NYU=dream school. Interview advice please!

[organicman22]

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Hey SDN, I'm happy to say that this is my first post. I have been reading posts throughout this cycle and finally decided to start posting. I know my first post is to ask for help, but I promise I am here to also offer advice.

A little background: I have been accepted at Roseman and LECOM. Although I am very fortunate to have some options, I have my heart set on NYU (let me hear it all you NYU haters 🙂).

My interview is Jan 30th and I want nail it because my stats alone aren't enough for an offer. (GPA = 3.3 sGPA = 2.9 AA = 21 TS = 21 PAT = 25, NCAA athlete, 1000+ hrs of dental lab experience, assisting, and shadowing)

Anyone who has interviewed there this cycle and could give me any pointers would be much appreciated. THANK YOU in advance.

F.Y.I. I have called LECOM and declined my offer.

 

[hellopeople]

Hey SDN, I'm happy to say that this is my first post. I have been reading posts throughout this cycle and finally decided to start posting. I know my first post is to ask for help, but I promise I am here to also offer advice.

A little background: I have been accepted at Roseman and LECOM. Although I am very fortunate to have some options, I have my heart set on NYU (let me hear it all you NYU haters 🙂).

My interview is Jan 30th and I want nail it because my stats alone aren't enough for an offer. (GPA = 3.3 sGPA = 2.9 AA = 21 TS = 21 PAT = 25, NCAA athlete, 1000+ hrs of dental lab experience, assisting, and shadowing)

Anyone who has interviewed there this cycle and could give me any pointers would be much appreciated. THANK YOU in advance.

F.Y.I. I have called LECOM and declined my offer.

Well I guess NYU would be a step up all things considered. All three are insanely expensive. Although LECOM is slightly less so isn't it? (Mind you, you would need to be OK with teaching yourself, evaluating yourself, and signing up for a school that, as of yet, does not exist).

Anyway, the NYU interview was one-on-one and had very standard questions (why dent, strengths/weaknesses, what would you like to for us to highlight from your app ect). Make sure that you look over the interview feedback, and leave early for the interview. You have to leave early because you are either walking, taking mass transit, or dealing with NYC traffic.

Also, the interview is the first part of the day, so if you tend to be groggy first thing in the morning, you might want to consider some coffee or something. Good Luck.

 

[organicman22]

Thanks for the response.

Could you expand on looking over interview feedback? Is that different thread? If so could you copy and paste the link?

 

[wizi]

Thanks for the response.

Could you expand on looking over interview feedback? Is that different thread? If so could you copy and paste the link?

http://studentdoctor.net/schools/?view=dental

Somehow that interview feedback is hidden to naked eyes (its under "articles & Interviews" on the top)

 

[iralex801]

Your interview experience depends on what interviewer you get. Better wear your lucky socks, boxers, tie, etc.

 

[mc719]

Your stats seem fine, don't let that hurt your confidence.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

To OP: The interview is fairly relaxed. You have to get there really early and it can be a pain if you're not near the school and have to take public transportation/cab, so plan ahead. They give you coffee and refreshments when you get there so you don't have to worry about not getting a caffeine fix in the morning. The first thing you do is fill out a secondary app, but it's pretty short. You have one interview with a faculty member and I agree with a previous post that the interview is really dependent on the interviewer. The guy I had was a little odd and I really thought he didn't like me. But I must have been wrong because I got an acceptance in December lol. So even if you're a little unsure about the interview, don't lose hope! After that, there's a general Q&A, which wasn't that exciting but if you have questions, you can ask them, including the Dean. Then you get a tour (if you're a girl, I recommend that you don't wear heels) and you finish off with a lunch at their cafeteria. You'll be out by 2 so you don't have to worry about traffic or rush hour. Hope that helped and good luck!

 

[organicman22]

Thanks guys!

J/w if you guys think I should bring up how I suffered and sought treatment for severe anxiety throughout my soph. and junior years of undergrad that hindered my academics? I would like to say that it accounts for my lower GPA but would they look at that as a weakness or an excuse?

I can say that the anxiety is a thing of the past but I'm concerned about even bringing it up (I did NOT mention it during my personal statement or anywhere in my AADSAS app).

 

[phy241]

I personally think that if you bring up a challenge you suffered in the past, you must also talk about how you dealt with it, what did you learn from your experience, and how it actually made you more mature. If you can take a negative experience or phase and tell them you overcame it and learned a lot from it, I think it sends a very positive message and says a lot about your personality. My first year GPA wasn't great either, my interviewer briefly commented on it and said he was impressed by how I turned myself around, and didn't bother asking why it was low or anything. But if they do ask you about the greatest challenge you face, you could mention it and end it on a positive note.

Thanks guys!

J/w if you guys think I should bring up how I suffered and sought treatment for severe anxiety throughout my soph. and junior years of undergrad that hindered my academics? I would like to say that it accounts for my lower GPA but would they look at that as a weakness or an excuse?

I can say that the anxiety is a thing of the past but I'm concerned about even bringing it up (I did NOT mention it during my personal statement or anywhere in my AADSAS app).

 

[organicman22]

Thanks, great advice phy241.

If they ask about a procedure I've shadowed or something I've done in the lab (ie fabricate Hawley retainers) how in depth would they ask me to go on explaining it?

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Thanks, great advice phy241.

If they ask about a procedure I've shadowed or something I've done in the lab (ie fabricate Hawley retainers) how in depth would they ask me to go on explaining it?

If you have the knowledge then blow them away.

Report your findings, your successes, your shortcomings, and most importantly ask questions. Your interviewer will even give you suggestions but nevertheless you will leave them impressed.

 

[phy241]

No problem, when you are explaining something don't dwell in too much detail because you don't want to confuse the person interviewing you. The longer your answer the more likely that they will lose you. Keep it very simple and short. For instance, if they ask you about your research, keep it brief, tell them what area you are working in, what you are doing specifically, what techniques you employ, what has the previous research shown and what did your research show. If they are unclear about something, they will ask you, but you don't want to go overboard and bore them. Also keep an eye on their gestures, if someone is looking at you and nodding along, you know they are following everything you are saying.

Thanks, great advice phy241.

If they ask about a procedure I've shadowed or something I've done in the lab (ie fabricate Hawley retainers) how in depth would they ask me to go on explaining it?

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

No problem, when you are explaining something don't dwell in too much detail because you don't want to confuse the person interviewing you. The longer your answer the more likely that they will lose you. Keep it very simple and short. For instance, if they ask you about your research, keep it brief, tell them what area you are working in, what you are doing specifically, what techniques you employ, what has the previous research shown and what did your research show. If they are unclear about something, they will ask you, but you don't want to go overboard and bore them. Also keep an eye on their gestures, if someone is looking at you and nodding along, you know they are following everything you are saying.

Most things yeah... but I don't think its bad to ramble on, especially when he's talking about his experience in making a hawley. That's a pertinent topic and one which his interviewer will very much understand. I think he'll just come off as being interested/passionate about the field if anything.

 

[organicman22]

Does anyone know or could guess at how many seat are still open? The facebook group for the class of 2016 has 77 members, but I think that is a little low.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Does anyone know or could guess at how many seat are still open? The facebook group for the class of 2016 has 77 members, but I think that is a little low.

Not everyone has Facebook, not everyone joins the class group, and sometimes people from the previous class join the group to help the new kids. The only way you could find out is by calling the school and ask.

 

[Silencio]

The good thing is that NYU is really into high DAT scores. So it's good that your DAT >> GPA.

 

[alirani2011]

has anyone received an email from NYU with information regarding the time and place of the interview? I can not seem to find mine and my interview is monday and the office is closed for the weekend.
thanks!

 

[Benman44]

Sounds to me like you've achieved alot and worked hard! Do whatever you want you should be able to get in there!

 

[imayemeni89]

Il be interviewing with you dude, see you there

 

[Barking Lamb]

Hey, two comments.

1. Don't make excuses. Like the other poster mentioned, explain a tough situation and how you overcame it, but you aren't being interviewed to give excuses.

2. When he asked me about a complicated procedure I told him what I knew. I didn't try to play up expertise that I don't have. I'm not a dentist after all.

Accepted on December first.

 

[imrealgerman]

I guess I had a COMPLETELY different experience than you guys. I had the most laid back interview - it literally felt like a conversation. He joked, I joked, and it was awesome! I know you already had the interview, so I hope it went well!

 

[FairytaleDMD]

Thanks guys!

J/w if you guys think I should bring up how I suffered and sought treatment for severe anxiety throughout my soph. and junior years of undergrad that hindered my academics? I would like to say that it accounts for my lower GPA but would they look at that as a weakness or an excuse?

I can say that the anxiety is a thing of the past but I'm concerned about even bringing it up (I did NOT mention it during my personal statement or anywhere in my AADSAS app).

I wouldn't bring attention to poor grades unless they specifically ask you about that! Look, the committee would have screened you out by now if they were unsure about whether you could handle dental school. NYU has faith in your academics, or you wouldn't have received an interview. If they ask you a question about a challenge and how you overcame it, think of a different example -- something more interesting and positive that shows a unique trait of yours (not that you can get over a mental disability because that could still throw the interviewer off). Good luck, you'll be great!!

 

[imrealgerman]

I wouldn't bring attention to poor grades unless they specifically ask you about that! Look, the committee would have screened you out by now if they were unsure about whether you could handle dental school. NYU has faith in your academics, or you wouldn't have received an interview. If they ask you a question about a challenge and how you overcame it, think of a different example -- something more interesting and positive that shows a unique trait of yours (not that you can get over a mental disability because that could still throw the interviewer off). Good luck, you'll be great!!

They screen based on GPA/DAT so they likely don't see poor grades. My guy didn't even know my "worst class." He openly said he didn't get to fully review my file, so ditto to the quote: don't bring it up. I turned mine into a joke "I am horrible at physics. I tell people I could never do ortho because "application of forces" is in the job description. I'd rather have BP drill in my backyard than relive that class." He laughed = problem solved!

 

[RalphMouth]

My interview was laid back also, very casual chat. The interviewer did have a list of questions he asked from (I believe if you look at the interview feedback someone listed the 13 questions they ask). I know it sounds kind of noncasual, but the guy was a good conversationalist so even though he had a checklist it wasn't very odd.

He asked about 8-9 of those 13 (they have a pre-printed sheet with those questions and space to write down your answer/take notes).