Questions about the interview.

[deleted341012]

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Hey guys,

I'm currently a pre-dental sophomore at the University of South Carolina.
I'm really starting to feel the pressure and stress of being a pre-dental (especially after this semester).
I'm trying to get a head-start on a lot of stuff including the DAT, job shadowing, research, and other extracurricular activities.
But one thing that has been bothering me is the dental school interview.
I'm a pretty social person and have no problem conversing with other people but
I don't think I'm ready at all for a formal interview (the professional aspect intimidates me). I've been researching the most common questions that they ask but I can't think of anything but answers that are very generic and commonplace.
I know that I still have time, but I would like to start preparing now.
Anybody got some tips/advice for me?? I would really appreciate it.
Also, if anybody could provide me with some good answers to sample questions or I guess a basic guideline of how to answer questions (what not to say/ what is good to say), that would be so helpful.

Merry Christmas guys!

 

[Double Bonded]

Hey guys,

I'm currently a pre-dental sophomore at the University of South Carolina.
I'm really starting to feel the pressure and stress of being a pre-dental (especially after this semester).
I'm trying to get a head-start on a lot of stuff including the DAT, job shadowing, research, and other extracurricular activities.
But one thing that has been bothering me is the dental school interview.
I'm a pretty social person and have no problem conversing with other people but
I don't think I'm ready at all for a formal interview (the professional aspect intimidates me). I've been researching the most common questions that they ask but I can't think of anything but answers that are very generic and commonplace.
I know that I still have time, but I would like to start preparing now.
Anybody got some tips/advice for me?? I would really appreciate it.
Also, if anybody could provide me with some good answers to sample questions or I guess a basic guideline of how to answer questions (what not to say/ what is good to say), that would be so helpful.

Merry Christmas guys!

1) Get a nice suit
2) Figure out "Why dentistry"
3) Figure out "Why our school"
4) Be yourself

Don't over think it. It's not that hard. Good luck!

 

[Silencio]

It's too early to start worrying about the interview. Don't worry about it until after you take your DAT.

I will say a few things I learned regarding interviews in this app cycle...

Interviews don't guarantee admission (unless it's UoP) as there are a lot of people with multiple interviews and no acceptances. Thus, the guide of 1 acceptance for every 3 interviews doesn't hold true.

Post-bacs are better at interviews. They have more interviewing experience from the real world, not to mention having more life experiences to talk about. They are also more mature and serious than the typical undergrad applicant.

Don't necessarily be yourself. Schools will tell you to be yourself because they want to easily weed out the people who don't fit in. You really need to present yourself as someone who will blend in easily with the class.

Answers to interview questions, especially the "why dentistry" one, must resonate with a recurring theme in your application and/or PS.

No matter what, be confident and humble. And don't say stupid words/sounds such as ummm, you know, or "like" 5 times in every sentence.

 

[ginaych]

every school I interviewed asked me why dentistry and what I do for fun. some asked me about specialization ('cause I included in my PS) and ethical questions. Most schools just want to get to know you. They want to know who you are and whether or not you fit into dental profession and their schools. Because of that you'll likely be questioned whether or not you understand the demand of D school (because I was). I suggest that you buy the Dental School Interview Guide on Amazon. the questions at the end of the book were really helpful. I prepared answers to those 150+ questions (some are repetitive but ask in different ways) and I was good to go. Oh and the last thing is make sure you appear that you know what you want.

 

[penkitten11]

It's too early to start worrying about the interview. Don't worry about it until after you take your DAT.

I will say a few things I learned regarding interviews in this app cycle...

Interviews don't guarantee admission (unless it's UoP) as there are a lot of people with multiple interviews and no acceptances. Thus, the guide of 1 acceptance for every 3 interviews doesn't hold true.

Post-bacs are better at interviews. They have more interviewing experience from the real world, not to mention having more life experiences to talk about. They are also more mature and serious than the typical undergrad applicant.

Don't necessarily be yourself. Schools will tell you to be yourself because they want to easily weed out the people who don't fit in. You really need to present yourself as someone who will blend in easily with the class.

Answers to interview questions, especially the "why dentistry" one, must resonate with a recurring theme in your application and/or PS.

No matter what, be confident and humble. And don't say stupid words/sounds such as ummm, you know, or "like" 5 times in every sentence.

Hi, I found this advice to be really helpful and if you dont mind me asking, where did you interview and how did they go?

 

[jvolcano]

I think you should get an idea what bad interviews are like. By viewing a few bad interviews you can realize what you should not do. (see NBA stars ie Derrick Rose, Zach Randolph)

Here's one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5Ojzp7iceY

 

[ViviPreDent]

I think it's great that you're already thinking about all these things!

I learned a lot about verbalizing my personal interest in dentistry through writing my personal statement and filling out my application. I did not prepare for the interviews at all. Answering questions like "why dentistry" without using cliches becomes far easier once you've put exactly the answer to this question in writing through your PS.

The fact is that the schools do want to get to know you in the interview. Make it more like a conversation (albeit a formal one). At the end of the day, if the school doesn't think you're a fit then there might be a reason for it. Just let things happen!

 

[wizi]

You know, I asked SDN the same question myself a few years back. Everyone said that "be yourself". I didnt believe it at the time, i thought it meant nothing but after I went to interviews and got accepted, I really know what it means.

Interviewers look for the real you, your answers might not matter that much. Its not what you say, its how you say it. If you are trying to be someone you are not, adcoms can read that (they live much longer than you 🙂 ).

So be real, prepare for your interview but dont memorize your answers, let the interviewers know the real you.