Hey guys, I got accepted to NYU 2 days after interviewing with them and they gave me a 30,000 acceptance scholarship. NYU was actually one of my top choices but due to my circumstances, I have chosen to go to a different school simply because of living expense differences in the areas (have a small family etc). I was actually extremely sad when I declined the offer this morning- I am almost in tears. However, this opens up a spot for someone else whose position I could have been in. Good luck future dentists! Also some of my interview tips:
1. Stand out- if you've had an interesting job or hobby, talk about it
2. Make sure you have a defining story of an example of leadership or an ethical dilemma. When I told a certain story about a place I worked at and me changing certain procedures and policies, this really stood out to the schools and got accepted to each one I told the story to vs the others where I didn't.
3. Be yourself but be professional. Most of these people interviewing you are doctors but at the end of the day human. Be interested in them and their lives- ask questions about them and also be a bit conversational.
4. You got this. I almost gave up considering this is my second time applying but after talking with many doctors and peers at work the consensus I got was DONT GIVE UP. TRY AND TRY AGAIN. If I didn't get accepted this cycle, I would have tried for a 3rd. Keep going, if you don't see yourself doing anything else and you have worked hard AF to get to where you are, keep going.