Toughest interview question?

[budge311]

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For those of you who have already interviewed, what was the hardest question to answer? or the weirdest? or the dumbest? There has to be some interesting stories out there!

 

[gundam]

For those of you who have already interviewed, what was the hardest question to answer? or the weirdest? or the dumbest? There has to be some interesting stories out there!

What if the ugly bald interviewer asks you, am I good looking?
You say yes, you are dishonest.
You say no, you are kicked out immediately.

 

[Nendo21]

What if the ugly bald interviewer asks you, am I good looking?
You say yes, you are dishonest.
You say no, you are kicked out immediately.

beauty is in the eye of the beholder? 😀

 

[EkksDee]

so true

😍 hehe

 

[Gulch]

For those of you who have already interviewed, what was the hardest question to answer? or the weirdest? or the dumbest? There has to be some interesting stories out there!

Kimbery Shealy (my interviewer who works on the adcom with Dr. Ancajas) at UNLV asked me which schools I applied to, to which I gave an honest response. Then she asked me where I had interviewed. Again, I gave her the truth. Then she asks, "Where do you really want to go?" and in the same breath says, "you want to go to Tufts. don't you?"

I was dumbfounded since I hadn't really expressed particular interest in any school, including Tufts. I told her, "I don't feel that's a fair question, but since you asked, I really just want to get into any dental school at this point. Let me tell you what I like about UNLV..." Well...they let me on the waitlist, but frankly I would rather reapply early to other schools than attend UNLV this year after all the undeposited, but accepted candidates drop out!

Maybe I should've lied and told her I was dying to go to UNLV, but it would've been pretty transparent.

That was the most awkward of all my seven interviews. Forget about UNLV!

 

[msf41]

Really one of the toughest questions was one that I heard at each school I interviewed at: Why our school?

the truth is every school says that they 1) have a great clinic 2) have great board scores 3) have great teachers 4) have greate research opportunities.

So it was difficult for me to find something utterly unique about each school.

 

[EkksDee]

What if the ugly bald interviewer asks you, am I good looking?
You say yes, you are dishonest.
You say no, you are kicked out immediately.

Lol...Theres really no Good out come haha...u will be screwed if he asked u that question XD

 

[USUaggie]

My VCU interview was my very first of all my interviews and the guy asked me not only my biggest weakness, but my 3 biggest weaknesses. I took too much time trying to think of an answer so we skipped that question 🙁 In the same iterview he asked me how I respond to criticism and I gave an answer and then at the end when he asked if I had any questions I asked him how I did (hoping to show that I can take criticism), anyway, he quickly listed several things I could have done better 😱
I did eventually get accepted there, and the rest of my interviews went better so I guess it was a good 1st interview experience.

 

[Gulch]

My VCU interview was my very first of all my interviews and the guy asked me not only my biggest weakness, but my 3 biggest weaknesses. I took too much time trying to think of an answer so we skipped that question 🙁 In the same iterview he asked me how I respond to criticism and I gave an answer and then at the end when he asked if I had any questions I asked him how I did (hoping to show that I can take criticism), anyway, he quickly listed several things I could have done better 😱
I did eventually get accepted there, and the rest of my interviews went better so I guess it was a good 1st interview experience.

3 weaknesses? bummer. that would've made for a pretty negative conversation anyway. If you don't mind me asking, what sold you on LLU? I've read previous posts, but in 10 words or less, what did it?

 

[crazy_sherm]

One of my interviewers asked for my thoughts on appropriate shoes to wear while treating patients in clinic.

 

[Gulch]

One of my interviewers asked for my thoughts on appropriate shoes to wear while treating patients in clinic.

what did you say?

 

[crazy_sherm]

what did you say?

I don't remember my exact answer, but it was something along the lines of being a professional and making sure that you make yourself presentable to patients. But I also did throw in that the shoes should be comfortable and non-slip.

 

[USUaggie]

3 weaknesses? bummer. that would've made for a pretty negative conversation anyway. If you don't mind me asking, what sold you on LLU? I've read previous posts, but in 10 words or less, what did it?

felt like should go there - sunshine beach home, chill shorts


Ok, if that didn't clarify, here's the longer story (skip if you don't care)- I was set on Umaryland for two and a half months, but then the LLU acceptance came and then I waited until I had one week before my LLU deposit was due and I couldn't stop thinking about it, so it's something I took seriously and the more I thought about it I just felt like I belonged there. I think the atmosphere there matches my personality a lot more than the east coast.
On a side note, I have a rare allergy to cold temperatures. It's something I have medication for (otherwise I wouldn't be in Utah) but I think it'd be nice to get away for a while in a warmer climate.

 

[sonika]

One of my interviewers asked for my thoughts on appropriate shoes to wear while treating patients in clinic.

any shoes will do the only point to remember is that it shd be covere well apto knee length with a sterilized cover
🙂

 

[Gulch]

felt like should go there - sunshine beach home, chill shorts

An allergy to the cold? No wonder you spend so much time in the hot tub 🙂 Logan is freezing this time of year (well, at least the last 6 mos). I'm sure Ontario/ Loma Linda will be a more than welcome change weather wise. I interviewed there late in the cycle (ADSAS #77**), but was rejected-my only postinterview rejection. That's alright though--Didn't really feel like it was the right place for me anyway...and I don't know if I really would want to go to four more years at a religious institution. I'm not rebellious or anything- just wouldn't mind a change of scene... But the clinics- seriously rad- very roomy as I recall. Best of Luck- supposed to be Topps clinically!! 👍

 

[*Tooth*fairy*]

For those of you who have already interviewed, what was the hardest question to answer? or the weirdest? or the dumbest? There has to be some interesting stories out there!

"Why are you here?"

 

[edkNARF]

Do not underestimate the difficulty of the questions, "Why dentistry?" Adcoms can spot a canned answer from a mile away, and you really want to make sure you stand out with your answer.

 

[USUaggie]

.... four more years at a religious institution.

So you must be a cougar! During my two years as an aggie we beat you guys in basketball 3 times! It was great! Only times I've ever cheered against BYU. I spent my first two years at Ricks and I know what you're saying - USU was a breath of fresh air in some ways.
So where are you headed this fall?

(sorry to the others if we're hijacking the thread)

Uh, the "why dentistry" question is definately one to be taken seriously. Be sincere about it, even if you feel your answer may not be the most inspiring. One interview I explained how the more I looked into the med field I realized it wasn't my lifestyle and I wanted more free time with the family - I was a little worried they'd see me as more of a selfish person but this wasn't the case - they agreed with me 100% and said I had made the right decision. So just be sincere.

 

[billiken10]

I thought the toughest question that I was asked was: "Tell me a little bit about yourself." Not really a question at all, but certainly a tough one to answer. Whatever you say is going to leave a distinct impression with that interviewer, so you have to be careful where you steer that one...

 

[DDS2BE]

I thought the toughest question that I was asked was: "Tell me a little bit about yourself." Not really a question at all, but certainly a tough one to answer. Whatever you say is going to leave a distinct impression with that interviewer, so you have to be careful where you steer that one...

true... i've been hit with this one several times on my 9 interviews.

 

[bpenly]

Take out your paper and juxtapose English Literature and the healing arts.

 

[wammmy]

The toughest question I got was; Do you want to sit inthe recliner or on the couch?

I think that I way over analyzed it and thought no matter what I pick it will show something bad. Anyway I hesitated for way to long and I think that was the worst thing about the situation.

 

[JavadiCavity]

Toughest question: "Is dental care a right or a privelege?"

Most common questions: "How will you balance being a student, father and a husband?" and "Why dentistry?"

Most interesting question: "If you could be any kind of vehicle, what would you be?"

 

[45540]

Mine was 'Why Dentistry?'

I hadn't really thought about an answer before they asked me, but I pulled through it.

 

[Tzips]

"How well do you take criticism?" - I honestly hadn't thought about that one and had to fudge.

"Why this school?" - this's been mentioned before but it really is tough - can't quite say that you're applying as a backup 🙂

Luckily, I was never hit with the horrible "where do you see health care going/where should it be going in the future?" about which I'd heard such horror stories from my premed friends...

 

[juggamynugga]

i guess another advantage of applying early can be that the questions aren't as tough. My toughest question was honestly what my best tennis stroke is. so any of you who haven't applied do it early!!!

 

[MEM3]

i never expected to hear this....

"where have you applied and interviewed?
After mentioning a particular school they cut me off and said oh "compare us this school" and "oh, we hear this is a good school". And they asked me twice why our school. Sheesh

 

[Gulch]

I got that too at one school. Not ethical in my book.

 

[Sprgrover]

Probably the strangest questions that were fielded to me were at Arizona. I missed the two most easy ones while I nailed all of the other ones the other applicants seemed to miss. The one interview in which I was honestly tempted to just walk out of was Maryland, in part due to the fact that my file had not been read by the interviewers ahead of time, and the barrage of questions ranging from "what can you show us that will prove you can handle the academic stress of dental school?" (Me: There are my transcripts. Interviewer: Hey, you have better grades than I do!) and "Where do recommend looking for reproductions of Monet's work online?" (Me: What?! Wal-mart.com? Interviewer: proceeds to tell me about his miserable house and ugly poster collection.) Honestly, those are questions that were asked of me and honestly I hopped a train to D.C. and went to great little cocktail party where I tried to drink the nasty memory of Maryland away. Needless to say last week I received a rejection letter from them.

Anyhow, strange questions do pop up however I believe that most of the time, when they do, they usually (but not always) tie into what your professional goals and aspirations are. If you know yourself, your limits, and your talents you should have no trouble dealing with them in a smooth manner. Best of luck in the upcoming cycle!

 

[Sprgrover]

i never expected to hear this....

"where have you applied and interviewed?
After mentioning a particular school they cut me off and said oh "compare us this school" and "oh, we hear this is a good school". And they asked me twice why our school. Sheesh

That's actually a pretty common question, so be prepared. 😉

 

[MEM3]

That's actually a pretty common question, so be prepared. 😉

Yea it seems to be pretty standard, but i didnt expect them to have me compare two particular schools.

 

[calbear14]

"Describe yourself in one word."
So many words to choose from and I blurt out, "happy."

At another school, "What's the greatest gift you've given and why?" This caught me off guard and I blathered on about love.

Luckily, I was accepted at both schools.

 

[waker433]

Describe a moral dilemma you have been in, how you handled it, and how can you apply this is a career in dentistry??

 

[denty]

Describe a moral dilemma you have been in, how you handled it, and how can you apply this is a career in dentistry??

tough

 

[*Tooth*fairy*]

For those of you who have already interviewed, what was the hardest question to answer? or the weirdest? or the dumbest? There has to be some interesting stories out there!

"You are working at a high paying respected job at a store. One day a customer takes a fall from a wet floor and injures themself, and you assist them. Six months later, this person files a lawsuit against the company. Your boss asks you to lie in favour of the company, and also points out that your future with the company will be jeapordized if you do not lie. This is a job that you really like and is important to your career. What do you do?"

The hard part is trying to give a BS answer without making it sound sooo BS!

😀

 

[JavadiCavity]

What is the point of questions like that? It seems so obvious to everyone that the answer is "No, I won't lie." I can just imgaine that the Adcoms must get 2000 essays all saying the same exact thing.

 

[River13]

Hardest questions asked in my residency interviews: 'what do you think about the war on terror?' 'what do you think about president Bush?' 'What are the 3 biggest problems in the specialty today?' 'What are 3 solutions to those problems?' 'What are the 3 biggest problems in America today?' "What are 3 solutions to those problems?'

 

[DREDAY]

HARDEST QUESTION WAS:


Looking at your stats you have qualifications to get into schools X and Y (better than school Z) why would you choose our school (school Z) over schools X and Y?

 

[drat]

"You are working at a high paying respected job at a store. One day a customer takes a fall from a wet floor and injures themself, and you assist them. Six months later, this person files a lawsuit against the company. Your boss asks you to lie in favour of the company, and also points out that your future with the company will be jeapordized if you do not lie. This is a job that you really like and is important to your career. What do you do?"

The hard part is trying to give a BS answer without making it sound sooo BS!

😀

sue the company, too. lawsuits are so awesome.

 

[mikhiel]

definitely the "why dentistry" question.

the most surprising question was during my UW interview, when she asked me about the state of the economy in Bosnia-Herzegovina... haha. She noticed my study abroad, and then started asking me a bunch of questions about the area.