UCLA interview

[baracuda]

Can someone who has interviewed at UCLA this year let me in on what the interview day is like? Do they ask you to write an essay when you are there? What is the interview itself like? what type of questions do they ask? My friend who interviewed there last year said they try to put you on the spot to see how you react. is this true?

 

[ricegirl]

hey baracuda,

My interview was nothing to be scared of. on the contrary, I thought my interviewers were really nice and tried to the best of their ability to put me at ease. They did not ask any unusual questions -- pretty much the same things that every school asks about (what extracurriculars, dental experience, etc).

There are 2 people interviewing you at the same time - sounds intimidating, but during my interview, there was only one person who predominantly asked questions. There seems to be a set of questions that they must ask each interviewee. The interview lasts about 45 mins - 1 hr. There is also a student interview held during lunch, about 2 interviewees to 1 interviewer. They also have a sheet of questions to ask, mostly about how prepared they think you are to become a dentist. It's also a good time to ask them any questions or concerns that you have about the school.

You do have to write an essay when you arrive. It was the first thing that you had to do, and you have half an hour to write about 2 pages. I didn't expect this at all, so I kind of freaked out -- esp when it seems like everyone else is scribbling away madly. I would suggest doing a rough outline on the back of the page before you start writing. The purpose of the essay is to see that you can communicate effectively. My interviewers did comment on my essay.

good luck! sometimes it seems like the school is a little harebrained, and disorganized. There was a lot of waiting when I interviewed, but it was a good time to meet other pre-dents.

🙂
ricegirl