USC Interview PBL example

[USCDental]

So for as long as I have been reading this forum - which has been a few years now - people with upcoming USC interviews always ask what to expect during the Problem Based Learning session. It is really simple, and since you can't really give this kind of feedback on the interview feedback pages, I decided to go ahead post what a USC PBL interview session consists of.

You sit in a group of 16-20 people at a long conference room table. A couple of people are assigned to be scribes to write down the group ideas on the boards. The interviewers just sit there and observe/take notes on each person at the table during the group discussion. They aren't looking to see if you get the "right" diagnosis. The whole point of the exercise is to see how well you work with the other people in the group.

The PBL "patient history" is given to the group in four parts. Each time the group learns a little bit more about the history and background of the patient. By the time the interviewers hand out the fourth page, the correct diagnosis is easily determined. It might sound complicated, but it's really not. I scanned the pages that they gave us so that you can get an idea of the level of difficulty (not very). The scans aren't the greatest quality, and I had to cut the pictures out because SDN only lets you upload small files. Hope this helps put your mind at ease.
edit: attachment removed

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[246044]

During my interview, they collected the four sheets back. I don't know if your group was allowed to keep them, but I feel it is unfair to post this.

 

[Crew07]

Agreed, normally I am not the ethics police, but this will affect the interviewee more.

During my interview, they collected the four sheets back. I don't know if your group was allowed to keep them, but I feel it is unfair to post this.

 

[Hysteria24]

Good post, but I agree that posting the actual case (which may be used again later this year and in future years) is taking it a step too far.

 

[sminj85]

Thanks for the info.

I still have a few question about USC interview. I have mine next Thurs.

1.So basically on interview date we only do PBL instead of real interview with faculty members?

2.During PBL session, what are the most important things to do since getting right diagnosis is not necessary. Maybe how well I communicate with others or procedures?

3.How can I prepare for this PBL? In my opinion it is not enough to read what PBL is from USC website. What happens if you do not know anything about the topic??

4. Is there any chances left for people having interview in Feb?


I am so scared...
Thank you!!

 

[Ninster]

Thanks for the info.

I still have a few question about USC interview. I have mine next Thurs.

1.So basically on interview date we only do PBL instead of real interview with faculty members?

2.During PBL session, what are the most important things to do since getting right diagnosis is not necessary. Maybe how well I communicate with others or procedures?

3.How can I prepare for this PBL? In my opinion it is not enough to read what PBL is from USC website. What happens if you do not know anything about the topic??

4. Is there any chances left for people having interview in Feb?


I am so scared...
Thank you!!

Hey sminj85, I also got an invite and will call and book my interview for March 5th. What really scares me is that there's no one-on-one. How do we stand out with 29 other students? I think the chances for us aren't bad as we ARE interviewing for spots, not for the waitlist (I called and asked). I really dunno how to go about this PBLearning 😕

 

[youngmc27]

Thanks for the info.

I still have a few question about USC interview. I have mine next Thurs.

1.So basically on interview date we only do PBL instead of real interview with faculty members?

the interview is basically how you do during a PBL session it is a low stress way to do things but less personal. If you are not overbearding but do talk you will do fine. Don't be nervous.

2.During PBL session, what are the most important things to do since getting right diagnosis is not necessary. Maybe how well I communicate with others or procedures?

Try not to put anyone down or critique anyone's ideas just give you own thoughts.

3.How can I prepare for this PBL? In my opinion it is not enough to read what PBL is from USC website. What happens if you do not know anything about the topic??

The topic is not anythign scientific it is usually something anyone could discuss and do well reguardless of background.

4. Is there any chances left for people having interview in Feb?

There are absolutley chances for people that interview in Feb. because USC is so expensive they have openings later in the cycle. I know people in my class that interviewed the last day of interviews and are doing awesome now.

I am so scared...
Thank you!!

Don't be nervous the interview is chill and be sure to ask anything that you want to know about to your upperclassmen tour guide. Most will be honest and there is nothing that they won't tell you.

 

[Hysteria24]

1.So basically on interview date we only do PBL instead of real interview with faculty members?

Correct. There is no "formal" interview.

2.During PBL session, what are the most important things to do since getting right diagnosis is not necessary. Maybe how well I communicate with others or procedures?

Lots... How you interact in a group dynamic, how you link facts and develop hypotheses, how you help support others to formulate their ideas, how you identify gaps in the groups collective knowledge and formulate specific learning needs to address those deficits.

3.How can I prepare for this PBL? In my opinion it is not enough to read what PBL is from USC website. What happens if you do not know anything about the topic??

I did find the better website link:

http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/students/PBL2/index.html

Reading that will more than prepare you. As far as the interview goes, most of the time only pretty basic knowledge is needed. I would not stress about that. Also, since spending some significant time in the PBL process now, I can tell you that a lot of ideas we come up with are wrong. The point is to use the facts from the case to develop a mechanistic idea which can be proved/disproved through the subsequent learning need.

4. Is there any chances left for people having interview in Feb?

Like I said before, if they are interviewing they are probably doing so for a reason. As stated on the website, and by staff during the interview process, everyone who interviews gets placed on a ranked "waitlist." When the new batch of acceptances go out, they are probably sent to the group at the top of that list. After an interview (back in Sept or even Feb) you may be placed at the bottom of that list or it could even be at the very top.

 

[Hysteria24]

Don't be nervous the interview is chill and be sure to ask anything that you want to know about to your upperclassmen tour guide. Most will be honest and there is nothing that they won't tell you.

Good advice! 👍

 

[sminj85]

Thanks for the info.

I still have a few question about USC interview. I have mine next Thurs.

1.So basically on interview date we only do PBL instead of real interview with faculty members?

the interview is basically how you do during a PBL session it is a low stress way to do things but less personal. If you are not overbearding but do talk you will do fine. Don't be nervous.

2.During PBL session, what are the most important things to do since getting right diagnosis is not necessary. Maybe how well I communicate with others or procedures?

Try not to put anyone down or critique anyone's ideas just give you own thoughts.

3.How can I prepare for this PBL? In my opinion it is not enough to read what PBL is from USC website. What happens if you do not know anything about the topic??

The topic is not anythign scientific it is usually something anyone could discuss and do well reguardless of background.

4. Is there any chances left for people having interview in Feb?

There are absolutley chances for people that interview in Feb. because USC is so expensive they have openings later in the cycle. I know people in my class that interviewed the last day of interviews and are doing awesome now.

I am so scared...
Thank you!!

Don't be nervous the interview is chill and be sure to ask anything that you want to know about to your upperclassmen tour guide. Most will be honest and there is nothing that they won't tell you.

Thank you very much for your advice and info! Very helpful!

 

[sminj85]

Correct. There is no "formal" interview.



Lots... How you interact in a group dynamic, how you link facts and develop hypotheses, how you help support others to formulate their ideas, how you identify gas in the groups collective knowledge and formulate specific learning needs to address those deficits.



I did find the better website link:

http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/students/PBL2/index.html

Reading that will more than prepare you. As far as the interview goes, most of the time only pretty basic knowledge is needed. I would not stress about that. Also, since spending some significant time in the PBL process now, I can tell you that a lot of ideas we come up with are wrong. The point is to use the facts from the case to develop a mechanistic idea which can be proved/disproved through the subsequent learning need.



Like I said before, if they are interviewing they are probably doing so for a reason. As stated on the website, and by staff during the interview process, everyone who interviews gets placed on a ranked "waitlist." When the new batch of acceptances go out, they are probably sent to the group at the top of that list. After an interview (back in Sept or even Feb) you may be placed at the bottom of that list or it could even be at the very top.

Thank you very much! I seems like finding appropirate hypothesises from facts is the most challenging park. There is no actual ways to prepare for this since we do not know the topic. 🙂

 

[Jackster]

Is it a pretty relaxed environment at the 8-2pm interview at USC? How many evaluators were around approx? What kind of dress code is acceptable? Relaxed or Formal? How was the writing sample, do we read a script or journal and then write about it or it is personal experiences that you let you write about?

I'm probably gonna interview feb 27 or March 5th.

Thanks..Very interested just got invite to interview today

 

[Hysteria24]

Is it a pretty relaxed environment at the 8-2pm interview at USC?

Yes... it was the most relaxed interview I had when I was going through the process.

How many evaluators were around approx?

Generally around two per mock PBL group (8-10 applicants)

What kind of dress code is acceptable? Relaxed or Formal?

Formal... meaning 99.9% of guys wear suits. Girls wear the female equivalent (not up to date on my womens business attire terms).

How was the writing sample, do we read a script or journal and then write about it or it is personal experiences that you let you write about?

Last cycle they were all very simple... ie, tell me about your best friend or last book you read.

I'm probably gonna interview feb 27 or March 5th.

Best of luck to you... There's a good chance we may cross paths on one of those days. 😉

 

[Jackster]

Yes... it was the most relaxed interview I had when I was going through the process. Is there a chance during the interview process that I could ask questions with evaulator?



Generally around two per mock PBL group (8-10 applicants)




Formal... meaning 99.9% of guys wear suits. Girls wear the female equivalent (not up to date on my womens business attire terms).



Last cycle they were all very simple... ie, tell me about your best friend or last book you read.




Best of luck to you... There's a good chance we may cross paths on one of those days. 😉

Thanks for wishing me the best of luck. Hopefully we will cross paths and it would be nice to put a name to a face. Will you be one of the current dental student attending the group interviews.

How do I stand out or make a good impression in a group of around 30 other people during the interview day.

Also, will the evaluators be faculty and staff members?

Thanks again for asking my questions.

 

[Hysteria24]

Thanks for wishing me the best of luck. Hopefully we will cross paths and it would be nice to put a name to a face. Will you be one of the current dental student attending the group interviews.

How do I stand out or make a good impression in a group of around 30 other people during the interview day.

Also, will the evaluators be faculty and staff members?

Thanks again for asking my questions.

Students have no official role in the admission process and do not attend the mock PBL session. We just give tours and eat lunch with you so you can ask questions... especially about all the wonderful things you've heard about USC on SDN. 😀

Evaluators are staff members.

As for standing out, just be active without dominating (a team player). As I said earlier on this thread: It's how you interact in a group dynamic, how you link facts and develop hypotheses, how you help support others to formulate their ideas, how you identify gaps in the groups collective knowledge and formulate specific learning needs to address those deficits.

Read at least one of the parts of the case, volunteer to scribe once (write on the board), come up with good mechanistic ideas, support your group mates and help them formulate ideas when needed.

And in the end, don't stress, it should be fun and enjoyable (if not you may want to think twice about USC as that will be your everyday life).

 

[Jackster]

Students have no official role in the admission process and do not attend the mock PBL session. We just give tours and eat lunch with you so you can ask questions... especially about all the wonderful things you've heard about USC on SDN. 😀

Evaluators are staff members.

As for standing out, just be active without dominating (a team player). As I said earlier on this thread: It's how you interact in a group dynamic, how you link facts and develop hypotheses, how you help support others to formulate their ideas, how you identify gaps in the groups collective knowledge and formulate specific learning needs to address those deficits.

Read at least one of the parts of the case, volunteer to scribe once (write on the board), come up with good mechanistic ideas, support your group mates and help them formulate ideas when needed.

And in the end, don't stress, it should be fun and enjoyable (if not you may want to think twice about USC as that will be your everyday life).

I just wanted to find out more information about the inteview process. I was nervous just like everyone else and am super excited about USC dental that why I posted my questions.

Your previous comment ("if not you may want to think twice about USC as that will be your everyday life) is completely uncalled for, unprofessional and out of line. If you want to be condescending keep it to yourself. Nobody needs to hear your negativity on this forum or elsewhere. I won't put up with you arrogance and will not take heed of your pessimistic attitude. I don't know who you think you are to have the audacity to speak to people this way. Shame on you Hysteria24

 

[drillbit]

Thank you Hysteria24 - I also have an interview coming up and found your information useful.

 

[Hysteria24]

I just wanted to find out more information about the inteview process. I was nervous just like everyone else and am super excited about USC dental that why I posted my questions.

Your previous comment ("if not you may want to think twice about USC as that will be your everyday life) is completely uncalled for, unprofessional and out of line. If you want to be condescending keep it to yourself. Nobody needs to hear your negativity on this forum or elsewhere. I won't put up with you arrogance and will not take heed of your pessimistic attitude. I don't know who you think you are to have the audacity to speak to people this way. Shame on you Hysteria24

😱

Wow... you've got me all wrong. If you've read any of my previous 1,370 posts you'll see that I'm nothing but positive, and the reason why I continue to post so frequently is to spread the truth about USC and answer all of questions by pre-dents in a timely manner so they (and you) will be more informed and prepared for both the interview and their (your) 4 years here at USC.

In the post you're referring to (the second one in a row on this thread where I took the time to answer all of your questions) all I meant by that last line was that PBL is enjoyable because we are in a group setting every single day. I get to interact, discuss, joke, learn, teach, advance my learning with 7 of my best friends every day. However because those interactions within the group are primary determinants of an individuals success here, some people do not find that as enjoyable as others, and are more comfortable in a more structured lecture based curriculum where it is a little more passive, more directed, and individualized. There is absolutely nothing wrong with either preference.

I will end this post the same way as the last: "PLB should be fun and enjoyable (if not you may want to think twice about USC as that will be your everyday life)."