The night before you have an "informal night" where you have a more casual conversation with current students on the admission team. Dress code is probably business casual and nicer. I.E button up and slacks for men (wear socks even if you have loafers guys! They don't care if you came out of a Brooks Brothers Catalog) and the equivalent for that in women's clothing (pantsuit?). When in doubt, dress more conservative.
Tips:
The casual night is about an hour long and you meet in the same place you'll meet the next morning.
1. Be professional yet show genuine interest and personality. The admission students will ask the interviewers questions and you will want to reciprocate and ask the students a well thought out question. Don't be the center of attention and don't try to be quiet and statuesque, find the safe middle ground. Be humble.
2. If you are a social butterfly - tone it down a bit. You're in professional school and should act professional.
3. Don't walk in 50 minutes late into this (this happened and he immediately asked some questions that were previously discussed...not a ideal start for the guy.
4. At no point should you bring your cell phone out during this meeting or interview (unless of course there is a scenario where you need to have your phone out and at that point you should notify admissions about your situation).
5. Don't be scared to have some M&Ms.
Interview Day:
1. Obviously practice for interview questions beforehand and be prepared to answer the "why dentistry?" question. Don't sound like you've memorized your responses either.
2. Interviews are open file minus GPA and DAT score, if you have some red flag in your application, you might want to have reasoning for it. Having said that, if you got an interview than they most likely already think you can handle the academics and are seeing how personable you are. (the interviews are laid back and sometimes you just end up talking about sports, traffic, or anything not related to dentistry.
3. Have questions to ask for your interviewers. You can pull this out if there is a awkward pause in conversation or towards the end of the interview.
4. You will write an essay around lunch time - pretty much to see if you can think and put those thoughts into writing in a coherent manner that makes sense. (don't stress about this just make sure whatever you write has some sort of flow to it.
5. Remember your interviewers names and if they give you a business card, go ahead and email them a thank you. They like that, remember this school is a bit conservative.
6. If someone asks you if DCG is your back-up school... don't say it is. I feel like this doesn't need to be said but.... here we are.
7. Keep in mind you are a guest at the school and you're there to see the environment that you will potentially be in for the next 4+ years. Take a moment and take everything in. Relax and enjoy the day.
8. Lunch is catering and its pretty good.
That's pretty much a quick 5 minute write up. I should note that I've interviewed 3 times and have been wait listed. I have not been accepted here...Yet?
I also have not had an interview invite this cycle at DCG.
With that info and some of the above, its not difficult to narrow down who I am if you're on the admission team. Hi Mom!!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I am happy to help.
