honestly, the interviews are just formalities..

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denniss1

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you could get rejected if you perform very bad in your interview.

But other than such extreme cases, the interview is just a formality. It is your DAT/GPA that will decide your fate.
 
I think it depends on the school.

If I remember it correctly, schools like ASDOH will based one's acceptance pretty much completely on how he/she performs during the interview.

On the other hand, schools like UoP will accept majority of the pre-dec 1st interviewees granted that they dont do horrible.

There are also places like Buffalo and Louisville, which will base acceptance on a total package, where interview score weighs anywhere from 10% to 30%.
 
Except for the fact that you can't get into any schools without an interview. It may be a formality but your GPA/DAT get you to the interview point not the other way around.
 
Well, at VCU the interviewees were told that when you are interviewed your scores are no longer a factor. GPA/DAT scores get you the interview, but your personality is what determines whether the adcom would like you to be part of the class. This is why schools typically only interview students that they would accept based on their scores alone.
 
bisconito said:
Well, at VCU the interviewees were told that when you are interviewed your scores are no longer a factor. GPA/DAT scores get you the interview, but your personality is what determines whether the adcom would like you to be part of the class. This is why schools typically only interview students that they would accept based on their scores alone.
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This may be true for VCU, but at almost all the schools I have went to no one has yet said that my scores are thrown out the window. To a certain extent I understand what you are saying but if someone has really good scores I am sure that has to help a little if you are lacking people skills.
 
UNC for example weighs the interview 40% of their decision. The other 60% is GPA, DAT, extracurricular, etc. Obviously the 60% gets you there and plays a major role in their decision, but they really do select their class. You have three interviews on interview day!
 
Once you get into dental school, you'll realize that there are some pretty strange people in there with you. This alone has led me conclude that the interview probably is 20%, with everything else (numbers and stats) 70%. Then of course you have the randomness and luck factor accounting for 10% of your application. This involves the fact that there are hundreds of other qualified candidates just like yourself out there all shooting for that one spot and the probability of your application being seen first. You could shrink this factor by applying early though.
 
BuckeyMcGee said:
Once you get into dental school, you'll realize that there are some pretty strange people in there with you.
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Two things:
1) Define strange
2) Would you consider yourself "strange"?

I don't know somehow I think we are all a little bit strange to the general population because we're even interested in dentistry. Everyone has their quirks, but somehow they are social enough to survive and be liked by someone besides their Mom. The interview can't possibly screen for a "normal" quirk, and maybe these don't really matter in the long run so the interviewers overlook these. The interview screens for only certain aspects of personality; if "strange" people made it through, then they have at least the bare minimum personality that the adcoms are looking for.
 
I would have to agree. Most schools that I interviewed at seemed to tell me that the interview wasn't a big deal and worth much. I would have to say Dat and GPA are the most important. Of course you have to have the interview.
 
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I think the interview is a good way for the admissions committee to know that 1) you are indeed the person that they think you are from your essays and your application, and that 2) you have some social skills and can carry a normal conversation.

It's much different from say a job interview which carries a lot more weight in the decision process.
 
sm1nty said:
I think the interview is a good way for the admissions committee to know that 1) you are indeed the person that they think you are from your essays and your application, and that 2) you have some social skills and can carry a normal conversation.

It's much different from say a job interview which carries a lot more weight in the decision process.
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I agree 100%. The only thing I would point out is that schools such as UNLV only base about 10% of the interview process as a factor to accept you. The rest comes from GPA/DAT. Ohio State goes about 20%... Most schools, from my little experience, follow that similar pattern.
 
haha I just learned of the quick reply button, I'm so smart! Anyway, yes depending on the school, the interview will be weighed differently. For some like USC and ASDOH that have a longer interview day, I think weighs the interview process more heavily. Also, I think that those schools that are relaxed and have "can't-screw-up" interviews would pay more attention to GPA/DAT/app bc in general everyone does well, so what else could you base the it upon?
 
Love all the assertions from all those predents that are also on the adcoms for every dental school in the country...🙄
 
So, according to the OP, each school invites 50% people with good GPA/DAT and 50% with bad stats and takes in first 50% because the interview is a formality???
Either that's true and the adcoms are pathological sadists (towards the hopeful "worse" 50%) or that was one of the most pointless posts ever, no offense...
 
haisha ni narou said:
How hot you are. That's why they want you to send a picture with the secondary.
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Ah, yes that would make sense why I've received interviews only from schools that require my picture. I thought it was my sub GPA and mediocre DAT scores, darn these killer good looks! :laugh:
 
Well why would they waste their time interviewing someone if their DAT/GPA scores are up to par. Why wouldn't they just give that interview to someone else?

So no... the interview is NOT JUST A FORMALITY. The interview is a chance for the interviewer(s) to get to know who you are outside of your paper application.

Just because you have a 4.0 GPA doesn't mean you are sane, and just because you have a 2.0 GPA doesn't mean you will be a horrible dentist. And interview shows sides to you that the PAPER APPLICATION doesn't.

If you have an interview... your chances of getting in are increased. So why would they use it as a formality?
 
stdmufin27 said:
Except for the fact that you can't get into any schools without an interview. It may be a formality but your GPA/DAT get you to the interview point not the other way around.
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"Not required for all students" at Creighton.
 
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bisconito said:
Well, at VCU the interviewees were told that when you are interviewed your scores are no longer a factor. GPA/DAT scores get you the interview, but your personality is what determines whether the adcom would like you to be part of the class. This is why schools typically only interview students that they would accept based on their scores alone.
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If personality alone was the determining factor half the practitioners would not have made it while the other half would have been on a waiting list.
 
doc toothache said:
If personality alone was the determining factor half the practitioners would not have made it while the other half would have been on a waiting list.
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Right, but every school and every interview is different. An interview at one school may be a formality, and an interview at another may be the deciding factor. What I am saying is that a dental school spends quite a bit of money and time in order to interview an applicant. The interview determines whether a person has enough experience to know what to expect, and whether a person has a genuine interest in dentistry. Why would a school interview an applicant that they would rather reject, especially when they get to see everything in AADSAS before meeting you?
 
:beat: Okay, we get it, interviews matter different amounts at different schools. It depends on the school how much an interview matters. Is there any other way to say it? :beat:
 
USU24 said:
:beat: Okay, we get it, interviews matter different amounts at different schools. It depends on the school how much an interview matters. Is there any other way to say it? :beat:
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
 
I know someone with a 2.5 GPA that has gotten over 6 interviews at some great schools.

I also know someone who has a 3.98 GPA with no interviews who applied in June.
 
ibeflossin said:
I know someone with a 2.5 GPA that has gotten over 6 interviews at some great schools.

I also know someone who has a 3.98 GPA with no interviews who applied in June.
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which of those two actually got into dental schooL?
 
Not to throw even more ridiculous wood on the fire but how in the livin hell are people coming up with percentages for each school!?!? Thats ridiculous! After having interviews I couldn't tell you how they really use them and I don't think any accepted student can say any better. For those who are saying what percentage the school uses an interview (even if the school tells you one to fool you!), you might be putting doubt into the minds of those who have received/completed interviews and they're the ones who should be happier than no other. My health professions adviser told me that a typical school will interview about 10-20% of their applicants (about 200-300 or so is my guess) and about 100 will be taken from those interviewed (about 33-50%). THATS THE PERCENTAGE TO WORRY ABOUT!!!! GET AN INTERVIEW AND NOT WORRY ABOUT HOW THEY WEIGH IT. Rant done. Sorry if it took too long.
 
stdmufin27 said:
Not to throw even more ridiculous wood on the fire but how in the livin hell are people coming up with percentages for each school!?!? Thats ridiculous! After having interviews I couldn't tell you how they really use them and I don't think any accepted student can say any better. For those who are saying what percentage the school uses an interview (even if the school tells you one to fool you!), you might be putting doubt into the minds of those who have received/completed interviews and they're the ones who should be happier than no other. My health professions adviser told me that a typical school will interview about 10-20% of their applicants (about 200-300 or so is my guess) and about 100 will be taken from those interviewed (about 33-50%). THATS THE PERCENTAGE TO WORRY ABOUT!!!! GET AN INTERVIEW AND NOT WORRY ABOUT HOW THEY WEIGH IT. Rant done. Sorry if it took too long.
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During your interview sessions, some schools will give you a sheet which explicitly tell you how each criteria (DAT, GPA, interview etc) is weighted. Not a lot of schools do this but this is not uncommon.
 
bisconito said:
Right, but every school and every interview is different. An interview at one school may be a formality, and an interview at another may be the deciding factor. What I am saying is that a dental school spends quite a bit of money and time in order to interview an applicant. The interview determines whether a person has enough experience to know what to expect, and whether a person has a genuine interest in dentistry. Why would a school interview an applicant that they would rather reject, especially when they get to see everything in AADSAS before meeting you?
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I'm pretty sure state schools have quotas they have to meet as far as interviewing a certain number of in-state applicants.
 
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You wish! The interview counts more unfortunetly...😛 That's why there are people with 18AA that get accepted while there are some people with 23 AA that get rejected...sucks but thats the way it is...



denniss1 said:
you could get rejected if you perform very bad in your interview.

But other than such extreme cases, the interview is just a formality. It is your DAT/GPA that will decide your fate.
Click to expand...
 
curiousbush said:
which of those two actually got into dental schooL?
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The one with the 2.5. So I would say interviews are pretty important. But also, they just want to make sure you arn't crazy. You can have a steller GPA but could be creepy, or just socially unskilled. I personally wouldn't want a creepy dentist, esp if he/she is holding sharp instruments near my face. HA.
 
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