worst interview ever

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
C

coachman5

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Members don't see this ad.
I recently had the worst interview experience of my life. After the day had ended and everyone was getting up to leave, I was told that due to my research background there was a professor that wanted to talk to me. Mind you I had already had my interview, with a 4th year student.

This professor proceeded to spend the next hour and a half grilling me, trying to convince me that I was not cut out to be a dentist. He claimed that shy people (like myself) are doomed to fail as clinicians because they don't have the social skills to interact with patients. 😱 He said that there is a reason why such people gravitate towards research. Then came a long rant, where he gave examples such as students in his class that are too shy to talk to patients. His last words were cold and unfriendly- "I hope you are making the right decision." I left feeling humiliated and upset. 😡

So it was not surprising when a week later, I learned that I had been rejected from the school (5 letter word starting with T). Given that I have a 4.0 from undergrad, 21+ DAT scores, and several years of research, I can't think of another reason why. I'm upset and angry, since this was the school I had most wanted to go to.

Has anyone had success requesting a second interview, after already being rejected?
 
That's not cool. Shake it off. No big loss. You'll get admitted to some good places.
 
hey that's really rough...it's weird that the prof wanted to talk to you in particular one on one after the day was over tho 😕
 
Wow and I thought I had had a bad interview. But if this wasn't your official interview and since no one else had another interview after the day was technically over, are you sure it factored into your application? Your numbers are great but im quickly learning that the whole process is at times random and unexplainable. Good luck!
 
their loss. can't believe you were treated like that! especially after taking the time and money to go to their school. with numbers like that, you will get in to another top notch school...i'm sorry to hear about the experience but don't let it get you down. if you really want to be a dentist, you will be a dentist.
 
I never really heard anything so ridiculous. I think that's no school that I would want to go to. Who do they think they are? I agree it is odd that they would single you out to talk to this "one professor." How shy did you appear? How did they know you were shy? I mean if you were sitting there answering questions at an inaudible volume with your hands in front of your face, I can see them telling you that you may not be ready YET since such a crucial part of your grade/education is clinic where you will need interaction with a patient and to explain everything that you plan to do audibly, clearly and in a concise manner. Over and over you hear that "book smarts" alone won't make you a good dentist but they shy aspect can be overcome... what is wrong with this place? BOOOOOOO! Shame on Tufts! (or Texas, but I just can't see Texas having an such an over the top ego issue... sounds private school) 😛
 
Disgraceful. I can't believe he had the audacity to say that a "shy" person wouldn't cut it as a dentist when he is nothing short of an @$$____! Keep your head up. Your stats seem incredible and this jerk isn't worth your effort or time.
 
coachman5 said:
I recently had the worst interview experience of my life. After the day had ended and everyone was getting up to leave, I was told that due to my research background there was a professor that wanted to talk to me. Mind you I had already had my interview, with a 4th year student.

This professor proceeded to spend the next hour and a half grilling me, trying to convince me that I was not cut out to be a dentist. He claimed that shy people (like myself) are doomed to fail as clinicians because they don't have the social skills to interact with patients. 😱 He said that there is a reason why such people gravitate towards research. Then came a long rant, where he gave examples such as students in his class that are too shy to talk to patients. His last words were cold and unfriendly- "I hope you are making the right decision." I left feeling humiliated and upset. 😡

So it was not surprising when a week later, I learned that I had been rejected from the school (5 letter word starting with T). Given that I have a 4.0 from undergrad, 21+ DAT scores, and several years of research, I can't think of another reason why. I'm upset and angry, since this was the school I had most wanted to go to.

Has anyone had success requesting a second interview, after already being rejected?
Click to expand...

Interesting. You communicate very well, are you really that shy? I tend to be somewhat shy in situations where I know I am being judged up and down, inside and out (i.e. a d school interview - don't laugh aranjuez). How are you with just a small group of people? If you really think about it, you often meet patients in a small group setting or one-on-one in a private practice. Plus, people do come out of their shells a little more as they get older. I know that I am far less shy than I was in high school when I couldn't even stand up in front of class.

Finally, I have to agree with the others not to let this get you down. From your description of the professor, he sounds like a douche bag. IMO, he should have given you his opinion in a more constructive and tactful manner.
Good luck and keep your head up!
 
coachman5 said:
I recently had the worst interview experience of my life. After the day had ended and everyone was getting up to leave, I was told that due to my research background there was a professor that wanted to talk to me. Mind you I had already had my interview, with a 4th year student.

This professor proceeded to spend the next hour and a half grilling me, trying to convince me that I was not cut out to be a dentist. He claimed that shy people (like myself) are doomed to fail as clinicians because they don't have the social skills to interact with patients. 😱 He said that there is a reason why such people gravitate towards research. Then came a long rant, where he gave examples such as students in his class that are too shy to talk to patients. His last words were cold and unfriendly- "I hope you are making the right decision." I left feeling humiliated and upset. 😡

So it was not surprising when a week later, I learned that I had been rejected from the school (5 letter word starting with T). Given that I have a 4.0 from undergrad, 21+ DAT scores, and several years of research, I can't think of another reason why. I'm upset and angry, since this was the school I had most wanted to go to.

Has anyone had success requesting a second interview, after already being rejected?
Click to expand...
Like someone else said, it's their loss. You'll find plenty of other schools eager to have you.
 
coachman5 said:
I recently had the worst interview experience of my life. After the day had ended and everyone was getting up to leave, I was told that due to my research background there was a professor that wanted to talk to me. Mind you I had already had my interview, with a 4th year student.

This professor proceeded to spend the next hour and a half grilling me, trying to convince me that I was not cut out to be a dentist. He claimed that shy people (like myself) are doomed to fail as clinicians because they don't have the social skills to interact with patients. 😱 He said that there is a reason why such people gravitate towards research. Then came a long rant, where he gave examples such as students in his class that are too shy to talk to patients. His last words were cold and unfriendly- "I hope you are making the right decision." I left feeling humiliated and upset. 😡

So it was not surprising when a week later, I learned that I had been rejected from the school (5 letter word starting with T). Given that I have a 4.0 from undergrad, 21+ DAT scores, and several years of research, I can't think of another reason why. I'm upset and angry, since this was the school I had most wanted to go to.

Has anyone had success requesting a second interview, after already being rejected?
Click to expand...

This sounds familiar...dr Hittlemen from NYU?
 
School name starts with a T...so I don't think it was NYU.

To be honest, it's not the first bad thing I've heard about this school and how some of the profesors treat students. Course, i've heard bad things about every school now, but sorry you had to experience it. I probably would have got up half way through the interview and said something like: "I'd rather go to a quiet, humble dentist than an tactless adsshole like you anyday." But then, I'm not very shy.

I'd brush it off and look ahead to a great school somewhere else accepting you. I imagine the request for rereveiw at any school is a pretty tough process.
 
In my interview, Not T****, the interviewer tried to convince me i did not want to be a dentist. I stood my ground and insisted i wanted to be a dentist. I left the interview so upset. I am on the waitlist for that school. So we will see what happens.
 
SummaryRuled said:
In my interview, Not T****, the interviewer tried to convince me i did not want to be a dentist. I stood my ground and insisted i wanted to be a dentist. I left the interview so upset. I am on the waitlist for that school. So we will see what happens.
Click to expand...

now that sounds like nyu...coz that is exactly wot happened to me....
 
Even though what they said is not 100% appropriate, but maybe in their hearts they're trying to help guide you to the right path. It takes a lot for somebody to tell somebody that something is not right for them.
 
Haha. It was NYU. Are you on the waitlist? Get in? Rejected? PM me.
 
That sucks, this guy was probably having a bad day and wanted to take it out on someone.

This is one area you can never predict on dental school applications: The human-ADCOM-faculty-mood paradox.

For example you might state in your essay that "you love to play the guitar" or "were in band" or something, an interivewer might get a preconceived notion that you are a hippy or a rocker etc and have a bias on you before you even meet him; because he once knew a d-student who was like that.

It is not right but it happens. 👎
 
Coachman 5 you shouldn't be so sensitive...was this your first interview ? Do you have any experience working one on one with dentists ???? I work with several dentists who have said some pretty nasty things to me, some of which were much nastier than what this guy said to you. One thing I have learned as a dental hygienist is that you have to develop a THICK SKIN if you are going to be in this profession.... A close friend of mine just graduated from dental school and she said that those professors raked her over hot coals while she was in school. No, it isn't professional, but it happens ! They aren't going to be sweet and loving toward you when you get in school !🙄
 
coachman5 said:
I left feeling humiliated and upset. 😡
I'm upset and angry, since this was the school I had most wanted to go to.
Click to expand...

I am so sorry you had such a bad experience. It doesn't matter what type of person you are or how thick skinned you are, it is hurtful. When you are trying to get into professional school and someone strips you of your dignity and everything you've worked so hard for it is WRONG and it takes a while to get over. Don't let this man dictate your future or rob you of all your hard work. There are a lot of good dental schools out there, I say find another school to focus on. I would write everything that was said down and how it made you feel and send it to the dean of the dental school. No one deserves to be treated this way no matter what your scores or GPA are!!!
 
Coachman5,

I would humiliate the school that gave you such an unfair interview and post the name of the school and the faculty member. Kick him in the n..s. Don't let anybody f..k with you. You are better than that. Dont' be shy.
 
bitter old men tend to make crappy clinicians as well, so remember where the advice is coming from. don't sweat it, man. and sorry you had to sit through an hour and a half of someone grilling you... that really sounds terrible.
 
He sounds like a wanker to me. Shy dentists have never killed anyone but incompetent dentists have. I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like you're going into psychiatry where you talk to people all day. Sure, you're going to communicate with your patients but everything you say to them is basically going to be the same thing with a little variation here and there. It's not like you have to come up with some good analogy on the spot or anything like that. Also, like one of the previous posters said, you'll be working with just your dental assistant and your patient so social anxiety isn't all that high. You'll get in somewhere else and make a great dentist, that wanker doesn't speak for everyone, he only speaks for himself. It wouldn't bother me a bit don't worry about it.

P.S. Does anyone know if they can fail you in your clinicals for being shy? Do they grade you on patient interaction?
 
Hi,

Thank you all for the support. I just had an interview at BU, which was so much better an experience than the one at T****. I interviewed with a woman from admissions, who was really sweet and friendly.🙂

Since I have nothing to lose, I have decided to write a letter to the dean to explain the situation, and quote some choice statements that the professor made. I'm upset with myself for having put up with his *&#$@ behavior during the interview. Sigh. I'm in somewhat of a pickle since I only applied to three schools.

Good luck everyone, I hope we all get an acceptance into dental school!!
 
You are right, you will not be graded on your "interactions with patients" when you are in school, but those interactions are going to determine whether patients like you and trust you enough to return to YOUR office and ultimately pay your overhead costs, your staff and your salary......
 
Temple doesnt have 5 letters... it's gotta be Tufts!

and i thought the people there were all so nice
 
lovelyme said:
You are right, you will not be graded on your "interactions with patients" when you are in school, but those interactions are going to determine whether patients like you and trust you enough to return to YOUR office and ultimately pay your overhead costs, your staff and your salary......
Click to expand...

You have a point. I don't really think anyone would care too much as long as you did a good job and didn't inflict anymore pain than is necessary. I think as long as your friendly in what you have to say that's all that matters. Quiet people tend to come off as arrogant and super smart. Some of them are and some of them aren't. I would be turned off by an arrogant dentist. You need to find the right balance between what you say to your patients. I would ask some open ended questions to someone who likes to talk a lot and seemed scared. It would take their mind off of whatever was bothering them. However, if you are the one talking the patient can be brewing up a storm of irrational thoughts in his head and nodding to yes or no to your questions. It takes a lot more brain power and concentration to speak than to listen. What if all your patients were HMO's? They wouldn't really have an impact on your practice or would they?
 
ok i have been reading this and it frustrates me a little. I hope ppl dont get offended because I am about to present a different perspective. Just my opinion.

I dont know the ppl at that school and i dont know coachman so I really have no credibility. However, I think as students of higher education, we should not look at things so superficially. How can you we conclude that such an act is wrong when we only hear one side of the story? I know many interviews like to challenge the applicant to see how they react. If someone tried to convince me I'm not cut to be a dentist, I would try to convince that person I am and provide evidence.

In every sale, something is sold. Either you sell yourself or the interview sells you why you shouldnt be a dentist.

another way to look at this situation is maybe that prof (who you said was in the same field of research as you) was actually impressed at what you do and tried to convince you to go into research because he thinks you would be a good asset to the program. Think about it, if a prof singles you out at the end of the interview, chances are he was IMPRESSED by you. Why would he even care if he thought you sucked? why would he waste an hour and a half of his time convincing you NOT to be a dentist????? it makes no sense.

What I am getting at is that if you had a bad interview, instead of thinking its 100% the school's fault, you should maybe sit down and evaluate yourself. Why do you think that happened? What have you learned? how would you have responded if you were in that situation again? From my perspective, take the time to think about those things instead of drafting a letter which will accomplish very little for you. I understand the need to vent and to gain support, which you have but what do u achieve by sending a letter?

Also, as a dentist, you will come across MANY ppl like this. People who will challenge your motives, your goals, and belittle your efforts. Not everyone is gonna treat you like a king. learn from this experience. I think you have a big advantage over those who had easy interviews.

just my 2 cents
 
I agree with Gsman. Not every dental interview is going to be a breeze (although SDN feedbacks makes it seem like that). Sometimes interviewers just hate you or they play the part. I thought my interview at a certain Northeast school was terrible because unlike my other interviews, this was a TOUGH interview and at times I had the urge to lose resolve and walk out. But I didn't really care (cuz I was gonna be interviewed for another 40 minutes) and just brushed off whatever "faults" that were brought up. In the end, the interviewer seemed pleased since we found SOMETHING in common and I ended up getting an offer at said school.
 
I do not have any right to say anything for this situation because I have yet to even take the DATs and go through the application process for the 08 cycle, but I couldn't help it. If I was coachman, I would have given that douche a piece of my mind, in some situations you cannot just tend to be shy, or else you lose your self-worth and confidence which hurts your psyche for another interview. In the end it will damage you and only you physically and mentally, so SCREW the school, get the contact of the douche, and give him what you have to say! You've already been rejected, I probably think because of this, because those old men have a lot of pull in ad coms (know from observation), give your mind peace and shout out your rage. I'm behind you 200%! (Health minor :laugh: )
 
i just went to the temple interview and some people were told to meet with a professor in private at the end of the day too...sounds similar. No one knew why though...but i don't think it's because of research
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ballpass
KCU Interview
Replies
1
Views
492
MolarsinMind
M
ezbriz
responded late to interview invite
Replies
1
Views
413
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
I.LYZB
  • Poll Poll
Pre-December Interview
Replies
3
Views
1K
Ryxndek
Ryxndek
P
Help with interview questions
Replies
0
Views
856
prizza
P
E
Post interview grades
Replies
5
Views
1K
Ryxndek
Ryxndek
Top