What have you done to prepare for residency interviews?

[setdoc7]

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As interview season gets into full swing, I decided to pose this question. As a PD, I am very interested in how the D schools prepare their upcoming graduates for the application and interview process. Once there are some responses, I will give my own ideas about adequate preparation, and invite any of the PD's who visit this forum to chime in.
One caveat, the OMFS applicants are usually very prepared, and I welcome their input. Even if it might be overkill. Due to the length of their programs, their interviews are definitely more rigorous.

 

[UKtoothfairy]

As interview season gets into full swing, I decided to pose this question. As a PD, I am very interested in how the D schools prepare their upcoming graduates for the application and interview process. Once there are some responses, I will give my own ideas about adequate preparation, and invite any of the PD's who visit this forum to chime in.
One caveat, the OMFS applicants are usually very prepared, and I welcome their input. Even if it might be overkill. Due to the length of their programs, their interviews are definitely more rigorous.

Honestly my school does not prepare us, if you're applying you must do your own research on the programs and ask previous students on advice. I relied on the previous graduates and their advice.

 

[charlestweed]

My school didn’t prepare me for the interviews but it helped me receive several interview invitations by making me a stronger candidate compare to other candidates from other schools. My school required every student to do research so I had to do research in order to graduate. It’s a P/F system so I had more time to study for the NDBE 1 exam and did well on it. Since it’s a P/F dental school that didn’t rank students, the ortho program directors around the country were forced to look at my NDBE 1 score. It’s hard for them to ignore the candidates with the board score of 90+ . The ADAT now replaces the NDBE 1 exam.

During the interviews, many ortho program directors asked me if I had any exposure to clinical orthodontics at my dental school. I told them I had zero experience. And that’s why I apply to their programs so I can learn ortho.

I don’t think I would have gotten into an ortho program, if I went to another dental school with a GPA grading system.

 

[Steins;Gate]

My school didn’t prepare me for the interviews but it helped me receive several interview invitations by making me a stronger candidate compare to other candidates from other schools. My school required every student to do research so I had to do research in order to graduate. It’s a P/F system so I had more time to study for the NDBE 1 exam and did well on it. Since it’s a P/F dental school that didn’t rank students, the ortho program directors around the country were forced to look at my NDBE 1 score. It’s hard for them to ignore the candidates with the board score of 90+ . The ADAT now replaces the NDBE 1 exam.

During the interviews, many ortho program directors asked me if I had any exposure to clinical orthodontics at my dental school. I told them I had zero experience. And that’s why I apply to their programs so I can learn ortho.

I don’t think I would have gotten into an ortho program, if I went to another dental school with a GPA grading system.

Charlestweed, what if one is attending a P/F school that actually still ranks? What happens there? Would that pretty much negate the positives of a P/F system?

 

[Member 6236]

Charlestweed, what if one is attending a P/F school that actually still ranks? What happens there? Would that pretty much negate the positives of a P/F system?

I don't think any schools like this exist.

 

[Steins;Gate]

I don't think any schools like this exist.

McGill from Canada does this.

 

[Steins;Gate]

BUT here's the thing with McGill:
- First 2 years med curriculum (like Harvard, etc.)
- Pass/fail all 4 years with intention for students to not stress as much and study and do well on the ADAT (this is what they stated)
- No public ranking BUT if you ask the Dean for a letter of reference (I'm guessing you don't have to do this if you are applying for residency) then he/she will write down your rank (for OMFS at least, not sure about other programs)

 

[charlestweed]

Charlestweed, what if one is attending a P/F school that actually still ranks? What happens there? Would that pretty much negate the positives of a P/F system?

Yes, my school does rank the top students, who have the most honor passes. My roommate/classmate was ranked 2nd in our class. This ranking only helps when you apply to the specialty programs at your own school. And that's how my roommate got accepted to our school's OMFS program. But if you apply to other schools' specialty programs, it doesn't matter because you compete against the students from different schools around the country.

At the beginning, I didn't have any intention to specialize. I just studied hard enough to pass all my classes and had fun. But when I found out I did well on the board exam, I decided to apply for ortho. At other non P/F schools, you would have to work hard during the first 3 years to maintain good GPA. The beauty of going to P/F school is you can decide to specialize any time (even several years after graduation) even if you are just the average student in your class. Just do well on the board exam (or the ADAT now) and you get in.

 

[Steins;Gate]

Yes, my school does rank the top students, who have the most honor passes. My roommate/classmate was ranked 2nd in our class. This ranking only helps when you apply to the specialty programs at your own school. And that's how my roommate got accepted to our school's OMFS program. But if you apply to other schools' specialty programs, it doesn't matter because you compete against the students from different schools around the country.

At the beginning, I didn't have any intention to specialize. I just studied hard enough to pass all my classes and had fun. But when I found out I did well on the board exam, I decided to apply for ortho. At other non P/F schools, you would have to work hard during the first 3 years to maintain good GPA. The beauty of going to P/F school is you can decide to specialize any time (even several years after graduation) even if you are just the average student in your class. Just do well on the board exam (or the ADAT now) and you get in.

Well that's awesome. That is an insane amount of pressure reduced and that means that a meh GPA early on does not kill one's chances. That is a HUGE benefit of a P/F school then.

 

[kidsaremypassion]

My school focused on producing competent general dentists. Therefore, there was no real extra focus on preparing students for residency interviews. It was up to the student to make the necessary connections needed to obtain strong letters of recommendation when that time came.
I spent a lot of time speaking to mentors who had gone through the Pedo interview process, and taking all the advice I could get. One of my mentors had compiled a list of interview questions she remembered, and gave them to me to practice with. I then sat down and thought through how I would approach each question, without sounding too "Rehearsed."
I rewrote my entire Personal Statement after one of my externships, and had mentors read it, and give me their first impression.
I did not attend a P/F program, we were all ranked, and I simply had to work my tail off...lol.

 

[Incis0r]

I don't think any schools like this exist.

Columbia ranks by thirds (top 1/3, middle 1/3, bottom 1/3) & has P/F grading.

For more information, check this link out- you can click on individual school names within the table to get even more details: http://www.adea.org/PASSapp/Grading-Resource-Guide.aspx

 

[BellaNella]

My program ranks, which can help or hurt an applicant. UTHSCSA doesn't really help you prepare for interviews; if you want to specialize or do well in an interview setting you have to have that drive within you.
That being said, most of the residency programs at UTHSCSA are fairly open to predoc students shadowing or observing. This allows you to find a mentor that can hopefully help you through the process.

To prepare myself for the interview process, I just made sure I knew a little about the program I was interviewing at. Just be yourself. That will allow directors to determine if you are a good fit for their program personality wise. I would hate to be in a program I did not mesh with.

 

[The Anhedonia]

Dr Herman Kao at my parkland interview many years ago (in a totally friendly tone): "Don't bull**** me, I want to know who you are not what's on your application"

That said, don't get too fresh with the faculty.

 

[setdoc7]

Can we stay on topic everyone. The merits of grades and class rank versus P/F can be discussed forever, without any change in the near future.

 

[The OMFS]

What does P/F have to do anything with interviewing? I can see an argument that dental schools should help prepare one with patient interaction, but why the hell should a dental school help prepare you with your interviews? Interviewing for the most part is simple common sense and etiquette.

 

[setdoc7]

What does P/F have to do anything with interviewing? I can see an argument that dental schools should help prepare one with patient interaction, but why the hell should a dental school help prepare you with your interviews? Interviewing for the most part is simple common sense and etiquette.

I disagree. Other schools prepare their graduates to go out into the workforce, including interview preparation. Why not dental school? I see lots written about the high cost of tuition, why shouldn't the D schools include this type of education in the curriculum? You would be surprised how poorly dental students perform at live interviews.