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ADMISSIONS

Leaders in
Orthodontic
Education

Georgia School of Orthodontics is the largest and most technologically advanced orthodontic residency program in the world.

See what makes us unique.

Why Georgia School of Orthodontics?

The Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) offers a comprehensive, hands-on 36-month residency program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, with campuses in Atlanta and Duluth, Georgia.

Our mission is to prepare skilled orthodontic specialists through a blend of patient-centered care, advanced clinical training, research, and community service. Residents train in over 36,000 square feet of modern clinical and academic space, using cutting-edge tools like 3D intraoral scanners, CBCT imaging, and a fully digital record system.

GSO also offers a unique opportunity for residents to work as licensed dentists in Georgia while enrolled (license required), and partners with Emory University’s Oral Surgery Program to provide additional exposure to complex and surgical cases—a level of experience that sets our graduates apart.

Program Schedule

First-Year Residents

  • Clinic: Group clinic rotations on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
  • Didactic: Lectures on Thursday and Friday

Second-Year Residents

  • Clinic: Group clinic practical rotations on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
  • Didactic: Lectures on Thursday
  • Clinic Rotation and Research Time: Friday

Third-Year Residents

  • Monday and Tuesday: Off
  • Wednesday: Lectures in the morning; research time in the afternoon
  • Lectures on Thursday
  • Thursday and Friday: Clinic

Additional Program Activities

  • Resident Lunch-N-Learns: Held (on-campus and off-site)
  • Resident Mixers: Organized throughout the year

Academic Breaks and Holidays

  • Winter Break: 2 weeks – (December and January)
  • Spring break: 1 week – (March)
  • Summer break: 1 week – (August)
Resident Life at GSO

Life as a resident at the Georgia School of Orthodontics is both rigorous and rewarding. Our program is designed to cultivate clinical excellence, research innovation, and professional growth in a collaborative, supportive environment.

Academic & Clinical Requirements

  • Must collaborate on a research project and complete it prior to graduation.
  • A minimum of 3,700 hours of program time is required.
  • Annual CPR and HIPAA certifications are required and organized by the institution.
  • Second year residents are required to take the ABO Written Board Examination.
  • Attendance is mandatory for all virtual and on-site classes, unless on approved leave.

Program Operations

  • Tuition deadlines are observed twice a year:
    • August 1 (Spring Semester)
    • December 1 (Summer Semester)

Uniform Policy

  • Residents must wear GSO-issued uniforms while in the clinic.
  • Residents receive an allowance to cover their initial sets of uniforms and lab coat.
Admissions FAQ
General Inquiries
  1. Do you offer externships/internships? We only offer a Residency Program that certifies residents to become orthodontic specialists and an On-line Fellowship Program for those who want to increase their general knowledge of orthodontics.
  2. Do you offer a program for Orthodontic Assistants? Same answer as above.
  3. How long is the Residency program? The program lasts 36-months (3 years).
  4. Do residents need a dental license to participate in the residency program? You are not required to have a Georgia dental license to be a resident in our program. All residents are allowed to operate in the clinics under GSO’s licensure under supervision.
  5. After completing the program, will residents be able to practice orthodontics in Georgia? What about the U.S.? Once you complete the program, you will be certified to practice orthodontics as a specialist. However, you must first obtain a dental license from the state board of dentistry to practice in the U.S. Licensure requirements differ from state to state. Visit the board of dentistry website for the state you want to practice to review licensure requirements and applications.
  6. How much time can I expect to designate to the residency program? You will be involved with the program Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, though there will be variations in the daily schedules. This schedule includes a mixture of clinical and didactic hours. Residents will be given the schedule in advance.
  7. How many seats are open each academic year? As the largest orthodontics residency program in the world, we accept up to 45 residents each admissions cycle.
  8. Do residents get a stipend? Residents do not receive a stipend; however, we do offer teaching assistantship positions for scholarship recipients.
  9. How is tuition billed? We have two hard tuition payment deadlines: August 1st for Fall tuition and December 1st for Spring tuition.
  10. Are residents board certified once they graduate? Second-year residents take the American Board of Orthodontics written examination. The Class of 2025 had a 100% pass rate, the fifth year for the program. Once they pass the written portion, residents become board-certified eligible.
Admissions Stats
  1. How many applications do you receive each admissions cycle? Over 400 applications.
  2. How many international applicants apply each year? About 33%.
  3. What regions do your applicants come from? The top three regions are North America (U.S. & Canada), West Asia, and South America.
Application Process and Requirements
  1. What are your application Cycles?
    1. Match Cycle is for those who apply to our program and participate in the National Dental Match service. The application cycle runs each year from May to October 1. Applicants MUST register in the National Dental Match and have a Match number, in addition to completing the ADEA PASS Application.
    2. Post-Match Cycle is for those who want to apply to our program outside the National Dental Match Service. This cycle typically takes place from December to February in ADEA PASS. Applicants are only required to complete the application in ADEA PASS. Occasionally, we may extend our Post-Match application cycle through May. We will list the application instructions on our website if we extend the application cycle.
  2. Where can I apply for a Match number? Please click here to find the application and more information on the National Matching Services website.
  3. What are the steps in the admissions process?
    1. APPLY: Complete your application in ADEA PASS. If the ADEA PASS portal has closed, how to apply instructions will be posted on our website IF we are still accepting applications.
      1. Once you apply, the Office of Admissions will review your initial application and contact you to confirm the application is complete or if we need more information.
    2. INTERVIEW: After the application deadline passes, we will notify the applicants selected to move forward for a virtual interview, which can take place up to two weeks after the deadline.
    3. ADMISSIONS DECISION: Once interviews are complete, we will conduct a thorough reassessment of all applications. The Office of Admissions will then send the Admissions Decisions, typically within one to two weeks after all interviews have been completed.
  4. I have started my application but worry that my materials will not arrive on time. What should I do? Email the Office of Admissions at admissions@gaorthodontics.org to notify them of the late materials. The Admissions Coordinator will advise you on how to proceed.
  5. Can I apply directly to the school? You must complete the application via ADEA PASS unless we posted instructions on our website to continue the Post-Match application cycle.
  6. I am a U.S. Permanent Resident, who attended a non-CODA dental school. Do I have to complete the INBDE Yes. ALL APPLICANTS, including foreign trained dentists, MUST complete the INBDE or the NBDE Part 1 & 2.
  7. I am a foreign-trained dentist; can I apply to the program? We welcome all those who have completed a U.S. Dental Degree or foreign equivalent to apply. We also sponsor F-1 students needing a visa to study in the U.S.
  8. I am a resident of Canada (my country’s national language includes English), and I attended a 4-year university in the S. Do I have to submit the TOEFL? No, in this case, you do not have to submit a TOEFL.
  9. I took the IELTS exam; do I still have to take the TOEFL? We accept both the IELTS and the TOEFL exams. To be considered for admission, you must score 6.5 or above on the IELTS exam and 87 or above on the TOEFL exam.
  10. How should applicants with foreign degrees submit their transcripts? International applicants should submit their transcript through the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES) in the ADEA PASS platform.
  11. What is the application fee, and how can I submit it? The application fee is $75 USD. You may pay the fee using this PayPal link.
  12. What is the Academic Performance Evaluation, also known as the IEF Evaluation in PASS? It is an evaluation the Dean of your Dental School must complete and submit as it cannot be submitted by the applicant. DO NOT RESCIND YOUR IEF in PASS. IT MUST BE COMPLETED. If necessary, you can access it in the ADEA PASS platform or through the paper application.
  13. What are the admissions requirements? A complete application will include the following:
    1. CV/Resume
    2. Personal Essay
    3. $75 Application Fee
    4. INBDE Score Report
    5. Dental School Transcript
      1. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated through ECE or WES
      2. No Provisional Degrees accepted
    6. Three Letters of Recommendation
      1. Two (2) from Dental Faculty
      2. One (1) from a Practicing Dentist
    7. Match Number (Match Participants ONLY)
    8. TOEFL/IELTS Score (International Applicants ONLY)
    9. Declaration of Finances Form (Additional Financial Support)
    10. Academic Performance Evaluation (Completed by the Dean of your Dental School)
Financial Inquiries
  1. What are the tuition and fees for your program? Please review the Declaration of Finances Form in our supplemental application for the tuition ranges and fees found in ADEA PASS or on our website.
  2. What is the Declaration of Finances Form? This form includes projected tuition amounts and must be completed and signed by every applicant. The applicant then submits additional supporting financial documentation with the form to complete the financial portion of the application.
  3. What counts as supporting financial documents? We require that you submit financial documentation showing coverage for all three years of the residency program. Supporting documentation can include bank statements from checking and savings accounts belonging to you or anyone supporting your education, along with pre-approved loan letters from a private institution. Unfortunately, we do not accept federal financial aid at this time. We accept bank documents from other countries, but it must be translated and include the USD equivalent listed in the banking documentation.
  4. Do you offer payment plans or accept Federal Financial Aid? Unfortunately, we do not.
  5. Do you have a student loan lender that you work with? The Sallie Mae® Graduate School Loan for Health Professions is now available to our applicants to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses for the first year of the program. Sallie Mae approves loans annually. You must apply every year to be approved for funding. Click here to apply for the loan, and select “Post-Graduate Certificate” on the loan application page. Please contact Sallie Mae directly at 1-800-472-5543 regarding questions about the loan program and eligibility.
  6. I have called and applied for loans. Do you have a school code to complete the application? Unfortunately, we do not have a school code at this time as we do not work with any student loan lenders besides Sallie Mae.
  7. Do you accept VA Education Benefits? Unfortunately, we do not at this time.
  8. Do you have any scholarship opportunities? The Georgia School of Orthodontics established the John Lewis Legacy Scholarships, a historic $8.5 million initiative honoring the late Congressman John Lewis. Developed in partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, this landmark scholarship program reflects congressman Lewis’ lifelong commitment justice and fairness in order to build a better community for all.Over the course of 12 years, the program will award scholarships to 47 orthodontic residents, beginning August 2025 with the first cohort of three recipients. In August of 2026, four first-year residents will receive $60,000 annually in scholarships for all three program years. Recipients will remain responsible for the tuition balance, program fees and cost of living.

    Potential recipients apply by completing a one-page personal statement on how they exhibit the characteristics required of a scholarship recipient and any other relevant information on why they should be selected. The scholarship is awarded based on a combination of merit, academic credentials, leadership potential, and life and work experience. This is the only scholarship available through the application cycle and is exclusively for first-year residents.

  9. Do you have any TA positions or other positions that applicants can hold to help cover tuition costs? These scholarship opportunities become available during the resident’s 2nd and 3rd year.
  10. What financial assistance opportunities are available to applicants? We will award four first-year residents with the John Lewis Legacy Scholarship in 2026 during the admissions process. (See the John Lewis Legacy Scholarship information referenced above.) We do not have any other financial assistance opportunities.

Georgia School of Orthodontics Residents Achieve 100% Passage Rate on 2024 ABO Written Exam
View News

American Board of Orthodontics

GSO’s Class of 2025, 40 residents, achieved a 100% passage rate for the American Board of Orthodontics’ Written Examination. This is the fifth year the Program has accomplished educational excellence and three residents recorded the highest scores ever, 850 and higher out of 900.

The Class of 2023 had 14 residents take the ABO Clinical exam with a pass rate of 93%, which is above the national average.

ABO written exam preparation is built into the curriculum as all residents complete the written ABO exam within their second-year of residency. This means they are Board eligible to take the second portion of the boards known as the clinical boards after graduation.

Clinical Technology

We’ve created two state-of-the-art facilities at GSO where resident dentists and patients benefit from the latest advancements in orthodontic care. Our cutting-edge research center allows us to apply the most innovative studies to our patients’ care, ensuring they receive the best treatment possible.

LEARN MORE

Testimonials

“The things that distinguish GSO from other orthodontic residency programs include that we’re a very diverse group of residents from all over the country and all over the world with varying experiences. We’re able to grow and learn from one another and we’re able to collaborate and provide the best care for our patients.”

— Dr. Bridgette Jones Brooks, Class of 2020 Resident

“As a Captain in the Army Reserves, it truly hits home for me to be a part of an institution like GSO that gives back to our veterans in our community through Purple Heart Smiles. I get to personally work with Purple Heart Recipients and their families – I feel like they deserve so much for their service and this is just our way to say thank you.”

— Dr. Shannen Dalton, Class of 2020 Chief Resident

"GSO takes a team approach to care with its patients. We have faculty from various backgrounds with different skill sets. We all get together as a team – we have seminars where we discuss the best approach to treating each patient’s unique and individual needs and we come up with the best possible treatment plan for each patient."

— Dr. Ted Markos, Class of 2019 Chief Resident

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Join the best and the brightest in Orthodontics.











    Within Reach

    135

    Residents may be accepted in our three-year program

    $4.3M

    Dollars in scholarships funded through GSO

    $250K

    Complimentary care provided to the communities we serve

    12,000

    Patients seen at GSO to date