how important are interviews?

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jlee1986

jlee1986

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Hey guys,

I just had an interview at SUNY Buffalo, and although I think it went ok, it wasn't superb. I was just wondering how much schools look at interviews when considering applicants...
 
Interviewed already in June?!!😱
 
every schools places a different weight on interviews... i would say that they are not as important as GPA and DAT scores, but more important than other parts of your application. i would say that most schools accept approx. 1/3 of interviewed applicants.... so an interview isn't a guaranteed acceptance by any means.

jb!🙂
 
Once you get the interview
...grades are no longer relevant to acceptance [IMO🙄]
 
If you're an above average applicant, then it won't help or hurt you (unless you have ZERO people skills).

If you're average/below average, it will make or break your acceptance.
 
You interviewed for this coming fall right? If I recall, Buffalo doesnt start interviewing for 08 until atleast mid-september.

If so, they will need to fill the seats relatively quickly if they haven't found what they are looking for yet. That may be an advantage for you.
 
jlee1986 said:
Hey guys,

I just had an interview at SUNY Buffalo, and although I think it went ok, it wasn't superb. I was just wondering how much schools look at interviews when considering applicants...
Click to expand...

Some people might disagree with me, but I think the interview is very important. Your grades get you the interviews, but the interviews will determine if you can get in. @ UNC it's 30% GPA, 30% DAT, 40% interview, and I don't know what it is for other schools.
 
Your grades and DAT scores are used to qualify you for an interview. If you get an interview it means the admissions committee has already decided that those are good enough. If you want in, you MUST do well in the interview.
What do you think, is THAT important?

RP
 
I'm gonna give the common SDN answer: It depends on the school. Some schools treat it as a formality and some (like ASDOH) bank a lot on it. Think of it this way, the better you do in your interview (or any part of the application for that matter) the better chance you have of being accepted.
 
jlee1986 said:
I was just wondering how much schools look at interviews when considering applicants...
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They're not very important. In fact many schools don't even consider your interview.
 
jeninny44 said:
They're not very important. In fact many schools don't even consider your interview.
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According to the ADEA's Official Guide to Dental Schools 2007-08 there are only two schools that replied that don't require an interview. Why would they even spend the time on an interview if it wasn't a factor when considering an applicant? The schools are swamped with applications and wouldn't even bother with an interview if it didn't really matter.
 
DMDreaming said:
According to the ADEA's Official Guide to Dental Schools 2007-08 there are only two schools that replied that don't require an interview. Why would they even spend the time on an interview if it wasn't a factor when considering an applicant? The schools are swamped with applications and wouldn't even bother with an interview if it didn't really matter.
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Which schools don't require an interview?
 
A mediocre interview wont make up for bad grades. A mediocrre interview wont hurt your chances too bad for admission with above average grades. Some part of the interview is just making sure you have 2 hands and 10 fingers. Another aspect is making sure you have somewhat of a personality and are truthful.
 
Well my friends dad used to be an adcom and he said that if they offer you an interview and it's not for a waitlist spot then you pretty much just have to prove yourself for the spot. So I would think it's pretty darn important.
 
here is a generic answer.

The interview wont get you the acceptance but it can lose it for you.

They do consider the interview as a part of your application. Since they have soo many applicants they wouldnt interview you if they didnt think it was important. also it is a chance for you to interview the school. a lot of times it is the first time someone will have been to the school, so it is a chance for you to decide if you want to go there.
 
jlee1986 said:
Which schools don't require an interview?
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According to the ADEA publication, Creighton states, "Not req. for all students" and UCLA lists "NA" instead of NR (not reported). However, I know an applicant who interviewed at Creighton last year and he was under the impression this policy had recently changed to required.
 
NYU doesnt require interviews for all of their applicants. The only students they accept without interviews are students with a 3.8+ and 28's on the DAT. Everyone else they are considering they need to have a little talk with.
 
PChemGrad said:
here is a generic answer.

The interview wont get you the acceptance but it can loose it for you.

They do consider the interview as a part of your application. Since they have soo many applicants they wouldnt interview you if they didnt think it was important. also it is a chance for you to interview the school. a lot of times it is the first time someone will have been to the school, so it is a chance for you to decide if you want to go there.
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In my opinion, the interivew CAN get you the acceptance and it can also lose (not loose!) it for you. Think about it, at that point in the game the interview is pretty much all that matters. Either you are accepted or you are rejected. It's one of the two.

If the interview won't get you the acceptance (as you stated), then you probably shouldn't go to any interviews.
 
I figure that if you get an interview, you look good enough on paper to go there...it is at the interview that they decide whether or not you will...

Some schools interview more students than others, so at the schools that interview a large number of students, the interview is quite important
 
Well an interview is needed in order to get into a d-school isnt it?!?!?! Doesn't that tell you anything?
 
you guys are CLEARLY mistaken...the interviews are NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL, as long as you have a 3.99 GPA and 20+ DAT, you can walk in to your interview in your boxers, with a cigar in one hand and a martini in the other singing B-I-N-G-O, and you'll still be accepted

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

guys, honestly? OF COURSE the interviews make or break you! ask SHC1984 if you disagree...
 
The comments stating that the interview is not important are clearly sarcastic.

When has an interview not been important? Remember when Chris Farley went out to sell brake pads and lit the guys model car on fire? Do you think he sold any brake pads? I don't think so.

The interview is where they put the squeeze on and see how you handle pressure or they simply see if you are a normal human capable of having an adult conversation.

It can make or break you. Treat them with respect.
 
bruinpredent said:
you guys are CLEARLY mistaken...the interviews are NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL, as long as you have a 3.99 GPA and 20+ DAT, you can walk in to your interview in your boxers, with a cigar in one hand and a martini in the other singing B-I-N-G-O, and you'll still be accepted

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

guys, honestly? OF COURSE the interviews make or break you! ask SHC1984 if you disagree...
Click to expand...

hahahahahaa......i would like to have gone to an interview like that
 
blasterx said:
😵

Allegedly, she has super stats but was denied from every school she applied to (see: http://predents.com/?page=user&user_id=2028). A simple browse through her old posts will explain why.
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I clicked on the 2007 cycle for the same user (http://predents.com/?page=user&user_id=2028) and she only applied to 5 and got 2 interviews, with meharry being a little odd in their selection factor (not sure what background SHC1984 is). Those are high stats though. Interviews are important.
 
I interviewed at Boston with this guy who kept bragging his dad was best friends with the dean there and he was a shoe-in. A month later I saw him at the NYU interview where he showed me his rejection letter from Boston. It said due to his immature behavior during the interview they felt that he needed a few years to grow up before applying to their school again. At the NYU interview he bragged that his dad was friends with their dean too. He said as long as he went to all the lectures he would get accepted and would not fail out. He graduated in May.

NYU is now using their receptionists' input as part of the interview process. If you're rude to any of them, they can put that in your file.

Thank goodness I was nice to the lady at the receptionist desk - she ended up being a dean who was just lending a hand and she ended up being the one who interviewed me!
 
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