Here is the interview feedback that Radioheadblue is refering to. I have posted my reponse below.
Comments The tour was ok, the interviewers were sincerely unsatisfied with the environment they were working in and the most students hated their school. The place really insn't worth spending 4 years in. I would not recommend coming to this place at all.
What was the most interesting question you were asked? Why Dentistry? Why come here? Students asked us and they really mean why do you want to come here because this place is so horrible. They treat the students like crap.
What was the most difficult question you were asked? The interview asked if you were accepted to UPENN, and temple, which would you chose knowing that UPENN has a better quality of education?
How did you prepare for the interview? Asked other students who interviewed.
What positively impressed you? There were a lot of bums waiting in the waiting room to be seen. Since the location is in a very poor neighborhood (the GHETTO), there were lots of poor people waiting to be seen. I guess this is good, but the schools doesn't practice very good infection control.
What negatively impressed you? I talked to 10 students, 9/10 of the students hated this school. The other one had no choice because he needed to be in Philly. They did not like it at all due to the fact that they were not treated well. Previously, there was this guy Mark (aka Used Car Salesman) who interviewed students and sold the school making the students think that the school is better than it is. In fact the school really sucks. The Dean of the school is not even a dentist. I would not recommend this school to anyone.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time? Had I know that the people running the school didn't care about the students, I would not have wasted my time and made a trip to come here. The students said that they don't even know who the dean was and what he does daily. They are not sure if he's even in school. Had I known that this would be a waste of time, I would have not applied in the first place.
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After reading the interview feedback and as a Temple student I thought I should respond. First of all I think this person?s interview feedback seemed a bit harsh. Anyway, I was surprised by the response. I?m currently in my 1st year and I strongly disagree with most of what this person had to say. He or she said that 9/10 students they met hate the school. I love this school and now that I?m about a couple months into the program I have only good things to say, and so do the classmates that I interact with regularly. One could argue that I/we haven?t been here long enough but I have not heard one upperclassman bad-mouth the school either. The faculty are great and easily accessible. So far, my classes are challenging and as far as I am concerned, preparing me very well for a career in dentistry. The school does not ?just suck?, I can assure all of you.
Each school has its strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages. U Penn may perhaps offer a ?better quality of education? in many people?s eyes because of its Ivy League affiliation. I will agree that Temple is in the ?GHETTO?, but that is what makes it one of the best clinical schools in the country. Those ?bums? in the waiting rooms represent most of the students? patient pool. Not only do they provide us with a large population on which to gain experience, but we are also performing valuable community service since most of them are unable to afford quality dental care. If prospective students have a problem interacting with individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, then Temple is not the place for them. As for the school ?not practicing very good infection control?, I am skeptical as to how a one-day interview could adequately inform a prospective student enough to make this qualified judgment. If your tour guide made a comment about this, then by all means elaborate on just how infection control at Temple falls short, since I think most students are uninformed about this supposed problem!
USA Today has rated Temple?s campus as one of the safest in the PA. The school is absolutely vigilant about security issues due to its location. This does not fit into the profile of a school that ?doesn?t care about its students?.
You should not have any trouble practicing general dentistry or being adequately prepared for a post-graduate program upon graduation from Temple. Nor will you have to struggle to find patients during school as is the situation at other less clinical schools. I was observing in the clinic a couple weeks ago with a senior who has already finished his clinical requirements?and it?s only early fall.
With all of that said, Temple is not for everyone. Temple is known as a strong clinical school, if you?re looking for a program that also emphasizes research as well, or if you are looking for a nice campus, you may want to consider another school.
Best of luck to all.
EcoRI
