Are interviewers allowed to ask you how many/which schools you have applied to?

[Scorpion1993]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi,
So, recently I had my interview at X school and there were two interviewers. So, one of them was very nice and towards the end he said something along the lines of "It's was my pleasure meeting you."

But the problem is this other interviewers started out the interview asking me if I applied to Y or not (Y is my state school). And I said yes. Then she constantly kept making statements such as how X would be a better choice for me than Y (Not like a bragging sort of way but rather she wanted me to pick their school over Y). At one point, she straight up asked me, "Be honest with me, if you get into Y, would you consider coming here?". I kinda dodged the question at first by saying how it would be difficult decision since both of them have really good clinical program and some other stuff.

Then after making some comments about how good my GPA and DAT is, she proceeded to ask me AGAIN if I would pick X over Y. And this was like the 10th time she made a comparison to Y. At this point I was just really annoyed. And I kinda just told her that, "well, Y would me my first choice because that is my state school and financially it would be a better decision to pick Y." Then I added how I dont wanna get accepted by lying to people and how it would be somewhat foolish to just apply to one school (something along those line). Lastly, when I was done, she told me how she hopes to see me here one day.

But my question is, are they allowed to ask us how many schools we applied to? or If I applied to this school or not? Can we decline to answer those type of question. If we can't, then is there any better way to answer such questions?

 

[Slumber]

Hi,
So, recently I had my interview at X school and there were two interviewers. So, one of them was very nice and towards the end he said something along the lines of "It's was my pleasure meeting you."

But the problem is this other interviewers started out the interview asking me if I applied to Y or not (Y is my state school). And I said yes. Then she constantly kept making statements such as how X would be a better choice for me than Y (Not like a bragging sort of way but rather she wanted me to pick their school over Y). At one point, she straight up asked me, "Be honest with me, if you get into Y, would you consider coming here?". I kinda dodged the question at first by saying how it would be difficult decision since both of them have really good clinical program and some other stuff.

Then after making some comments about how good my GPA and DAT is, she proceeded to ask me AGAIN if I would pick X over Y. And this was like the 10th time she made a comparison to Y. At this point I was just really annoyed. And I kinda just told her that, "well, Y would me my first choice because that is my state school and financially it would be a better decision to pick Y." Then I added how I dont wanna get accepted by lying to people and how it would be somewhat foolish to just apply to one school (something along those line). Lastly, when I was done, she told me how she hopes to see me here one day.

But my question is, are they allowed to ask us how many schools we applied to? or If I applied to this school or not? Can we decline to answer those type of question. If we can't, then is there any better way to answer such questions?

They're allowed to ask you any questions. And imo, you really shouldn't have told them outright that you would choose Y over X. Learn to navigate the question, just BS them and tell them that you haven't seen Y yet (unless you go there for your undergrad). Therefore and you can't make the decision at the moment because you don't know enough about Y . Remember, the adcoms are well aware of our financial distress, but you have to let the interviewers know that you will consider attending their school if acceptance is offered. So tell them that you can't make a professional judgement at that moment because you have yet to be interviewed on Y (even if you did, you don't have to let them know), and you lack the necessary knowledge to make the comparison, and tell them how much you like X so far, tell them about the positive things about X and bs on.

 

[Scorpion1993]

Yeah I actually do go there for undergrad. And worst part is she used to work there. As a matter of fact, she once did research under the Dean of our dental school. So, she is very familiar with the application process and I felt that she knew with certainty that I already had my interview at X. But, you are right, I shouldve just told her that I didn't have my interview at Y yet and go from there. I guess I fell for the trap. Thanks 🙂

 

[gn4]

I feel like dental schools are like women. You always tell them that they're the prettiest

 

[BlueDevil2012]

I feel like dental schools are like women. You always tell them that they're the prettiest

This.
At each of my interviews ive tried to express and conduct myself as if the school was my top choice. Every step of the interview you should be selling what they are buying.

 

[Bottle]

I feel like dental schools are like women. You always tell them that they're the prettiest

ahahahaha

 

[Slumber]

I feel like dental schools are like women. You always tell them that they're the prettiest

Haha, the one and only.

 

[DRTigerJK]

Lol I know what schools you just interviewed. I received a similar question and answered honestly.

 

[dentalWorks]

Hi,
So, recently I had my interview at X school and there were two interviewers. So, one of them was very nice and towards the end he said something along the lines of "It's was my pleasure meeting you."

But the problem is this other interviewers started out the interview asking me if I applied to Y or not (Y is my state school). And I said yes. Then she constantly kept making statements such as how X would be a better choice for me than Y (Not like a bragging sort of way but rather she wanted me to pick their school over Y). At one point, she straight up asked me, "Be honest with me, if you get into Y, would you consider coming here?". I kinda dodged the question at first by saying how it would be difficult decision since both of them have really good clinical program and some other stuff.

Then after making some comments about how good my GPA and DAT is, she proceeded to ask me AGAIN if I would pick X over Y. And this was like the 10th time she made a comparison to Y. At this point I was just really annoyed. And I kinda just told her that, "well, Y would me my first choice because that is my state school and financially it would be a better decision to pick Y." Then I added how I dont wanna get accepted by lying to people and how it would be somewhat foolish to just apply to one school (something along those line). Lastly, when I was done, she told me how she hopes to see me here one day.

But my question is, are they allowed to ask us how many schools we applied to? or If I applied to this school or not? Can we decline to answer those type of question. If we can't, then is there any better way to answer such questions?

Thats a very common strategy with many interviewers and sad to say... you fell for the trap. They will put pressure on you (or annoy you with comments here and there), they wanna see how you carry yourself.

Never get frustrated ESPECIALLY during an interview. I woulda answered it the same way George W. Bush answers the Iraq invasion: "Honestly, its too early to tell at this point, Y is close to home and provides in-state tuition, while this school (X) has really impressed me"..... And if she asks you again, same answer "Too early to tell"

 

[wb1]

Thats a very common strategy with many interviewers and sad to say... you fell for the trap. They will put pressure on you (or annoy you with comments here and there), they wanna see how you carry yourself.

Never get frustrated ESPECIALLY during an interview. I woulda answered it the same way George W. Bush answers the Iraq invasion: "Honestly, its too early to tell at this point, Y is close to home and provides in-state tuition, while this school (X) has really impressed me"..... And if she asks you again, same answer "Too early to tell"

+1. Haha

 

[Scorpion1993]

I feel like dental schools are like women. You always tell them that they're the prettiest

Never get frustrated ESPECIALLY during an interview. I woulda answered it the same way George W. Bush answers the Iraq invasion: "Honestly, its too early to tell at this point, Y is close to home and provides in-state tuition, while this school (X) has really impressed me"..... And if she asks you again, same answer "Too early to tell"

Hahahahaha you guys are hilarious!! Thanks a lot 🙂) Hopefully I wont mess up the next time.

 

[dantemac]

Just open your mouth and let the lies pour out.

 

[NRG]

do dental school interview follow the same legal/illegal questions as job interviews?
like questions about religion/race and things like that?

 

[Glimmer1991]

do dental school interview follow the same legal/illegal questions as job interviews?
like questions about religion/race and things like that?

Well, they know your age and race from your application, along with basic info about your finances and whatnot.

I highly doubt religion would be brought up unless you mentioned it personally or had it somewhere in your application.

 

[DRTigerJK]

do dental school interview follow the same legal/illegal questions as job interviews?
like questions about religion/race and things like that?

It can come up for religiously affiliated schools. But they won't reject you (supposedly) for religious views unless it was illegal/offensive in itself.

 

[doc toothache]

For the next interview(s), bring an attorney.

 

[Ionz]

For the next interview(s), bring an attorney.

LOL! okay now that was a good one doc.

 

[El Dentistador]

I feel like dental schools are like women. You always tell them that they're the prettiest

This made me lawl.