No way to stand out

[Bickle]

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Originally posted by ItsGavinC
Why?



As the official devil's advocate, I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that those who have money/financial stability as their PRIMARY motivating factor, are not mysteriously pre-determined to treat their patients like trash, or not contribute to the profession.

Everybody is following the logic that the two are mutually inclusive. They aren't.

Yes, but it does happen. Think about it. A dentist who isnt looking to make as much money as possible is more likely to fix a patient's problem by preforming a procedure that will ensure good dental health for years to come. On the flip side, a dentist who's sole (or primary) goal in dentistry is to make money, is more likely to give the patient a temporary solution, but one that will require more work in a couple of years, resulting in more money for the practice. If thats not treating your patients like trash, I dont know what is.

Again, yes, this may not be the case for every dentist who came into the profession in the hopes of being rich. But you have to agree that it is not unheard of, and happens quite often. In my opinion, dentists who try to squeeze every penny out of their patients are not good doctors, and should have been weeded out a long time ago.

 

[critterbug]

Notice that I said *sole reason*. You said *PRIMARY* I guess you missed that. But in case you didn't, I will explain:

The definition of greed :

1) Excessive desire to acquire or possess more (esp material wealth) than one needs or deserves

2) Reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth

Someone who goes into dentistry for the *sole* reason of making money is a greedy person. Plain and simple. Sole means only. Primary means the main one.

If someone goes into densitistry for the primary reason of making money, then, who am I to judge. But, it is the role of the admissions committee to make sure and pick those who will most likely contribute to the overall "goodness" of the profession and pick someone who will be a leader/contributer to the community and do this with high ethical standards and integrity.

Now, someone with a *primary* reason of making money *might* still be a great dentist and contribute a great amount to the community and the well being of his/her patients.

On the other hand, someone with the *sole* reason of making money as their motivating factor for pursuing dentistry, well 9 times out of 10, that person will let their greed compromise their ethics, and we don't need that in this profession. Especially, since peoples' health are at risk.

Gavin,

I know you will be a great and compassionate dentist. Obviosly, your philanthropist spirit shines by your willingness to help others in these forums. And I think you agree that a greedy person is not someone you want as a colleague. And, as a patient, I sure as heck wouldn't want a greedy dentist treating me.

 

[Bickle]

Originally posted by critterbug
Notice that I said *sole reason*. You said *PRIMARY*

Ahh critterbug! Same thing. Tomato, tomato 😕. I guess that saying doesnt work very well when I'm typing it.

 

[critterbug]

Originally posted by Dentaldream


Ahh critterbug! Same thing. Tomato, tomato 😕. I guess that saying doesnt work very well when I'm typing it.

primary - Of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondhand

sole - Being the only one; single and isolated from others

 

[Bickle]

ok, ok. You win 😀

 

[critterbug]

Being that Mr. Gavin is an English guru, I'm sure he will appreciate that. 😉

 

[ShawnOne]

Originally posted by ItsGavinC
Why?

Sorry to keep it going, but why?

Rather than having everybody throw altruistic mumbo-jumbo back and forth, I'd like to know some specific reasons as to why.

As the official devil's advocate, I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that those who have money/financial stability as their PRIMARY motivating factor, are not mysteriously pre-determined to treat their patients like trash, or not contribute to the profession.

Everybody is following the logic that the two are mutually inclusive. They aren't.

Gavin,

Heres why. When someone is doing dentistry with the PRIMARY motivation of money, it creates a conflict of interest. It raises the question whether the dentist has the patients best interest in mind or his/her bank account in mind. Unfortunately, there are plenty of dentists who are more interested in "selling" than providing the most appropriate care. I am sure your uncle Christensen can elaborate further if you need more clarification.

 

[ShawnOne]

Originally posted by Dentaldream


To prepare for my interviews, I searched on google for commonly asked questions. One question that was on that list was "Where do you see dentistry going in the next 25 years?". I thought there would be no way I would get this question during my interview. But I still thought it over, and came up with an intelligent answer in the rare case I would be asked it.

Whats wrong with saying "Wows thats an interesting thought. I dont know, but I cant wait to find out"

A canned answer is soo boring. Thats probably why interviewers fall asleep.

But i guess if one has no wits, then a canned answer is better than looking dumbfounded.

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by ShawnOne
Whats wrong with saying "Wows thats an interesting thought. I dont know, but I cant wait to find out"

A canned answer is soo boring. Thats probably why interviewers fall asleep.

But i guess if one has no wits, then a canned answer is better than looking dumbfounded.

Shawn- What's wrong with that response is that it demonstrates a total vacancy of cognitive activity. I agree that canned answers suck, but what too many people here don't realize is that half--at LEAST--of your interview is based on *presentation*, and not solely on content. Yeah, the canned answer is to say that dentistry is on the rise, and now's the best time ever to enter the profession. Bo-RING, as you said--but spicing it up is as simple as mentioning a professional journal article or two you read detailing the challenges ahead, or a conversation you had with your own personal dentist about where the profession is headed.

Interviews *aren't* that hard, folks, and the panels aren't out to assassinate you. You're supposedly going to be top-shelf health care professionals in four years--if you're too concerned with working the system (as we've all done in our educations prior to dental) to show a seed or two of independent, deliberate thought at your interview, you're really handicapping yourselves in the final decisions for admission.

 

[Bickle]

Originally posted by ShawnOne


A canned answer is soo boring. Thats probably why interviewers fall asleep.

I dont think I explained myself as clearly as I should have. My fault.

I agree that answers that sound "rehearsed" are no good. But they are better than trying to fumble through a tough question and end up giving a dumb answer to, which is likely to happen if you go in unprepared. Extra preparation will not always result in canned answers, they will give you some background info to give a more educated answer to their questions.

And Bill is right, my interview was totally relaxed. It was more of a conversation between 2 people who had lots to talk about, rather than an interrogation type situation. And trust me, my many hours of prep work gave me lots of intelligent questions to ask and topic to discuss with my interviewer.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by aphistis
if you're too concerned with working the system (as we've all done in our educations prior to dental) to show a seed or two of independent, deliberate thought at your interview, you're really handicapping yourselves in the final decisions for admission.

Excellent point.

Dental admission is a completely different game than anything that has been played thus far.

Contrary to popular belief, adcoms do NOT want a class full of nerds who think alike. In fact, they LOVE people who have passions that lie nowhere near dentistry or the sciences.

At one of my interviews we talked about books and ONLY books. Medicine, dentistry, scores, grades...none were mentioned at all. Not even once.

I was accepted there. I think I owe it to books.

 

[critterbug]

I agree with Bill

When I am asked a question, I always try to relate it to a personal experience of mine. That seems to make the answer more interesting, and always makes my answer unique.

 

[critterbug]

Originally posted by ItsGavinC
Excellent point.

Dental admission is a completely different game than anything that has been played thus far.

Contrary to popular belief, adcoms do NOT want a class full of nerds who think alike. In fact, they LOVE people who have passions that lie nowhere near dentistry or the sciences.

At one of my interviews we talked about books and ONLY books. Medicine, dentistry, scores, grades...none were mentioned at all. Not even once.

I was accepted there. I think I owe it to books.

I hope one of my interviewers likes golf. They won't be able to shut me up !!

 

[Balki]

I don't like golf, but I think I'd love to talk about DH Lawrence or Tolstoy. 🙂
I think If have a question about sports I'll just skip it ,. like on a multiple choice test. Next please. Hmmm that should work
fine. I think we all, whether we want it or not, we'll change the topic to something interesting to us and that will make the answer unique.

P.S. Here is a great question: DO you guys think accents matter. I learned english only in tha past few years and usually don't have accent. HoWever, sometimes, usually during a stressfull situation I tend to pronounce words Funny. Like I'd say Mozzer RRRussia, instead of Mother Russia, or DA! instead of yes. Help a Comrad out!


This is a great Discussion, keep it up

 

[Bickle]

Originally posted by Balki

P.S. Here is a great question: DO you guys think accents matter. I learned english only in tha past few years and usually don't have accent. HoWever, sometimes, usually during a stressfull situation I tend to pronounce words Funny. Like I'd say Mozzer RRRussia, instead of Mother Russia, or DA! instead of yes. Help a Comrad out!


This is a great Discussion, keep it up

No way! An accent doesnt matter. In fact it might help! Schools love diversity in their student body.

 

[UBTom]

I wouldn't worry about it, Balki. Lots of my instructors here at my school are foreign-trained dentists, and they speak with pretty heavy accents. As long as you can communicate understandably with a patient you should be OK.

Also, two New York schools have very large Russian contingents in the student body (good for mutual support)-- Here at Buffalo and at NYU. I don' t know about Columbia or Stony though.

Luck!

 

[Bickle]

The prof that interviewed me at Tufts owned a summer house in a small town, about an hour and a half from where I live. That gave us lots to discuss. If I had to guess I'd say 40% of the time we talked about dentistry stuff (ie. the school, program, issues in the profession) and the rest of the time was spent talking about how great western Alberta is, along with other non-dental stuff (like Boston's insane traffic).

 

[ShawnOne]

Bill,

Maybe I should have been more clear. My point was that it is very boring if you have an answer for every question. Who gives a crap if you can recite an article you read. Its more important to be able to carry a two way conversation.

So, IMO, when you get asked a difficult question, there is nothing wrong with saying "I dont know" and trying to get the interviewer involved. The fact of the matter is that you DONT know where dentistry will be in 25 years. So saying "I dont know, wow, thats an interesting thought, what do you think?" will probably promote a better converstation than talking the interviewer to sleep about what you read last week. Most probably he has read the same article and he rather be the wise guy who teaches you. Don't forget people like to listen to themeselves talk too. (All the meantime your nodding your head with a smile of amazement)

Of course you should be able to have opinions and show your interest in dentistry.

Moral: Show them your also an excellent listener. Try to make the interview a two way conversation.

 

[ShawnOne]

Gavin,
I guess my point was taken since I didnt receive any feedback.

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by ShawnOne
Don't forget people like to listen to themeselves talk too. (All the meantime your nodding your head with a smile of amazement)
...
Moral: Show them your also an excellent listener. Try to make the interview a two way conversation.

Well, it's your interview and you can do it your own way, but I really think the things you're talking about could seriously backfire. Interview panelists are chosen for their perceptive abilities, and I think you dangerously underestimate them if your plan going in is to let them talk endlessly and then be impressed with you for not shutting them up. Ditto "nodding your head with a smile of amazement." I'm not sure what you had in mind when you said that, but the vacant stare that came up in my mind is the *last* thing you'd want to show the panel.

My biggest problem with the approach you're advocating is that it's too passive, and not active enough. TYou're approaching the "dentistry in 25 years" question like it's an exam item, hedging to make sure you get the right answer. You were exactly right when you said nobody knows; that's the whole point! They're giving you an opportunity to show them you can think for yourself. It doesn't <em>matter</em> whether it turns out you're right 25 years from now. Likewise, an admissions interview is the last place you want to be a quiet, passive listener. It'll be seen as unparticipative and withdrawn. They want to see somebody sociable, outgoing, and thoughtful. The interviewers want to see you succed, but you have to meet them where <em>they</em> are instead of expecting them to come to you. Good luck.

 

[ShawnOne]

Bill,

You have a point, you shouldnt let the interviewer talk endlessly as it will definately not work. However, I never suggested you should do that! What you are suggesting is the other extreme of what i am saying one should not do.

What i said is that you should not dominate the conversation and talk the interview to sleep my giving long monotone responses to every single question. Likewise, you dont want to remain silent and let the interviewer dominate either.

What i meant about nodding your head w/ a smile is that you should also show interest when the interviewer is talking. If the interviewer feels your not listening, it will cause the interview to come to a screaching hault.

Again, IMO, people should try to make the interview a two-way conversation. The interview will flow a lot smoother if you can make it interactive. In other words, its ok if you dont have an answer to every single quesion, just be social. That is my point.

 

[Bickle]

What does "IMO" mean?

 

[ShawnOne]

IMO = In my opinion

 

[RaiderNation]

Originally posted by ItsGavinC
Excellent point.

Dental admission is a completely different game than anything that has been played thus far.

Contrary to popular belief, adcoms do NOT want a class full of nerds who think alike. In fact, they LOVE people who have passions that lie nowhere near dentistry or the sciences.

At one of my interviews we talked about books and ONLY books. Medicine, dentistry, scores, grades...none were mentioned at all. Not even once.

I was accepted there. I think I owe it to books.

Gavin, you were and English major right? Did you take any other sciences besides the normal pre-reqs, or just the basic year of bio, chem, ochem, and physics? If you only take the basics does it hurt your chances for admission?