Interview improvement

[telemonster]

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I am currently applying, and I was waitlisted at UNC, ECU and UK after pre-December interviews. I was also rejected from Colorado without any interview. I have been offered post-December interviews at Tufts, VCU and MWU-AZ, but I will not be able to attend the MWU-AZ interview due to financial problems.

My question is this: apparently something about my application is good because I have gotten interviews, but are my interviews the reasons I was not accepted?

GPA: 3.5, sGPA: 3.3 DAT: 23 AA 23 TS 19 PAT (25 RC, 26 BIO)
I have something like 80-90 hrs of shadowing, with 100 or so hours of volunteering in MoM clinics, RMH and food drives and stuff, so its varied. However, I have NO leadership exp.
With these stats, from those of you who have interviewed and either been accepted, rejected or waitlisted, are the interviews really my problem? And if they are (and they probably are) how can I improve? Just simple tips to improve my interview.

 

[ttpharm]

Those stats are great. Work on how you present yourself. Act like a professional. Be charming. Be confident. Answer questions thoughtfully, confidently, and sincerely. Ask questions. Be in tuned into the conversation. Most importantly, be yourself.

I highlighted be charming because I think its the most important trait that will get you above the rest.

 

[jlf1042]

Def agree with everything ttpharm said. Make sure to highlight your strengths and why dentistry is for you in every answer but in a subtle way if you know what I mean.

From my experience every interview was completely different! So if you havent be sure to look into specific questions asked at those schools' interviews. I interviewed and was lucky enough to be accepted at VCU, so definitely PM me or something if you have questions! Good Luck!

 

[shootingstar7]

I didnt think ECU or UNC had even made their waitlists yet. Correct me if Im wrong, but they still both have another chunk of acceptances to make.

 

[BlackThought]

If I were to give one piece of advice in regards to interviews it would be to not over-prepare. This is a issue when people start to become under-confident in their communication abilities and then feel they need to compensate with tireless preparation. Some preparation is good, but don't pigeon-hole yourself in saying a certain sentence or paragraph for a given answer. Speak freely but keep in mid the point you came across during your preparation. It can kill any conversation that may come up during your interview because you may go in with blocks of paragraph answers engrained in your head and let's say it turns out to be a relaxed conversation. Changing your mindset that quickly is what leads people to freeze and falter.

 

[predent12]

Most schools have pretty high acceptance rates if you receive an interview, so yes, I would say interviews are your problem.

Do you have a pre-health committee or a friend or relative that you trust who can be completely objective? If so, ask them to do a mock interview. You can just google possible interview questions for dental school, (there are a few websites,) and have them ask you a bunch of them. Then ask for feedback.

It might be scary or painful, but it's important that you listen to their feedback. Ask them to be blunt and open. It's the only way to figure out what's wrong.

Also, don't be afraid to contact the schools that rejected you. Ask them what you can do better to improve your chances in the future. (I wouldn't ask: Why didn't you accept me? Instead ask: Do you have any advice for me? I would really appreciate your straightforward and honest feedback.)

Best of luck!

 

[telemonster]

I didnt think ECU or UNC had even made their waitlists yet. Correct me if Im wrong, but they still both have another chunk of acceptances to make.

You're right, they accept on a rolling admissions basis right? So I guess I just didn't make the first cut, it is easier for me to rationalize by calling it a waitlist though haha.

 

[shootingstar7]

Both of their admissions committees will meet again at the end of the month. Dont lose hope🙂

 

[OMF_HNS]

Those stats are great. Work on how you present yourself. Act like a professional. Be charming. Be confident. Answer questions thoughtfully, confidently, and sincerely. Ask questions. Be in tuned into the conversation. Most importantly, be yourself.

I highlighted be charming because I think its the most important trait that will get you above the rest.

👍

but remember, be confident, not cocky. Humble and display a sense of professional decree when answering questions.

 

[aznboi89x]

one problem i have is that I speak too fast so make sure you SLOOOW down.