After Interview

[cleorkwk]

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Hi. I know there are some threads about this, but I want to ask again to see people's current opinions. Do you think your GPA/DAT no longer matters after interview, or do you think interview is a portion of your whole application when they make final decision on you? Just curious 😀

 

[dmdluffy]

Hi. I know there are some threads about this, but I want to ask again to see people's current opinions. Do you think your GPA/DAT no longer matters after interview, or do you think interview is a portion of your whole application when they make final decision on you? Just curious 😀

The way I see it is if they invited you for an interview, then on paper you're good enough to be in the school. At that point, it's to see who you are and if you would mesh well with the other applicants/school/environment/whatever. Maybe if two candidates rank very closely, they would use the numbers as a tie breaker.

 

[NRG]

Your stats stay with you until decision day. Every interviewer is not at the table on the day they pick. So if your interviewer is not there then no actual person is there to vouch for you. It's only a piece of paper.

It sucks. But you can have a 9 rated interview and still not get in because the next guy has higher stats but maybe a 7 rated interview.

 

[MrAvicii]

Your stats stay with you until decision day. Every interviewer is not at the table on the day they pick. So if your interviewer is not there then no actual person is there to vouch for you. It's only a piece of paper.

It sucks. But you can have a 9 rated interview and still not get in because the next guy has higher stats but maybe a 7 rated interview.

i dont think thats true. I think that schools give you a ranking post interview and judge each interviewee based on that ranking. Becase they can pre-filter applicants based on GPA and DAT before the interviews, so after the interviews they have all applicants with a 3.7 and above and then pick who to accept based on the ranking post interview.

Why would you rank someone and use their GPA/DAT file together? the ranking should be enough to determine if they want you. There is no need to double filter (the first filter was pre-interview.)

 

[Member102290]

I think it really depends on the school. The Adcom from one school I'm applying to and I also hear UNLV consider both during the decision.

The system I'm familiar with is this: They use a formula where they plug in your DAT and GPA, which gives you a number for your stats. Then they have some grading scale for your interview which gives you another number. They add both the your stat and interview numbers and rank you among everyone else by that. After that, the Adcoms meet and can choose to move you up, down, or stay in the ranks if there are some concerns or if maybe one of your interviewers strongly recommend/vouch for you. I assume the moving up and down is only minimal though.

 

[TwentyTwelve]

who knows...you will end up pulling your hair out trying to understand the intricacies that encompass the dental application process...

just do your best in your studies and interview and then hope for the best...

if you are truly yourself in an interview and they say no...then well...it most likely isn't a good fit and best for the both of you to go in opposite directions...

 

[2th Doc]

I think it really depends on the school. The Adcom from one school I'm applying to and I also hear UNLV consider both during the decision.

Words of wisdom here I believe. Some schools do formulas for sure, but I would imagine there are schools who approach it differently--it varies from school to school. It wouldn't make sense that they totally discount your numbers though, unless the school only selects from a very small range like 3.9-4.0 where everyone is pretty much considered equal. Numbers will always set two students apart, as will the interview. I think it's more of a continual balancing act than just getting past a numbers hurdle and then the only thing they consider you by is your interview.

 

[MrAvicii]

Words of wisdom here I believe. Some schools do formulas for sure, but I would imagine there are schools who approach it differently--it varies from school to school. It wouldn't make sense that they totally discount your numbers though, unless the school only selects from a very small range like 3.9-4.0 where everyone is pretty much considered equal. Numbers will always set two students apart, as will the interview. I think it's more of a continual balancing act than just getting past a numbers hurdle and then the only thing they consider you by is your interview.

well case only interviews 6% of the total applicants, so thats how they factor your gpa and dat. whats the point to do a double filter? that will leave you with only the highest qualified applicants, but that won't mean that they were the best for your school. because that maens you filtered once by gpa and dat and then you do it again, which doesn't really make sense. its not like theyll only select applicants with the highest gpa and dat. thats what the first filter is all about (i.e. only interviewing qualified applicants.)

 

[BoxerRumble]

I don't believe that an interview invite means you are in as long as you do great on the interview. The interview process is just another factor they take into consideration when doing the final comparison between applicants. Some schools might put a heavier emphasis on it like they would on GPA or DAT. I think they will score your interview or write notes and will take everything into consideration again when deciding.

 

[MrAvicii]

I don't believe that an interview invite means you are in as long as you do great on the interview. The interview process is just another factor they take into consideration when doing the final comparison between applicants. Some schools might put a heavier emphasis on it like they would on GPA or DAT. I think they will score your interview or write notes and will take everything into consideration again when deciding.

schools like case and tufts make it clear that if you are invited, then you are pretty much accepted. (see the adea stats on this)

it does depend per school.

 

[cleorkwk]

schools like case and tufts make it clear that if you are invited, then you are pretty much accepted. (see the adea stats on this)

it does depend per school.

How about Columbia, NYU, BU?

 

[NguyenDDS]

I don't believe that an interview invite means you are in as long as you do great on the interview. The interview process is just another factor they take into consideration when doing the final comparison between applicants. Some schools might put a heavier emphasis on it like they would on GPA or DAT. I think they will score your interview or write notes and will take everything into consideration again when deciding.

👍 I believe this too. But that what makes it so nerve wracking 😡

 

[amalgamgrillz]

The way I see it is if they invited you for an interview, then on paper you're good enough to be in the school. At that point, it's to see who you are and if you would mesh well with the other applicants/school/environment/whatever. Maybe if two candidates rank very closely, they would use the numbers as a tie breaker.

^ Agreed. But some schools do use a scoring system of sorts. The interview will only count for a certain percentage of their decision.

 

[MrAvicii]

How about Columbia, NYU, BU?

look at doc tootaches adea file to determine those. i dont remember.

 

[MrAvicii]

^ Agreed. But some schools do use a scoring system of sorts. The interview will only count for a certain percentage of their decision.

interview was considered the most important factor for admissions, i believe this was released in one of the last adea studies.

 

[PreDent321]

For some schools, the interview is a mirage. They already know who they will accept/reject and just have applicants from both groups come in just so they can say they conducted interviews.

 

[2th Doc]

interview was considered the most important factor for admissions, i believe this was released in one of the last adea studies.

At which schools though? I wouldn't say at ALL schools, as you can see in some schools' ranking formulas that interview doesn't receive as much weight as other factors. Then again, if you already have enough points to qualify for acceptance at a school without the interview contributing any points, this doesn't mean you can moon your interviewer and still plan to get accepted. Good stats can definitely offset a mediocre interview, I believe.

 

[Teeth12345]

At two of my interviews, the interviewers told me that the people they invite to interview are already good enough to be at the school based on their stats. They said the interview is for them to make sure that the person is normal and compassionate, and will fit in with the school. So I just don't get why there is the possibility of rejection after a great interview. Yes, if it comes down to two people who had great interviews, then they will look to stats but part of me wants to hope that a great interview is all it takes to get in.

Sigh, ADCOM, why can't you just reveal your ways???

 

[cleorkwk]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I just came to realize that people with higher stats will argue that numbers can offset mediocore interview, and people with borderline stats will argue that interview is all that matters after getting one. But I just realized that whether it's the deciding factor or not, I will still have to try my best. I won't ask any questions like this any more....lol

 

[2th Doc]

But I just realized that whether it's the deciding factor or not, I will still have to try my best.

Yeah, I was kind of thinking the same thing 😉 Ultimately, your numbers are what they are, and it's too late to try and change them. Do your best and hope for the best and things will work out.