How long should it take to answer Why dentistry?

[lakers2009]

Hi. I have an interview coming up. I have been practicing and was just wondering how long does it take you to answer the question "Why dentistry or Tell me about yourself"?

How long should it be? Begin with a story or straight to the point? Any advice?

How many minutes should we limit to answer that question or any other question ideally?

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[sccr1313]

Why is "more than 30 minutes" on there? lol

 

[lakers2009]

That's how long it took me the first practice. lol

I just put it there in case anyone needs that much.

 

[SugarNaCl]

In an interview... I'm going to say 3 minutes MAXIMUM. No one wants you to start from birth and the story about how when you were 10 your aunt's 2nd cousins friend had a root canal and you were allowed to watch and ever since you have been in love with dentistry. Keep it short, concise, simple yet intellectual. I personal would focus more on ACTION than on FEELINGS. It just seems to come across better... not that you can't include some of the latter. Good luck.

 

[lakers2009]

In an interview... I'm going to say 3 minutes MAXIMUM. No one wants you to start from birth and the story about how when you were 10 your aunt's 2nd cousins friend had a root canal and you were allowed to watch and ever since you have been in love with dentistry. Keep it short, concise, simple yet intellectual. I personal would focus more on ACTION than on FEELINGS. It just seems to come across better... not that you can't include some of the latter. Good luck.

I thought we have to support example of every point we make on how it got developed.

Thanks for the advice. It looks like I need to trim and revise my answer some more and just skip the story or anecdote support.

 

[frenchriviera24]

People have different reasons, but as long as you're concise and can convey you're interest & commitment to the profession, that's all that matters. I think it should take no more than 5-7.

 

[prydA]

just say what you need to say, i'd say a reasonable time is 2-5 mins

 

[DrReo]

It isn't the time that's worthwhile . It's what you say in that time. Be unique.

 

[wodehouse]

Just think how much uniqueness you could exude in 30 min! They'd definitely take notice if you spent that long and refused to be interrupted.

 

[dent2009]

Most of my answers were probably no more than 30 seconds long...

 

[haisha ni narou]

you need to be able to articulate the "why's" while at the same time not sounding rehearsed. Think of the person interviewing you as a crap filter. They are very good at sifting out the crap. They want you to be genuine, sincere, and confident while at the same time not sounding pompus and arrogant. They want to see what the real you is all about. No one wants to sit for 20 minutes and hear how you want to be a dentist to save the world, don't over do it.

 

[Stephie3]

why dentistry? a lot of ppl say "well my dad is a dentist and/or doctor."

i did a group interview and everyone in the group interview except me said that. it's overdone. it's great that your parent(s) is/are doctors, but i think it would be better to say why YOU personally chose dentistry (not just because your parents are making you) and show that the reason youre there isn't just because your dad is one. plus, a large portion of ppl who apply to dental school probably have parents that are dentists and/or doctors.

 

[SugarNaCl]

I thought we have to support example of every point we make on how it got developed.

Thanks for the advice. It looks like I need to trim and revise my answer some more and just skip the story or anecdote support.

If you have a short story, obviously feel free to tell it but if it goes on for a few minutes, they will just get lost in it and bored (unless it is REALLY good). THey have heard a lot of stories before. I agree with finding something unique though. For example in my case, it seems only a handful of dental students are interested in research... because I was (and had worked in it before)... rather than tell a story or how I want to "help people" I focused on my interest in research and they really seemed to like that because it was practical and needed in dentistry.

I also brought an art portfolio to demonstrate that I have some kind of coordination with my hands. They seemed to like that too, but I'm sure every school is different.

 

[DrReo]

you need to be able to articulate the "why's" while at the same time not sounding rehearsed. Think of the person interviewing you as a crap filter. They are very good at sifting out the crap. They want you to be genuine, sincere, and confident while at the same time not sounding pompus and arrogant. They want to see what the real you is all about. No one wants to sit for 20 minutes and hear how you want to be a dentist to save the world, don't over do it.

That's key. If they wanted that, they'd ask you to attach an audio file and save your time seeing the school until accepted. Especially now, you have to make yourself stand out!

 

[armorshell]

That's key. If they wanted that, they'd ask you to attach an audio file and save your time seeing the school until accepted. Especially now, you have to make yourself stand out!

If they didn't want a rehearsed answer they should stop asking a hackneyed question that's already addressed in the essay you're asked to write for AADSAS.

 

[DrReo]

If they didn't want a rehearsed answer they should stop asking a hackneyed question that's already addressed in the essay you're asked to write for AADSAS.

There is a big difference between a rehearsed answer and one that can lead to a conversation. Unless you know the interviewer, it's difficult to create/rehearse a statement that will go along with the flow of the interview. So, why rehearse answers? They want to know you for who you actually are.