upenn interview - what should I expect?

[aforgottenshirt]

I have an interview this Thursday at UPenn. I have searched for info on Upenn interviews but can't find anything. For those who've interviewed - what should I expect? We arrive at 8:30am and then...?

Also are we supposed to answer any supplementary essay questions beforehand? I did have to do one for the one other school I interviewed at (Temple) and don't think I heard anything about this for Upenn but am just double checking! 🙂

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[Svart Aske]

You won't get writing exercises. The interview is pretty laid-back. Don't worry too much about it.

 

[Badgerfaithful]

The most laid back interview I had, by far. We just chatted, I wasn't even asked most of the standard questions. Other than that, it's like any other interview... lunch with students, tour, financial info session, etc.. No writing like Svart Aske said.

 

[gimmecaffeine]

I have an interview this Thursday at UPenn. I have searched for info on Upenn interviews but can't find anything. For those who've interviewed - what should I expect? We arrive at 8:30am and then...?

Also are we supposed to answer any supplementary essay questions beforehand? I did have to do one for the one other school I interviewed at (Temple) and don't think I heard anything about this for Upenn but am just double checking! 🙂

....enjoy the breakfast, listen to the introductions, interview well, and enjoy the lunch =]

You also get a chance to tour the Penn campus by yourself - but I'd suggest grabbing the other three or four individuals who have the tour at the same time and making an event out of it. Did it at ours, and it was a blast 😎

 

[aforgottenshirt]

thanks guys for your words of wisdom. I feel much better knowing that this is a more relaxed interview. Gimmecaffeine -- I noticed you also interviewed at Temple. What are your opinions (or anyone else's opinions) on UPenn vs. Temple?

 

[gimmecaffeine]

thanks guys for your words of wisdom. I feel much better knowing that this is a more relaxed interview. Gimmecaffeine -- I noticed you also interviewed at Temple. What are your opinions (or anyone else's opinions) on UPenn vs. Temple?

hmm..i love that they're both in Philly. People don't think highly of Philly, and I went in with low expectations, but I really liked the city. As for the schools, imho (and based on what was I thought was emphasized at the interviews btw students and faculty, so don't everyone start screaming "bloodyhellyou'rewrongaboutmyschool")...

Temple:
-decent facilities (it felt like a real healthcare setting)
-hilarious faculty and happy students
-not in the best part of Philly
-strong clinical training
-chooses interviewees with infectious personalities 😛 (very friendly and likable folks from all over)

Penn:
-older facilities (um... the "Dungeon" )
-great campus feel (limited to few schools i think)
-accessible and respectable research opportunities
-awesome lunch!
-highly selective pool of applicants (not just academically...just survey your fellow interviewees...pretty amazing accomplishments)

Both schools were really accessible by public transportation and left good impressions on me. Let me know what you think of Penn if you get a chance 👍

 

[nelms]

I am gonna be there on this Thursday as well. Getting cold feet now😀

See u then aforgottenshirt. let's keep our fingers acrossed.

 

[teethmagnet]

so i called to sched an interview and they offered me the first possible date--this fri!!at first i took it bec i was put on the spot
but coming from nyc i wouldnt make it back in time on fri for personal reasons . .. . so i called them and asked if the interview goes until 2 p.m. or we would be let out a little earlie---she said she cant promise me that i will be let out earlier and she offered me the next 2 thursdays but i have a flight and vacation booked, which she completly understood!!!

soo. .. . . my interview is feb 4th, thursday, do you think i am at a disadvntage so my interview is so late--in feb already!!!?!/?!?!/!/!?!

 

[aforgottenshirt]

hmm..i love that they're both in Philly. People don't think highly of Philly, and I went in with low expectations, but I really liked the city. As for the schools, imho (and based on what was I thought was emphasized at the interviews btw students and faculty, so don't everyone start screaming "bloodyhellyou'rewrongaboutmyschool")...

Temple:
-decent facilities (it felt like a real healthcare setting)
-hilarious faculty and happy students
-not in the best part of Philly
-strong clinical training
-chooses interviewees with infectious personalities 😛 (very friendly and likable folks from all over)

Penn:
-older facilities (um... the "Dungeon" )
-great campus feel (limited to few schools i think)
-accessible and respectable research opportunities
-awesome lunch!
-highly selective pool of applicants (not just academically...just survey your fellow interviewees...pretty amazing accomplishments)

Both schools were really accessible by public transportation and left good impressions on me. Let me know what you think of Penn if you get a chance 👍

Thanks for the great reply 🙂 Out of curiosity, which school did you choose?

Nelms -- I'm happy to know a fellow SDNer will be there, see you then!! I am trying to stay cool haha 😉

Teethmagnet -- I have heard of people having interviews later in March and still getting in so I wouldn't worry about it that much. Just ace the interview when you do go!

 

[aforgottenshirt]

-post deleted-

 

[teethmagnet]

thank youuu aforgottenshirt

also, did any1 mention at the interview about P/F in 2010????

 

[gimmecaffeine]

thank youuu aforgottenshirt

also, did any1 mention at the interview about P/F in 2010????

aforgottenshirt, i probably would have had a really hard time choosing between both Temple and Penn, but I didn't get *edit* a response from Temple, so makes the decision hella lot easier. 😀

as for P/F in 2010, I did not hear about it at the interview. Reading it on SDN is the first time I've heard of it, but then again, I might have not been paying attention....🙄

 

[whawha]

1. Is it one-on-one interview at UPenn? From the interview feedback, some people had an interview with three different persons or something...😱

2. How is the parking situation around UPenn dental school? Any suggestion for those who have already gone there fore an interview?

Thank you so much everyone for your time!

 

[stk]

what time did the interview end? I need to know because I need to get a train ticket. The cheapest ticket I can get is for the train that departs at 3 50ish.

 

[aforgottenshirt]

what time did the interview end? I need to know because I need to get a train ticket. The cheapest ticket I can get is for the train that departs at 3 50ish.

Most of us were done by ~1pm, but everyone has a different schedule. So, most of us had interviews before lunch (12pm-1pm), and then nothing to do after if you go to see Corky before that (takes ~10mins). My interview was at 11:30 and I didn't have time to see her before lunch, so I went after -- I was leaving at ~1:30. But if you want to look at the campus more (I am in Philly so I've already seen it) you should plan to stay until 2:30pm, which is when everyone has a schedule until (a couple people didn't have their interview until 1:30pm I think).

3:50 leaving from the train station - you should be okay.... - but if I were you I'd pay the extra money to be safe in case you want more time to walk around the school/etc. It's your chance to learn more about it so if you are coming to visit you might as well take advantage. Hope that helps

 

[aforgottenshirt]

1. Is it one-on-one interview at UPenn? From the interview feedback, some people had an interview with three different persons or something...😱

2. How is the parking situation around UPenn dental school? Any suggestion for those who have already gone there fore an interview?

Thank you so much everyone for your time!

1. one-on-one
2. Not sure about this, sorry. I know a girl did drive there and I think she was fine - bring quarters for the parking meters.

 

[aforgottenshirt]

aforgottenshirt, i probably would have had a really hard time choosing between both Temple and Penn, but I didn't get into Temple, so makes the decision hella lot easier. 😀

as for P/F in 2010, I did not hear about it at the interview. Reading it on SDN is the first time I've heard of it, but then again, I might have not been paying attention....🙄

Oh that does make the decision a lot easier - if I don't get into UPenn my decision will be made a lot easier too! 🙂

 

[aforgottenshirt]

thank youuu aforgottenshirt

also, did any1 mention at the interview about P/F in 2010????

I asked two 3rd and 4th year students I met there and they said they are not switching to P/F. They were very surprised I even asked