my experiences with interviews in 7 dental schools this year....

incision said:

1. be an early bird. apply ASAP. (with few exceptions)


Wishing all the sdnites a happy and prosperous NEW YEAR.
May all your dreams come true.

Wish you all good luck and great success.....

Click to expand...

Best of luck for your professional career!

incision said:

1. be an early bird. apply ASAP. (with few exceptions)

2. GPA does matter in some schools....but some of my close friends got admission to NYU and other top schools with a GPA less that 2.5 in BDS....try to get good GPA in the MS program (F1 Students). infact I have a GPA of 2.7 and was invited for interviews in almost all schools I applied. Try to submit WES instead of ECE where possible (colorado, UMDNJ etc), as WES gives a better GPA than ECE.

3.. scores matter only to some extent. (exceptions -1 or 2 schools) but most schools look for an overall package.i have seen some of my frnds getting admission this year in some of the top schools with a NBDE part -1 score of just 81 or 82. so dont loose your hope.....my part-1 was just 87.

4. TOEFL matters..make sure you get 100 so that you can apply to all the dental schools...excpetion: few got accepted at USC this year with a TOEFL score between 75-90, even though they ask for 100.

5. EXPERIENCE Counts in all the schools. try to count your internship as clinical experience (freshers). try and do some observership in the US. get a recommendation letter from the dentist you went for observation. Involve in some research activities (any field) and put it in the CV.

6. Recommendation letters: very important in almost all schools (with few exceptions).

7. SOP: matters. make it look exceptionally good as it is in your hands. make no mistakes in it. proofread it and get it corrected. (I had lot of gramatical mistakes in my SOP when I last checked during my final interview and wondered how could I do some of them)

8. Some of my friends insisted me to make constant phone calls and emails to the admissions office after your application status is complete. This is totally ridiculous. I never emailed or called anyone constantly (maybe did only one call/email). BE YOURSELF. If your profile is good, you will definitely be called for an interview.

9. Interview: as I said BE YOURSELF. know what you are talking. know your CV and SOP, future goals. be coooooooool. (easy to say....lol). some schools (colorado, michigan etc) ask you about ethical questions....kinda vague...some of the q's get repeated (surpriced), so go through the sdn interview thread before going for an interview. practice sample interview q's before you go for the interview.

10. Most Importantly -PRACTICALS. If you are attending a school with bench exam. prepare well for the bench exam. once you are called for an interview, practicals and practicals only matters (few exceptions may be). interview also counts in many schools. have seen some of my friends with scores 90-95 not getting accepted due to poor hand skills. One of the reason why I was waitlisted in 3 schools. I was shocked when I met students who were practicing for 4-6 months and did 500 plus preps. They all got accpeted with just above average scores ans low GPA's. so there is no point in applying and going for an interview in a dental school with bench exam, if you aren't prepared for it.

11. Finally: Be confident. (it is tough sometimes, isnt it?). cant help it, so be patient and wait for your chance.

12. Last but not the least: post your acceptance/alternate/rejections in the threads and help others. (like for some..TIME TO THINK 'DENTISTRY IN THE US' ....NO BIG DEAL......Once accepted....lol)

Please add any missing information.
This is purely based on my experience. Kindly correct me if Im wrong.

Hope this helps.

Wishing all the sdnites a happy and prosperous NEW YEAR.
May all your dreams come true.

Wish you all good luck and great success.....

Click to expand...

Thanks really much for such a useful and comprehensive thread!

I am getting prepared for the exam.But , there is a problem.My hand skill is not good enough.In fact due to some personal problems I have been far from Dentistry World for several years after my Graduation.Could you please help me and write to me how can i get more prepared and confident for the Bench Exam?Are preparatory Courses really useful?should I buy mini-Units and handpieces and Tooth Models for practicing?Whre can I practice?are there special places for practicing?

Hope you the Best!!

incision said:

1. be an early bird. apply ASAP. (with few exceptions)

2. GPA does matter in some schools....but some of my close friends got admission to NYU and other top schools with a GPA less that 2.5 in BDS....try to get good GPA in the MS program (F1 Students). infact I have a GPA of 2.7 and was invited for interviews in almost all schools I applied. Try to submit WES instead of ECE where possible (colorado, UMDNJ etc), as WES gives a better GPA than ECE.

3.. scores matter only to some extent. (exceptions -1 or 2 schools) but most schools look for an overall package.i have seen some of my frnds getting admission this year in some of the top schools with a NBDE part -1 score of just 81 or 82. so dont loose your hope.....my part-1 was just 87.

4. TOEFL matters..make sure you get 100 so that you can apply to all the dental schools...excpetion: few got accepted at USC this year with a TOEFL score between 75-90, even though they ask for 100.

5. EXPERIENCE Counts in all the schools. try to count your internship as clinical experience (freshers). try and do some observership in the US. get a recommendation letter from the dentist you went for observation. Involve in some research activities (any field) and put it in the CV.

6. Recommendation letters: very important in almost all schools (with few exceptions).

7. SOP: matters. make it look exceptionally good as it is in your hands. make no mistakes in it. proofread it and get it corrected. (I had lot of gramatical mistakes in my SOP when I last checked during my final interview and wondered how could I do some of them)

8. Some of my friends insisted me to make constant phone calls and emails to the admissions office after your application status is complete. This is totally ridiculous. I never emailed or called anyone constantly (maybe did only one call/email). BE YOURSELF. If your profile is good, you will definitely be called for an interview.

9. Interview: as I said BE YOURSELF. know what you are talking. know your CV and SOP, future goals. be coooooooool. (easy to say....lol). some schools (colorado, michigan etc) ask you about ethical questions....kinda vague...some of the q's get repeated (surpriced), so go through the sdn interview thread before going for an interview. practice sample interview q's before you go for the interview.

10. Most Importantly -PRACTICALS. If you are attending a school with bench exam. prepare well for the bench exam. once you are called for an interview, practicals and practicals only matters (few exceptions may be). interview also counts in many schools. have seen some of my friends with scores 90-95 not getting accepted due to poor hand skills. One of the reason why I was waitlisted in 3 schools. I was shocked when I met students who were practicing for 4-6 months and did 500 plus preps. They all got accpeted with just above average scores ans low GPA's. so there is no point in applying and going for an interview in a dental school with bench exam, if you aren't prepared for it.

11. Finally: Be confident. (it is tough sometimes, isnt it?). cant help it, so be patient and wait for your chance.

12. Last but not the least: post your acceptance/alternate/rejections in the threads and help others. (like for some..TIME TO THINK 'DENTISTRY IN THE US' ....NO BIG DEAL......Once accepted....lol)

Please add any missing information.
This is purely based on my experience. Kindly correct me if Im wrong.

Hope this helps.

Wishing all the sdnites a happy and prosperous NEW YEAR.
May all your dreams come true.

Wish you all good luck and great success.....

Click to expand...

incision said:

1. be an early bird. apply ASAP. (with few exceptions)

2. GPA does matter in some schools....but some of my close friends got admission to NYU and other top schools with a GPA less that 2.5 in BDS....try to get good GPA in the MS program (F1 Students). infact I have a GPA of 2.7 and was invited for interviews in almost all schools I applied. Try to submit WES instead of ECE where possible (colorado, UMDNJ etc), as WES gives a better GPA than ECE.

3.. scores matter only to some extent. (exceptions -1 or 2 schools) but most schools look for an overall package.i have seen some of my frnds getting admission this year in some of the top schools with a NBDE part -1 score of just 81 or 82. so dont loose your hope.....my part-1 was just 87.

4. TOEFL matters..make sure you get 100 so that you can apply to all the dental schools...excpetion: few got accepted at USC this year with a TOEFL score between 75-90, even though they ask for 100.

5. EXPERIENCE Counts in all the schools. try to count your internship as clinical experience (freshers). try and do some observership in the US. get a recommendation letter from the dentist you went for observation. Involve in some research activities (any field) and put it in the CV.

6. Recommendation letters: very important in almost all schools (with few exceptions).

7. SOP: matters. make it look exceptionally good as it is in your hands. make no mistakes in it. proofread it and get it corrected. (I had lot of gramatical mistakes in my SOP when I last checked during my final interview and wondered how could I do some of them)

8. Some of my friends insisted me to make constant phone calls and emails to the admissions office after your application status is complete. This is totally ridiculous. I never emailed or called anyone constantly (maybe did only one call/email). BE YOURSELF. If your profile is good, you will definitely be called for an interview.

9. Interview: as I said BE YOURSELF. know what you are talking. know your CV and SOP, future goals. be coooooooool. (easy to say....lol). some schools (colorado, michigan etc) ask you about ethical questions....kinda vague...some of the q's get repeated (surpriced), so go through the sdn interview thread before going for an interview. practice sample interview q's before you go for the interview.

10. Most Importantly -PRACTICALS. If you are attending a school with bench exam. prepare well for the bench exam. once you are called for an interview, practicals and practicals only matters (few exceptions may be). interview also counts in many schools. have seen some of my friends with scores 90-95 not getting accepted due to poor hand skills. One of the reason why I was waitlisted in 3 schools. I was shocked when I met students who were practicing for 4-6 months and did 500 plus preps. They all got accpeted with just above average scores ans low GPA's. so there is no point in applying and going for an interview in a dental school with bench exam, if you aren't prepared for it.

11. Finally: Be confident. (it is tough sometimes, isnt it?). cant help it, so be patient and wait for your chance.

12. Last but not the least: post your acceptance/alternate/rejections in the threads and help others. (like for some..TIME TO THINK 'DENTISTRY IN THE US' ....NO BIG DEAL......Once accepted....lol)

Please add any missing information.
This is purely based on my experience. Kindly correct me if Im wrong.

Hope this helps.

Wishing all the sdnites a happy and prosperous NEW YEAR.
May all your dreams come true.

Wish you all good luck and great success.....

Click to expand...

incision said:

Dear Goldentist

Preparation for practicals depends on many factors:

1. Availability of time

2. Motivation -some students are in the dream world that most students who come for the bench exam dont prepare well or everybody does it averagely. This is true only to some extent. But taking into consideration, the competition (esp among Indians and diversity factor which reduces the num of seats for each country), we need to have a definitive edge over others. I have seen some of my frnds who never did crown cuttin before, but prepared exceptionally good crown preps and class 2's with 3-4 months of practice. And moreover students are improving their qualilty of work every year. Hard work definitely pays off....

3. Facility to practice: This is very important. I borrowed aeroter and instrumenst from my friends who are curently enrolled and practiced in a dental school couple of times before I appeared for the bench exams. Even though some of my friends who are currently in the DDS program rated my work as 'more than sufficient to get acceptance' I really couldn't stand myself in the comp. (Waitlisted at 3 schools). THERE DRAWS A LINE BETWEEN GOOD PREPS AND EXCELLENT PREPS.

I was surpriced when I visited one of my friends place during one of the interviews and found that there were 3-4 compressors in their neighbouring apt and students were practicing for bench exams for 3-4 months. I should say that all of them for accepted for the program with average scores.

you can definitely buy a compressor and hand piece and practice in your house. There are many types of compressors available (noise free) price range between 100-150$.

You can even get the micromotor set from your home country and practice fr the exams. You just have to change the AC adapter maybe.

4. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Guidance is MANDATORY. Please try to show your preps to current students and get them corrected. Doing it blindly is of no use. Different schools have different protocols, follow them as closely as possible.

5. About Prep courses: They are defintely of some use. But if you ask me personally, I wont waste my money by joining these courses. I dont think its worth. If you are determined you can do excellent preps with little guidance. You may opt to these courses if you dont have any one to guide you. I have spoken to couple of students who took prep courses at UMDNJ and attended interview with me. I really dont see a point wasting money. Moreover, almost all of my frnds who got accepted this yr in different schools didnt take any prep course.

" ALWAYS STICK TO THE BASICS WHEN IN DOUBT, BECAUSE EACH SCHOOL HAS DIFFERENT PROTOCOLS FOR PREPS"

Hope this helps.
Good Luck.

Click to expand...

Thanks really really much for your kind advice.

Hope you the best.

incision said:

HI Aligners

please dont compare your stats with anyone at anytime.
you never know anything might happen.

I wasnt actually interested/motivated in joining nyu last year.
My application for nyu was complete in feb (first week maybe) this year, but got a rejection letter from them sometime later. (dont remember exactly when). My stats were more or less similar to yours.

But one of my close frnd got accepted this yr at NYU with stats which were worse than yours. But he substantaited his poor GPA (2.5 or less at dental school with his MS GPA in US.

With my personal experience, I would definitely recommend you to be in constant touch with the admissions office if possible. (NOTE: I AM NOT TRYING TO DEFAME OR CRITISIZE SUCH A GREAT UNIVERSITY. I AM JUST TELLING MY PERSPECTIVE OF IT). Two of my very close frnds got accepted this yr as they were constantly calling them (every week) and telling them that they were interested in doing the program after they have been waitlisted. One of which got an interview (after getting application complete) after personally meeting them couple of times and showing interest in the program. (It is ridiculous to say that all 125 students who got accepted do these stuff. it might only work for few students.NOTE: I am not trying to misguide anyone on this issue. Kindly apologize if so).

from my perspective you can get admission in any schools (few exceptions) if your rest of the application is good. (experience, reco letters, research if any). Chances will be improved if you finish your part-2 also. Some of my frnds joined 2 yr program this yr with part -1 score...82, 84 etc.

Hope this helps.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Click to expand...

incision said:

HI Aligners

please dont compare your stats with anyone at anytime.
you never know anything might happen.

I wasnt actually interested/motivated in joining nyu last year.
My application for nyu was complete in feb (first week maybe) this year, but got a rejection letter from them sometime later. (dont remember exactly when). My stats were more or less similar to yours.

But one of my close frnd got accepted this yr at NYU with stats which were worse than yours. But he substantaited his poor GPA (2.5 or less at dental school with his MS GPA in US.

With my personal experience, I would definitely recommend you to be in constant touch with the admissions office if possible. (NOTE: I AM NOT TRYING TO DEFAME OR CRITISIZE SUCH A GREAT UNIVERSITY. I AM JUST TELLING MY PERSPECTIVE OF IT). Two of my very close frnds got accepted this yr as they were constantly calling them (every week) and telling them that they were interested in doing the program after they have been waitlisted. One of which got an interview (after getting application complete) after personally meeting them couple of times and showing interest in the program. (It is ridiculous to say that all 125 students who got accepted do these stuff. it might only work for few students.NOTE: I am not trying to misguide anyone on this issue. Kindly apologize if so).

from my perspective you can get admission in any schools (few exceptions) if your rest of the application is good. (experience, reco letters, research if any). Chances will be improved if you finish your part-2 also. Some of my frnds joined 2 yr program this yr with part -1 score...82, 84 etc.

Hope this helps.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Click to expand...

incision said:

Dear aligners

i did apply just before the deadline to nyu last yr. definitely tht maybe the cause for rejection....but its ok as i wasnt interested in joinin nyu last yr...and im not bothered this yr also as im accepted at BU....all the best to you and wish u good luck...

Click to expand...

incision said:

Dear aligners

i did apply just before the deadline to nyu last yr. definitely tht maybe the cause for rejection....but its ok as i wasnt interested in joinin nyu last yr...and im not bothered this yr also as im accepted at BU....all the best to you and wish u good luck...

Click to expand...

Kris g said:

thats so thoughtful of you to put all your experiences into acceptance guidelines .....Thanks for the Information

Click to expand...

incision said:

Dear drdental07

this question is definitely a point of debate....
some might say to retake part-1 and improve the score as most schools ask for only part-1....

in my view as the application cycle for this yr is finished....(application cycle starts in june (most schools) for nxt yr....)

u better take part-2 ASAP (by feb) and get the passing score if possible.

later you can start preparing for part-1 and improve ur score....

but some might even argue that as you have taken part-1 recently...preparin for 2nd time will be easy if you start studyin now....

i have seen people with similar scores (nbde -82) gettin admission at LLU and colorado this yr....so you never know....

so actually ball is in your court...u have to take the decision....

all the best

hope this helps...

Click to expand...

incision said:

Dear drdental07

Both my frnds with 82 and 84 part -1 got accepted in schools which ask or look for part-2 in their application requirements or recommend it...
so part-2 was important to them...

apart frm the basic scores..they had good hand skills to pass the bench exam and secure admission....

once anyone is called fr an interview/bench exam...then more than 75-90% depends on how you perform in the bench exam and interview.....but not on scores...

Anyone correct me if I am wrong....

Hope this helps....

Click to expand...

drdental07 said:

Thank you Incision,
But can you please tell me where to get the instruments,like burs,compressor,handpiece,typhodont,micromotor?
Thanks

Click to expand...

It is my Question too.Thanks in advance for the answer.

incision said:

Dear Goldentist and drdental07

I burrowed airoter/typos/teeth/burs frm some of my frnds in US and practiced at a nearby dental school. You can get all burs/typos/burs at any dental school or private dental equipment stores (search in google fr locations near ur place). Try to borrow frm any frnds if you have...

If you dont have any frnds...best thing is to get it (esp aeroter) frm ur home country....you can buy rest of the things in US itself..(affordable)..

if not get a micromotor set frm ur home country and change the adapter...so that u can practice at home...

compressors are available in all home depots in US..(75-150$)....u have to search for attachments and foot control to fit to the compressor if you already have an aerotor in place....(no use of compressor if you dont have aerotor)....

you can even google and search for used compressors and aerotors whic are for sale.....you can even post in threads in sdn asking if anyone is selling the whole kit....

Hope this helps....

Click to expand...

Happy New Year 2009!

incision said:

HI La fea

thanq for your valuable information. Hope this helps some of the sdnites plannin to take bench exam in the future...

all the best with your future academic goals....

Click to expand...

incision said:

HI UTHSC

Thanq very much.

I will appretiate if other accepted candidates could add something new to
this thread or share their own experiences...so that it will be benficial to some current and future students...

Click to expand...

incision said:

Dear rose82

typos -columbia or kilgore
Most schools use columbia typos (I suggest to buy this)

you can buy some extra teeth when u buy typos.
NOTE: Columbia teeth doesnt fit kilgore and vice-versa.

Dont worry about teeth and burs....usually the dental store guys will help u if you have any doubts...

regardin burs...you just have to know the number/size of the bur and for which procedure/plane (class 2 /crown cutting/ gingival wall/proximal wall etc).

Getting hoses/foot control to connect aeroter to compressor will be difficult....u can ask any nearby dental store..they might help u...

you can also buy some second had stuff....

hope this helps..

Click to expand...

incision said:

Dear rose82

typos -columbia or kilgore
Most schools use columbia typos (I suggest to buy this)

you can buy some extra teeth when u buy typos.
NOTE: Columbia teeth doesnt fit kilgore and vice-versa.

Dont worry about teeth and burs....usually the dental store guys will help u if you have any doubts...

regardin burs...you just have to know the number/size of the bur and for which procedure/plane (class 2 /crown cutting/ gingival wall/proximal wall etc).

Getting hoses/foot control to connect aeroter to compressor will be difficult....u can ask any nearby dental store..they might help u...

you can also buy some second had stuff....

hope this helps..

Click to expand...

incision said:

hi AMTM

There are many students with good scores/gpa's/ resume who got rejected or not even called for an interview at NYU. So dont be over confident and Be aware of this situation. It is no joke gettin into NYU though its a 3yr program. you can think of joinin or declinin once u get an acceptance letter. all the best.

Click to expand...

incision said:

Dear aligners

i did apply just before the deadline to nyu last yr. definitely tht maybe the cause for rejection....but its ok as i wasnt interested in joinin nyu last yr...and im not bothered this yr also as im accepted at BU....all the best to you and wish u good luck...

Click to expand...

incision said:

hi AMTM

There are many students with good scores/gpa's/ resume who got rejected or not even called for an interview at NYU. So dont be over confident and Be aware of this situation. It is no joke gettin into NYU though its a 3yr program. you can think of joinin or declinin once u get an acceptance letter. all the best.

Click to expand...