Interviews are vexing

[Chrono1984]

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Is anyone else confused/frustrated on how the interview is used to evaluate an application?

I've interviewd at three schools so far, and all three have been so conversational...really. Like indiana for example, the only question they asked was tell me about yourself. After that, they just let me ask millions of questions.. but they say the interview plays a huge role in admissions. So how do they judge me? Is it the quality of my own questions?

Same goes for mich and uic...I felt the interview was just a friendly conversation and left each school feeling confident. There was no "grilling" all my interviewers joked around a bit and agreed/understood everything I said.

I just don't see how you could "mess" up an interview that is so conversational. I assume that most applicatns can form sentences and articulate a thought.

Maybe it is just the schools I've interviewed with...but they all have been very informal and relaxed. I know schools usually interview 3 times the # of acceptances...so I just don't know how they axe your app based on these interviews...

anyone else curious?

 

[KOM]

I totally second this. Not only that...at a couple of my interviews the person hardly takes any notes and then runs and grabs the next person. In that respect, I wonder if they're going to remember a dang thing about me.

 

[xxxTheDonxxx]

I totally second this. Not only that...at a couple of my interviews the person hardly takes any notes and then runs and grabs the next person. In that respect, I wonder if they're going to remember a dang thing about me.

i know one of them is really going to remember me because he mocked me during the interview. All the other ones i think i left a positive impression. Maybe interrogation, mocking, and laughing at you are good things because they're trying to accept you. Most of my interviews are interrogation interviews. I guess we'll have to wait till dec 1st and see.

 

[KOM]

At one of my interviews I was asked why I was deterred from applying to dental school. I gave him a weird look like where did you get that from and then realized he may have been trying to trap me or something. Granted I did not decide to fully pursue dental school until a couple years ago, but I still don't know why he used the word "deterred." My response was that I simply wanted to explore a few different career paths before making the final decision.

I wonder if that's looked negatively upon. Some people say they've always wanted to be dentists which is great, but I was previously in the mindset that the world is a pretty large place with the mouth being pretty small by comparison. I guess I wanted to be more sure that dentistry was the right fit before making such a large commitment. I hope that interviewer didn't misconstrue my answer as something like "well, he must not be passionate about dentistry" because he wasn't firmly committed to it in the first place.

 

[Lidopaine82]

Is anyone else confused/frustrated on how the interview is used to evaluate an application?

I've interviewd at three schools so far, and all three have been so conversational...really. Like indiana for example, the only question they asked was tell me about yourself. After that, they just let me ask millions of questions.. but they say the interview plays a huge role in admissions. So how do they judge me? Is it the quality of my own questions?

Same goes for mich and uic...I felt the interview was just a friendly conversation and left each school feeling confident. There was no "grilling" all my interviewers joked around a bit and agreed/understood everything I said.

I just don't see how you could "mess" up an interview that is so conversational. I assume that most applicatns can form sentences and articulate a thought.

Maybe it is just the schools I've interviewed with...but they all have been very informal and relaxed. I know schools usually interview 3 times the # of acceptances...so I just don't know how they axe your app based on these interviews...

anyone else curious?

I think they're just evaluating your personality. making sure you're not socially ******ed. if you get the interview, they pretty much like you.

 

[trickybenny]

An interview seems to be a foot in the door.

It's funny because when asking about the interview process w/ the dean of a dental school I applied to, his response was pretty simple. Here was what i walked away with.

#1-- It's all about the DAT and GPA. There are tons of strongly motivated applicants that want to go to their school. This is one of the few objective ways a school can measure whether you will make the school's reputation better by higher scores on both DAT and GPA and a future predicter of board scores

#2-- See #1 again, because it's important enough that it should probably take up 2 spots

#3-- Most interviews are conversational and relaxed b/c the interview won't make or break you unless you are confrontational, don't know why you're applying to dental school, or just a cocky, overconfident individual w/ head inserted up one's own rectum. Most students have pretty good interviews and feel like they went well b/c .... they do go well. When interviewer presents you to an admissions committee. You will still be JON DOE-- 18/18/18, 2.8 or whatever you are. If you have borderline scores, great interview seems to mean that you will still be borderline. If you have great scores, interview means don't screw it up and try to do something to make you stand out among the 100 other people that have similar numbers.
Unfortunately, displaying enthusiasm, motivation for the profession, having a great interview, and even having great dental experience seems to be no substitute for raw numbers. My two cents from application experience.

 

[pine88]

An interview seems to be a foot in the door.

It's funny because when asking about the interview process w/ the dean of a dental school I applied to, his response was pretty simple. Here was what i walked away with.

#1-- It's all about the DAT and GPA. There are tons of strongly motivated applicants that want to go to their school. This is one of the few objective ways a school can measure whether you will make the school's reputation better by higher scores on both DAT and GPA and a future predicter of board scores

#2-- See #1 again, because it's important enough that it should probably take up 2 spots

#3-- Most interviews are conversational and relaxed b/c the interview won't make or break you unless you are confrontational, don't know why you're applying to dental school, or just a cocky, overconfident individual w/ head inserted up one's own rectum. Most students have pretty good interviews and feel like they went well b/c .... they do go well. When interviewer presents you to an admissions committee. You will still be JON DOE-- 18/18/18, 2.8 or whatever you are. If you have borderline scores, great interview seems to mean that you will still be borderline. If you have great scores, interview means don't screw it up and try to do something to make you stand out among the 100 other people that have similar numbers.
Unfortunately, displaying enthusiasm, motivation for the profession, having a great interview, and even having great dental experience seems to be no substitute for raw numbers. My two cents from application experience.

So then at the schools that interview 3 ppl for every slot...2/3rds of the applicants are socially ******ed or in it for the wrong reason? Or that many ppl turn down their offers for admission that they need 3xs the # of ppl?

 

[Veneto]

I've got to agree with trickybenny. At the end of the day a school wants to look good. Looking good attracts better students which give them more credibility, prestige, and brings in more money whether it be from grants or donations from alumni. Since dental schools are no longer ranked the way a school looks good is the ranking on the National Boards. The best indication of how one will do in the boards is the raw GPA and DAT scores. It really comes down to numbers. Now with regard to the interview my thought is that there are many things that wont nessesarily get you in but they sure can keep you out. The interview is one of these things. Have a bad interview where you are confrontational or dont show genuine interest in the profession and you wasted a plane trip. But as trickybenny said most interviews go fine and in the end it comes down to wether the school feels you will benefit them and make a good contribution to the school, and I dont specifically mean financial, but that never hurts anyone.

 

[xxxTheDonxxx]

An interview seems to be a foot in the door.

It's funny because when asking about the interview process w/ the dean of a dental school I applied to, his response was pretty simple. Here was what i walked away with.

#1-- It's all about the DAT and GPA. There are tons of strongly motivated applicants that want to go to their school. This is one of the few objective ways a school can measure whether you will make the school's reputation better by higher scores on both DAT and GPA and a future predicter of board scores

#2-- See #1 again, because it's important enough that it should probably take up 2 spots

#3-- Most interviews are conversational and relaxed b/c the interview won't make or break you unless you are confrontational, don't know why you're applying to dental school, or just a cocky, overconfident individual w/ head inserted up one's own rectum. Most students have pretty good interviews and feel like they went well b/c .... they do go well. When interviewer presents you to an admissions committee. You will still be JON DOE-- 18/18/18, 2.8 or whatever you are. If you have borderline scores, great interview seems to mean that you will still be borderline. If you have great scores, interview means don't screw it up and try to do something to make you stand out among the 100 other people that have similar numbers.
Unfortunately, displaying enthusiasm, motivation for the profession, having a great interview, and even having great dental experience seems to be no substitute for raw numbers. My two cents from application experience.

Not completel false! There are things that you can bring up during the interviews that will make you a stronger applicant. This explains why there are quite a few 18s and average gpa getting in, while some 23s and 3.6+ getting rejected. The opinion of one dean cannot be assumed for every dental school. Edit: for some school, the interview is worth as much as 40% (true for louisville and UNC)

 

[Lidopaine82]

So then at the schools that interview 3 ppl for every slot...2/3rds of the applicants are socially ******ed or in it for the wrong reason? Or that many ppl turn down their offers for admission that they need 3xs the # of ppl?

i believe the second answer is more correct

 

[blue_moon01]

WHoa, so it basically comes down to the numbers in the end?

that's chill.

I hope I get accepted somewhere. I'm so antsy to get back to the school routine and learn and study and do my absolute best. I'm excited to get started on my career path and be surrounded by others who have the same goals as me and that is to excel in the dentistry field. JUST GIMMIE A DRILL DAMN IT!

😀

 

[patdmd2007]

I agree. In addition, the schools can't accept "everyone" with DAT scores of >20 (for an instance) and GPA >3.5. I am sure they have a set number of what they want to maintain their DAT and GPA averages to ensure that the raw numbers wont discourage future applicants or make them too impossible to achieve, among other reasons.

 

[REDSOX08]

so what if someone has lower than avg. scores and dat? why were they even invited to an interview if they didnt stand a chance? can you explain this? why waste a spot on this person if they have no chance of getting in? if the avg gpa is lets say 3.5, why couldnt they accept a 4.0 and 3.0, how do you know what they are looking for?

 

[xxxTheDonxxx]

so what if someone has lower than avg. scores and dat? why were they even invited to an interview if they didnt stand a chance? can you explain this? why waste a spot on this person if they have no chance of getting in? if the avg gpa is lets say 3.5, why couldnt they accept a 4.0 and 3.0, how do you know what they are looking for?

That is exactly my point! That's why if you're 18 or above and 3.33 or above, it's more about the interview from there on. I mean, they know you can pass the dam# board exams if you got those stats. From there on, they are looking for someone with motivation/interesting background/and someone with integrity. They know being a good doctor is more than just passing the board exams. I don't know...maybe this is crazy thinking.

 

[Lidopaine82]

so what if someone has lower than avg. scores and dat? why were they even invited to an interview if they didnt stand a chance? can you explain this? why waste a spot on this person if they have no chance of getting in? if the avg gpa is lets say 3.5, why couldnt they accept a 4.0 and 3.0, how do you know what they are looking for?

if the avg gpa is 3.5, then they DO accept above and below that number.

 

[Ething]

People on a lot of these threads keep posting about MANY people with below avg stats and GPAs these days getting into dental school or being invited for interviews. They are forgetting one important factor....many of the pple with lower than avg scores were smart enough to be the first applicants this cycle. Penn originally was inviting some 18s this yr.....but that was very early in the game, not anymore.

 

[Lemming]

In my opinion it's about first impression. You present yourself first in your application, which give the adcoms an idea of who you are. The interview is their "first impression" of you. If you match up to all you said you were, and can hold up to your application, you are probably good. If you don't, they aren't going to remember you. Random, but my input on a zoned out thursday night.🙄

 

[dddsmack]

So then at the schools that interview 3 ppl for every slot...2/3rds of the applicants are socially ******ed or in it for the wrong reason? Or that many ppl turn down their offers for admission that they need 3xs the # of ppl?

No, the other 2/3 are the alternates that interviewed later.

 

[pine88]

I wonder if people that interviewed last year and then got rejected from the school thought their interviews went well? Anyone have that happen to them?

 

[Mackchops]

Well, I've had one interview and don't think it went well. So I'll let you know in December what the outcome was!

 

[dddsmack]

I wonder if people that interviewed last year and then got rejected from the school thought their interviews went well? Anyone have that happen to them?

Good Point. Maybe we don't know ****. Here we are thinking it is going well and the interviewer is thinking this guy has bad breath or nice haircut. When we feel like we look great or the mint we have smells good.

Who knows.

 

[jackbauer!]

interview at UF and THEN tell me interviews are vexing 🙂

jb!

 

[pine88]

interview at UF and THEN tell me interviews are vexing 🙂

jb!

why, what's up with UF?

 

[trickybenny]

I think things are a little different w/ state schools vs private schools. For example Nova had what, like 3,000 applicants for app 300 interviews. If you get an interview at an even more prestigious private school, you are in the game strong. However, w/ some state schools, they have criteria like, 93% of students must be in-state residents, so even if a school like Kentucky has 900 applicants this year, 700 may be from out of state and only 200 are in state. Yes, you are in the game if you get an interview, but w/ instate schools it still seems like a numbers game, you're just playing against fewer competitors. Who knows? I am just a predental student that hopes I get accepted somewhere and don't really care about how I get accepted. Trying to gain insight into dental school is pretty difficult when all schools value different things EG-- DAT AA, PAT, TS, Science GPA, overall GPA, dental experience. Obviously you want to have all of these things, but noone usually does, so you play the schools to what they want and what you have and where you want to go to school. It is very tricky indeed.

 

[Mackchops]

Trying to gain insight into dental school is pretty difficult when all schools value different things EG-- DAT AA, PAT, TS, Science GPA, overall GPA, dental experience.

And that's the really annoying part. You might be stellar in all of those categories except the one that your top choice school decides is the characteristic they desire the most! Sure, you'll get in somewhere, but it's really difficult to predict what that x-factor is going to be at each interview.

 

[catytweety]

In my opinion it's about first impression. You present yourself first in your application, which give the adcoms an idea of who you are. The interview is their "first impression" of you. If you match up to all you said you were, and can hold up to your application, you are probably good. If you don't, they aren't going to remember you. Random, but my input on a zoned out thursday night.🙄

Just my $0.02 ~ This is UoP specific - but they said that once you get an interview it's a matter of you going to the school and making sure it's the right fit for you. They are expecting you to come prepared with questions. They straight out told me: you don't need to "sell" yourself at the interview because you already have - it's a matter of making sure this is the right place for you.

I would think most schools think this way ~ the interview is a chance to get a first impression of you (make sure the person fits the application) and then SELL the school to you. 😉

 

[Chrono1984]

Just my $0.02 ~ This is UoP specific - but they said that once you get an interview it's a matter of you going to the school and making sure it's the right fit for you. They are expecting you to come prepared with questions. They straight out told me: you don't need to "sell" yourself at the interview because you already have - it's a matter of making sure this is the right place for you.

I would think most schools think this way ~ the interview is a chance to get a first impression of you (make sure the person fits the application) and then SELL the school to you. 😉

This is exactly how my interview at Indiana went. However, that doesn't diminish the vexing nature of interviews. How can you possibly judge if someone is a good fit or not?

They still manage to only accept 1 out of 3 interviewed..and I just don't understand how to gauge a "good interview." I feel my interviews have all gone very well.. which sort of makes me uneasy because if I don't get in to these schools...I will have no idea how to interview better. There hasn't been that moment where I go..."damn, that was horrible."

Every interview has just left me confused as to how the hell they choose applicants when the interview feels so conversational and relaxing. I just don't see how you could mess it up. Keep in mind I have only been to three schools..but all three have been remarkably similar in terms of stress and overall interview style.

I'm sure numbers still play a huge roll when the committee sits down in november...but the interview has to have some weight as well. Perhaps it is just not as easy to quantify as a GPA or DAT score.

Ah well, I'm glad I'm not the only one left wondering.

P.S. Anyone remember that old SNL sketch with Mike myers as Lothar of the Hill people? I AM VEXED.

 

[GiveMeDMD]

An interview seems to be a foot in the door.

It's funny because when asking about the interview process w/ the dean of a dental school I applied to, his response was pretty simple. Here was what i walked away with.

#1-- It's all about the DAT and GPA. There are tons of strongly motivated applicants that want to go to their school. This is one of the few objective ways a school can measure whether you will make the school's reputation better by higher scores on both DAT and GPA and a future predicter of board scores

#2-- See #1 again, because it's important enough that it should probably take up 2 spots

#3-- Most interviews are conversational and relaxed b/c the interview won't make or break you unless you are confrontational, don't know why you're applying to dental school, or just a cocky, overconfident individual w/ head inserted up one's own rectum. Most students have pretty good interviews and feel like they went well b/c .... they do go well. When interviewer presents you to an admissions committee. You will still be JON DOE-- 18/18/18, 2.8 or whatever you are. If you have borderline scores, great interview seems to mean that you will still be borderline. If you have great scores, interview means don't screw it up and try to do something to make you stand out among the 100 other people that have similar numbers.
Unfortunately, displaying enthusiasm, motivation for the profession, having a great interview, and even having great dental experience seems to be no substitute for raw numbers. My two cents from application experience.

Damn, I was told that I came across as really confident in my last interview, is that bad? What differentiates overconfident from really confident?.

 

[maksidaa]

i think it's almost a crap shoot, and that goes for the whole application process. the only things you can control are when you get your application in, your gpa and your dat plus extracurriculars. all of my interviews i've been to, (6 in the two cycles i've applied) only one was to see if i was the person i said i was on my application. all the other interviews were chilled and didn't seem to make a huge difference in how the school saw me (i think). one school i interviewed at said that if they went by sheer gpa #'s then their in-coming class last year would have a 3.9+ gpa and their class was about 80 students. so right there you know that there are at least 100 people 1/ 3.8+ gpa's applying to that school so you'd better have something special going on to get noticed, otherwise it's sheer luck.

 

[jackbauer!]

i think it's almost a crap shoot, and that goes for the whole application process. the only things you can control are when you get your application in, your gpa and your dat plus extracurriculars. all of my interviews i've been to, (6 in the two cycles i've applied) only one was to see if i was the person i said i was on my application. all the other interviews were chilled and didn't seem to make a huge difference in how the school saw me (i think). one school i interviewed at said that if they went by sheer gpa #'s then their in-coming class last year would have a 3.9+ gpa and their class was about 80 students. so right there you know that there are at least 100 people 1/ 3.8+ gpa's applying to that school so you'd better have something special going on to get noticed, otherwise it's sheer luck.

UF....am i right?

jb!

 

[pine88]

i think it's almost a crap shoot, and that goes for the whole application process. the only things you can control are when you get your application in, your gpa and your dat plus extracurriculars. all of my interviews i've been to, (6 in the two cycles i've applied) only one was to see if i was the person i said i was on my application. all the other interviews were chilled and didn't seem to make a huge difference in how the school saw me (i think). one school i interviewed at said that if they went by sheer gpa #'s then their in-coming class last year would have a 3.9+ gpa and their class was about 80 students. so right there you know that there are at least 100 people 1/ 3.8+ gpa's applying to that school so you'd better have something special going on to get noticed, otherwise it's sheer luck.

What happen last cycle, if I might ask? Did you feel your interviews went well? Did you get in to any of those school?

 

[maksidaa]

What happen last cycle, if I might ask? Did you feel your interviews went well? Did you get in to any of those school?

last year i applied and would have entered d-school w/out a bachelor's degree. that was my one dark spot on my application and it kept me out of the schools i interviewed at. i was told it was possible to get in w/out a degree, but that it was very difficult and to reapply this year. i think this year will bring better results than last... at least i hope so.

also, the said school above was UF.