UT Memphis

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Bose13

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Any advice from students at UT Memphis if I should be invited for an interview?

Thanks!
Bose

AA 19
TS 19
PAT 22
GPA: 3.8
SCI GPA: 3.8
Shadowing Experience: 110 Hours
 
Bose13 said:
Any advice from students at UT Memphis if I should be invited for an interview?

Thanks!
Bose

AA 19
TS 19
PAT 22
GPA: 3.8
SCI GPA: 3.8
Shadowing Experience: 110 Hours
I'm from a different but better school than UT 😀 but here's my advice:

Prepare to answer some generic questions like Why dentistry? Tell us about yourself? why this school?...Read the SDN dental interview feedbacks. Prepare to answer possible question(s) from your personal essay or transcript. Research a little bit about the city, the school...If you're from out of town, arrive a day or so early, check out the city, sceneries... a chance for you to relax.

If you have a chance to ask a question, ask question(s) about your interviewer such as did he move here from another state, does he like the city, how long he's been teaching, does he think the students are dumb! 😀 If he's a DDS/DMD specialist, ask him how hard is it to specialize....The point is that ask the question(s) which shows your genuine interest or helps making you stand out from the crowd but not like a sore thumb! You can converse well...Oh, don't forget to thank your interviewer(s) for their time and the opportunity...sometimes you're so caught up with everything else, it's easy to forget.

The most important thing: try to relax and enjoy the experience. You can bring someone with you to keep you company, keeping you from freaking out, going nuts in the hotel by yourself!

Good luck! 👍

P.S. your PAT is Low, so are your GPAs 😀 👍
 
My interview was a 4:1 format with 4 interviews and me in a room. It was really laid back and the interviewers were super nice nothing too hard to answer. One question everyone in my group was asked - "what book have you most recently read and why did you like it?" Be prepared to answer that one. Also, I don't know if they do it in every interview but they put three balls on the table and told anyone who wanted to try to juggle them. 😱 (Not kidding) It's a hand-eye coordination thing, so you might want to practice that. I didn't bother with the juggling and got in anyway. Anyway, good luck.
 
brandiwine1160 said:
My interview was a 4:1 format with 4 interviews and me in a room. It was really laid back and the interviewers were super nice nothing too hard to answer. One question everyone in my group was asked - "what book have you most recently read and why did you like it?" Be prepared to answer that one. Also, I don't know if they do it in every interview but they put three balls on the table and told anyone who wanted to try to juggle them. 😱 (Not kidding) It's a hand-eye coordination thing, so you might want to practice that. I didn't bother with the juggling and got in anyway. Anyway, good luck.
I don't like 3 on 1 or 4 on 1. If that's the case then when answering a question, look at the questioner first then look at others, finally look at the original questioner to end your answer....hope it makes sense!

Ball judggling, that's very oringinal! The most balls that I'm willing to juggle are 2! and I bring my own balls! I never juggle anyone else's balls but my own! :laugh:
 
If you are an in-state applicant who does a decent interview, I think you'll be accepted. Out of state applicants have it harder because they accept so few out of state. Even so, your #'s are great (which I think you already know as well). Good luck with your interview, I'm sure they'll invite you for one. Apply early!!

Talia
 
brandiwine1160 said:
My interview was a 4:1 format with 4 interviews and me in a room. It was really laid back and the interviewers were super nice nothing too hard to answer. One question everyone in my group was asked - "what book have you most recently read and why did you like it?" Be prepared to answer that one. Also, I don't know if they do it in every interview but they put three balls on the table and told anyone who wanted to try to juggle them. 😱 (Not kidding) It's a hand-eye coordination thing, so you might want to practice that. I didn't bother with the juggling and got in anyway. Anyway, good luck.


I've just applied to Memphis too. What happens if you try to juggle the balls, and mess up? Is it better not to juggle at all? Scary 🙂
 
What do you mean UT-Memphis doesnt accept many out-of-staters...according to the site (http://dentalstats.tripod.com/03-04.htm) they take 27 out of 80 of their class from out-of-state. How competitive of numbers do you guys think you need to get in? I was considering adding them to my list of schools but I wasn't sure if it was worth it or if I already have a good enough shot of getting in at the places I've applied to already.
 
ems5184 said:
What do you mean UT-Memphis doesnt accept many out-of-staters...according to the site (http://dentalstats.tripod.com/03-04.htm) they take 27 out of 80 of their class from out-of-state. How competitive of numbers do you guys think you need to get in? I was considering adding them to my list of schools but I wasn't sure if it was worth it or if I already have a good enough shot of getting in at the places I've applied to already.
When I was there a few years ago, about 20 of those spots were for Arkansas residents through an agreement between Tennessee and Arkansas. This is because Arkansas does not have a dental school. When I was there each class only had 3-5 people from out-of-state besides Arkansas.
 
toofache32 said:
When I was there a few years ago, about 20 of those spots were for Arkansas residents through an agreement between Tennessee and Arkansas. This is because Arkansas does not have a dental school. When I was there each class only had 3-5 people from out-of-state besides Arkansas.

That's what they told us at interviews this year. 80 accepted, 18 of that from Arkansas, and 8 from out of state. The rest come from TN. I don't know what the final number count was, but that is the standard they go by.
 
TaliaTN said:
That's what they told us at interviews this year. 80 accepted, 18 of that from Arkansas, and 8 from out of state. The rest come from TN. I don't know what the final number count was, but that is the standard they go by.

Talia,

When did you interview at UT (what month) and when did you find out about your acceptance? Did you ever keep in contact with the Admissions Office while waiting to get an interview? I talked with Ms. Webber at UT last week and she said they had received my app, DAT scores, Pre-Dental Committtee LOR, etc. Any idea what some of your fellow classmates scored on their DAT?

Thanks!
Bose
 
TN has an agreement with Arkansas as mentioned earlier. If you are not from Arkansas, you have to fall into a minority to be accepted as an out-of-state resident.

ems5184 said:
What do you mean UT-Memphis doesnt accept many out-of-staters...according to the site (http://dentalstats.tripod.com/03-04.htm) they take 27 out of 80 of their class from out-of-state. How competitive of numbers do you guys think you need to get in? I was considering adding them to my list of schools but I wasn't sure if it was worth it or if I already have a good enough shot of getting in at the places I've applied to already.
 
Bose13 said:
Talia,

When did you interview at UT (what month) and when did you find out about your acceptance? Did you ever keep in contact with the Admissions Office while waiting to get an interview? I talked with Ms. Webber at UT last week and she said they had received my app, DAT scores, Pre-Dental Committtee LOR, etc. Any idea what some of your fellow classmates scored on their DAT?

Thanks!
Bose


Bose,

I interviewed in October. I was offered the interview before I took the DAT and I took it August 16, 2004, so it had to be a week or 2 before then. I applied in June so I didn't wait long for the interview. I did not expect to get a letter about the interview until after I took the DAT, so not much time to be nervous about that, which was nice. I believe they start interviews in October, so maybe you'll hear something in August. Just make sure they have the most recent transcript. I know one guy in my class did 18/18/17. But that's it, I haven't really asked around.

Talia
 
TaliaTN said:
Bose,

I interviewed in October. I was offered the interview before I took the DAT and I took it August 16, 2004, so it had to be a week or 2 before then. I applied in June so I didn't wait long for the interview. I did not expect to get a letter about the interview until after I took the DAT, so not much time to be nervous about that, which was nice. I believe they start interviews in October, so maybe you'll hear something in August. Just make sure they have the most recent transcript. I know one guy in my class did 18/18/17. But that's it, I haven't really asked around.

Talia


Oh, I got my acceptance Dec. 17!
 
TaliaTN said:
Oh, I got my acceptance Dec. 17!

Hi Talia,

Thanks for your post! I had no idea that interviews would start as early as October. If my check and application got to Ms. Webber by June 29th, and the DAT scores were received by July 5th, when do you think I'll be hearing from them? When in June did you apply?
 
Mayo123 said:
Hi Talia,

Thanks for your post! I had no idea that interviews would start as early as October. If my check and application got to Ms. Webber by June 29th, and the DAT scores were received by July 5th, when do you think I'll be hearing from them? When in June did you apply?


I applied sometime mid-June maybe... I don't remember exactly what date. I have no idea when you might be hearing from them. I can say that I got a letter inviting me for an interview in August last year. I don't know if that's consistant from year to year. Good luck. Hope you hear something next month! 🙂

Talia
 
TaliaTN said:
I applied sometime mid-June maybe... I don't remember exactly what date. I have no idea when you might be hearing from them. I can say that I got a letter inviting me for an interview in August last year. I don't know if that's consistant from year to year. Good luck. Hope you hear something next month! 🙂

Talia
TaliaTN,
Why did you choose TN? I am applying now, and I was very attracted to the school from what I read on the website and in books. Dr. Coleman has been very helpful in the process as well. What advice can you give for a prospective student. You can pm me.
Spelmangyrl
 
Spelmangyrl said:
TaliaTN,
Why did you choose TN? I am applying now, and I was very attracted to the school from what I read on the website and in books. Dr. Coleman has been very helpful in the process as well. What advice can you give for a prospective student. You can pm me.
Spelmangyrl
Watch out for Ol' Wisdom. He's pretty 2-faced and a good politician.
 
Spelmangyrl said:
TaliaTN,
Why did you choose TN? I am applying now, and I was very attracted to the school from what I read on the website and in books. Dr. Coleman has been very helpful in the process as well. What advice can you give for a prospective student. You can pm me.
Spelmangyrl

UT Memphis is the only school I really pursued. I applied to UNC and MUSC, which are both state schools and harder for an out of state resident like myself to gain acceptance, and I sent my appls in there I think the last day before they stopped accepting them. Probably not smart on my part, because I really put all my eggs in one basket. UT is much cheaper than any other school for me... I'm instate. Most dentists told me to go with the cheapest school, period, of the ones I got accepted to. Most seem to think that any program that will lead to a DDS/DMD is a good one! Students like to say this one is better than that one, yada yada, but most dentists say get your degree and start taking CE.

UT Memphis has a good pass rate on their boards, which is important to me. I hear that you get good exposure to perio, endo, oral sx, etc, and that the patient pool is large so you won't have to beg people to let you treat them. Clinical experience! Very important to me. Also, I did not want to move super far away. 7 hours was enough for me. I start next week so I really don't know much else about the school yet!

Talia
 
TaliaTN said:
UT Memphis is the only school I really pursued. I applied to UNC and MUSC, which are both state schools and harder for an out of state resident like myself to gain acceptance, and I sent my appls in there I think the last day before they stopped accepting them. Probably not smart on my part, because I really put all my eggs in one basket. UT is much cheaper than any other school for me... I'm instate. Most dentists told me to go with the cheapest school, period, of the ones I got accepted to. Most seem to think that any program that will lead to a DDS/DMD is a good one! Students like to say this one is better than that one, yada yada, but most dentists say get your degree and start taking CE.

UT Memphis has a good pass rate on their boards, which is important to me. I hear that you get good exposure to perio, endo, oral sx, etc, and that the patient pool is large so you won't have to beg people to let you treat them. Clinical experience! Very important to me. Also, I did not want to move super far away. 7 hours was enough for me. I start next week so I really don't know much else about the school yet!

Talia

Good luck starting Dental School, Talia! Let us know how things are going every once in a while. I'd love to hear how your first year is 🙂
 
Mayo123 said:
Good luck starting Dental School, Talia! Let us know how things are going every once in a while. I'd love to hear how your first year is 🙂

Ay-yi-yi Mayo, check out your scores! Congrats to you... are you a TN resident?
 
Thank you TaliaTN. I will be sure to keep in touch. Good luck with school!
 
Mayo123 said:
Hi Talia,

Thanks for your post! I had no idea that interviews would start as early as October. If my check and application got to Ms. Webber by June 29th, and the DAT scores were received by July 5th, when do you think I'll be hearing from them? When in June did you apply?

When I called and asked when I could expect to hear about an interview invitation they said I would receive something in Septemeber.
 
bryan45876 said:
When I called and asked when I could expect to hear about an interview invitation they said I would receive something in Septemeber.

Thanks for the info, bryan 🙂

and yes, Talia, I'm a TN resident.

I hope things are going well for both of you!
 
I receiced an interview invite for UT Memphis in the mail today. The only choices are Fridays in October.

-Bryan
 
bryan45876 said:
I receiced an interview invite for UT Memphis in the mail today. The only choices are Fridays in October.

-Bryan

Same here! Do you know when you're planning on going? I'm not sure yet...
 
Mayo123 said:
Same here! Do you know when you're planning on going? I'm not sure yet...

No, I'm not sure. I'll probably call and make the appointment sometime next week.
 
I also got an interview at UT Memphis for one of the Fridays in October. I am going October 7. Talia TN, how do you like your experience there so far at UT?
 
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