How many interviews needed for one acceptance?

[LUVS2RUN]

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Hi,

I already posted this, but I don't think it took hold.

I was wondering if anyone knew how many interviews, on average, one needs in order to get at least one acceptance? I know there are people with 4 interviews and all waitlists, while some with one interview and an acceptance. What do you know, and what do you think? Thanks!

 

[armorshell]

At least one

Seriously though, there's no set number. There was a point in my application cycle where I felt like I was set with one interview and there was a point where I felt like I had no chance with 6.

It all depends on you.

 

[jackbauer!]

Hi,

I already posted this, but I don't think it took hold.

I was wondering if anyone knew how many interviews, on average, one needs in order to get at least one acceptance? I know there are people with 4 interviews and all waitlists, while some with one interview and an acceptance. What do you know, and what do you think? Thanks!

it didn't hold b/c it's a hard question to answer.... but you're lucky because i have an answer for you...

Answer: it depends on the applicant...

jb!🙂

 

[DDSY]

Agree that it totally depends. I also think that if you have three interviews (expecially pre-December, you have a pretty good shot of getting in)

 

[Streetwolf]

You gotta give people more than 20 minutes for a thread to 'take hold' rofl.

On that note I applied to 9 and got interview offers at 8. VCU just never figured out what they wanted to do with me so I withdrew my app.

You said it yourself in your other thread: competition is up. So you need to be *competitive*. If you are, you'll get interviews. If you aren't, you won't as much.

Simple as that.

 

[ASU-devil]

Hi,

I already posted this, but I don't think it took hold.

I was wondering if anyone knew how many interviews, on average, one needs in order to get at least one acceptance? I know there are people with 4 interviews and all waitlists, while some with one interview and an acceptance. What do you know, and what do you think? Thanks!

Last year I was at 4 and nothing came of it. This year I had 3 and I had one offer so far. I applied to over 20 schools each year also.

 

[in her drawer]

Everyone's different, but one will do it.

 

[sesposi]

Last year I was at 4 and nothing came of it. This year I had 3 and I had one offer so far. I applied to over 20 schools each year also.

Where did you you get interviewed, and where accepted this year? Thanks.

 

[LUVS2RUN]

I'm a little worried b/c competition is up this year. I have had 3 interviews so far, and one coming in the next week. Feb is right around the corner, and i've thus far been waitlisted at one of my schools. I don't have a great GPA (though my last couple of years have been 3.95/4), but I do have a decent DAT.

I'm just not sure how to handle the suspense - it's getting pretty daunting.

 

[montag925]

Correct me if I’m wrong, you need a decent GPA and DAT to get an interview. However, once at the interview, it’s really all about how you perform and what you say. That being the case, if you are getting interviews from various schools but not acceptances, you may want to reevaluate your personality and what you are saying at the interviews, and not your academic ability.

 

[in her drawer]

Correct me if I’m wrong, you need a decent GPA and DAT to get an interview. However, once at the interview, it’s really all about how you perform and what you say. That being the case, if you are getting interviews from various schools but not acceptances, you may want to reevaluate your personality and what you are saying at the interviews, and not your academic ability.

I'd say you're right, Guy. Most interviews are fairly laid back and conversational. Some others are extremely conversational, and you won't have anything to worry about at all. It was my experience that being grilled and interrogated under a bright light is a very rare occurrence.

 

[bassman65]

i'd say you have to make sure you aren't being fake. Don't go in with all your answers pre-set out in your head. Just be honest and your interviewers will appreciate you as an applicant more. At my Maryland interview, i was asked how I prepared for the interview I and said I really didn't. I was also honest in why I didn't really prepare too. The most I did was go out the night before for beers with a 3rd year there and I asked him about the school. The next day I got an acceptance email from them.

Also, I'm not totally sure about how laid back all interviews are. Sometimes the interviewers will want to put some stress on you to see how your react. Lets face it, dental school while be one long continuous stress situation for four years. My Buffalo interview was that way. My Maryland one wasn't, but other people there that day said that theirs really were. I'd give yourself a 50-50 chance on having a hard one.

 

[shamrock2006]

i'd say you have to make sure you aren't being fake. Don't go in with all your answers pre-set out in your head. Just be honest and your interviewers will appreciate you as an applicant more. At my Maryland interview, i was asked how I prepared for the interview I and said I really didn't. I was also honest in why I didn't really prepare too. The most I did was go out the night before for beers with a 3rd year there and I asked him about the school. The next day I got an acceptance email from them.

Also, I'm not totally sure about how laid back all interviews are. Sometimes the interviewers will want to put some stress on you to see how your react. Lets face it, dental school while be one long continuous stress situation for four years. My Buffalo interview was that way. My Maryland one wasn't, but other people there that day said that theirs really were. I'd give yourself a 50-50 chance on having a hard one.

Agreed. I'd say on the average your interviewers will be cool. I mean, you got the interview so they already feel you are academically qualified. Out of the 6 interviews i've had...only one (the most recent one just this week) had a guy that was trying to trap me. Constantly turning around everything I said to try and get me to second guess what i said.....that "can" happen, but more often then not they're nice. They understand you are nervous. And go with what bassman said, do NOT have answers to questions memorized...they will see right through that. Sincerety goes much further than a rehearsed response.

 

[ASU-devil]

Where did you you get interviewed, and where accepted this year? Thanks.

Interviewed: Indiana, UNLV, Temple (this year)
Accepted: Indiana

 

[Blitzdt]

i'd say you have to make sure you aren't being fake. Don't go in with all your answers pre-set out in your head. Just be honest and your interviewers will appreciate you as an applicant more. At my Maryland interview, i was asked how I prepared for the interview I and said I really didn't. I was also honest in why I didn't really prepare too. The most I did was go out the night before for beers with a 3rd year there and I asked him about the school. The next day I got an acceptance email from them.

Also, I'm not totally sure about how laid back all interviews are. Sometimes the interviewers will want to put some stress on you to see how your react. Lets face it, dental school while be one long continuous stress situation for four years. My Buffalo interview was that way. My Maryland one wasn't, but other people there that day said that theirs really were. I'd give yourself a 50-50 chance on having a hard one.

I don't know about that...you have pretty good stats so it might not be the interview that got you in. Honestly, I think the advice "be yourself" is not going to boost your chance. Before the interview, think of ways that make you stand out from the other 3000 applicants and those 35 yr old dads who are interviewing for the same thing. Think of what kind of value you can bring to their school. Think about the hard questions like "what is your weakness? or what is your biggest failure?", and how are you going to approach it. Rehearse it because you will feel more confident at the interview if you are ready. Research the schools that you will be interviewed beforehand because they will ask you what do you know about their schools. When they ask you, answer it naturally...don't answer it like you're practicing (this is very important). This was what I did and it worked well for me.

 

[KOM]

The nice thing about having multiple interviews is you really get to find out what "works" and what doesn't at the first couple that you interview at. I would say 3-4 interviews is a fairly safe bet on getting that one golden ticket, but like everyone has said it all depends.

After my 3rd interview, all the rest have been virtually flawless in my mind. I'm relaxed (in one case because I already had an acceptance under my belt), but also have a good sense of how to answer certain questions and what to expect. After the first couple of interviews you get into a rhythm that really gives you the confidence to dazzle your interviewers.

 

[SFPredent]

I agree with Blitz...dont memorize a speech but brainstorming on possible questions and having mock interviews is extremely helpful. I would almost be inclined to say that telling the school you did no prep would be a sort of insult to the school, like you are too good to prepare or it is not imporant to you. I guess if you are great on the spot, which I am not, then it all works out. I have a friend who had 6 interviews pre- Dec 1 and got waitlisted at all 6 schools. She is personable and experienced. So I guess you never know.