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Hello,
Here are some of the questions that you may encounter and this is how I think you should answer
Q1. Why dentistry? Or Why not medicine?
A1: Working and helping people, being a doctor and artist as well, income potential, less working hours than MDs, enjoy the nature of work, never have to worry about going out of job, less time of schooling compared to physicians. DO NOT say that it is because I could not get into med school.
Q2: Why should I choose you over another applicant if both of you are equal in credentials?
A2: Tell them that you will be deeply committed to dental education at their school and you will do everything in your ability to be the best student that you can be. This shows that you are serious about being accepted at their school and showcase your strengths.
Q3: Why our school?
A3: Good city life, lots of things to do, community, weather (if applicable), school advertisement brochure impresses you, words of mouth from friends and other dentists.
Q4: What makes you think that working in the mouth will satisfy you?
A4: Tell them that dentistry involves mostly in the mouth but there are so much in there to do such as gum surgery, oral surgery, root canals, fabrication of crown and bridges, treating TMJ pain, and there is so much to learn. Mention also that you look at different specialties (9) and you are amazed of how much there is in that mouth. This indicated to them that you have done research in the field of dentistry and this will impress them.
Q5: What specialty do you want to pursue after graduation?
A5: Please do not tell them you want to do oral surgery and enroll in a six year MD program to do various cosmetic procedures because this tell them that perhaps medicine is better for you. Just say that the decision will come after you finish the dental school and you are excited about becoming a future dental student.
Q6: If you extract a wrong tooth, do you tell the patient?
A6: This checks your integrity and tells them that you will tell the patient as the truth dictates.
Q7: How do you handle stress?
A7: Put things in perspective and tackle the job just like you eat the elephant, i.e. one bite at a time!
Q9: What are your strengths?
A9: Compassion to helping others, dedication and determination. Mention some of your life experiences.
Q10: What are your weaknesses?
A10: Being a perfectionist, take things too seriously. This answer indicated that you are a high achiever and not an average Joe.
Q11: What will you if you do not get accepted?
A11: Find out the reason(s) and correct them and try again!
Q12: Did you apply to medicine and dentistry both?
A12: You need to be honest about this one. There is NOTHING wrong about having a back up plan. Tell them that you look at dentistry as an alternative and you feel that it is the best back up plan for you. It is OK to have a dental career if medicine does not work out but it is NOT OK to use dentistry as a stepping stone to get into med school. If you have this in mind, please dont tell them this unless you want to rejected on the spot! Besides, that strategy does not work anyway.
Q13: Why is the grade in that class is low?
A13: Nobody should be caught with a surprised in this one as you NEED to explain why you had the C in Organic chemistry. You need to have an explanation of your weaknesses. Make up something such as sickness, family emergency or something like that. Just dont say that you went out drinking the night before the exam and showed up 45 minutes late for the test! If you have a good honest reason, then go for it. You need to use your judgments here as telling them that there have been 3 deaths in the family in one semester are kind of not so believing!
Q14: What do you plan to do with your degree?
A14: Practice dentistry and becomes a productive citizen. Also mention about possible becoming part time instructor at the dental school if you like teaching. Faculty love to hear that prospective applicant may consider following their foot steps!
Q15: What questions do you have for me or for our school?
A15: a. How big is your class?
b. How are the first two years?
c. How well do the students do on National Boards examinations?
d. What is the drop out rate?
e. How do you like it here?
f. How is the city? Cost of living?
g. Do you have any children going into dentistry?
I hope you may find this advice useful. Last but not least, thank the faculty and COMPLIMENT on the school!!! Good luck! DP
Here are some of the questions that you may encounter and this is how I think you should answer
Q1. Why dentistry? Or Why not medicine?
A1: Working and helping people, being a doctor and artist as well, income potential, less working hours than MDs, enjoy the nature of work, never have to worry about going out of job, less time of schooling compared to physicians. DO NOT say that it is because I could not get into med school.
Q2: Why should I choose you over another applicant if both of you are equal in credentials?
A2: Tell them that you will be deeply committed to dental education at their school and you will do everything in your ability to be the best student that you can be. This shows that you are serious about being accepted at their school and showcase your strengths.
Q3: Why our school?
A3: Good city life, lots of things to do, community, weather (if applicable), school advertisement brochure impresses you, words of mouth from friends and other dentists.
Q4: What makes you think that working in the mouth will satisfy you?
A4: Tell them that dentistry involves mostly in the mouth but there are so much in there to do such as gum surgery, oral surgery, root canals, fabrication of crown and bridges, treating TMJ pain, and there is so much to learn. Mention also that you look at different specialties (9) and you are amazed of how much there is in that mouth. This indicated to them that you have done research in the field of dentistry and this will impress them.
Q5: What specialty do you want to pursue after graduation?
A5: Please do not tell them you want to do oral surgery and enroll in a six year MD program to do various cosmetic procedures because this tell them that perhaps medicine is better for you. Just say that the decision will come after you finish the dental school and you are excited about becoming a future dental student.
Q6: If you extract a wrong tooth, do you tell the patient?
A6: This checks your integrity and tells them that you will tell the patient as the truth dictates.
Q7: How do you handle stress?
A7: Put things in perspective and tackle the job just like you eat the elephant, i.e. one bite at a time!
Q9: What are your strengths?
A9: Compassion to helping others, dedication and determination. Mention some of your life experiences.
Q10: What are your weaknesses?
A10: Being a perfectionist, take things too seriously. This answer indicated that you are a high achiever and not an average Joe.
Q11: What will you if you do not get accepted?
A11: Find out the reason(s) and correct them and try again!
Q12: Did you apply to medicine and dentistry both?
A12: You need to be honest about this one. There is NOTHING wrong about having a back up plan. Tell them that you look at dentistry as an alternative and you feel that it is the best back up plan for you. It is OK to have a dental career if medicine does not work out but it is NOT OK to use dentistry as a stepping stone to get into med school. If you have this in mind, please dont tell them this unless you want to rejected on the spot! Besides, that strategy does not work anyway.
Q13: Why is the grade in that class is low?
A13: Nobody should be caught with a surprised in this one as you NEED to explain why you had the C in Organic chemistry. You need to have an explanation of your weaknesses. Make up something such as sickness, family emergency or something like that. Just dont say that you went out drinking the night before the exam and showed up 45 minutes late for the test! If you have a good honest reason, then go for it. You need to use your judgments here as telling them that there have been 3 deaths in the family in one semester are kind of not so believing!
Q14: What do you plan to do with your degree?
A14: Practice dentistry and becomes a productive citizen. Also mention about possible becoming part time instructor at the dental school if you like teaching. Faculty love to hear that prospective applicant may consider following their foot steps!
Q15: What questions do you have for me or for our school?
A15: a. How big is your class?
b. How are the first two years?
c. How well do the students do on National Boards examinations?
d. What is the drop out rate?
e. How do you like it here?
f. How is the city? Cost of living?
g. Do you have any children going into dentistry?
I hope you may find this advice useful. Last but not least, thank the faculty and COMPLIMENT on the school!!! Good luck! DP
