*****Official PASS 2026 Endodontic Residency Interviews/Information***

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Can someone help/ guide or point in the direction of how to prepare for interviews ?
Like if there is not much information about the faculty/ residents and staff on websites , How do you find more info about the program ?
Do any schools ask clinical questions ? if yes, any examples

Thank you for any help
 
People who got a lot of interviews (4+) can you tell me about your application? Did you take ADAT and what score?
 
People who got a lot of interviews (4+) can you tell me about your application? Did you take ADAT and what score?
I believe letters help you stand out the most. Possibly the personal statement? I could be wrong but I received a lot of interview invites and was not at the top of my class.
 
I believe letters help you stand out the most. Possibly the personal statement? I could be wrong but I received a lot of interview invites and was not at the top of my class.
If the program asks for 3 LORs and I have submitted 5, do they look at all 5? or only the first 3? Is there like an order in which they would look at the LORs? I'm asking because my 2 endo LORs were the last to be submitted...
 
I believe letters help you stand out the most. Possibly the personal statement? I could be wrong but I received a lot of interview invites and was not at the top of my class.
did you do private practice? good ADAT score? Endo heavy volunteering?
 
Can someone help/ guide or point in the direction of how to prepare for interviews ?
Like if there is not much information about the faculty/ residents and staff on websites , How do you find more info about the program ?
Do any schools ask clinical questions ? if yes, any examples

Thank you for any help
The only info on schools you’ll get is from interview day or speaking to residents. They will ask why do you want to come here and you have to pick things up that you’ve heard and articulate it well like good clinical exposure, no shortage of patients, family atmosphere ect

Look up questions on old endo forums and review them well. I got asked how I would handle conversation about separated file, tell me a time you worked as a team, tell me a time you worked with other specialties on a case, tell me a time you disagreed with a faculty on a case/learning experience with a faculty. You need a story bank in the back of your head and just ready to fire if the question brushes on an aspect of the story
 
If the program asks for 3 LORs and I have submitted 5, do they look at all 5? or only the first 3? Is there like an order in which they would look at the LORs? I'm asking because my 2 endo LORs were the last to be submitted...
They see them all
 
If you attend an interview and don’t get picked, do they send you a rejection letter?
 
This whole process is very random. Remember some programs like military, some like high ranks, some like research publication, some like GPRs, some like white only, etc... Got 4 interviews but I definitely don't deserve it like people on here. I am a D3.
 
This whole process is very random. Remember some programs like military, some like high ranks, some like research publication, some like GPRs, some like white only, etc... Got 4 interviews but I definitely don't deserve it like people on here. I am a D3.

What are your stats and have you taken ADAT?
 
This whole process is very random. Remember some programs like military, some like high ranks, some like research publication, some like GPRs, some like white only, etc... Got 4 interviews but I definitely don't deserve it like people on here. I am a D3.
Tell me the program so this white boy can apply
 
From what I have seen, it depends on clinical experience level. New grads (<3 yrs out) are usually in the very top (~10%), but seasoned dentists (~5+ yrs out) typically are in the top 30%.

Again, this is a generalization based on previous posts and outstanding candidates rank may differ. This application process is random and competitive, high ranking alone will not guarantee an interview.
I wanted to always do Ortho during dental school. Now everyone tells me not to bother.. Any suggestions to see if endo is for me?
 
This is the correct answer.

The baseline is having good — LoRs, rank, personal statement, extracurriculars, experience. Each program selects specifically to their own demographics, so you have to find the programs that match your app. For example, I noticed one program’s residents were all from Ivy League schools. I chose not to apply there.

This is from what I've seen and heard. Like UCLA, they have 5 spots: 2 are already selected for ACT (international dentists) and the rest is IVY league with high rank (this is on their WEBSITE endo statement "we choose our residents who have high class rank"). UCLA is very pompous (look at their MAIN faculties). I am in top 10% but I cannot wait for them to give me an interview and turn them down.
 
wow, we are almost out of school. this is depressing.
 
This is from what I've seen and heard. Like UCLA, they have 5 spots: 2 are already selected for ACT (international dentists) and the rest is IVY league with high rank (this is on their WEBSITE endo statement "we choose our residents who have high class rank"). UCLA is very pompous (look at their MAIN faculties). I am in top 10% but I cannot wait for them to give me an interview and turn them down.
so in order to get more than 4 interviews, i have to be D3 and in top 10%. Things have shifted for endo.
 
This is the correct answer.

The baseline is having good — LoRs, rank, personal statement, extracurriculars, experience. Each program selects specifically to their own demographics, so you have to find the programs that match your app. For example, I noticed one program’s residents were all from Ivy League schools. I chose not to apply there.
Which program is that?
 
I wanted to always do Ortho during dental school. Now everyone tells me not to bother.. Any suggestions to see if endo is for me?
-Why tells you not to bother? Low GPA ?
-endo is as competitive as ortho because of limited spots …
-you have to work for 1-2 years and do rcts .you might figure it out. Endo is very hard …don’t choose it for the money. You have to like challenges and saving teeth to be a good endodontist. I don’t know how D3 / D4 students decide to do endo !!! But i wish i knew when i was D3/D4 !! 🙁
 
Did they send out second batch for Rutgers?
 
-Why tells you not to bother? Low GPA ?
-endo is as competitive as ortho because of limited spots …
-you have to work for 1-2 years and do rcts .you might figure it out. Endo is very hard …don’t choose it for the money. You have to like challenges and saving teeth to be a good endodontist. I don’t know how D3 / D4 students decide to do endo !!! But i wish i knew when i was D3/D4 !! 🙁
I can't imagine a D3 knowing they want to do endo when they haven't done more than a handful of canals. If all RCT's were a wide, easy #8 then everyone would be doing them. But when you get that #2 with 4 curvy canals or need to bypass a ledge or fill a deep split premolar, you might be second guessing if endo is the right thing lol.
 
-Why tells you not to bother? Low GPA ?
-endo is as competitive as ortho because of limited spots …
-you have to work for 1-2 years and do rcts .you might figure it out. Endo is very hard …don’t choose it for the money. You have to like challenges and saving teeth to be a good endodontist. I don’t know how D3 / D4 students decide to do endo !!! But i wish i knew when i was D3/D4 !! 🙁
thanks for the reply! I have a pretty strong application actually for ortho. I’m saying some orthodontists are saying not to bother bc financially it’s not worth it anymore.

And yes that’s my fear- if I apply and get in, what if I’ll hate my life LOOOL.
 
thanks for the reply! I have a pretty strong application actually for ortho. I’m saying some orthodontists are saying not to bother bc financially it’s not worth it anymore.

And yes that’s my fear- if I apply and get in, what if I’ll hate my life LOOOL.
Ortho may not make as much as it used to, with GPs doing ortho work and invisalign, but I think any specialty will likely make more than general and have the option to work less. You sacrifice 3 years of your work time to have an easier work life afterwards.
 
Man I was hoping for some interview movements this week but so silent! Do programs usually call or email before or after lunch time?? Constant phone checking is getting to me.. lol
 
Man I was hoping for some interview movements this week but so silent! Do programs usually call or email before or after lunch time?? Constant phone checking is getting to me.. lol
From what I have received and heard from others, they usually do after lunch 1-4 pm but it might differ from one program to another
 
thanks for the reply! I have a pretty strong application actually for ortho. I’m saying some orthodontists are saying not to bother bc financially it’s not worth it anymore.

And yes that’s my fear- if I apply and get in, what if I’ll hate my life LOOOL.
I don’t think endo makes more than ortho. And depends on multiple factors: corporate vs private, location, you want to travel to different clinics. I know we all factor the money in our decision but don’t make money the main factor to get into that specialty. If you have fear there is no harm to work couple years and see how you feel!!
 
What's going on with Boston/Tufts this year? I think they were pretty early in sending out invites from the past few years
 
I don’t think endo makes more than ortho. And depends on multiple factors: corporate vs private, location, you want to travel to different clinics. I know we all factor the money in our decision but don’t make money the main factor to get into that specialty. If you have fear there is no harm to work couple years and see how you feel!!
Definitely agree. Money is nice to have, but it isn't the reason I want to be an endodontist. I enjoy RCTs, I enjoy being challenged, I enjoy the difficult procedures, and I enjoy not having to see 20-30 patients a day for everything under the sun. I think working for a few years is huge in terms of figuring out what you want to do. I didn't think I wanted to do endo until I was out working and realized I liked it quite a bit. But my GPA/rank was low and so now I do everything I can in terms of volunteering with my local school and CE and shadowing to try to get my application better so I can be an endodontist.
 
Georgia Regents University (Augusta University) – Invite (05/20); Interview (07/07)
Louisiana State University - Invite (05/27 email/phone call); Interview (07/11)
University of Texas at Houston - Invite (05/30 email); Interview (07/11)
VA New York - Invite (late May email); Interview (06/20)
New York University - Invite (06/04; 06/18 email); Interview (06/17), (07/01)
Saint Louis University - Invite (06/06 email); Interview (07/08)
Stony Brook University - Invite (06/06); Interview (06/30, 07/07)
Ohio State University - Invite (06/06); Interview ???
University of Texas at San Antonio - Invite (06/09 email); Interview (06/20) offers sent
University of Pittsburgh - Invite (06/10 email); Interview (07/11)
University of California at San Francisco - Invite (06/12 email); Interview (06/26)
Albert Einstein Medical Center - Invite (06/09 ???); Interview (06/24)
Oregon Health & Science University - Invite (06/16 call); Interview (07/16)
Virginia Commonwealth University - Invite (06/16 email); Interview (07/10)
Texas A&M University - Invite (06/17, 6/18 phone call); Interview (07/15)
University of Kentucky - Invite (06/17); interview (07/10)
University of Minnesota - Invite (06/17 call); interview (07/08-07/09)
Indiana University - Invite (06/18 email); Interview (07/11)
NYU Langone (Lutheran Medical Center) - Invite (06/19 email); Interview (07/16-07/17)
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine - Invite (06/23 phone and email); interview (06/27)
University of Missouri-Kansas City - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/09)
Boston University - Invite (6/25 email); Interview options (7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/24, 7/25, 8/1)


University of Alabama at Birmingham -
Loma Linda University -
University of California at Los Angeles -
University of Southern California -
University of the Pacific -
University of Connecticut -
Nova Southeastern University -
University of Florida -
University of Illinois at Chicago -
Southern Illinois University -
University of Iowa -
University of Louisville -
University of Maryland -
Boston University -
Harvard University -
Tufts University -
University of Detroit Mercy -
University of Michigan -
University of Minnesota -
University of Nebraska -
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine -
Columbia University -
NYU Langone Puerto Rico -
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York -
University of North Carolina -
Case Western Reserve University -
Temple University -
University of Pennsylvania -
Medical University of South Carolina -
University of Tennessee Health Science Center -
University of Washington -
West Virginia University -
Marquette University -
 
Last edited:
Georgia Regents University (Augusta University) – Invite (05/20); Interview (07/07)
Louisiana State University - Invite (05/27 email/phone call); Interview (07/11)
University of Texas at Houston - Invite (05/30 email); Interview (07/11)
VA New York - Invite (late May email); Interview (06/20)
New York University - Invite (06/04; 06/18 email); Interview (06/17), (07/01)
Saint Louis University - Invite (06/06 email); Interview (07/08)
Stony Brook University - Invite (06/06); Interview (06/30, 07/07)
Ohio State University - Invite (06/06); Interview ???
University of Texas at San Antonio - Invite (06/09 email); Interview (06/20) offers sent
University of Pittsburgh - Invite (06/10 email); Interview (07/11)
University of California at San Francisco - Invite (06/12 email); Interview (06/26)
Albert Einstein Medical Center - Invite (06/09 ???); Interview (06/24)
Oregon Health & Science University - Invite (06/16 call); Interview (07/16)
Virginia Commonwealth University - Invite (06/16 email); Interview (07/10)
Texas A&M University - Invite (06/17, 6/18 phone call); Interview (07/15)
University of Kentucky - Invite (06/17); interview (07/10)
University of Minnesota - Invite (06/17 call); interview (07/08-07/09)
Indiana University - Invite (06/18 email); Interview (07/11)
NYU Langone (Lutheran Medical Center) - Invite (06/19 email); Interview (07/16-07/17)
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine - Invite (06/23 phone and email); Interview (06/27, 07/07, 07/09)
University of Missouri-Kansas City - Invite (6/24 email); Interview (07/09)
Boston University - Invite (6/24 email); Interview options (7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/24, 7/25, 8/1)


University of Alabama at Birmingham -
Loma Linda University -
University of California at Los Angeles -
University of Southern California -
University of the Pacific -
University of Connecticut -
Nova Southeastern University -
University of Florida -
University of Illinois at Chicago -
Southern Illinois University -
University of Iowa -
University of Louisville -
University of Maryland -
Boston University -
Harvard University -
Tufts University -
University of Detroit Mercy -
University of Michigan -
University of Minnesota -
University of Nebraska -
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine -
Columbia University -
NYU Langone Puerto Rico -
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York -
University of North Carolina -
Case Western Reserve University -
Temple University -
University of Pennsylvania -
Medical University of South Carolina -
University of Tennessee Health Science Center -
University of Washington -
West Virginia University -
Marquette University -
 
They send just two batches usually
What do you mean by this? They reach out to send interviews on 2 different days? Cause it seems they have 3 interview dates so far that they reached out to all on monday
 
Like the previous poster mentioned, UCLA's residents are usually affiliated with Ivy league schools. No shame in that. Each program is known for selecting a specific demographic so that there's a variety of endodontists.


I would say go for orthodontics -- even if orthodontics isn't in its financial easy golden era anymore, you're gonna be making a lot of money either way. Might as well be working in a field that interests you. The U.S. is literally big AF, you can work or own as an orthodontist in an unsaturated location. GPs aren't usually touching complex cases. People are always complaining about X specialty not being lucrative (they say that ish about OS, perio, ortho, endo, prosth all the same). It doesn't matter the specialty, it matters the market and how growth-minded you are.
Thanks so much everyone! I am actually from Canada (we graduate 15-20 orthodontists per year only) and only 3-5(something super low) endodontists so the market is still a lot more favorable for endo. I do agree with following my passions but being broke for so long makes you wonder 😂😂😂😂
 
Georgia Regents University (Augusta University) – Invite (05/20); Interview (07/07)
Louisiana State University - Invite (05/27 email/phone call); Interview (07/11)
University of Texas at Houston - Invite (05/30 email); Interview (07/11)
VA New York - Invite (late May email); Interview (06/20)
New York University - Invite (06/04; 06/18 email); Interview (06/17), (07/01)
Saint Louis University - Invite (06/06 email); Interview (07/08)
Stony Brook University - Invite (06/06); Interview (06/30, 07/07)
Ohio State University - Invite (06/06); Interview ???
University of Texas at San Antonio - Invite (06/09 email); Interview (06/20) offers sent
University of Pittsburgh - Invite (06/10 email); Interview (07/11)
University of California at San Francisco - Invite (06/12 email); Interview (06/26)
Albert Einstein Medical Center - Invite (06/09 ???); Interview (06/24)
Oregon Health & Science University - Invite (06/16 call); Interview (07/16)
Virginia Commonwealth University - Invite (06/16 email); Interview (07/10)
Texas A&M University - Invite (06/17, 6/18 phone call); Interview (07/15)
University of Kentucky - Invite (06/17); interview (07/10)
University of Minnesota - Invite (06/17 call); interview (07/08-07/09)
Indiana University - Invite (06/18 email); Interview (07/11)
NYU Langone (Lutheran Medical Center) - Invite (06/19 email); Interview (07/16-07/17)
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine - Invite (06/23 phone and email); interview (06/27)
University of Missouri-Kansas City - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/09)
Boston University - Invite (6/25 email); Interview options (7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/24, 7/25, 8/1)


University of Alabama at Birmingham -
Loma Linda University -
University of California at Los Angeles -
University of Southern California -
University of the Pacific -
University of Connecticut -
Nova Southeastern University -
University of Florida -
University of Illinois at Chicago -
Southern Illinois University -
University of Iowa -
University of Louisville -
University of Maryland -
Boston University -
Harvard University -
Tufts University -
University of Detroit Mercy -
University of Michigan -
University of Minnesota -
University of Nebraska -
Columbia University -
NYU Langone Puerto Rico -
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York -
University of North Carolina -
Case Western Reserve University -
Temple University -
University of Pennsylvania -
Medical University of South Carolina -
University of Tennessee Health Science Center -
University of Washington -
West Virginia University -
Marquette University -
 
Tensions are high right now—everyone is anxiously waiting for the next round of interview invites, hoping their name is called like it’s draft day. It’s okay to feel that way. Just remember to pause and take a breath. This process is tough, unpredictable, and full of uncertainty—but trust it. You've put in the work, and your moment is coming. Stay grounded, stay hopeful, and don’t let the stress steal the joy from the journey.

You might think I’m just saying this, but I’m speaking from experience—as some of you know, this is my fourth cycle. If this is what you truly want, don’t give up. Let every missed interview and rejection push you forward, not hold you back. Use it as fuel to drive your passion. Keep showing up, keep growing, and keep believing. And as you chase this goal, don’t forget to live. Enjoy the moments, however small—they’ll keep you strong for the road ahead.
 
Since Rutgers has multiple interview dates do they wait till all interview dates are completed to let candidates know of acceptance?
 
Tensions are high right now—everyone is anxiously waiting for the next round of interview invites, hoping their name is called like it’s draft day. It’s okay to feel that way. Just remember to pause and take a breath. This process is tough, unpredictable, and full of uncertainty—but trust it. You've put in the work, and your moment is coming. Stay grounded, stay hopeful, and don’t let the stress steal the joy from the journey.

You might think I’m just saying this, but I’m speaking from experience—as some of you know, this is my fourth cycle. If this is what you truly want, don’t give up. Let every missed interview and rejection push you forward, not hold you back. Use it as fuel to drive your passion. Keep showing up, keep growing, and keep believing. And as you chase this goal, don’t forget to live. Enjoy the moments, however small—they’ll keep you strong for the road ahead.
if you don't mind me asking, what about your application is it that's been holding you back? or do you think it's just the luck-based aspect of the application cycles?
 
if you don't mind me asking, what about your application is it that's been holding you back? or do you think it's just the luck-based aspect of the application cycles?
Don't mind you asking at all. There is some of both. The biggest thing is reassessing each time, learning from mistakes and strengthening the application each time. If you have more questions send a PM
 
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