What Happens After You Submit Your CAAPID Application? (Complete Guide)

You've done it. Months of preparation — INBDE, TOEFL, credential evaluation, personal statement, CV, letters of recommendation. You clicked "Submit" on your CAAPID application.

Now what?

For most international dentists, this is when anxiety peaks. You've done everything you can. Now you wait. But for how long? What are schools doing with your application? When will you hear back? What if you don't hear anything?

The silence can be deafening.

This guide explains exactly what happens after you submit your CAAPID application — step by step, week by week. You'll know what to expect, when to expect it, and what to do at each stage.

No more wondering. No more anxiety about the unknown.

What Happens After You Submit CAAPID: After submitting your CAAPID application: (1) CAAPID verifies your application is complete (1-2 weeks), (2) Schools receive and review your application, (3) Schools send supplemental application requests (1-4 weeks), (4) You complete supplementals promptly, (5) Schools conduct full review and decide on interviews (4-12 weeks), (6) Interview invitations are sent (August-January), (7) You interview (September-March), (8) Decisions are released on rolling basis (October-April), (9) You accept an offer and submit deposit.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS]

1. The CAAPID Post-Submission Timeline Overview

2. Stage 1: Application Verification (Week 1-2)

3. Stage 2: Schools Receive Your Application

4. Stage 3: Supplemental Applications (Week 1-4)

5. How to Complete Supplemental Applications

6. Stage 4: The Waiting Period

7. What Schools Are Doing With Your Application

8. Stage 5: Interview Invitations (Week 4-12+)

9. What to Do When You Receive an Interview Invitation

10. What If You Don't Receive Interview Invitations?

11. Stage 6: The Interview Process

12. Stage 7: Post-Interview Waiting

13. Stage 8: Decisions (Acceptance, Waitlist, Rejection)

14. What to Do If You're Accepted

15. What to Do If You're Waitlisted

16. What to Do If You're Rejected

17. Stage 9: Deposits and Commitment

18. Managing Multiple Acceptances

19. Timeline Expectations: When to Hear Back

20. How to Follow Up With Schools (Without Being Annoying)

21. Common Post-Submission Mistakes to Avoid

22. Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Submission

1. The CAAPID Post-Submission Timeline Overview

After submitting your CAAPID application, the process unfolds over 6-12 months through several distinct stages.

Complete post-submission timeline:

Stage	What Happens	Timeline After Submission
1. Verification	CAAPID confirms application complete	1-2 weeks
2. Distribution	Schools receive your application	Immediate after verification
3. Supplementals	Schools request additional materials	1-4 weeks
4. Waiting	Schools review applications	Ongoing
5. Interview Invitations	Schools invite selected candidates	4-12+ weeks
6. Interviews	You interview with schools	Varies by school
7. Post-Interview	Schools make decisions	2-8 weeks after interview
8. Decisions	Accept, waitlist, or reject	Rolling (October-April)
9. Commitment	Accept offer, submit deposit	Per school deadlines

The key insight:

This process is NOT linear for all schools. You might:

• Receive interview invitations from some schools while waiting on others

• Get accepted at one school while still interviewing at another

• Be waitlisted at one school while rejected at another

Every school operates on its own timeline.

2. Stage 1: Application Verification (Week 1-2)

After you click submit, CAAPID verifies that your application is complete before sending it to schools.

What happens during verification:

Check	What CAAPID Verifies
Application sections	All required fields completed
INBDE score	Received from ADA
TOEFL score	Received from ETS
Credential evaluation	Received from ECE/WES
Letters of recommendation	All required letters submitted
Payment	Fees processed

Verification timeline:

Status	Meaning
"Submitted"	You clicked submit, processing begun
"Complete"	All materials verified, ready to send to schools
"Incomplete"	Something is missing — check what

What to do during verification:

1. Check your CAAPID dashboard daily — monitor status changes

2. Verify all scores sent — confirm INBDE and TOEFL show as received

3. Confirm letters submitted — check that all recommenders completed their submissions

4. Watch for "Incomplete" flags — address immediately if something is missing

If your application shows "Incomplete":

Issue	Action
INBDE not received	Contact ADA, verify they sent to CAAPID
TOEFL not received	Contact ETS, verify CAAPID institution code
Credential evaluation missing	Contact ECE/WES
Letter not submitted	Contact recommender urgently
Payment issue	Contact CAAPID support

3. Stage 2: Schools Receive Your Application

Once verified as complete, your application is automatically sent to all schools you selected.

What happens:

Step	Description
CAAPID marks complete	Verification finished
Application transmitted	Sent to all selected schools
Schools receive	Each school gets your full application
Schools begin review	Review process varies by school

You don't need to do anything here. This is automatic.

What schools receive:

• Your personal information

• Educational background

• INBDE and TOEFL scores

• Credential evaluation

• Personal statement

• CV

• Letters of recommendation

• All other CAAPID application components

Important:

Your application goes to ALL schools simultaneously. You can't customize your application for individual schools at this stage. (That's what supplementals are for.)

4. Stage 3: Supplemental Applications (Week 1-4)

Many schools require supplemental applications with additional essays, questions, and fees beyond your main CAAPID application.

What are supplementals?

Supplemental applications are school-specific materials requested after your main CAAPID application. Not all schools require them, but many do.

Supplemental components:

Component	Description
Additional essays	School-specific prompts ("Why our school?")
Short answer questions	Background questions, specific inquiries
Supplemental fees	$75-$150 per school
Additional documents	Some schools request extra materials

When supplementals arrive:

Timeline	What to Expect
1-2 weeks after submission	Early supplemental requests
2-4 weeks after submission	Most supplemental requests
Ongoing	Some schools send later

How you receive them:

• Email from the school (most common)

• Through CAAPID portal

• Through school's application portal

Check your email constantly — supplemental requests can come at any time.

5. How to Complete Supplemental Applications

Complete supplemental applications promptly, thoughtfully, and with school-specific customization.

Speed matters:

Response Time	Signal to School
Within 1 week	Organized, interested, committed
1-2 weeks	Acceptable
2-3 weeks	Slow, possibly disinterested
3+ weeks	Red flag — lack of interest

How to approach supplementals:

Step 1: Track all supplementals

Create a tracking system:

School	Supplemental Received	Deadline	Submitted	Fee Paid
School A	4/15	5/1	☐	☐
School B	4/18	5/15	☐	☐

Step 2: Research each school

Before writing "Why our school?" essays:

• Review school website thoroughly

• Note specific programs, faculty, opportunities

• Understand their mission and values

• Find what genuinely interests you

Step 3: Customize each response

Generic (Bad)	Customized (Good)
"I want to attend your prestigious program"	"Your clinic's focus on underserved communities aligns with my experience at dental camps in rural India"
"Your faculty are excellent"	"Dr. [Name]'s research on [topic] connects directly with my interest in [specific area]"
"I would thrive at your school"	"The small class size of [number] students appeals to me because [specific reason]"

Step 4: Proofread carefully

• No typos

• Correct school name (don't copy-paste wrong school)

• Answer the actual question asked

• Stay within word/character limits

Step 5: Pay fees promptly

Don't delay submission because of supplemental fees. Budget for these in advance.

6. Stage 4: The Waiting Period

After completing supplementals, you enter a waiting period while schools review applications.

What to expect:

Reality	Explanation
Silence is normal	Schools don't send updates during review
Timeline varies	Some schools faster than others
No news ≠ bad news	You're likely still being considered
Patience required	This can last weeks to months

How long you might wait:

Submission Timing	Typical Wait for Interview Invitation
Early (April-May)	6-10 weeks
Mid-cycle (June-July)	8-12 weeks
Late (August-September)	10-16 weeks

What to do during the waiting period:

Do	Don't
✅ Check email daily	❌ Email schools asking for updates (too early)
✅ Monitor CAAPID dashboard	❌ Panic if you don't hear immediately
✅ Prepare for interviews	❌ Assume silence means rejection
✅ Keep living your life	❌ Obsessively refresh your inbox
✅ Update schools on new achievements	❌ Send weekly updates

Productive waiting:

Use this time to:

• Prepare for interviews (most important)

• Research schools you applied to

• Practice answering common interview questions

• Continue working/gaining experience

7. What Schools Are Doing With Your Application

Understanding the school's review process helps manage expectations during the waiting period.

Typical school review process:

Stage	What Happens
Initial screening	Staff checks you meet minimum requirements
Committee review	Faculty committee reviews qualified applications
Ranking/scoring	Applications ranked or scored
Interview decisions	Top applicants invited to interview
Notifications sent	Interview invitations (or rejections) sent

How schools evaluate applications:

Factor	What They Look At
Academics	GPA, INBDE, dental school quality
Clinical experience	Type, depth, U.S. experience
Personal statement	Unique story, writing quality, fit
Letters	Strength of recommendations, sources
CV	Achievements, leadership, research
Supplementals	School-specific fit, genuine interest
TOEFL	English proficiency

Rolling review reality:

Schools using rolling admissions review and decide continuously:

• Early applications reviewed first

• Strong early applicants get early interview invites

• Seats fill as cycle progresses

• Later applicants compete for fewer spots

This is why early submission matters.

8. Stage 5: Interview Invitations (Week 4-12+)

Interview invitations are sent to applicants the school wants to learn more about before making final decisions.

When interview invitations come:

Period	Activity Level
August	Early invitations begin
September	Invitations increase
October	Peak invitation period
November	Heavy activity
December	Continues
January	Final invitations
February-March	Rare late invitations

How invitations arrive:

Method	Details
Email	Most common method
CAAPID portal	Some schools update status here
School portal	Some have their own systems
Phone	Rare, but possible

What interview invitations include:

Information	Details
Interview dates	Options to choose from
Format	In-person, virtual, or hybrid
Duration	How long the interview day is
Logistics	Location, parking, what to bring
RSVP deadline	When to confirm by

Respond immediately:

Response Time	Recommendation
Within 24 hours	Ideal
Within 48 hours	Acceptable
Within 72 hours	Maximum
Longer	Risk losing spot

Interview slots fill quickly. Faster response = more scheduling options.

9. What to Do When You Receive an Interview Invitation

Receiving an interview invitation is exciting — here's exactly what to do next.

Immediate actions (within 24 hours):

Step	Action
1	Read the entire invitation carefully
2	Note all deadlines and requirements
3	Select interview date (earliest available if possible)
4	RSVP/confirm your attendance
5	Add to your calendar immediately

Planning actions (within 1 week):

Step	Action
6	Book travel if in-person (flights, hotel)
7	Research the school thoroughly
8	Begin interview preparation
9	Plan professional attire
10	Prepare questions to ask them

Interview preparation:

This is crucial. An interview invitation means you're qualified on paper — now they want to meet you.

Preparation Area	What to Do
Know the school	Programs, faculty, mission, recent news
Know yourself	Review your application, be ready to discuss anything
Practice questions	Common questions and your answers
Prepare questions	Thoughtful questions to ask them
Logistics	Know where to go, when, what to bring

We'll cover interview preparation in depth in our next guide.

10. What If You Don't Receive Interview Invitations?

Not receiving interview invitations is disappointing, but there are productive steps you can take.

Timeline perspective:

If No Invitations By...	What It May Mean
October	Still early for many schools
November	Some concern, but not over
December	Chances decreasing
January	Limited remaining opportunities
February	This cycle likely over

Possible reasons for no invitations:

Reason	What You Can Do
Applied late	Little you can do now; apply earlier next cycle
TOEFL too low	Retake and update if time allows
Weak application component	Identify and strengthen for next cycle
Competitive schools only	Consider less competitive options
Missing requirements	Verify nothing was incomplete

What to do:

If it's early in the cycle (October-November):

1. Be patient — invitations are still coming

2. Verify your application is complete

3. Consider sending updates for new achievements

4. Continue preparing for potential interviews

If it's mid-cycle (December-January):

1. Send letters of continued interest to top choices

2. Highlight any new achievements

3. Begin planning for potential reapplication

4. Identify what to strengthen

If it's late in the cycle (February+):

1. Accept this cycle may not work out

2. Analyze what went wrong

3. Create improvement plan

4. Prepare for next cycle

Questions to ask yourself:

• Did I submit early enough?

• Were my TOEFL/INBDE scores competitive?

• Did my personal statement stand out?

• Were my letters strong enough?

• Did I apply to realistic schools for my profile?

• Did I complete supplementals promptly?

11. Stage 6: The Interview Process

Interviews are your opportunity to show schools who you are beyond your application.

Interview formats:

Format	Description
Traditional	One-on-one with faculty/admissions
Panel	Multiple interviewers at once
MMI (Multiple Mini Interview)	Rotating stations with different scenarios
Group	Interviewed alongside other candidates
Virtual	Video interview (Zoom, etc.)

What to expect on interview day:

Component	Typical Duration
Welcome/orientation	15-30 minutes
Campus tour	30-60 minutes
Interviews	30-90 minutes total
Q&A with current students	30-60 minutes
Lunch (sometimes)	30-60 minutes
Total	3-6 hours

What interviewers evaluate:

They're Assessing...	Through...
Communication skills	How you answer questions
Professionalism	Your demeanor and presentation
Genuine interest	Your questions and enthusiasm
Fit with program	Your personality and values
Clinical readiness	Your experiences and knowledge
Character	How you handle unexpected questions

Interview success factors:

Factor	Importance
Preparation	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Authenticity	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Communication	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Professionalism	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Enthusiasm	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Questions you ask	⭐⭐⭐⭐

For detailed interview preparation strategies, see our comprehensive Interview Preparation Guide.

12. Stage 7: Post-Interview Waiting

After interviewing, you enter another waiting period while schools make decisions.

Post-interview timeline:

Timeline After Interview	What Might Happen
1-2 weeks	Some fast schools decide
2-4 weeks	Many schools decide
4-8 weeks	Slower schools decide
8+ weeks	Still possible, may indicate waitlist

What to do after your interview:

Within 24 hours:

Action	Purpose
Send thank you email	Shows professionalism and interest
Note your impressions	Record what you learned while fresh
Reflect on performance	What went well? What could improve?

Thank you email template:

Subject: Thank You — [Your Name] Interview [Date]

Dear [Interviewer Name / Admissions Committee],

Thank you for the opportunity to interview at [School Name] yesterday. I truly enjoyed learning more about your program and meeting the faculty and students.

Our conversation about [specific topic discussed] reinforced my interest in [School Name]. I was particularly impressed by [specific aspect of program].

I am very excited about the possibility of joining your program and contributing to [specific aspect]. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any additional information.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Phone] [Email]

In the weeks following:

Week	Action
Week 1	Send thank you, wait patiently
Week 2-3	Continue waiting, prepare for other interviews
Week 4+	Consider sending letter of continued interest if it's your top choice

13. Stage 8: Decisions (Acceptance, Waitlist, Rejection)

Schools release decisions on a rolling basis, and you may receive different outcomes from different schools.

Decision types:

Decision	What It Means
Acceptance	You're offered a seat in the program
Waitlist	Not accepted yet, but not rejected — you're in the backup pool
Rejection	Not accepted; this school is no longer an option

When decisions come:

Period	Activity
October - November	Early acceptances begin
December - January	Many decisions released
February - March	More decisions
April	Final decisions, deposit deadlines
May - June	Waitlist movement

How decisions arrive:

Method	Details
Email	Most common
Portal update	Check school-specific portals
Phone call	Sometimes for acceptances
Mail	Rare, but some schools mail formal letters

14. What to Do If You're Accepted

Congratulations! An acceptance is a huge achievement. Here's what to do next.

Immediate actions:

Step	Action	Timeline
1	Celebrate!	Immediately
2	Read acceptance letter carefully	Immediately
3	Note deposit deadline	Immediately
4	Note deposit amount	Immediately
5	Review financial aid information	Within 1 week

Decision-making (if multiple acceptances):

Factor	Consider
Cost	Total tuition + living expenses
Location	Where do you want to live for 2-3 years?
Program fit	Which program feels right?
Career goals	Which program best supports your goals?
Gut feeling	Where do you see yourself thriving?

Deposit and commitment:

Deadline Type	What to Know
Deposit amount	Usually $500-$2,000
Deposit deadline	Usually 2-4 weeks after acceptance
Refundable?	Usually non-refundable
Multiple deposits	Discouraged; commit to one school

After committing:

Action	When
Submit deposit	By deadline
Withdraw from other schools	After committing
Notify schools where you're waitlisted	After committing elsewhere
Begin visa process (if needed)	After commitment confirmed
Find housing	After commitment

15. What to Do If You're Waitlisted

A waitlist decision means you're not accepted yet, but you haven't been rejected. There's still a chance.

What waitlist means:

Fact	Explanation
You're qualified	They wouldn't waitlist unqualified applicants
Seats are full	All available spots went to other candidates
Movement happens	As others decline offers, spots open
No guarantee	Some waitlisted applicants are never admitted

What to do if waitlisted:

Immediately:

Action	Purpose
Send letter of continued interest	Express your strong interest
Confirm you want to remain on waitlist	Some schools require this
Update them on new achievements	Strengthen your candidacy

Letter of continued interest template:

Subject: Continued Interest — [Your Name], Waitlist

Dear Admissions Committee,

Thank you for considering my application to [School Name]. While I was disappointed to learn I was placed on the waitlist, I want to express my continued strong interest in your program.

[School Name] remains my top choice because [specific, genuine reasons].

Since submitting my application, I have [any updates — new achievements, experiences, etc.].

I am fully committed to attending [School Name] if a position becomes available. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide to support my candidacy.

Thank you for your continued consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Ongoing:

Action	Frequency
Check for updates	Weekly
Send additional updates	If significant achievements (monthly max)
Continue with other options	Don't rely solely on waitlist
Have a backup plan	In case waitlist doesn't convert

Waitlist movement timeline:

Period	Activity
April	Deposit deadlines pass; some movement
May	Significant movement as students commit elsewhere
June	Final movement before classes start
July	Rare last-minute movement

16. What to Do If You're Rejected

Rejection is painful, but it's not the end of your journey.

Immediate reactions:

Do	Don't
✅ Allow yourself to feel disappointed	❌ Make impulsive decisions
✅ Take a break from the process	❌ Send angry emails to schools
✅ Talk to someone supportive	❌ Give up on your dream entirely
✅ Remember this is one cycle	❌ Define yourself by this outcome

After processing:

Step 1: Assess your cycle

Question	Purpose
How many interviews did I receive?	Gauges application strength
How did interviews go?	Gauges interview performance
Did I apply to realistic schools?	Gauges school selection strategy
Was my application complete and strong?	Identifies weak areas

Step 2: Identify areas for improvement

If This Was Weak...	Improvement Strategy
Few/no interviews	Strengthen application (PS, letters, experience)
Interviews but no acceptances	Focus on interview preparation
TOEFL too low	Retake and improve score
Limited clinical experience	Get more experience, especially U.S.
Applied too late	Apply earlier next cycle

Step 3: Plan for next cycle

Action	Timeline
Retake TOEFL if needed	3-6 months before next cycle
Gain additional experience	Ongoing
Strengthen weak application areas	Ongoing
Rewrite personal statement	Before next cycle opens
Get better letters	Build relationships now
Apply early	First month of next cycle

Perspective:

Many successful dentists were rejected before being accepted. One cycle doesn't define you. Use the rejection as information to become a stronger applicant.

17. Stage 9: Deposits and Commitment

When you decide which school to attend, you'll need to submit a deposit to hold your seat.

Deposit basics:

Element	Typical Range
Amount	$500 - $2,000
Deadline	2-4 weeks after acceptance
Refundable?	Usually non-refundable
Method	Online payment, check, wire transfer

Before submitting deposit:

Verify	Why
You're committed to this school	Deposits are usually non-refundable
You can afford the total cost	Consider full financial picture
Visa situation is manageable	For international students
You've compared all options	If multiple acceptances

After submitting deposit:

Action	Timeline
Confirm deposit received	Within 1 week
Withdraw from other schools	Immediately
Remove yourself from waitlists	Immediately
Begin enrollment paperwork	Per school instructions
Start visa process	Immediately (can take months)
Research housing	Before moving

18. Managing Multiple Acceptances

If you're fortunate enough to have multiple acceptances, here's how to make your decision.

Decision framework:

Factor	Questions to Ask
Cost	What's the total cost? Can I afford it?
Location	Where do I want to live? Cost of living?
Program length	2 years vs 3 years? Impact on cost?
Program reputation	What are graduates doing?
Fit	Where did I feel most comfortable?
Opportunities	Clinical exposure? Research? Networking?
Gut feeling	Where do I see myself?

Comparison worksheet:

Factor	School A	School B	School C
Total cost
Program length
Location appeal
Interview impression
Career placement
Gut feeling

Making the decision:

1. Don't decide purely on ranking — fit matters more

2. Consider total cost (tuition + living) not just tuition

3. Think about where you want to live/practice long-term

4. Trust your interview day impressions

5. Talk to current students if possible

Ethical considerations:

Do	Don't
✅ Decide by deposit deadline	❌ Hold multiple deposits
✅ Withdraw promptly from schools you won't attend	❌ String schools along
✅ Free up spots for waitlisted applicants	❌ Be indecisive past deadlines

19. Timeline Expectations: When to Hear Back

Here's a realistic timeline for what to expect after submitting your CAAPID application.

If you submitted in April-May (early):

Month	What to Expect
May-June	Supplementals arrive
June-July	Complete supplementals
August-September	First interview invitations possible
September-November	Most interview invitations
October-December	Interviews; early decisions
December-February	More decisions
February-April	Final decisions

If you submitted in July-August (mid-cycle):

Month	What to Expect
August	Supplementals arrive
August-September	Complete supplementals
October-November	Interview invitations
November-January	Interviews
December-March	Decisions
March-April	Final decisions

If you submitted in September-October (late):

Month	What to Expect
September-October	Supplementals arrive
October-November	Complete supplementals
November-January	Interview invitations (if any)
January-March	Interviews
February-April	Decisions

Key insight:

Early applicants have a significant advantage. If you submitted late, adjust expectations accordingly.

20. How to Follow Up With Schools (Without Being Annoying)

Following up can demonstrate interest, but doing it wrong can hurt your candidacy.

When following up is appropriate:

Situation	Appropriate?
Sending thank you after interview	✅ Yes
Updating about significant new achievement	✅ Yes
Sending letter of continued interest if waitlisted	✅ Yes
Asking about status after 8+ weeks with no response	✅ Yes (carefully)
Asking for status update after 2 weeks	❌ Too early
Emailing weekly asking for updates	❌ Annoying
Calling repeatedly	❌ Annoying

How to follow up professionally:

Do	Don't
✅ Be brief and professional	❌ Write long emails
✅ Have a legitimate reason	❌ Follow up just to follow up
✅ Respect their time	❌ Expect immediate response
✅ Accept non-response gracefully	❌ Send multiple follow-ups

Status inquiry email template (after 8+ weeks):

Subject: Application Status Inquiry — [Your Name]

Dear Admissions Committee,

I hope this message finds you well. I submitted my application to [School Name] on [date] and wanted to respectfully inquire about the status of my application.

I remain very interested in your program and would be grateful for any update you might be able to provide.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name] CAAPID ID: [Your ID]

One follow-up only. If you don't receive a response, don't send another. Silence usually means they're still reviewing or have decided not to move forward.

21. Common Post-Submission Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common mistakes that can hurt your chances after submitting.

Mistake 1: Not checking email/spam folders

Problem	Solution
Miss interview invitation	Check email multiple times daily
Miss supplemental request	Check spam/junk folders
Miss important communication	Add school domains to safe senders

Mistake 2: Delayed supplemental completion

Problem	Solution
Complete supplementals slowly	Respond within 1-2 weeks
Signal lack of interest	Prioritize supplementals

Mistake 3: Unprepared for interviews

Problem	Solution
Wing it at interview	Prepare thoroughly
Can't answer basic questions	Practice common questions
Don't know about the school	Research before interview

Mistake 4: Not sending thank you notes

Problem	Solution
Forgettable after interview	Send thank you within 24 hours
Seem uninterested	Express genuine appreciation

Mistake 5: Holding multiple deposits

Problem	Solution
Unethical, wastes spots	Commit to one school
May damage reputation	Withdraw from others promptly

Mistake 6: Going silent on waitlists

Problem	Solution
Missed opportunity	Send letter of continued interest
Seem uninterested	Stay engaged with updates

Mistake 7: Not having a backup plan

Problem	Solution
All eggs in one basket	Continue preparing for next cycle if needed
Devastated if rejected	Have contingency plan

22. Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Submission

How long does it take to hear back after submitting CAAPID?

Expect 4-12 weeks for interview invitations after submission. Times vary by school and when you applied. Early applicants typically hear back sooner.

What are supplemental applications?

Supplemental applications are additional materials (essays, fees, questions) requested by individual schools after your main CAAPID application. Not all schools require them.

How quickly should I complete supplemental applications?

Within 1-2 weeks of receiving them. Fast responses signal interest and organization.

When do interview invitations come?

Interview invitations are sent August through January, with peak activity in September-November.

What if I don't receive any interview invitations?

If you haven't received invitations by December-January, your chances for this cycle are limited. Analyze your application, identify weaknesses, and prepare for next cycle.

What should I do after an interview?

Send a thank you email within 24 hours. Continue waiting patiently. Consider sending a letter of continued interest if it's your top choice.

How long after an interview will I hear a decision?

Typically 2-8 weeks after the interview, though some schools are faster or slower.

What does being waitlisted mean?

You're qualified but not immediately accepted. If other admitted students decline, you may receive an offer. Send a letter of continued interest and stay engaged.

What if I'm accepted to multiple schools?

Compare based on cost, location, program fit, and where you felt most comfortable. Commit to one school and withdraw from others promptly.

How much is the deposit to hold my seat?

Usually $500-$2,000, due 2-4 weeks after acceptance. Usually non-refundable.

Can I hold deposits at multiple schools?

This is discouraged and potentially unethical. Commit to one school once you've decided.

What if I'm rejected from all schools?

It happens. Take time to process, analyze what went wrong, create an improvement plan, and prepare to reapply next cycle.

Should I follow up with schools about my application status?

Wait at least 8 weeks before inquiring about status. One polite email is acceptable; repeated follow-ups are not.

What happens after I submit my deposit?

You'll receive enrollment materials, visa paperwork (if international), and instructions for next steps. Begin visa process immediately if needed.

When should I start preparing for interviews?

Immediately after submitting your application. Don't wait for interview invitations — prepare in advance so you're ready when they come.

The Journey Continues

Submitting your CAAPID application is a huge milestone — but it's not the finish line. The post-submission process requires patience, preparation, and strategic action.

Remember:

• Check email constantly — don't miss important communications

• Complete supplementals promptly — speed signals interest

• Prepare for interviews NOW — don't wait for invitations

• Stay patient during waiting periods — silence is normal

• Respond immediately to interview invitations

• Send thank you notes after interviews

• Know how to handle acceptances, waitlists, and rejections

• Have a backup plan if this cycle doesn't work out

P2A Consultancy supports you through every stage — from CAAPID submission through interview preparation to acceptance decisions.

[Book Your Free Strategy Call]

About the Author

Dr. Dev Prajapati Co-Founder, P2A Consultancy

Dr. Dev remembers the anxiety of waiting after submitting his CAAPID application. The uncertainty. The constant email checking. The highs of interview invitations and the stress of post-interview waiting.

He matched into Howard University's AEGD Residency Program and now helps international dentists navigate this same journey — with less anxiety and more strategic preparation.