Total Cost at a Glance
How much does it cost to apply to dental school? For a typical list of 12–15 schools, most applicants should budget:
- AADSAS base fee: ~$264 for the first school
- Additional AADSAS schools: ~$115 each
- Secondary fees: ~$50–$150 per school
- CASPer / situational judgment (if required): ~$100–$150
Realistic total for 15 schools: $2,800–$3,500+ before interview travel. That figure answers “how much to apply to 15 dental schools” better than any single secondary fee alone.
What Secondary Fees Cover
Secondary (supplemental) fees are charged by individual schools after or alongside AADSAS. They help cover application processing. Fees vary widely — some schools are on the low end (~$50–$75), others closer to $100–$150.
Always confirm the current fee on the school's admissions page before submitting. Fees change by cycle. Not every school piles on essays — see which schools even send secondaries before you spend.
How to Budget Smart
- Apply with mission fit — every mismatched school wastes $150–$250 total
- Prioritize in-state publics when ROI and acceptance odds are stronger
- Check Fee Assistance Programs — ADEA FAP can reduce AADSAS costs for eligible applicants
- Don't under-apply out of fear — 10–15 well-chosen schools usually beats 5 random ones
Hidden Costs Applicants Forget
- Official transcript fees
- DAT registration / retake fees
- Interview travel, hotels, professional attire
- Letter of evaluation services
- Application consulting (optional)
Build a 10–15% buffer into your application budget so a late secondary fee doesn't delay submission.
Next Steps
Use our free Secondary Database to see which schools require essays (and which don't) before you spend. Then read when secondaries arrive so you can time your budget and writing calendar together. For school-list strategy that protects both money and interview odds, schedule with Future Dentist Prep.
