Freaking out a little about my interview.

[Bifenthrin]

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I have my NYU interview tomorrow and I'm freaking out a little.

I've done a ton of research on the school in the last couple of days. Been reading and rereading my personal statement so I know it like the back of my hand. Been thinking about my answers to questions like "Why dentistry" and "Why NYU"..

But if they ask me about weaknesses, I still have no idea what to say.

And I'm just overall freaking out and nervous and just.. 😱

NYU is my top choice and I really want to make a great impression and get in. Does anyone have any last minute pre-interview advice?

 

[tommyli128]

For your weakness, just pick something that you've been working on that you're not so good at. Continue answering the question by giving an example of how you've strengthened your weakness and the results that you have seen from improving this "weakness."

 

[tommyli128]

Oh and good luck! 🙂

 

[Member902507]

This will probably be the most cliche response ever, but it's actually good advice (that helped me at least).

Do not stress. Please don't screw yourself over by not acting like your normal stress. I haven't interviewed at NYU but I have heard from many people that it's conversational, so you want to be your normal, interesting self, not your abnormal, stuttering self.

Also, to nail that interview, you gotta gain that confidence. Don't be over-confident, but at a humble, modest level is good.

For the "Why NYU?" question...why do you wanna go there? Big class size? Close to home? Big patient population? Etc etc etc...why? There must be some reason why it's your number one choice. What I did for schools was, I'd go on their website, and I'd read up on a lot of the latest articles that were posted about the school--the cool new discoveries, the awesome faculty (NYU just got 2 of UCSF's people...one was the UCSF dean I think), etc. Each school offers something cool and unique, so do a little bit of research that will show you're well-read on the school and that you're interested in it.Try to find things that are lesser known to the average applicant--perhaps something you had to dig up more.

Next, why dentistry? Why did you pick dentistry? Read your personal statement and know what you wrote, and repeat that because whatever you wrote on that obviously got you an interview. It doesn't need to be a whole Lifetime movie about it, but just something that makes you feel connected to the field, and talk about your interests in dentistry and your future goals regarding your life as a dentist and how that will impact you, your family, community, etc.

Best of luck man, and please, don't be nervous. Watch TV or read a book or something--take your mind off of the stress.

And final piece of advice, nail that interview!! You got this 🙂

 

[Avery07]

But if they ask me about weaknesses, I still have no idea what to say.

I'm not sure how NYU is but my interviews have always been very relaxed. Check out the NYU interview page if you haven't done so already.

And for your weaknesses, find something positive that can be detrimental under certain conditions and spin it off -- e.g. "My biggest weakness is that I care too much. Take this interview for example.."

At the end of the day, just be yourself, calm down and say what's really on your mind. If you want this as bad as I'm sure you do, you should have all the right answers. Don't keep your mind occupied with what you think they want to hear. Again-- be yourself and speak your mind.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmcdBN1uLY[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Member902507]

Side note: probably should have read your post more thoroughly, but yea, you've been doing the prep for this, so you'll be fine!

For weaknesses, it doesn't necessarily have to be a weakness in someone else's eyes...the way I thought of this question was, "what is something that's wrong with me?"...for me, I trust too easily. For other people, that might be a big strength, but I thought of it as a weakness because people walk over me, but I supplemented that with--and I'm conscious of it and have been working towards finding a balance.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[Bifenthrin]

Thanks guys. 🙂

For why NYU, I'm going to talk about how I have had several family members finish NYUCD and how they all told me amazing things about the school that made me really want to go there. Why dentistry will lead back again to family in the field, plus I like teeth and working with my hands.

I'm thinking for weakness to talk about how I over-prepare for things and how lately I've been forcing myself to take it easy and not overstress myself when preparing for things like exams, which has actually improved my scores tremendously. I'll talk about how as an undergrad, I would constantly overstudy and as a result not do as well, but in grad school I learned not to overexert myself and was able to retain information better, and consequentially did better. Or maybe I'll talk about how I've been improving my study habits or something..

That's the question that really worries me, because I feel like I'll say something that'll dig my grave for me, you know?

 

[Member902507]

Thanks guys. 🙂

For why NYU, I'm going to talk about how I have had several family members finish NYUCD and how they all told me amazing things about the school that made me really want to go there. Why dentistry will lead back again to family in the field, plus I like teeth and working with my hands.

I'm thinking for weakness to talk about how I over-prepare for things and how lately I've been forcing myself to take it easy and not overstress myself when preparing for things like exams, which has actually improved my scores tremendously. I'll talk about how as an undergrad, I would constantly overstudy and as a result not do as well, but in grad school I learned not to overexert myself and was able to retain information better, and consequentially did better. Or maybe I'll talk about how I've been improving my study habits or something..

That's the question that really worries me, because I feel like I'll say something that'll dig my grave for me, you know?

An idea for the "why NYU"...if you had family members go there, you can mention how NYUCD is renowned for its tradition in this and that, which is aligned with your family's tradition of attending NYUCD. Stroking the school's ego, while simultaneously getting your point across.

Also, for your weakness, I don't think you'll "dig your grave" as long as you focus more on how you're trying to address your weakness. Only spend a minute or less trying to describe the weakness, and then spend a couple of minutes describing on how you're trying to work on it, what improvements you've made, the results you've seen from trying to change. As long as you're honest, I don't see why you have any reason to worry. 🙂

 

[cwoodds]

I'm thinking for weakness to talk about how I over-prepare for things and how lately I've been forcing myself to take it easy and not overstress myself when preparing for things like exams, which has actually improved my scores tremendously. I'll talk about how as an undergrad, I would constantly overstudy and as a result not do as well, but in grad school I learned not to overexert myself and was able to retain information better, and consequentially did better.

Decent answer, add that you were stressing out about preparing for the interview, but finally realized that you just need to be yourself.

 

[tommyli128]

I also don't recommend trying to spin off a strength as a weakness. The adcom hears a million of these bs answers everyday. Theyll see what youre trying to do the minute you open your mouth 😛 They want to hear a real weakness to see how you overcome challenges during times of hardship. Just my 2 cents. GL

 

[Bifenthrin]

Decent answer, add that you were stressing out about preparing for the interview, but finally realized that you just need to be yourself.

Maybe even an anecdote about how this summer I spent a month touring Europe, and packed a 60 pound suitcase and didn't even wind up wearing a third of what I packed?

 

[qnzbabi91]

I hardest question for me was: Why NYU? LOL

I was stumped and changed the topic.

Another one: Name an ethical situation you were in, and my interviewer described the upenn scandal....I was like yeah I never been in an ethical situation (the dumbest thing I ever said).

Good luck, and be yourself. Best advice is to come early because they interview you in the order you arrive. You don't want to be the last one in the room waiting to be interviewed. I am sure you will do great.

 

[Bifenthrin]

I hardest question for me was: Why NYU? LOL

I was stumped and changed the topic.

Another one: Name an ethical situation you were in, and my interviewer described the upenn scandal....I was like yeah I never been in an ethical situation (the dumbest thing I ever said).

Good luck, and be yourself. Best advice is to come early because they interview you in the order you arrive. You don't want to be the last one in the room waiting to be interviewed. I am sure you will do great.

Oh man. Ethical situation? I don't think I've ever been in one!

And I plan to arrive very early. I'm taking the first express bus into Manhattan at 6:22 and it's scheduled to stop at 23rd and 1st at 7:06 AM. So I figure that by 7:15 I should be there.

 

[qnzbabi91]

Oh man. Ethical situation? I don't think I've ever been in one!

And I plan to arrive very early. I'm taking the first express bus into Manhattan at 6:22 and it's scheduled to stop at 23rd and 1st at 7:06 AM. So I figure that by 7:15 I should be there.

Umm cheating scandals at school. Come up with a good one. That, and what was a leadership role I had. My interview was an hour long and in the beginning I told my interviewer I was "nervous" about 5 times lol. Don't do that.

And, he asked me what question I was preparing for (I think they knew I was a frequent SDN poster because they kept telling us about it and I felt like they were talking about me). I said, "If I was a disney character, which one would I be." I think they liked my quarkiness ...or grades.

But, that is besides the point. The food there is great and its whatever you want in the cafeteria. It was a great interview experience. GL again.

 

[Bifenthrin]

Umm cheating scandals at school. Come up with a good one. That, and what was a leadership role I had. My interview was an hour long and in the beginning I told my interviewer I was "nervous" about 5 times lol. Don't do that.

And, he asked me what question I was preparing for (I think they knew I was a frequent SDN poster because they kept telling us about it and I felt like they were talking about me). I said, "If I was a disney character, which one would I be." I think they liked my quarkiness ...or grades.

But, that is besides the point. The food there is great and its whatever you want in the cafeteria. It was a great interview experience. GL again.

Thank you so much.

I think I'm solid with leadership experience, as I'm currently a middle school teacher. 😛

Cheating scandal.. there WAS my general chemistry course freshman year. The professor was about 90 years old and he wound up leaving the room for about five minutes during the final exam because he forgot his medication in his office down the hall.

While he was gone, most of the class cheated on the exam by swapping papers and copying. I did not. My grade was a little lower than the people who had cheated, but at least I had earned it.


Another ethical issue not to do with academics is actually when my roommate senior year asked me to marry him. He was an international grad student working full time at the university. He wanted me to marry him so he could get a green card, and in exchange I would get free tuition since he was an employee of the university, and he offered to also pay my portion of rent. I declined, because not only is it fraud, but I also believe in the sanctity of marriage and would not have felt right marrying someone for any reason other than wanting to spend my life with them.

But that one, I'm not so sure would be good to talk about.

 

[Avery07]

Thank you so much.

I think I'm solid with leadership experience, as I'm currently a middle school teacher. 😛

Cheating scandal.. there WAS my general chemistry course freshman year. The professor was about 90 years old and he wound up leaving the room for about five minutes during the final exam because he forgot his medication in his office down the hall.

While he was gone, most of the class cheated on the exam by swapping papers and copying. I did not. My grade was a little lower than the people who had cheated, but at least I had earned it.


Another ethical issue not to do with academics is actually when my roommate senior year asked me to marry him. He was an international grad student working full time at the university. He wanted me to marry him so he could get a green card, and in exchange I would get free tuition since he was an employee of the university, and he offered to also pay my portion of rent. I declined, because not only is it fraud, but I also believe in the sanctity of marriage and would not have felt right marrying someone for any reason other than wanting to spend my life with them.

But that one, I'm not so sure would be good to talk about.

I'm not sure either of them are good to talk about. If I was interviewing you and you told me about the cheating scandal, I would have asked why you didn't say anything to the students or why you didn't bring it up to the professor? It's commendable that you didn't cheat but at the same time there was a lack of action on your part in not reporting it that an adcom would look down upon.

 

[qnzbabi91]

Thank you so much.


Another ethical issue not to do with academics is actually when my roommate senior year asked me to marry him. He was an international grad student working full time at the university. He wanted me to marry him so he could get a green card, and in exchange I would get free tuition since he was an employee of the university, and he offered to also pay my portion of rent. I declined, because not only is it fraud, but I also believe in the sanctity of marriage and would not have felt right marrying someone for any reason other than wanting to spend my life with them.

But that one, I'm not so sure would be good to talk about.

I LOLed at that! Wow, I can't believe someone did that to you.

Yeah, but you have to be like and you told on all those students during your teacher's office hours. WWJD kinda thing.

Those were my toughest questions. I am sure you will do great and most importantly stay calm.

 

[Bifenthrin]

I LOLed at that! Wow, I can't believe someone did that to you.

Yeah, but you have to be like and you told on all those students during your teacher's office hours. WWJD kinda thing.

Those were my toughest questions. I am sure you will do great and most importantly stay calm.

Yeah. It was out of left field too, because his girlfriend was also living in the house with us at the time. She refused to marry him though because she thought she was too young to get married and stuff. So he asked me.

It made for an awkward couple of weeks, I'll tell you.

 

[Bifenthrin]

I thought of another one.

I'm a first year teacher. First marking period, 17 of my 109 students had averages in the failing range. That's 15.5% of my students. I knew that giving them the 55 on their report cards would be frowned upon by administration, and that it would put me on the radar. However, these were students who did little to no work and put forward no effort in my class. In the end, I gave them the failing grades, regardless of the consequences I would face, because I do not believe in grade inflation.

Would that work?

 

[qnzbabi91]

I thought of another one.

I'm a first year teacher. First marking period, 17 of my 109 students had averages in the failing range. That's 15.5% of my students. I knew that giving them the 55 on their report cards would be frowned upon by administration, and that it would put me on the radar. However, these were students who did little to no work and put forward no effort in my class. In the end, I gave them the failing grades, regardless of the consequences I would face, because I do not believe in grade inflation.

Would that work?

I think that is good and its real. It is better than a bs answer. It is unique and it makes you stand apart. I hope you get that question now lol It shows what you have to bring to NYU that's different than your standard dental student.

 

[Bifenthrin]

I think that is good and its real. It is better than a bs answer. It is unique and it makes you stand apart. I hope you get that question now lol It shows what you have to bring to NYU that's different than your standard dental student.

Lol, yeah. I don't know why I didn't think of it right away.. I guess I didn't realize it could be considered an ethical dilemma?

But it is quite unique, I would say. Not many teachers applying to dental school, I would guess.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

when i got asked the weakness question, i kind of dropped the ball i guess? my interviewer responded with, "well that would happen to a lot of people, don't you think?"

i laughed it off, and elaborated and he seemed to be content with the answer.

they just want to see how you can carry a convo and how you can potentially react to curve ball questions/answers. as long as you relax and be yourself, you will be FINE. i guarantee it. good luck, it is truly a great school.

 

[KittySquared]

Don't over-prepare and end up sounding rehearsed. Don't be a tape recorder.

I'd rather hear nails on a chalkboard than someone eyeballs shift up right while stuttering to spit out something memorized which I've had the honor of enduring at a group interview session. Just don't.

 

[UCSFx2017]

Don't over-prepare and end up sounding rehearsed. Don't be a tape recorder. A good interview is one that is conversational. If you stumble, don't freak out. It's okay to pause, think, and collect your thoughts before you speak again. I made the biggest blunder during one of my interviews. I gave an incoherent explanation about why I wanted to be a dentist which was followed by an awkward pause. (I had memorized my response the night before but I forgot a certain detail and the story didn't make sense. So don't memorize what you're going to say. You gotta improvise and sound natural.) At first, in my head, I was like, "Oh my gosh, this isn't happening. I'm so screwed." After realizing that I just screwed up the interview and after convincing myself that I wouldn't get accepted, I felt a sudden relief and regained some confidence because by then I wasn't as self-conscious and didn't care about what I said. I think I ended up doing pretty well for the latter half of the interview. Towards the end of the interview, I made up for my period of incoherency by making small talk and getting to know the interviewer as just another person rather than an intimidating interviewer. I also answered the other questions just fine. I ended up getting accepted.

Also remember that you're not just being interviewed. You're also interviewing them. So ask good questions. I like to ask "What do you like most about this school?" or "What kept you here as a faulty at [blank] university for X many years?"

Do not take an exam the day before the interview, travel for eight hours, experience jet-lag, and manage to sleep for only five hours or you'll end up sounding incoherent. Make sure you get plenty of sleep.

Be enthusiastic. I like to act and pretend like I'm a very peppy person for the student interview but I revert back to my more frequent state as a pretty mellow, somewhat serious, collected guy for the faculty interview. I don't know why but I just do. However, when I know that the interviewer is trying to psyche me out with a stern emotionless face after asking a question, I try to add more emotion into my responses, if that makes any sense.