How to interview advice thread

For some reason people won't respond to threads like this....I saw a couple more like this that went empty. I would like to know what kinds of questions they ask and advice. Maybe you should post on the dental board since the predents are being "shady" they don't want to give advice that will give anyone an edge...

bkwash said:

For some reason people won't respond to threads like this....I saw a couple more like this that went empty. I would like to know what kinds of questions they ask and advice. Maybe you should post on the dental board since the predents are being "shady" they don't want to give advice that will give anyone an edge...

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I hate it when people do that!!! 😡 😡
I guess I’ll start then. Be yourself and most importantly go in relaxed. Don’t get too worked up over the whole situation and just say what comes to mind. The interviewers just want to get to know you and give you the chance to explain any anomalies in your application.
Hope this helps and let me know if there are any specific questions you want answered.

Let me gather a list of questions, it may take a while, but it will give an idea of what interviewers will ask. I don't mind sharing experiances.
Temple was way laid back. Brian was very direct and sells the school very well. Well, he doesn't have to, the school sells itself 😉 I liked temple alot. The interview was an hour with a group of five of us and we were all asked 4-5 questions.

Here is a list I've been gathering of potential questions:

What would you bring to this dental school?
Do you have any hobbies?
Why dentistry? Why not medical school?
What have you done to show that you like dentistry?
How would you be a good fit for our school?
What do you have that no one else has? Does?
What was your favorite class? Least Favorite? Why?
When did you decide dentistry?
What would you do if you weren't accepted?
Can you handle the same career for 30 years? Feelings on that?
Did you study for the DAT?
How did you study?
What do you like best about dentistry?
Have any volunteer experiance?
What is the most difficult situation/biggest challange you have faced?
What leadership experiance do you have?
What problems face a dental school?
Can you make it through school with a family?
Do you feel that you are a competitive student?
Do you want to specialize?
What is the most prevalent problem in dentistry?
What do you want the admissions committee to know about you thats not in your file?
What do you do for fun?
What have you done to show you have manual dexterity?
What other schools did you apply to and why?
Tell me about yourself.
Tell me about your family.
Tell me about your community service.
Tell me about your research experience.
Why should we accept you over another student with the same qualifications?
What is the future of dentistry?
How do your own personal values/morals fit with the dental profession?
What are your strengths? (!Don't say perfectionist!)
What are your weaknesses? (!Don't say perfectionist!)

Why don't say perfectionist? If you asked that then you're concieted! No one wants a concieted person at their dental school!

What makes you unique?
How do you think the people who wrote your letters of recommendation described you?
If you were accepted to this school and two others who would you choose?
What don't you like about dentistry?
Where will you be in ten years?
What do you do if your best friend wanted to copy your assignment?
How will you run your practice?
What is your favorite non-science book?
Many situational questions about dentistry...ie. A patient has AIDS, what do you do?
Why didn't you take *insert class here*...ie. Biochem, Anatomy, etc.
If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be?
Describe yourself in three words.
If you were interviewing me what would you ask? Why?
If dentistry didn't exist, what would you do?
Who do you admire the most and why?
What is your purpose in life?
Do you like to be alone? What do you think about when you're alone?
What do you think about affirmative action?
If you could invite 6 people to dinner who would they be and why?
What do you do if you are not accepted this year?
Name 5 countries and capitols in Europe. (Who knows why, it doesn't show you're cultured, bad argument for: this is a good question)


You guys have any others? Go through this list and mentally make sure you have a comment for each one. Prepare your self to think on your toes. Remember, be yourself, the interview tells the interviwers that you can handle pressure, and that you're a normal human being.

Here's my brief advice:

1) Smile. A lot.
2) Convince the interviewer that you like their school. People find this flattering.
3) Be very careful how you word questions about the school's weaknesses. It may come across as condescending or annoying. Better yet, just ask the person what they would like to change if they were in charge.
4) Tell the truth. If you get caught in a lie you are screwed, and admissions people talk with those at other schools.
5) Never flake on an interview for the above reason.
6) Absolutely send thank you letters to all your interviewers, even if they are dental students.
7) Saying less is better than talking too much.
8) Never offer to buy the interviewer something, including lunch.
9) Be yourself and don't try to impress anyone.

hey thanks for the answer!

Cowsgomoo don't take offense the statement was meant to say that predents are not answering how to interview threads 1. b/c they have imperfect info considering we haven't interviewed and 2. some people may feel uncomfortable sharing info b/c of the competitive nature of the interview process, if you think i am joking take a look at the DAT forum where 38% (i made that # up) of the info people give about the test is flat out wrong. anyway send me a PM this weekend I have MCG this friday and UNC next weekend.

Explain a time when your morals were tested, and how you handled it.
What is your biggest regret?
What do you do to relax?
Describe an instance of failure in your life, how did you get through it?
What's your favorite kind of music?
Describe a difficult decision that you have faced.
What accomplishment unrelated to your education are you most proud of?

How about some good questions to ask interviewers? (not specific to a single school)

Thanks!

Ask what their clinical req's are
Ask what % of the graduates do ____ (specialize, go into GP, go to residency programs)
board scores?

Hey you guys,

How do you prepare and answer the question - "WHY THIS SCHOOL"? I know that we have to be very articulate but I want to know like where from you get the information about that. Is it thru' their website or how?

Your reply to this, is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

LMav said:

Hey you guys,

How do you prepare and answer the question - "WHY THIS SCHOOL"? I know that we have to be very articulate but I want to know like where from you get the information about that. Is it thru' their website or how?

Your reply to this, is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

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If you prepare for an interview like how you should, you should be fine with answering their generic questions (ieescribe yourself in one word, when were your ethics tested, etc). For most of the specific oddball questions at certain schools just check SDN's interview feedback, most of the reviews seemed to be pretty accurate.

My experience was that most schools just want to know if you are interested in their school. Therefore, spend a lot of your time doing research on their school. Interviewers are more impressed if you can ask specific questions about their school (ie: that means not asking about how many students specialize or what their requirements are because every school has their own requirements). For example ask about the school about things that you have researched on their website. This way you can interact/participate in the discussion after they respond. This is much more impressive and shows more interest than simply asking "what % of your students pass NBDE?".

Also, i think someone else mentioned something like be careful when commenting on something that you don't like about their school. That rings very true. Don't be arrogant, that is probably the worst thing you can do.

other than that, don't stress that much about the interview. most of the ones that i went to were really laid back and not very stressful. so don't worry, and look forward to the experience

Don't forget to check out the Interview Feedback section of SDN. I've found it to be very helpful so far.

http://www.studentdoctor.net/interviewdent/interview_read.asp

Utes

superchris147 said:

If you prepare for an interview like how you should, you should be fine with answering their generic questions (ieescribe yourself in one word, when were your ethics tested, etc). For most of the specific oddball questions at certain schools just check SDN's interview feedback, most of the reviews seemed to be pretty accurate.

My experience was that most schools just want to know if you are interested in their school. Therefore, spend a lot of your time doing research on their school. Interviewers are more impressed if you can ask specific questions about their school (ie: that means not asking about how many students specialize or what their requirements are because every school has their own requirements). For example ask about the school about things that you have researched on their website. This way you can interact/participate in the discussion after they respond. This is much more impressive and shows more interest than simply asking "what % of your students pass NBDE?".

Also, i think someone else mentioned something like be careful when commenting on something that you don't like about their school. That rings very true. Don't be arrogant, that is probably the worst thing you can do.

other than that, don't stress that much about the interview. most of the ones that i went to were really laid back and not very stressful. so don't worry, and look forward to the experience

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Thanks a ton. I am a bit worried about all that interview process. Lets see how things roll and make me roll around them.

Good luck to everyone🙂

bump. I like this thread.

superchris147 said:

If you prepare for an interview like how you should, you should be fine with answering their generic questions (ieescribe yourself in one word, when were your ethics tested, etc). For most of the specific oddball questions at certain schools just check SDN's interview feedback, most of the reviews seemed to be pretty accurate.

My experience was that most schools just want to know if you are interested in their school. Therefore, spend a lot of your time doing research on their school. Interviewers are more impressed if you can ask specific questions about their school (ie: that means not asking about how many students specialize or what their requirements are because every school has their own requirements). For example ask about the school about things that you have researched on their website. This way you can interact/participate in the discussion after they respond. This is much more impressive and shows more interest than simply asking "what % of your students pass NBDE?".

Also, i think someone else mentioned something like be careful when commenting on something that you don't like about their school. That rings very true. Don't be arrogant, that is probably the worst thing you can do.

other than that, don't stress that much about the interview. most of the ones that i went to were really laid back and not very stressful. so don't worry, and look forward to the experience

Click to expand...

thanks! this was very helpful.. as well as 1992Corolla's list of possible questions.

Is there any thing really important that should be asked at an interview?

Oh and if anyone else has more input on what questions to ask the schools, it will be appreciated. 🙂

pay attention to detail, don't talk about asinine **** (like the weather, mention the weather and you're dead, you think no one else has made the "clever" remark of "well, the california weather's great!") pick up on the flow and style and vibe of the conversation and your interviewer and just converse.

Some interviewers just want to chat with you and get to know you a bit better, others are out to trip you up, within the first 20 seconds you should be able to figure out what the other person's "bit" is, and then adjust your persona accordingly.

Wear a smile, project a positive disposition, and be prepared for a conversation (i.e. be prepared to answer questions about yourself and have some questions for the interviewer - show interest in the school!).

great thread. if anyone has more advice, it would be appreciated.

is there any current UNLV students who could shed some light on interview tips specifically for UNLV... or someone who's already been to their interview (but I understand it's competitive and people probably don't want to share..) thanks.

hey there, im new to these forums. i was thinking it would be a good idea to check and see if your college advisors could set up practice/mock interview for you. most of them have experience in this area, so give it a try. the hardest part about an interview for me would probably be the part where i get really nervous and anxious! 😱

good thread

bump

Being familiar with all of these question is important but DON'T memorize the answers. The interviewers will know if you do and it looks like crap. Also a little humor is nice but don't be a class clown. If its right try it once. Know current events and basic common knowledge(AZ, hint hint). The average interviewer reads the paper every day so should you. You want to come across like you are in charge and on top of your stuff(professional) after all you are going to be a doctor so you should act like it. But DON'T be cocky or arrogant. Make yourself unique. Avoid the cilche (sp?). Overall just be yourself, act professional, relax and it will be over before you know it.

good luck!