu.
• What opportunities exist for students to provide care in community clinics across Colorado, and how those experiences are integrated into the curriculum dental.cuanschutz.edu.
• Ways in which dental students can get involved in research projects at CU (for instance, in areas like cancer biology or craniofacial development) and what support the school provides for student research dental.cuanschutz.edu.
• How being part of an academic medical campus influences dental education – for example, opportunities for interprofessional education or collaboration with other healthcare students and professionals dental.cuanschutz.edu.

Dental school interviews often touch on current issues in healthcare and dentistry. Staying informed about relevant policy topics in Colorado and the broader U.S. will help you discuss the profession’s context knowledgeably. Some notable topics include:

• Access to dental care in Colorado: Recently, Colorado authorized the licensing of dental therapists – mid-level providers who can perform certain dental procedures – to help extend care in underserved, especially rural, communities coloradosun.com. This policy reflects efforts to address provider shortages in mountain and rural areas and could be a discussion point about improving access to care.
• Licensure and mobility: Colorado has joined a new interstate compact for dentist and dental hygienist licensure, which allows easier practice across state lines for those with unencumbered licenses leg.colorado.gov. This is a significant development in how dental professionals might move and work, illustrating regulatory changes aimed at flexibility and addressing workforce needs.
• Integration of oral health in overall healthcare: There’s a growing emphasis on medical-dental integration (MDI). In fact, a CU School of Dental Medicine report highlighted that better collaboration between dental and medical providers can improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations news.cuanschutz.edu. This trend underscores the value of interprofessional practice – something Colorado’s program, being on a medical campus, is naturally aligned with.

Other national issues you might be aware of include debates about expanding dental coverage (for instance, Medicaid adult dental benefits or proposals to include dentistry in Medicare), initiatives to reduce oral health disparities, and discussions about student loan debt for professional students. While you won’t need deep expertise in each area, being conversant with a couple of key policy issues – especially those that resonate with Colorado’s mission of community health – can help you stand out as an informed candidate.

The admissions committee at CU Dental employs a holistic review process when evaluating applicants dental.cuanschutz.edu. In addition to strong academic metrics (GPA and DAT), they are looking for candidates who are well-rounded in all areas of life – academic, social, and extracurricular chess.vstecb.cz. Indeed, the School of Dental Medicine explicitly values diverse experiences and backgrounds; for example, over a quarter of the DDS Class of 2028 were first-generation college students dental.cuanschutz.edu, reflecting the school’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Showing that you have challenged yourself beyond the classroom and contributed to your community will bolster your application. Key non-academic factors considered by Colorado include:

• Dental exposure: Significant dental shadowing or hands-on experience in dentistry is expected (a minimum of 50 hours of shadowing is required) blackstonetutors.com. This demonstrates your commitment to and understanding of the profession. Applicants without at least 50 shadowing hours will not be reviewed for admission blackstonetutors.com, underlining how essential this experience is.
• Service and volunteering: A track record of community service or volunteer work, especially related to healthcare or underserved communities, is highly valued blackstonetutors.com. Colorado’s emphasis on community engagement means they seek students inclined to serve others. Be prepared to discuss any meaningful volunteer experiences you have had and what you learned from them.
• Leadership and extracurricular involvement: Involvement in clubs, sports, student organizations, or other leadership roles is another important dimension blackstonetutors.com. This could include anything from holding an office in a club to organizing events or team activities. Such experiences suggest you have teamwork, communication, and leadership skills that will enrich the dental school community.
• Research and academic enrichment: Participation in research projects, academic enrichment programs, or other scholarly activities can strengthen your application blackstonetutors.com. While not mandatory for all dental schools, at Colorado it can be a plus – especially given the school’s research endeavors. If you have research experience (whether in dental materials, biology, public health, etc.), think about how to articulate what you gained from it.

Overall, Colorado is looking for compassionate future dentists who have demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and commitment in various facets of their lives. As you prepare for the interview, reflect on these aspects of your background – you will likely have opportunities to highlight your leadership, service, or other experiences that align with the school’s values.

Understanding the competencies that the program expects of its graduates can guide how you present yourself in the interview. The DDS curriculum at Colorado is structured to ensure students develop proficiency in all the essential domains of general dentistry, consistent with the standards of the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). This means by graduation, students must be competent in areas such as patient assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning, clinical procedures across specialties, and patient management, as well as in professional behaviors like ethics, communication, and practice management. In less formal terms, Colorado is training dentists to be capable of providing comprehensive, person-centered care while upholding high professional and ethical standards.

The school’s own stated goals reinforce these expectations. They emphasize producing dentists with the “knowledge, skills and values” to practice as critical thinkers and lifelong learners who justify the public’s trust dental.cuanschutz.edu. This aligns with broader competency frameworks in dental education that value evidence-based practice, continuous improvement, and dedication to patient welfare. Additionally, being on the Anschutz Medical Campus allows the dental program to integrate interprofessional education into the curriculum. For instance, students may engage in learning alongside medical, nursing, or pharmacy students, reflecting the real-world need for teamwork in healthcare. The importance of such interprofessional competence is underscored by initiatives like Colorado’s medical-dental integration research, showing how collaborative models can improve outcomes news.cuanschutz.edu. In an interview context, you might not be asked explicitly about “competencies,” but awareness of these expectations is useful. It can translate into discussing how you’ve cultivated relevant skills (for example, teamwork or ethical decision-making) and how you see yourself fitting into a program that values innovation, collaboration, and comprehensive care.

Reviewing feedback from previous interviewees can reveal common themes in the questions you might face. At Colorado, candidates have reported a mix of personal, ethical, and profession-related questions. Key themes include:

• Ethical scenarios: It’s common to be presented with a moral or ethical dilemma. For example, past applicants have been asked to discuss what they would do if they caught a friend cheating on an exam studentdoctor.net. Be ready to think aloud about integrity and decision-making. (These types of questions sometimes resemble a mini "MMI" scenario even in a one-on-one interview, gauging your ethical reasoning.)
• Self-reflection on personal qualities: Interviewers often probe your strengths, weaknesses, and experiences outside of academics studentdoctor.net. You might hear questions like “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?” or “Tell me about yourself” in a way that’s not on your application. They want to see self-awareness and personal growth. Similarly, be prepared to talk about how you handle stress or challenges – for instance, “What was the hardest part of your undergraduate experience?”
• Motivation and fit for dentistry: Expect direct questions about why you chose dentistry and what your career goals are. Colorado interviewers have asked things like “Why are you interested in dentistry?” blackstonetutors.com, “Why do you want to attend CU?” and “Where do you see yourself in five or ten years as a dentist?”. They may also inquire what you would do if you weren’t pursuing dentistry, to understand your passions and backup plans blackstonetutors.com. Make sure you can articulate genuine reasons for pursuing dentistry and specifically what draws you to Colorado’s program.
• Knowledge of the dental field: Some questions gauge your awareness of current issues or challenges in dentistry. You might be asked, “What is an issue facing dentistry today?” or to discuss an important trend in healthcare studentdoctor.net. These could range from topics like access to care, preventive dentistry, changes in dental technology, or the business aspects of practice. The goal isn’t to quiz you on policy, but to see that you are thinking about the profession beyond your own application. Having one or two issues in mind (and your thoughts on them) will help if such topics come up.

Not every interview will cover all these categories, but most will touch on a couple of them. The overall theme is that Colorado’s interviewers want to get to know you – your integrity, your motivation, your understanding of dentistry, and what unique perspectives you bring. They may also throw in some unexpected or creative questions to see how you think on your feet (for example, asking about a hobby like music or sports and how it might relate to dentistry blackstonetutors.com). The best preparation is to reflect on your own experiences and opinions so you can discuss them sincerely. Remember, the interview is as much about your personality and values as it is about your achievements on paper.

The dental school application process is a lengthy cycle. It’s important to be aware of the key dates for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle, especially for the University of Colorado. Here are some timelines and deadlines to keep in mind:

• Early June 2025 – AADSAS Application Opens: The ADEA AADSAS (centralized application) typically opens in late May or early June. For this cycle, you should be able to start working on your primary application by early June 2025 gradschoolgrades.com. It’s advantageous to submit your application as early in the cycle as you can (once it’s complete and polished), because Colorado reviews applications on a rolling basis.
• October 15, 2025 – Application Deadline: The University of Colorado’s primary application deadline is around mid-October (historically October 15) gradschoolgrades.com. This means your AADSAS application must be submitted by that date. Keep in mind that waiting until the deadline is not ideal due to rolling admissions – many interviews may already be scheduled by then. Also note that Colorado requires a supplemental application and fee (which is typically sent to selected applicants or those who meet initial criteria). Make sure to complete any secondary steps by their specified deadlines if you’re invited to do so.
• Summer–Fall 2025 – Interview Invitations: Invitations to interview at CU are generally sent out starting in late summer or early fall. In recent cycles, the first wave of interview invites went out in early September forums.studentdoctor.net. Colorado often continues to invite candidates across the fall months, sometimes into early winter, depending on how many spots are filled. If you are invited, you’ll typically have a window to schedule among a few offered interview dates. Interviews in the 2025 cycle may be virtual (as they have been in the past few years) or could return to in-person – keep an eye on the school’s communications for this detail.
• Fall 2025 – Interviews Conducted: Interviews are held on designated days throughout the fall (and possibly early winter). For 2025–2026, expect interviews to occur roughly from September through perhaps January. Each interview day at Colorado might include an information session, a virtual or campus tour, and interactions with faculty or current students in addition to the formal interview. Plan to be available and prepared during this period, and try to schedule early if given the choice (earlier interviews mean earlier consideration in rolling admissions).
• December 1, 2025 – First Acceptance Notices: December 1 is the first date U.S. dental schools (including Colorado) are allowed to extend official offers of admission for the cycle gradschoolgrades.com. If you interview in the early fall and are selected, you could receive the good news on or shortly after Dec 1. Colorado, being a public school, adheres to this national notification date. Schools typically make a large batch of offers on Dec 1, so it’s a critical date to mark. Acceptances are communicated via email or phone and will include instructions on next steps (such as depositing to hold your seat).
• Post-December 2025 – Rolling Admissions: After the initial December offers, Colorado will continue admissions on a rolling basis. This means further rounds of acceptances may be issued in late December, January, and onwards to fill the class as interviews conclude and as applicants accept or decline offers. If you are waitlisted, there may be movement well into the spring or even early summer of 2026. The class is typically finalized by early summer, ahead of the new student orientation and the start of classes in August 2026.

Keeping track of these dates is essential so you don’t miss any requirements. Make sure your DAT (Dental Admission Test) is taken in time (most applicants complete it by summer 2025), and have your letters of recommendation lined up early. Colorado’s supplemental application (if requested) will likely have its own deadline, usually a few weeks after you receive it. By staying organized with a timeline, you can ensure you meet all the milestones of the application process. The interview itself will fall in the middle of this cycle – typically a few weeks to a couple of months before you hear a decision. Prepare thoroughly for it, but also keep up with any outstanding application items or updates you need to provide to the school. Once interviews and offers are done, accepted students will have additional deadlines for things like tuition deposits, immunizations, and orientation paperwork, which the school will communicate. Overall, being proactive and aware of the process timeline will reduce stress and allow you to focus on putting your best foot forward.

Interviewing at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine is a significant opportunity, and thorough preparation will help you make the most of it. In this guide, we reviewed the interview format (a conversational open-file interview that lets you showcase your personality studentdoctor.net), the school’s mission-driven culture of community service and innovation dental.cuanschutz.edu, and key aspects of the DDS program that you can discuss with your interviewers. We also highlighted current dental field issues relevant to Colorado, the non-academic qualities the school values, and the common themes in interview questions reported by past applicants. By understanding Colorado’s values and expectations – and reflecting on your own experiences in that light – you’ll be well-equipped to convey why you’d be a great fit for the program. Good luck with your interview, and remember to be yourself and let your passion for dentistry shine through!