interview tips, please

[Heroine]

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anyone who accepted, please tell me some tips when going to the interview even when you made some flaw in your DAT or transcript.

 

[Atombomb]

What kind of a flaw, I had a 3 credit course listed as a 4 credit course by mistake and was never asked once about it, if by flaw you mean low score just be honest as to why you didn't do so hot but try to do it in a way as to say but next time I'll nail it. Good Luck

 

[Heroine]

I got 3 C's in my transcript and my DAT is kinda low.

 

[drdoodle]

I had a lot of C's and average DAT scores too. When asked about it, I told my interviewers that although I had struggled in some of the sciences (particularly chem), I made up for it by 1) taking some of those courses over and doing better and 2) taking additional courses in those subject areas. Basically, acknowledge that you have weaknesses (don't say "Getting a C in that class at my college is considered a good grade", even if that might be true) and then follow that up with "But I knew where I needed improvement so I went ahead and signed up for more classes like it" to show that you went above and beyond the basic requirements for admission, and you took your weaknesses seriously and did your best to get better. I also (gracefully) pointed out that a lot of people who struggled with chem like I did probably would have given up on dental school, but I said I wouldn't let small aberrations on my transcript deter me from pursuing my dream.

 

[Joe70h8]

I ended up with 4 C's on my transcript and they were not mentioned at either of my 2 interviews. My low QR score (17) was brought up in one, but I explained that math was traditionally one of my strong subjects and I just didn't time it right. I had an A in Algebra/Trig and a B+ in Calculus, so my justification was probably reasonable.

The best advice is to be honest and if possible, try to explain how that grade isn't indicative of your performance levels. For example, one of my C's was in Gen Chem II, but I smoked that portion of the DAT.

 

[dentist2bee]

anyone who accepted, please tell me some tips when going to the interview even when you made some flaw in your DAT or transcript.

just be yourself.

i find myself to be average. average (if not lower than most) gpa, average dat, did all the stuff that all pre-dents do (volunteer, work experience, research etc etc).... point is, if you're fortunate to get interviewed just be yourself... unless you're totally uneasy and socially awkward, you should have no problems =) good luck!

 

[PennPB]

Just like all of the advice so far... be yourself. Defaulting to memorized lines and false nouveau lipservice will only get you in trouble. There's nothing wrong with being introverted and soft toned, or ambitious and open toned. Dental schools need all types, especially at institutions with only 35-40 seats - Schools don't want a homogenous sea of applicants. If you performed poorly in a class, show them what you have done to improve since then. This will show initiative and resolve - that is afterall what is required in a long term career investment, and long track professional success.

Best of luck.

 

[eleminopee]

i have a huge 4 credit F in calculus and a 4 credit C in general chem. In my interview at Louisville i saw that they were highlighted on my transcript printout haha.

when i got asked about my two grades i said, "mind your own business, those classes were hard and i had a lot of counterstrike to play so shut up and let me into your school." 😀

actually not all of my interviewers brought it up, but i wanted to explain it, so when they asked "do you have any questionS?" i said "yes, is there anything on my transcript/application that you'd like to ask me about?" if they didn't bring up the grades then i would bring them up and explain what i learned from the experience (maturely) and then show how i retook the classes and got good grades in them.

then i said "if that's not good enough for you then i dont want to go to your dirty school anyways and when is my free lunch."

 

[shuna]

i have a huge 4 credit F in calculus and a 4 credit C in general chem. In my interview at Louisville i saw that they were highlighted on my transcript printout haha.

when i got asked about my two grades i said, "mind your own business, those classes were hard and i had a lot of counterstrike to play so shut up and let me into your school." 😀

actually not all of my interviewers brought it up, but i wanted to explain it, so when they asked "do you have any questionS?" i said "yes, is there anything on my transcript/application that you'd like to ask me about?" if they didn't bring up the grades then i would bring them up and explain what i learned from the experience (maturely) and then show how i retook the classes and got good grades in them.

then i said "if that's not good enough for you then i dont want to go to your dirty school anyways and when is my free lunch."

U need help...lol

 

[D for Drill]

Dont be cocky in any way. Make sure you showcase the person you described in your personal statement in the most humble way possible
once you get an interview, you are on an equal basis as all the others who are interviewed.
They also like it when you have questions about the school that are well thought out. things about the curriculum, etc