The stats are a little misleading. Case had 3063 applicants last year and the yield (actually matriculating) is only 2.3%. Most dental school are in the 2.5 to 4.5% range. The fact that Case interviews only 320 to yield the 70 students that actually attend proves the Case is VERY tough to get into. Case is not really anymore expensive than most private institutions and cost is only one of many factors to consider. I would suggest you be thankful if you are invited for an interview; thrilled if you receive an offer.
EDIT: Woops, I guess I went wrong in the "the interview alot." My bad, I didn't mean it in that terms. In fact, they interview very little. My bad my bad.
I'm not putting down Case by any means. What I'm saying is that...if you get an interview invite- it is a good chance you will be accepted...so don't go crazy over the interview. Be yourself/natural, and you'll be ok. Study the SDN feedback survey and everything will end up fine
And to the above...The way it works out: Case most likely invites applicants over their pre-dec interviews. Accepts according to the rate of 75%, and judges how many more spots they need to fill. They then send out more interviews with most likely "less" then 75% rate due to some spots filled. Then, rinse and repeat.
For some schools the hardest part is landing an interview: case given UCLA.
UCLA:
IS applicants: 1135
IS interviews: 120
Percent: 8.55%
Percent accept post interview: 80%
OOS ap: 783
OOS interview:28
Percent: 3.58%
Percent accept post interview: 85%
For some schools the hardest part is passing the interview: case given Midwestern.
IS applicants: 164
IS interviews: 79
Percent: 48%
Percent accept post interview: 22%
OOS applicants: 2159
OOS interviews: 491
Percent: 22%
Percent accept post interview: 8%
I would say Case falls in the UCLA category. Therefore the "hardest" part is over, and just relax on the interview. Be yourself and you'll do fine.
CASE:
IS applicants: 199
IS interviews: 43
Percent: 21
Percent accept post interview: 88
OOS applicants: 2864
OOS interviews: 225
Percent: 8%
Percent accept post interview: 79%
At all the schools I interviewed where the "hard" part is getting the interview: case given UCLA/CASE, they told me to be myself. The interview isn't hard, and obviously the hardest part is through. You're "practically" half way in.