Dental School Interview Conflicts

[HKI2258]

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Hello everyone,

I’ve recently started receiving dental school interview invitations, but I'm running into some challenges with attending them. My university professors have informed me that they won't allow me to miss classes for these interviews, and the undergraduate education office has also stated that dental/medical school interviews are not considered excusable absences.

Has anyone else faced a similar situation? What would be the best approach to handle this? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[OncePreDent]

That is absolutely insane of your professors. I'm shocked they wouldn't let you. If you aren't allowed to, I would probably just call in sick on the days you are interviewing. Someone else might have a different approach, but it is crazy they aren't allowing you to interview and support you for your lifelong goal of becoming a dentist. Sorry, your school isn't supportive over there.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

What does your prehealth office suggest? What is the policy on unexcused absences? I get the policy, especially since many med school interviews have gone virtual but many/most dental schools insist on in-person.

 

[HKI2258]

They just told me that I would have to get permissions from my respective class professors, and the unexcused absence is up to professors discretion which is normally lowering of grade based on my conversations with them.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

They just told me that I would have to get permissions from my respective class professors, and the unexcused absence is up to professors discretion which is normally lowering of grade based on my conversations with them.

And what was their reaction to the professors' unwillingness to give permission? This is where I presume the prehealth office is supposed to help you. They don't want the word out to other premeds like you that their professors won't give excused absences for interviews to medical school, since that will undermine their effectiveness to support prehealth students. Remember, their perceived "value" is the number of graduates who get into medical school.