How to Apply

ULSD participates in the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) sponsored by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). All orthodontic applicants must submit an online application directly to PASS.

The deadline for application is September 1 for the class entering the following year.

Interviews are by invitation only. Interviews are held for selected applicants. A committee consisting of faculty, alumni members will review your application. There are six (6) positions available and the admissions process is highly competitive.

Applications submitted are considered without regard to race, gender, religion or national origin.

• Registration with the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program
• Use of ADEA’s PASS Application Service

All applications must be submitted to PASS by September 1. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to insure that materials are submitted in a timely manner. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Orthodontic applicants must also obtain a MATCH number. PASS applicants seeking postdoctoral positions that utilize the Dental Match will be able to register for both services within the PASS application portal. Data will flow to the National Matching Service, Inc. for all applicants who select the Dental Match from the services menu and the ADEA/PASS will pay the appropriate fees to NMS.

Please note: The Orthodontic Graduate Program at the University of Louisville participates in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program. Our faculty believes the MATCH to be fair and beneficial to applicants. Consequently, we will only consider applicants who are applying exclusively to graduate programs participating in the MATCH.

The following should be sent directly to PASS

Class ranking or standing: This is mandatory for all applicants except those from un-graded programs. We will accept class rankings and GPA recorded on the ADEA PASS Institutional Evaluation (ADEA IEF) form and sent directly to PASS. We will also accept class ranking which are recorded in the dental transcript or a letter directly from the Dean's Office of your Dental School.

National Board Scores: We will accept INDBE/NBDE scores recorded on the ADEA PASS Institution Evaluation Form (ADEA IEF) and sent directly to PASS.

ADEA PASS Evaluations: There are three types of evaluations for ADEA PASS: the ETS Personal Potential Index® (ETS PPI), the Professional Evaluation (PEF) and Institution Evaluation (IEF).

1. Three (3) Professional Evaluation Form (PEF) - a PEF is a traditional letter of recommendation
2. One (1) Institution Evaluation Form (IEF)

For more information about ADEA PASS Evaluations, go to https://www.adea.org/home/application-services/apply-to-advanced-programs/adea-pass-evaluators.

Official transcripts: An official dental school transcript, which shows courses taken and grades received, is required. Pass/Fail grades are acceptable only if the transcript is accompanied by a letter which explains how well the applicant performed in the course or program. Official transcripts and a certified English translation for each school attended should be sent directly to PASS. International applicants are required to submit an educational credential evaluators (ECE) course-by-course evaluation report directly to PASS.

Advanced Dental Admissions Test (ADAT) score: Optional requirement.

Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores: To register for the GRE general test, please visit the GRE website: http://www.ets.org/gre/. Applicants are required to complete the GRE by July 31, and include scores as part of the PASS application.

TOEFL Scores (International Applicants Only): If English is not your native language, you must demonstrate proficiency in English. TOEFL scores of 550+ (paper version/PBT) or 213+ (computer based version/CBT) or a minimum score of 79+ internet based version/iBT is required.

Beginning after the deadline specified by PASS, the faculty of the Department of Orthodontics will review completed applications and issue invitations to interview to potential candidates. Selection criteria for interviews are multifaceted, taking into account all the application materials. Those selected for an interview are notified via email. Interview dates are typically scheduled for October. DO NOT CONTACT FACULTY OR STAFF UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED AN INVITATION EMAIL.

Following interviews, applicants will be ranked by the Department and submitted to the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program. To participate, you will be assigned a match number. This number is requested in the PASS application.  Applicants will be notified of Match results in early December.

Upon acceptance into the Graduate Program in Orthodontics, you must submit an official Dental School transcript.