Will pregnancy affect interviews?

[whataday]

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I finally received one interview. However, I'm pregnant now and will be 8 months by the time of the interview. Does any body know whether this will affect the interview? The belly will be hard to hide and I don't even have proper suit to wear now. Will the committee think that I won't have enough energy to deal with the classes since I will have a 8 months old baby by the time I go to school?

Please, any thoughts?

 

[jeffity]

I finally received one interview. However, I'm pregnant now and will be 8 months by the time of the interview. Does any body know whether this will affect the interview? The belly will be hard to hide and I don't even have proper suit to wear now. Will the committee think that I won't have enough energy to deal with the classes since I will have a 8 months old baby by the time I go to school?

Please, any thoughts?

That's a good way to stand out. Get it? Stand out....

Anyway, it shouldn't affect it. And you shouldn't feel like you have to hide anything. But I'm sure someone might question your ability to perform...probably not verbally, but I'm sure the thought would cross a mind or two (like you may see in some responses here). I'd question wanting to be at a school that really pushed it in an interview (although I understand just wanting to get in). It's part of you. Just brush it off. You're not on trial at your interview to prove you can handle it. Having (young) children isn't that uncommon in school (mothers and fathers). At least he/she will be born before school starts. I don't know how mothers who give birth while in school do it.

 

[Stacker]

Since employers aren't allowed to ask if the interviewee is pregnant for legal reasons, would the same be true for dental school interviews? If yes, your being pregnant shouldn't be expected to be brought up by the interviewer. They certainly aren't allowed to reject you based on pregnancy alone. I would find it hard to be chair-side with a belly.

 

[whataday]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will just be myself.

That's a good way to stand out. Get it? Stand out....

Anyway, it shouldn't affect it. And you shouldn't feel like you have to hide anything. But I'm sure someone might question your ability to perform...probably not verbally, but I'm sure the thought would cross a mind or two (like you may see in some responses here). I'd question wanting to be at a school that really pushed it in an interview (although I understand just wanting to get in). It's part of you. Just brush it off. You're not on trial at your interview to prove you can handle it. Having (young) children isn't that uncommon in school (mothers and fathers). At least he/she will be born before school starts. I don't know how mothers who give birth while in school do it.

 

[whataday]

If they don't bring up, I won't bring up.....

Since employers aren't allowed to ask if the interviewee is pregnant for legal reasons, would the same be true for dental school interviews? If yes, your being pregnant shouldn't be expected to be brought up by the interviewer. They certainly aren't allowed to reject you based on pregnancy alone. I would find it hard to be chair-side with a belly.

 

[ewu6three]

Just being honest, I don't see how being that obviously pregnant at an interview could do anything but hurt your chances.

 

[WastedTime]

Just being honest, I don't see how being that obviously pregnant at an interview could do anything but hurt your chances.

i agree

 

[cwoodds]

Just being honest, I don't see how being that obviously pregnant at an interview could do anything but hurt your chances.

I disagree, and agree totally with jeffity. There are lots of people in dental school with kids. At least you're having the baby before you start, I would imagine being pregnant while in dental school would be very difficult. That 'glow' they talk about is real, and your pregnancy will make other people smile. Enjoy it!

 

[carlfusco]

That 'glow' they talk about is real, and your pregnancy will make other people smile.

I was about to say something similar - I'm sure you're excited to be a mother, and that will be contagious. I personally think it would be a little weird if they didn't bring it up at all, just in a casual way. If anything, it might be a good ice breaker/conversation starter before getting down to business, which has everything to do with dentistry and your admission and nothing to do with your pregnancy. Go with the flow, good luck!

 

[ewu6three]

I disagree, and agree totally with jeffity. There are lots of people in dental school with kids. At least you're having the baby before you start, I would imagine being pregnant while in dental school would be very difficult. That 'glow' they talk about is real, and your pregnancy will make other people smile. Enjoy it!

This is ridiculous.

 

[deleted487471]

Yeah, the "glow" things seems whack to me too. I don't think it should really hurt you, but I would be prepared to answer questions about how you will manage the workload of D1 with a young 'un. At least I'd ask you that if I was interviewing you. Just have good answers ready for these types of questions.

 

[penny49]

it shouldn't affect it, but your evil baby might kick you during the interview. LOL
Good luck

 

[jeffity]

Just some additional random thoughts....

- What sort of negative affect are some of you eluding to? That she can't handle it? Or family is not allowed before career? She won't have time? What about it makes her less of a candidate?

- I'm sure it's not the norm everywhere, but I've noticed amazing mastery of time management with those who have kids in my class. One guy doesn't ever study past 6pm. Another has never studied Saturday or Sunday. Mother of three (including infant twins). And on and on. And they just destroy on everything so far. Plenty of people in dental school have kids. It's not a new phenomenon. If there was a direct correlation with failure, why would they still be admitting those with families? And I'm not just talking about dads with kids at home - mothers in dental school do exist. I can think of 3 off the top of my head in my class.

- Interviewers are normal people too. Everyone freaks out like they really care what color and style shoe you have and if your suit tone is too dark. Silly. It's going to be a casual piece of conversation more than anything. It's fair to ask if she's up for the challenge in a very non-grilling way. But it's safe to say she wouldn't be this far in the process without having a small idea of what she was getting into.

- If the interviewer has kids (count on it), she's bringing more assets to the table than some of you may think. Those things certainly won't be outweighed by a hunch that she might not have time.

 

[finchy86]

I would worry more about traveling while 8 months pregnant than worry what the admissions committee will think.

 

[Glimmer1991]

I know a single mother who is 22 who got into ECU last year with a 4-year old. Yes, she had her child very early. Yes, she still got into dental school. Yes, they knew she had a kid. She also had her child in the midst of her undergraduate career and didn't take any time off of school. If anything, I would suppose this shows determination and that she can juggle a whole bunch of things at once!

I don't think it will negatively affect you. However, since you will very obviously be pregnant, don't let it be the "white elephant" in the room--I'd mention it early on in some sort of a lighthearted manner.

Best of luck to you, and congratulations!

 

[Predoctalk]

Just being honest, I don't see how being that obviously pregnant at an interview could do anything but hurt your chances.

Your ignorance will hurt yours

 

[NDPitch]

Your ignorance will hurt yours

I agree.

Plus, if they held it against you, that's discrimination essentially. What's wrong with being pregnant? Is being a mom in dental school against dental school laws? I say no. If they ask the "tell us about yourself" question, you have plenty to say, for sure. Knock 'em dead in your interview. Good luck!

 

[Msmouth]

I would love to take a poll of how many dental students know someone in their class that is a parent. Perhaps there's a double standard if you're father vs. a mother but in my experience I've talked to students and dentists alike that have gone to school with students who are parents. I don't think they will discriminate at all, in fact I think they will see strength and determination in you. Of course I am biased as I have 2 children myself.

Good luck!!!

 

[yappy]

Anyone ever notice that some women are "pretty-baby-bump-pregnant" while others are "systemically-obese-pregnant". I've seen the former wear a bikini and look decent while the latter gains significant weight such that even their face is unrecognizable. What gives?

I would say if the OP is the first type it will not effect their interviews. If the second type it may; if for no other reason that being attractive helps with report during interviews.

 

[Tunaman]

Adcoms can't discriminate based on the pregnancy, but who's to say that they won't find some other excuse. I have to agree with those that argued the time management concern. Nonetheless; good luck to OP w/ her interview

 

[voager]

Don't worry I'm the same boat ...interview and pregnant only difference is my baby will be just a month old when I will start school.

 

[ewu6three]

Your ignorance will hurt yours

Ideally you want to leave the interviewer with no question you will be able to successfully complete their program. It would be ignorant to think that that the op's circumstances wouldn't raise any questions concerning her ability to do so.

 

[psychoboylol123]

I finally received one interview. However, I'm pregnant now and will be 8 months by the time of the interview. Does any body know whether this will affect the interview? The belly will be hard to hide and I don't even have proper suit to wear now. Will the committee think that I won't have enough energy to deal with the classes since I will have a 8 months old baby by the time I go to school?

Please, any thoughts?

I don't think it does matter.
Don't need to hide it, tell them the truth to show your dedication to their dental school.
Just go and ace the interview. You can get accepted and deliver your baby and defer until next year. At my school, some guys got accepted and study next year due to financial aid problems.

 

[Toofly01]

Like above posters, I would pay more attention to the logistics of traveling than anything else. You could always make a lighthearted comment, "I hope you don't mind I brought a +1" or something... totally up to you. Just be yourself, enjoy being in the interview, and honestly I don't see how that could effect your acceptance because by the time D-school will have started, you will already have given birth (what would concern me the most as an 'adcom', I think, would be to offer someone acceptance and have them leave for a few months for maternity leave). The only advice I can give is try not to let lethargy get the best of you. Hang in there and do your best to be energetic. Best of luck and congratulations on your pregnancy. 🙂

Random side-note, wear a ring regardless because I think adcoms who may be older, may also be old-fashioned and if you're not wearing a ring (maybe it doesn't fit? maybe you left it at home?) could judge negatively. Small detail, not wanting to offend anyone, but just a side thought. Again, best of luck. 🙂

 

[periopocket]

I think it will give you a legs up! Wink wink...no but in all seriousness it will make you stand out in a positive way!! GL

 

[Stacker]

I think it will give you a legs up! Wink wink...no but in all seriousness it will make you stand out in a positive way!! GL

Many people have misconceptions about being pregnant at an interview. Being pregnant will not be to your detriment. Over-thinking this subject will make your admission process seem like a maternity..err eternity.
😀

 

[JohnnnyD]

I'd be afraid that questions about your pregnancy would be their primary focus if brought up in the very beginning of the interview.

I think ideally, I would want them to ask me some of the typical questions so they can gauge my personality before asking pregnancy related questions. I would want to be remembered as the personable woman with a great work ethic and happens to be pregnant...rather than the pregnant woman that they don't know much more about. It's a part of you, but I don't think it should be your defining characteristic.

But this advice is coming from a dude, so take it worth a grain of salt.

 

[wallypredoc]

You are fine! Congratulations!