what do US schools really look for in interview?

[Smooth Operater]

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I am still trying to grasp what the US school interviewer are really looking? I read through the SDN interview page of dental school, and it seems most of questions are probing for the interviewee's personality and opinions on certain issues (i.e. How do you feel about coming to New York for the first time? Tell me about your strength and weakness etc..). It seems like a conversational type of interview where the interviewers just want to know the interviewees more personally. I cannot see what the interviewers can get from the person other than knowing he/she has a likable person ability and can communicate effectively.

On the contrary, interviewers for Canadian dental schools are looking for 7 Dental Competencies (i.e. integrity, sensitivity to other, tact and diplomacy, self-control, and etc..) by asking bunch of behavioral questions and situational questions. So, before going to the interview, I knew what the interviewers are looking for and I can prepare answers that demonstrate the 7 dental competencies. But I cannot do the same for US school interviews. It seems that some questions are outta no where.

Just wanna to hear what you guys thought on this as we are eagerly looking forward to our interview date(s).

 

[dackmonkey]

seems like you've already got it figured out.

 

[beastly115]

They want to know if you're self-reliant and can think for yourself 🙄

 

[DDS4tehwin]

.

 

[djeffreyt]

First, it would be a little...or maybe a lot, over-generalization to say all US schools look for the same things in interviewees. But to answer you quickly,

Just cause the US schools don't spell it out for you in a list, doesn't mean they don't look for those exact same qualities you just listed. Based on how you answer even the most trivial-seeming of questions, you can learn a lot about a person's integrity, etc.

 

[Regmata]

First, it would be a little...or maybe a lot, over-generalization to say all US schools look for the same things in interviewees. But to answer you quickly,

Just cause the US schools don't spell it out for you in a list, doesn't mean they don't look for those exact same qualities you just listed. Based on how you answer even the most trivial-seeming of questions, you can learn a lot about a person's integrity, etc.

US schools are more sneaky than canadian schools

 

[briansle]

Read Dale Carnegie's: "How to Win Friends and Influence People"

You'll need it if you want to graduate dental school on time.

 

[mjjeung74]

I was wondering if they ask about your shadowing and or volunteer experiences?


thanks