How long was your "Why Dentistry?" answer in interviews?

[journeybegins]

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I usually tell a story of how I came to be interested in dentistry, things I've realized about myself and how it fits with the profession, and close it off with something personal. I worry my answer is long...

What is an appropriate amount of time I should spend on this question?

 

[Double Bonded]

2 min

-Get straight to the point
-Don't ramble
-It's not a story, just tell them why

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

2 min

-Get straight to the point
-Don't ramble
-It's not a story, just tell them why

I agree, just get to the point, I think the back-story is unnecessary. I tried incorporating a backstory during my mock interviews and it just felt too winded.

 

[Bereno]

Mine was about 1 min or so, if that. Simple, quick, and decisive. 👍

 

[dantemac]

Mine was simple. I just told them I really looked up to my family dentist and I tried to do all of the shadowing I could. I also told them I wanted to work with my hands and earn my living by being dextrous. I didn't like the way physicians treat patients.

 

[wired202808]

quick and simple. no longer than 1 minute since you want them to accurately write down your statement. if you make it too long or wordy then it might get lost in translation.

 

[vellnueve]

Just answer it honestly and concisely - don't try to weave an elaborate backstory.

 

[jayccee]

i had 4 interviews, and somehow the why dentistry question did not come up at any of them. i agree with the last post--just be honest, sincere, and simple--minus the income potential.

 

[Bereno]

i had 4 interviews, and somehow the why dentistry question did not come up at any of them. i agree with the last post--just be honest, sincere, and simple--minus the income potential.

I actually included income potential in mine... I was honest lol

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

Literally 45 seconds. I decided not to go with the requisite work with my hands, income potential, be a clinician AND a surgeon, my own boss, etc. reasons (though I would briefly mention I had many reasons similar to those of my peers). Instead I laid out a single point/topic about dentistry that I hoped would distinguish my answer from all the rest, and it always seemed to spark conversation in the interviewers which I figured was a good thing; I don't think they'd heard it many times before, if at all.

 

[iralex801]

Mine was a minute or less. If the school asked me to elaborate, I did.