No interviews? When to panic??

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monkeykey

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I applied to 11 schools in mid July based on similar stats to me and haven’t gotten any interviews yet. I have a 3.7 cum gpa and a 3.6 science with a 20AA DAT. Decent EC although half are not healthcare related. Anyone else having this situation?
 
Similar situation! I applied to 8 schools on July 25 and have only gotten 2 interviews. 3.87 GPA and 22AA DAT with strong EC's. I have an RDA and am currently working at a dental office. I'm freaking out a little so I'm currently applying to more schools.
 
That's true, I'm sorry about that. Hopefully this year is just delayed due to the pandemic. I hope they get back to you soon!

I'm applying to more schools right now. If you're super concerned, maybe you can consider doing so as well.
 
with exactly same stats as yours 3.7gpa 3.6sci with 20AA/21TS...12 schools with 1 interview so far...

I think I would start to worry about it in the end of November ... hopefully we will get more interviews soon.
 
Legend has it, @macsak uses a bot to answer these threads nowadays.

I have had 1 interview invite, applied to 7 schools. As far as my app, I think my ECs are decent, applied early, and have a 4.0/28AA.
I'm thinking the low school app number was a little too much of a gamble but that's how it be. I don't think I am even going to add on more schools tbh.

Two weeks ago I was mode: panic, now I'm slightly less panic and slightly more accepting of the fact that we are in the waiting game now. I found that I was only stressed for so long before I became apathetic. GL HF everyone 🙂 I believe in you monkeykey/ everyone.
 
Dota 2 Player said:
Legend has it, @macsak uses a bot to answer these threads nowadays.

I have had 1 interview invite, applied to 7 schools. As far as my app, I think my ECs are decent, applied early, and have a 4.0/28AA.
I'm thinking the low school app number was a little too much of a gamble but that's how it be. I don't think I am even going to add on more schools tbh.

Two weeks ago I was mode: panic, now I'm slightly less panic and slightly more accepting of the fact that we are in the waiting game now. I found that I was only stressed for so long before I became apathetic. GL HF everyone 🙂 I believe in you monkeykey/ everyone.
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wait until the "relax and be yourself" bot takes over when people ask how to do well in an interview...
 
I mean I just am trying to keep in mind that my brother is in school for MD and he didn't get any invites until march and got in. So I guess no true panicking until spring. Just would be nice to have a pre-December interview.
 
This year is completely different than all past years applying. When I applied, Early October would be right in the thick of it in terms of interview invites. But with COVID, everything is pushed back and wonky. My school has pushed things back, so I would assume others have well. Don't worry everyone just gotta chill out.
 
Bigjt1420 said:
This year is completely different than all past years applying. When I applied, Early October would be right in the thick of it in terms of interview invites. But with COVID, everything is pushed back and wonky. My school has pushed things back, so I would assume others have well. Don't worry everyone just gotta chill out.
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Haha needed to read the chill out
 
some schools havent even sent interview invites yet, i really wouldnt worry right now.
 
Don’t even panic after December. Most schools need to fill spots after december and still send out interview invites sometimes well into march.
 
I applied to 12 schools, got one rejection letter already, but I'm still hopeful until maybe March. Mainly, I'd like to just try prepping for interviews, online or in person. Does anyone have tips for this? I'd feel less nervous if I could prepare for some topics or questions that might come up. Or is there a resource to do mock interviews and get feedback? Thanks in advance!
 
Bettysaurus said:
I applied to 12 schools, got one rejection letter already, but I'm still hopeful until maybe March. Mainly, I'd like to just try prepping for interviews, online or in person. Does anyone have tips for this? I'd feel less nervous if I could prepare for some topics or questions that might come up. Or is there a resource to do mock interviews and get feedback? Thanks in advance!
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I believe DAT BOOTCAMP is offering interview prep services...I haven't tried it so I can't really tell you if its useful or not but it could be something to look into 🙂
 
Bettysaurus said:
I applied to 12 schools, got one rejection letter already, but I'm still hopeful until maybe March. Mainly, I'd like to just try prepping for interviews, online or in person. Does anyone have tips for this? I'd feel less nervous if I could prepare for some topics or questions that might come up. Or is there a resource to do mock interviews and get feedback? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
google/youtube...
 
Bettysaurus said:
I applied to 12 schools, got one rejection letter already, but I'm still hopeful until maybe March. Mainly, I'd like to just try prepping for interviews, online or in person. Does anyone have tips for this? I'd feel less nervous if I could prepare for some topics or questions that might come up. Or is there a resource to do mock interviews and get feedback? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I actually found that sdn was a good resource for this. In fact, if you search in google: “the school you’re interviewing at + Questions + interview + sdn dental” you’ll get actual questions from previous interviewees. Here’s an example: University of Maryland School of Dentistry

Additionally, search for things like “most common interview questions + sdn dental” to get an idea of the questions any school may ask, such as “why this school?” or “why dentistry?” The way I prepared is: I made answers to all of these. I opened a word doc and wrote them down. Answers should only be 1-3 thoughts/sentences long imo, but you should be able to expand on your thoughts if asked a follow up question. Don’t memorize answers word for word, but rather use the doc as a reminder of what you might say to a specific question, kind of like note cards when making a presentation.
 
hunterdunc said:
Why is he even prepping? No need to prep for an interview just be yourself. DON'T SOUND LIKE A ROBOT PLEASE
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Really? Okay, finally got my first interview. So you don't suggest reading up on the school's values or anything like that?
 
juli123xoxo said:
Really? Okay, finally got my first interview. So you don't suggest reading up on the school's values or anything like that?
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You definitely should... And at least be aware of what questions they could possibly ask you so you don’t get blindsided. It also helps you not ask generic questions when the time comes.
 
juli123xoxo said:
Really? Okay, finally got my first interview. So you don't suggest reading up on the school's values or anything like that?
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Going into any interview without some prep is just preparing to fail, especially a professional school interview. There's no need for overkill but the very least rehearse your responses to common questions to friends or record yourself. If you say 'ummm' or 'and' every third word you should rehearse more. Then research the school to prep good questions to ask; nothing is worse than asking bad or easily accessible questions.
 
juli123xoxo said:
Really? Okay, finally got my first interview. So you don't suggest reading up on the school's values or anything like that?
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I've had a couple now and they really just want to know you. So as long as you know your application well you will be ok. That being said, read about the school a bit and come up with a few unique things you like about it and a few questions you may have for them.
 
NJ_Doc said:
Going into any interview without some prep is just preparing to fail, especially a professional school interview. There's no need for overkill but the very least rehearse your responses to common questions to friends or record yourself. If you say 'ummm' or 'and' every third word you should rehearse more. Then research the school to prep good questions to ask; nothing is worse than asking bad or easily accessible questions.
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I went into both not doing anything and got into both. The schools just want to know who you are and why you want to go into the field dentistry.
 
I wouldn’t say you need much prep past the point of getting ideas for different types of questions.. for instance, “tell me about a time when you had to work in a team” or “tell me about a time when you were criticized unfairly and how did you react?“ for these just think about times that you can reflect back and and turn into positive lessons. but you don’t necessarily need to type out paragraphs for the reason you want a career in dentistry or those other “superficial“ questions which is more ?opinionated?... if that makes sense? just take time to reflect back on things that they may bring up and what you can do to make them a positive experience.

from my experiences, they are more so conversational and you don’t really need to recite lines that you rehearsed the night before and morning of. Some schools do just have 12 questions and that’s all you get so you may want to prepare differently for those
 
hunterdunc said:
I went into both not doing anything and got into both. The schools just want to know who you are and why you want to go into the field dentistry.
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I’m glad you were able to get into both without any prep. This is just one perspective and completely anecdotal to suggest that interview prep is not needed based on your 100% success rate. Most of the interviews I’ve had were just getting to know me but there ARE tangible skills that can be prepped before any interview. If OP has 0-1 interviews lined up, practicing their responses to common questions in front of a mirror and having a strong understanding of the specific school will go a long way IMO. Nothing crazy, like I said in my original post.
 
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You should always prepare for interviews, make sure that you know your personal statement well, and can explain why you want to be a dentist. As for getting interviews I have heard that many schools have not sent out as many interviews early in this cycle, I think it has to do with COVID but don't worry as long as you have good stats you should be able to get an interview.
 
Carmencitas said:
You definitely should... And at least be aware of what questions they could possibly ask you so you don’t get blindsided. It also helps you not ask generic questions when the time comes.
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practice how you answer questions, don't memorize answers/responses though. best way is to record and watch yourself talking. so you make sure your voice doesn't trail off, you don't say ummmm too long and things like that. in general answer confidently and be yourself
 
S_Diamond_DDS said:
Don’t even panic after December. Most schools need to fill spots after december and still send out interview invites sometimes well into march.
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last minute interviews should be easier to attend to as well. probably all on zoom. I would be surprised if anyone was turning down interviews this cycle.

yeah don't forget your own personal statement. know it by heart. idk if schools will still try to grill people over zoom, but prepare to answer nonstop questions at the hardest interviews (imagine 2-3 people asking you questions one after another or at the same time)
 
monkeykey said:
I applied to 11 schools in mid July based on similar stats to me and haven’t gotten any interviews yet. I have a 3.7 cum gpa and a 3.6 science with a 20AA DAT. Decent EC although half are not healthcare related. Anyone else having this situation?
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Do not panic until end of January probably
 
Abbasr2000 said:
You should always prepare for interviews, make sure that you know your personal statement well, and can explain why you want to be a dentist. As for getting interviews I have heard that many schools have not sent out as many interviews early in this cycle, I think it has to do with COVID but don't worry as long as you have good stats you should be able to get an interview.
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You shouldn't need to know your personal statement if you wrote it. Just be true to yourself and you will be fine in any interview.
 
monkeykey said:
One month later no radio signals. Feels like Cast Away out here. Just me and AADSAS (Wilson)
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I think your stats are competitive enough! I dont know what schools you applied to but you’ll definitely get interviews! So don’t worry too much.
 
frenzysword said:
with exactly same stats as yours 3.7gpa 3.6sci with 20AA/21TS...12 schools with 1 interview so far...

I think I would start to worry about it in the end of November ... hopefully we will get more interviews soon.
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Compared with you guys, my GPA is low, and average DAT score, submitted mid-August. I still haven't receive any interview..............I feeling so disappointment
 
0Mik3cho said:
Have you had anyone review your personal statement?
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Agreed. With good stats and not interviews to me says red flag in PS or possibly LORs.

I was once reviewing this kids app and he put 5000hr of volunteering at his community center. literally no way that was possible but he put it. Zero interview invites despite pretty good scores. I think that was the red flag for his app
 
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