Interview......specialize?

[Msmouth]

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Do they typically ask if you want to specialize?

I would think it's better to say you do or you would consider it even if you just want to be done in 4 years.

Thoughts?😳

 

[MrAvicii]

Do they typically ask if you want to specialize?

I would think it's better to say you do or you would consider it even if you just want to be done in 4 years.

Thoughts?😳

they wont ask you that.

 

[Babyblue57]

they wont ask you that.

I was asked if I would want to specialize during an interview.

 

[dantemac]

I just told them what my favorite specialty is that I shadowed, but that one could not know for sure until after dental school.

 

[camshaft]

they wont ask you that.

I was asked at Tufts. In addition to a general dentist I shadow several specialists and my interviewing student asked if I was interested in specializing, and I told him I can't say for sure but I'm definitely interested. He was a 4th year at Tufts who had just been accepted into an omfs residency. Tufts doesn't frown on people interested in specializing, and they'll tell you in the interview that they'll work to prepare you in all disciplines should you decide to specialize. Just don't come across with a closed minded attitude that the sole reason you're going to dental school is to get into a specialty afterwards.

 

[rodneymoss]

I was asked that at the Meharry interview.. I told them that I had a favorite specialty but that I wouldnt know until after rotations.. and after I graduate. Expect the interviewer to ask you anything 🙂

 

[MrAvicii]

i stand corrected. i just dont see how a school can ask you something so arbitrary. Why doesnt the school tell you that, in reality, you wont specialize because only a small % of students actually get into those types of programs. Silly question to me and I dont see how its relevant towards admission to d-school. Its no different than asking do you intend on working in a group or solo practice? Yes its a conversation starter, but what does it ultimately say about an applicant? In my mind absolutely nothing.

 

[MrAvicii]

I just told them what my favorite specialty is that I shadowed, but that one could not know for sure until after dental school.

thats why that question is utterly useless. (at least IMO)

 

[Msmouth]

Ok.....I saw it another way. I thought they might be more interested in taking those who want to specialize since that could mean more $$$ for them??

 

[MrAvicii]

Ok.....I saw it another way. I thought they might be more interested in taking those who want to specialize since that could mean more $$$ for them??

I think the %s would be the same either way. Once in school plenty of people would not fit the bill because they might have lower grades.

 

[NguyenDDS]

I was asked. I told them I want to become a general dentist. 🙂

 

[HoustonDAT]

thats why that question is utterly useless. (at least IMO)

I would think the question is more of a bait question. I would ask this question to an applicant to bait them into responding back with a douchey or mindful answer. There's really only 2 ways to answer the question:

1) I've shadowed ----- specialist, so I've only had a brief glimpse of this speciality and I think it's very interesting. However, I know that things will certainly change once I go through dental school and I really find out what my strengths/interests are.


OR


2) I've shadowed ---- specialist, I know everything about this speciality. Even though I've never shadowed another specialist, nor have I even performed any procedure, I am 100% certain that I will specialize in ------.

Which answer makes the applicant sound more easier to work with? Remember, there is ALWAYS a reason for a question you're being asked on the interview. Sometimes, it's just for them to see you sweat.

 

[dentalWorks]

Do they typically ask if you want to specialize?

I would think it's better to say you do or you would consider it even if you just want to be done in 4 years.

Thoughts?😳

Normally, they don't ask stupid questions like that. If you think about it, its too early to tell.

In one of my interviews, I was asked what area of dentistry I enjoyed most (aka specialize?!?!).... I told them the truth.. "its too early to tell, I am not experienced enough in dentistry to make that decision yet"

You should be careful how you answer this question... you don't wanna come-off as a "class gunner" during the interview. I am not 100% sure about this, but I believe for most schools, admissions don't like to accept class-a-gunner.

 

[Toothshucker]

I would think the question is more of a bait question. I would ask this question to an applicant to bait them into responding back with a douchey or mindful answer. There's really only 2 ways to answer the question:

1) I've shadowed ----- specialist, so I've only had a brief glimpse of this speciality and I think it's very interesting. However, I know that things will certainly change once I go through dental school and I really find out what my strengths/interests are.


OR


2) I've shadowed ---- specialist, I know everything about this speciality. Even though I've never shadowed another specialist, nor have I even performed any procedure, I am 100% certain that I will specialize in ------.

Which answer makes the applicant sound more easier to work with? Remember, there is ALWAYS a reason for a question you're being asked on the interview. Sometimes, it's just for them to see you sweat.

I was asked at all my interviews. I said what's written above, because for me, it's true.

 

[321931]

This is a trick/bait question so answer carefully.

Say that you are open to the profession and will work hard, and see if anything matches your interest. That being said, also refer back to saying that you would be happy as a General Dentist.

It shows that your a humble, not arrogant, not close-minded, and in a way, it also shows respect for the specialties. It takes an exorbitant amount of effort to specialize and saying it so casually without a day in Dental School comes across as your typical college freshman bio student who wants to specialize in Neurosurgery without having anything to show for it. -And we all know those types, and roll our eyes at them.

 

[Msmouth]

Thanks for all the replies....

I may be be a special case since I've worked in dentistry for 20 years as an assistant and a hygienist. They may think that I should know by now what I want.
I honestly just want to be a general dentist and I'm afraid to bull**** and say I want to specialize when I really don't. I just don't want that to look bad either way.

 

[YoHomey]

This is a trick/bait question so answer carefully.

Say that you are open to the profession and will work hard, and see if anything matches your interest. That being said, also refer back to saying that you would be happy as a General Dentist.

It shows that your a humble, not arrogant, not close-minded, and in a way, it also shows respect for the specialties. It takes an exorbitant amount of effort to specialize and saying it so casually without a day in Dental School comes across as your typical college freshman bio student who wants to specialize in Neurosurgery without having anything to show for it. -And we all know those types, and roll our eyes at them.

I'm surprised most of you geniuses couldn't figure out why lol. 👍 to Rainee.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Hi all,

This question was asked during my interview in 1990. The best answer is "may be, may be not". If anyone denies you because you want to become an orthodontist, then he/she is making an assesment based on personal biased point of view. This should not happen but you never know who you are dealing with. So give open-ended answer and you can't go wrong! DP

 

[toothexplore]

I was asked this at BU and stated I'd be interested in paediatric dent because it fell parallel with my ECs working with children, I hope that doesn't place you at disadvantage😀

 

[MrAvicii]

i agree that its a bait question. I wouldnt go forth and brag about what I want to do... before I have done it. Its very hard to specialize (based on the pure % alone.) Therefore I would say "I am open to the idea and would love to learn more about it once i'm in d-school. Its very hard to state an opinion right now since I'm not quite yet in d-school."

If they cant respect that answer, then I dont want to go to their school. Answering that you want to specialize w/o truly knowing the rigors of d-school or the in depth details of the specialty is like saying you want to fly a plane, but dont wanna go to flight school.

 

[doc toothache]

Thanks for all the replies....I may be be a special case since I've worked in dentistry for 20 years as an assistant and a hygienist. They may think that I should know by now what I want. I honestly just want to be a general dentist and I'm afraid to bull**** and say I want to specialize when I really don't. I just don't want that to look bad either way.

You could be doing general dentistry for 20 years and still be undecided.