USC interview without DAT

[toothexplore]

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I already got into BU and paid my deposit. I added USC as a last minute addition in November and when I got into BU I neglected to send them my cDAT scores or secondary payment. This week I received an interview from USC...i would really, really like to see LA/Cali and would otherwise not have the vacation time off work or justify the travel costs. Can I get away with checking out the school first without sending the $145 fee?

 

[vellnueve]

If you're attending the interview then you're clearly thinking about going there and should be sending them everything you need to apply.. If you aren't thinking about going there, why go to the interview in the first place?

 

[toothexplore]

ive always wanted to visit cali/LA and it would be nice to have a 2nd offer somewhere for options

 

[coolbeans123]

Do research on the school and ask yourself do you honestly see yourself going there if they accept you. You should make your choice now about which school you want to go to if you're accepted at usc.

That's a lot of money for a plane ticket, hotel, secondary fee, and losing your deposit at BU. I wouldn't really look at it as visiting LA. You can always do that on your own time without having to worry about an interview.

 

[wired202808]

Do research on the school and ask yourself do you honestly see yourself going there if they accept you. You should make your choice now about which school you want to go to if you're accepted at usc.

That's a lot of money for a plane ticket, hotel, secondary fee, and losing your deposit at BU. I wouldn't really look at it as visiting LA. You can always do that on your own time without having to worry about an interview.

👍 Agreed and BU is a much better school than USC

 

[toothexplore]

the fact i was invited without DAT or payment makes me think this was in error or they are seemingly desperate lol (what if my score was really subpar?). given this opportunity I should atleast see the school and form an opinion after an inperson visit. I'm not too concerned about cost 😛

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I'm not too concerned about cost 😛

Please marry me 😀

On another note, there was a very recent thread about USC interviews on here. It has some good information on what to expect.

 

[toothexplore]

Please marry me 😀

On another note, there was a very recent thread about USC interviews on here. It has some good information on what to expect.

thank you, im not worried about the interview but i'm wondering if i can get away with attending without paying them the 145 processing fee 🙄

 

[iralex801]

I don't get what you're trying to do. I really doubt they would make a decision without your CDAT and processing fee. So if you want to find out whether you got accepted or not after your interview, you'll most likely have to pay them and send your CDAT.

I guess you could attend and just wait until they ask you for the missing materials. I'm just saying that I doubt they will make a decision without your missing materials. BTW, Cali is the place to be. I was born there.

 

[fujindesu]

thank you, im not worried about the interview but i'm wondering if i can get away with attending without paying them the 145 processing fee 🙄

Hi, what is your GPA? I can't believe they send out interviews w/out DAT, and processed applications without the secondary fee, it shows how much they pay attention to details.

If I'm you, I would definitely go to the interview just for the attractions of LA. Don't send in the fee or the DAT until they ask, as you have all the leverage at this point. They very well may accept you without the fee and scores as well.

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

thank you, im not worried about the interview but i'm wondering if i can get away with attending without paying them the 145 processing fee 🙄

Why don't you just pay the fee. They are gonna find out you didn't sooner or later.

Plus money is not an issue for you, why are you cheaping out on $145?

 

[toothexplore]

Hi, what is your GPA? I can't believe they send out interviews w/out DAT, and processed applications without the secondary fee, it shows how much they pay attention to details.

If I'm you, I would definitely go to the interview just for the attractions of LA. Don't send in the fee or the DAT until they ask, as you have all the leverage at this point. They very well may accept you without the fee and scores as well.

i feel like they are acting desperate since they reviewed my incomplete app for free... my GPA is a 3.47 nothing stellar, 22RC/21TS/21AA (not that theyd know)

 

[toothexplore]

Why don't you just pay the fee. They are gonna find out you didn't sooner or later.

Plus money is not an issue for you, why are you cheaping out on $145?

lol.. didnt mean to come off like i own all the disposable income in the world. i meant it would be worth it to me to spend the money on a vacation i otherwise wouldn't have considered. not too interested in spending 145 to secure a chance at a school im not interested in (yet, anyway)

 

[wired202808]

lol.. didnt mean to come off like i own all the disposable income in the world. i meant it would be worth it to me to spend the money on a vacation i otherwise wouldn't have considered. not too interested in spending 145 to secure a chance at a school im not interested in (yet, anyway)

dont be sneaky thats not fair to the school or other interested applicants. either go to the interview if you're interested or dont attend at all. A california vacation shouldnt be used at the disposal of someone else taking your interview spot and attending the school (esp if its their last choice.)

👎

 

[toothexplore]

dont be sneaky thats not fair to the school or other interested applicants. either go to the interview if you're interested or dont attend at all. A california vacation shouldnt be used at the disposal of someone else taking your interview spot and attending the school (esp if its their last choice.)

👎

thats true, forgot there are students who value a shot at usc since they never pipe up here lol

 

[wired202808]

thats true, forgot there are students who value a shot at usc since they never pipe up here lol

I'm not trying to sound too formal but you never know what life is like for other people and if you really really realllllyyyyyyy have no intention of going to the school then at least give up the interview for someone else that might.

Also why not go to LA for a vacation w/o an interview. Its not like it costs more $$$ to fly there plus I'd rather enjoy a stressfree vacation rather than sit in some building with a suit on interviewing at some school I dont even want to go to.

 

[cmcner]

👍 Agreed and BU is a much better school than USC

Wired why are you always ragging on USC, you don't even go here you have no idea what it's like to be a student here. I've seen so many threads where you're just putting down my school and I don't agree with your opinion at all and I don't even think you or anyone else who doesn't go here has enough experience with the program to continually put it down.

 

[wired202808]

Wired why are you always ragging on USC, you don't even go here you have no idea what it's like to be a student here. I've seen so many threads where you're just putting down my school and I don't agree with your opinion at all and I don't even think you or anyone else who doesn't go here has enough experience with the program to continually put it down.

Your opinion is subjective because you attend the school. Expecting an honest or objective answer from a current student at any school is like expecting a mother to call her child "ugly." it doesnt happen often because people rationalize their choices and conclude that they must have made the best decision by attending school X.

From reading the schools info, to hearing about the interview process, to speaking with USC faculty over the phone. I have concluded that I do not agree with their methods and in comparison to other schools, they are weaker in many regards.

I dont need to be a student to understand that the school:
1. Is the most expensive school in the US
2. Offers PBL which most prospective students don't like.
3. Is a mediocre educational experience when compared to other schools
4. Is located in an oversaturated market which makes the school a worse choice to attend esp if you plan to stay in the area.
5. Conducts itself less professionally than others in a phone and interview setting (the interview portion is what I have gathered from friends that have interviewed there.)

I'm sorry if I offended you or your appreciation for your d-school, but its only right to objective view the school in comparison to other institutions. And in conclusion I believe that while USC is a good dental school, its probably not a great dental school and it should not be selected over other dental schools.

 

[letsdoitbama]

Your opinion is subjective because you attend the school. Expecting an honest or objective answer from a current student at any school is like expecting a mother to call her child "ugly." it doesnt happen often because people rationalize their choices and conclude that they must have made the best decision by attending school X.

From reading the schools info, to hearing about the interview process, to speaking with USC faculty over the phone. I have concluded that I do not agree with their methods and in comparison to other schools, they are weaker in many regards.

I dont need to be a student to understand that the school:
1. Is the most expensive school in the US
2. Offers PBL which most prospective students don't like.
3. Is a mediocre educational experience when compared to other schools
4. Is located in an oversaturated market which makes the school a worse choice to attend esp if you plan to stay in the area.
5. Conducts itself less professionally than others in a phone and interview setting (the interview portion is what I have gathered from friends that have interviewed there.)

I'm sorry if I offended you or your appreciation for your d-school, but its only right to objective view the school in comparison to other institutions. And in conclusion I believe that while USC is a good dental school, its probably not a great dental school and it should not be selected over other dental schools.

1. extremely close in price to maaaaany other private schools (and they budget very high for living expenses)
2. Speak for yourself, somehow they still pass boards without spending 8-5 in lecture. Interesting...
3. Great point, considering how familiar you really are with it. In other news, cmcner actually just made a VERY informative post about his overall educational/clinical experience, I suggest prospective students read that instead.
4. Finally, a justified point. Although in reality has nothing to do with the school itself.
5. Remember prospective students, when deciding between schools, one of the main factors is in how they sound on the phone.

We get it Wired, please let this be your final say on this topic, all of your multiple posts make it seem more people have similar opinions, when in reality it's just you repeating yourself. You never went to USC so you really have no idea what it's like to go there, which is why people like genuine opinions from actual students. There are over 60 more dental schools, why don't you go spend your energy on a few others for a change.

 

[toothexplore]

lol ive decided to take the interview to atleast see the school for myself

 

[wired202808]

1. extremely close in price to maaaaany other private schools (and they budget very high for living expenses)
2. Speak for yourself, somehow they still pass boards without spending 8-5 in lecture. Interesting...
3. Great point, considering how familiar you really are with it. In other news, cmcner actually just made a VERY informative post about his overall educational/clinical experience, I suggest prospective students read that instead.
4. Finally, a justified point. Although in reality has nothing to do with the school itself.
5. Remember prospective students, when deciding between schools, one of the main factors is in how they sound on the phone.

We get it Wired, please let this be your final say on this topic, all of your multiple posts make it seem more people have similar opinions, when in reality it's just you repeating yourself. You never went to USC so you really have no idea what it's like to go there, which is why people like genuine opinions from actual students. There are over 60 more dental schools, why don't you go spend your energy on a few others for a change.

A biased opinion from a student says nothing about the school. But thanks for telling me what to do. I won't stop offering my opinion though.

 

[letsdoitbama]

Actually, students have no obligation to speak highly of their school at all. Students speak both high and low of their schools all the time and it's not really a big deal. Obviously no school is perfect, but I think most people enjoy their experience in dental school so give positive feedback. To fully discount a student's informative and thorough description of their school because they're "biased, so don't listen to them" is frankly stupid and immature. This forum is about obtaining valuable information on schools, and justified opinions are typically very welcome.

Realistically, if you've never attended a given institution, there is an extremely small limit to how much one can say about it, which is why your response to USC's education stemmed so far as saying: "mediocre in comparison." Aka you can't be thorough because you have no idea what it's actually like.

Try having an open mind for once, really not a bad idea.

 

[wired202808]

Actually, students have no obligation to speak highly of their school at all. Students speak both high and low of their schools all the time and it's not really a big deal. Obviously no school is perfect, but I think most people enjoy their experience in dental school so give positive feedback. To fully discount a student's informative and thorough description of their school because they're "biased, so don't listen to them" is frankly stupid and immature. This forum is about obtaining valuable information on schools, and justified opinions are typically very welcome.

Realistically, if you've never attended a given institution, there is an extremely small limit to how much one can say about it, which is why your response to USC's education stemmed so far as saying: "mediocre in comparison." Aka you can't be thorough because you have no idea what it's actually like.

Try having an open mind for once, really not a bad idea.

You're argument is based on the assumption that students always tell the truth and give you both sides of the story. More often than not, students are in favor of their school because psychologically speaking its hard not to rationalize a choice for attending school X.

I don't think USC is the worst school on the planet, I just think there are better schools out there. I kept an open mind, but doing more research and speaking with students led me to believe that its a good school, but not a great school. But hey i'm not trying to convince you of anything, so believe what you like. And i'll believe what I like.

 

[full]

your opinion is subjective because you attend the school. Expecting an honest or objective answer from a current student at any school is like expecting a mother to call her child "ugly." it doesnt happen often because people rationalize their choices and conclude that they must have made the best decision by attending school x.

From reading the schools info, to hearing about the interview process, to speaking with usc faculty over the phone. I have concluded that i do not agree with their methods and in comparison to other schools, they are weaker in many regards.

I dont need to be a student to understand that the school:
1. Is the most expensive school in the us
2. Offers pbl which most prospective students don't like.
3. Is a mediocre educational experience when compared to other schools
4. Is located in an oversaturated market which makes the school a worse choice to attend esp if you plan to stay in the area.
5. Conducts itself less professionally than others in a phone and interview setting (the interview portion is what i have gathered from friends that have interviewed there.)

i'm sorry if i offended you or your appreciation for your d-school, but its only right to objective view the school in comparison to other institutions. And in conclusion i believe that while usc is a good dental school, its probably not a great dental school and it should not be selected over other dental schools.

+1

 

[Timpson]

I love USC. I could not imagine a more laid back environment for a dental school. The huge price tag is a significant drawback though, so check your options on how to keep your debt down. Also, it can be dangerous to listen to negative people here on SDN as a lot of them have an agenda. There are a lot of things that need improvement at USC but things have gotten better over the years and I think that the bad reputation on the past has followed the school.

 

[jach123]

I love USC. I could not imagine a more laid back environment for a dental school. The huge price tag is a significant drawback though, so check your options on how to keep your debt down. Also, it can be dangerous to listen to negative people here on SDN as a lot of them have an agenda. There are a lot of things that need improvement at USC but things have gotten better over the years and I think that the bad reputation on the past has followed the school.

Completely agree