Pittsburgh Interview, HELP!

[2touth03]

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Hello Friends,
I received an interview from Pittsburgh for February. I am sure that some of you have already had an interview at this school. My questions:
1. What do they ask in the interview?
2. Is this school more interested in getting dental students who are research oriented or are they interested in the kind of dentist that serves the under represented areas of PA?
3. How much does it cost to study at Pittsburgh?
4. How high is it ranked?
5. How was the student professors ratio?
6. Are you responsible to take care of the financial situation of the Patient?
7.Where can I find a cheap hotel near the school?
8. Do they interview single or in groups?
9. Do you hae to write an essay (mike in Temple)?
10. What is the DAT average at this school and do they ask to retake the DAT ?
11. Is there anyone who applied with a Masters to Dental schools?
Thanks for all your help my friends. I hope that all of you get a spot this year!
Regards,
AJ
🙂

 

[RSXer]

search: Interview feedback

http://www.studentdoctor.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49147&highlight=interview+feedback

That should answer some of your questions.

 

[2touth03]

Thanks for your help!

 

[RSXer]

And to answer Q11: Yes, I applied with a Master's in Public Health. Since I'm interested in research and dental epidemiology, this degree would be helpful.

Pitt, from what I remember, stressed research moreso than other schools I interviewed at. They have like 2 or 3 structured research programs ranging in time commitment, reimbursement/stipend, and depth of ivolvement. This was a lot more mpressive than some other schools wher ethey tell you to just go around and ask professors if they need help with their research.

I didn't know much about Pitt when I went there, but the people, facilities, and the program really impressed me....so much that it came down to Pitt in my top 3 choices.

 

[AcidETCH]

I agree with RSXer. I was very impressed with the school as well as the way they treated the applicants. Ultimately it came down between Penn and Pitt for me. Had I not been accepted to Penn, I would've gone to Pitt without any second thoughts. A friend of mine at Penn who just graduated from Penn told me that Pitt has a really good program. I hope you will be impressed with Pitt as much as I have been. Good luck.

 

[2touth03]

Hi RSXer and AcidETCH,
Your comments gave me a very and clear idea what to expect at UPitt. I am finishing my MPH in January. Beside several publications in Head and Neck and Dental Oncology journals I think that I should have a good chance to talk to them regarding my Thesis and my research work. Would you recommend that? I mean I am going for an dental interview and not for an PhD one but I feel that it could be of interest what I wrote in my thesis. I did very well in my bachelor time 3.78 but the DAT was low (16) as I did not put too much time to study. I was too busy with Thesis, Masters classes and publications. Do you think that I will receive a question whay I did not well on my DAT? Will this keep me from getting accepted? I spoke to the Admissions office yesterday and they told me that they renked me very high as a prospective student and the only thing they would like to evaluate is the interview. To be honest, I am not sure with the whole thing. I would appreciat all your suggestions, helps and comments.
Thanks
AJ

 

[AcidETCH]

I think you stand a really good chance of being accepted. The inteviewer who interviewed me ask questions that were derived from my application. He/she who interviews you will most likely do the same, so know your application inside and out. Sure, they could ask you: Please tell me about your research, etc...

Your 16 might be used as a question to ask what went wrong. Just be relaxed and point out some of the better scores you have and that the 16 may have just been an outlier. I remember when I was at UCONN and one of the interviewer had circled my only C on my transcript. He wasn't even going to ask me about until I noticed it and told him that I noticed he circled my C. He then asked why I had gotten that 1 C....I just told him that I had a bad day on the finals which was worth 60%....everybody has bad days, and having 1 in 4 years is a pretty good statistic. He laughed and said that it was uncharacteristic of my other grades.

So, the point is, just be ready to brush it off like it was an insignificant event compared to the rest of your application. If your application is strong in all other aspects, one little mark won't weigh very negatively. Just make sure to highlight your good qualities when asked. Besides, if they gave you an interview they're very serious about you. Good luck. PM me if you have any more questions.

 

[2touth03]

Hello AcidETCH,
Thanks for all your help and comments. I also think that they are interested to know me and if I am lucky, I will be selected for this years class. The funny part is that the school called me to ask me why I have not sent the application money sothat they can send me the invitation!? I was very surprised but I think that shows that they are really interested in knowing me.
Do you have an idea where to stay ( Hotel/ Motel). I am flying on Saturday and will come back on Monday after the interview. They told me to have an answer ( Acceptance/ Rejection) after a week. Was this the same in your case?
What kind of essay question do theyask? Can you specify it more, please?
Have you had the impression that touer interviewer was more interested in listening to you and receiving short answers?
I hope that I get this spot this year at U Pitt.
Thanks
AJ🙄

 

[2touth03]

Hello Friends,
Any idea how much it would cost to finish the DMD Degree at UPitt? ( with living costs)
Thanks,
AJ😕