Temple Group Interview?

[denticus]

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I know that Temple has a group interview format but what exactly do they mean by that. The "Interviews" site on SDN regarding this matter a little confusing to me. Is it group interview as in multiple adcoms asking one predent admissions questions, one adcom asking multiple predents admissions questions, or multiple adcoms asking multiple predents admissions questions?

 

[johntara04]

Lots of applicants, on person interviewing. Pretty chill. Don't worry about it. If you are interviewing, they want you. Just don't be *****. 😉

 

[yorkiepoo]

um.. are you sure? i thought that meant one applicant in front of multiple admissions people

 

[jbeaner]

um.. are you sure? i thought that meant one applicant in front of multiple admissions people

It definitely means, multiple students, one interviewer. Everyone takes a turn at answering the question. It's very relaxed.

 

[Ebull]

He is right, I am a first year at temple, and I think johntara is a second year. It is one interviewer and about eight people. Everyone sits in a circle and the interviewer throws out questions and gets everyones opinion. As long as you have a good perspective on things you should have no problem. The questions are just the basic type that they ask at all the interviews,

 

[SHC1984]

relaxed?? thats the worst kind of interviewing...😱 It would be much better if its multiple admission officers to one applicant....

It definitely means, multiple students, one interviewer. Everyone takes a turn at answering the question. It's very relaxed.

 

[UNR.Grad]

relaxed?? thats the worst kind of interviewing...😱 It would be much better if its multiple admission officers to one applicant....

I agree, now I am very nervous for the interview...

 

[Fonz]

relaxed?? thats the worst kind of interviewing...😱 It would be much better if its multiple admission officers to one applicant....

Yeah. I mean if you're answering the question after other people then likely someone will have already said what you wanted to say. Then you'll look like you're just copying...

 

[ice4804]

Yeah. I mean if your answering the question after other people then likely someone will have already said what you wanted to say. Then you'll look like you're just copying...

I was talking to some Pitt dental school students and they said the exact same thing. They said it was actually a pretty awkward interview because people just kept repeating the same thing, one after another.

I guess we should just try to be the first to answer the question, that way we won't look as silly...🙄

 

[johntara04]

Yeah. I mean if your answering the question after other people then likely someone will have already said what you wanted to say. Then you'll look like you're just copying...

Do you guys think that the DOCTORS that interview you are idiots? Do you really think that if you say something that somebody else said, they will not accept you? Do you think that these Doctors (a lot are specialists) are not smart enough to realize that some people may feel the same way about certain topics or issues? Could it possibly be that they are not looking at your answers so much as the way you respond and how you interact with other students? Come on, most of you guys are really smart. Stop and think about this and think about the real reasons why Temple would feel that a group interview can give them a better understanding of what type of person you are. From what I have read about Arizona's "secret" interview, Temple is employing the same strategy to interview. The techniques are different, but they are looking for the same results.

 

[litldime]

relaxed?? thats the worst kind of interviewing...😱 It would be much better if its multiple admission officers to one applicant....

what?....talk about mad pressure...no thank you
-ld

 

[Fonz]

Do you guys think that the DOCTORS that interview you are idiots? Do you really think that if you say something that somebody else said, they will not accept you? Do you think that these Doctors (a lot are specialists) are not smart enough to realize that some people may feel the same way about certain topics or issues? Could it possibly be that they are not looking at your answers so much as the way you respond and how you interact with other students? Come on, most of you guys are really smart. Stop and think about this and think about the real reasons why Temple would feel that a group interview can give them a better understanding of what type of person you are. From what I have read about Arizona's "secret" interview, Temple is employing the same strategy to interview. The techniques are different, but they are looking for the same results.

No. But like Ice said the dental students felt awkward. If they wanna see true interaction among the applicants they should keep tabs on them during the lunch and interview. I don't think a group interview is the best way to go about it. You are forcing people into a seemingly competitive situation. At any rate it seems like the interview might not matter so much for Temple since it is group. You got the one interviewer trying to evaluate all the applicants at the same time. Is he/she writing notes the whole time or what?

 

[Ebull]

No. But like Ice said the dental students felt awkward. If they wanna see true interaction among the applicants they should keep tabs on them during the lunch and interview. I don't think a group interview is the best way to go about it. You are forcing people into a seemingly competitive situation. At any rate it seems like the interview might not matter so much for Temple since it is group. You got the one interviewer trying to evaluate all the applicants at the same time. Is he/she writing notes the whole time or what?

The questions that were asked are not one dimensional, meaning there is no one right answer. They are more like: So what got you interested in dentistry? or Tell me about your dental experience? Why do you want to come to Temple? So for the most part everyone will have slightly different answers to these type of questions. Our interviewer also directed each new question to someone different each time, just so you wouldn't feel like people were taking your answers. I think that if your picked for an interview they are pretty interested in you, and as long as you can put together coherent and valid opinions you will do fine. And if someone said the answer you were going to give thats ok. Just say something like, I agree with so and so on this topic and explain why. It really was quite laid back in my opinion.

 

[Ebull]

One more thing, Fonz, yes the interviewer does write down some things while he/she is interviewing.

 

[johntara04]

No. But like Ice said the dental students felt awkward. If they wanna see true interaction among the applicants they should keep tabs on them during the lunch and interview. I don't think a group interview is the best way to go about it. You are forcing people into a seemingly competitive situation. At any rate it seems like the interview might not matter so much for Temple since it is group. You got the one interviewer trying to evaluate all the applicants at the same time. Is he/she writing notes the whole time or what?

Temple feels this works perfectly for them. Since they graduate 96% of the students they matriculate, it seems it is a great way to decide what type of student is good for this program. You might not like it, but for Temple it is great, and most applicants would much rather be in a group setting than one on one. Most applicants would feel more at ease, especially after spending all day with the people they are interviewing with. It is a very relaxes atmosphere and one of the better ways to determine who is right/not right for this school.

And about forcing them into a competitive situation, welcome to life. Every pre-req class, every dental class, every patient you see in your own office will be in a competitive situation. That is life.

 

[Fonz]

Temple feels this works perfectly for them. Since they graduate 96% of the students they matriculate, it seems it is a great way to decide what type of student is good for this program. You might not like it, but for Temple it is great, and most applicants would much rather be in a group setting than one on one. Most applicants would feel more at ease, especially after spending all day with the people they are interviewing with. It is a very relaxes atmosphere and one of the better ways to determine who is right/not right for this school.

And about forcing them into a competitive situation, welcome to life. Every pre-req class, every dental class, every patient you see in your own office will be in a competitive situation. That is life.

I don't know why you are being so defensive just because I don't like the idea of group interviews for dental school. Its not like I'm insulting Temple or anything. I know life is competitive and mentioned it on a post a while back but I'm saying that interviewees will try to compete with each other to stand out in group interviews will will make it different from how they interact with people under normal circumstances. We are applying to professional school here, not a sales position at The Gap.

 

[Nowhat14]

I don't know why you are being so defensive just because I don't like the idea of group interviews for dental school. Its not like I'm insulting Temple or anything. I know life is competitive and mentioned it on a post a while back but I'm saying that interviewees will try to compete with each other to stand out in group interviews will will make it different from how they interact with people under normal circumstances. We are applying to professional school here, not a sales position at The Gap.

Just play the game. Every school may have different interview styles that are unique. Or maybeTemple is not a school for you.

 

[Fonz]

Just play the game. Every school may have different interview styles that are unique. Or maybeTemple is not a school for you.

Well obviously there is no choice in the matter. I guess I felt Temple wasn't a school for me because I decided to decline my interview. I really would have liked to check it out but time and money won't allow me to go to ALL my out of state interviews.

 

[Nowhat14]

Well obviously there is no choice in the matter. I guess I felt Temple wasn't a school for me because I decided to decline my interview. I really would have liked to check it out but time and money won't allow me to go to ALL my out of state interviews.

I feel ya. I see you are from the bay area. I'm going there for an interview and then to pennsylvania in the same week. How many schools did you apply to? Good thing I didn't apply to 20 schools or anything. Can't imagine how much it would cost in the end...oh well wrong thread to ramble on I guess. Good luck on your other interviews.

 

[Fonz]

I feel ya. I see you are from the bay area. I'm going there for an interview and then to pennsylvania in the same week. How many schools did you apply to? Good thing I didn't apply to 20 schools or anything. Can't imagine how much it would cost in the end...oh well wrong thread to ramble on I guess. Good luck on your other interviews.

Well I applied to 11 schools and got 6 interviews including Temple so far. I guess I'm holding off on out of state interviews hoping for Tufts and/or ASDOH. ASDOH maybe be late if at all because of an office error on their part so my file was just recently considered complete 🙄. there is still the in states im waiting for too.

 

[1992Corolla]

Temple was laid back. Those that felt awkward probably didn't take the interview the right way. I personally had about 3 reasons for every question and then just elaborated on the one that hadn't been talked about. Ex: Why dentistry? People already talked about the 'helping others' and 'work with my hands' so I busted out the 'lifestyle' and 'money' reasons. Of course it was done tastefully and with perfect knowledge that a lot of hard work would go into the profession before I was able to live comfortably, etc.

It really isn't a bad interview situation and no one should be nervous for it.

 

[sonylarkhi]

Temple was laid back. Those that felt awkward probably didn't take the interview the right way. I personally had about 3 reasons for every question and then just elaborated on the one that hadn't been talked about. Ex: Why dentistry? People already talked about the 'helping others' and 'work with my hands' so I busted out the 'lifestyle' and 'money' reasons. Of course it was done tastefully and with perfect knowledge that a lot of hard work would go into the profession before I was able to live comfortably, etc.

It really isn't a bad interview situation and no one should be nervous for it.

Hey..how are you?...just wanted to ask if you had an idea of early interviewees and rate of acceptance? Thanks