SDN’s Interview Tracker 2023-2024 can help keep an eye on interview invites and statuses for you, especially when applying to schools with rolling admissions – this way, they evaluate applications as they come in!
Make sure to start taking Casper by the late June deadline in order to see results early on in the cycle while building community service and research experience to bolster your application.
What to expect
Enhancing oral health for local and global communities through excellence in education, patient care, research, and discovery. Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, The College of Dentistry offers four programs leading to its Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS).
The school offers an exceptional academic environment in which students learn the science and application of dentistry through hands-on experience in classroom, clinic, and laboratory environments alongside patients. It specializes in training the next generation of dental professionals while simultaneously improving oral health for all people and furthering the profession through innovation and scholarship.
To assist candidates in preparing for interviews, the College of Dentistry provides a list of frequently asked questions along with tips and strategies on how to respond. They also have recommended reading materials, including books on dental hygiene and anatomy that might come up during an interview. Please keep in mind that the list may have evolved with past applicants’ interviews – each interviewer may pose unique inquiries during your meeting.
Pre-health students should remain in constant communication with their undergraduate advisor and take part in their college’s pre-health committee program. It is also crucial to obtain volunteer or research experience that strengthens one’s application, taking the DAT early if applicable (particularly for schools that require supplemental applications).
Many schools begin inviting applicants for interviews as early as late July or August and continue until they have filled their class or reached their AADSAS quota, usually by December 15 – so during this period, you must remain in close communication with any school you are applying to and are open if waitlisted.
CycleTrack provides students with an easy way to track their dental school interview process with free online resources like CycleTrack that allow users to view their AADSAS status at any point in time and share that information. In addition to visualizing interview statuses, this resource also tracks supplemental applications and sends email reminders when it’s time for the submission of another one.
Preparation
Accessing dental school requires more than high grades and an impressive DAT score; you must demonstrate your passion for the field, possess additional knowledge and experiences that set you apart from other candidates, and have the potential to have a positive effect on healthcare’s future. Before submitting applications or attending interviews, it’s crucial that you fully comprehend all aspects of yourself as an individual candidate.
Admissions officers will evaluate two main aspects during an interview: 1) Your ability to succeed in dental school and 2) whether their program fits you well. They’ll consider both your academic background as well as any volunteerism, research, clinical, or work experiences to gauge whether you will thrive in their program.
Most dental schools use specific criteria to assess applicants, typically consisting of GPA x School Conversion Factor x DAT score. After initial weeding out those who fall below minimum requirements, those remaining may have provided enough evidence of academic ability for admissions committee review; they could potentially represent one of the most competitive applicant pools.
Once you have narrowed down your list to schools that genuinely interest you, begin preparing for interviews by studying DAT questions and developing time management techniques. Before your interview, if possible, take several DAT exams so you can become familiar with its format and the types of questions. Take advantage of online resources available to you for practicing for this test as well. Utilizing a formal prep course is an excellent way to increase your odds of scoring highly while also giving you structure and support to manage test anxiety. Whatever method of preparation you employ, be sure that all materials, including personal statements, are ready when interviewing begins! You don’t want any unpleasant surprises when interviews take place!
During the interview
Interviews are an integral component of the application process. Making it to this stage means that you have already passed the admissions committee’s initial evaluation of your complete AADSAS application, GPA, DAT scores, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. At the interview stage, you have an opportunity to show that you’re the perfect match for the school while demonstrating that you possess all of the skills required to become a successful dentist.
Faculty members typically conduct interviews for dental schools; however, in certain schools, dental students or alumni may assist in the evaluation process of interviews. Admissions, student affairs, and financial aid staff may also take part. Discussions typically occur one-on-one; however, some schools utilize MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), popular in medical school applications, to assess applicants in a group setting.
At your interview, the panel will ask a series of questions regarding your experiences in pre-health education and why you decided to pursue dentistry as a profession. In addition, they may inquire into past academic and professional backgrounds; ultimately, they are looking for evidence of your passion for dentistry!
They will also want to see that you can manage a rigorous course load, communicate effectively in groups, and possess manual dexterity. Finally, they want to know that you have an enthusiastic passion for helping people.
At an interview, it is vitally important that you are courteous and professional towards interviewers and current or past students or alumni you come into contact with during your visit. Never ask them questions regarding party scenes in their school or how many hot girls there are on campus, as such questions are considered inappropriate and could damage your candidacy.
Interviewers frequently pose this final question to candidates: Why should we choose you over someone else? For the best result, try being specific and linking your strengths directly to the school’s mission statement rather than giving a generic response like, “Because I love dentistry.”
Post-interview
After spending months studying for and filling out your AADSAS application, your phone rings with an interview invitation! This is an incredible feat as it means you have made it past initial cuts such as GPA, extracurriculars, and letters of recommendation – making you eligible to continue applying to schools that match up well with you. Your interview gives you the chance to showcase your abilities and personality so they can determine if you’ll make an excellent addition to their school.
Interviews come in all shapes and forms; most dental schools utilize one-on-one interviews as their standard approach, although there may also be multiple mini-interviews (MMI). Dental schools increasingly prefer this format as it gives them insight into your thinking processes and problem-solving ability, something they cannot fully evaluate via your AADSAS application or DAT score alone.
While each school’s questions will vary depending on its needs and candidate expectations, most interviewers look for specific themes when interviewing candidates. Most will check whether you possess a thorough knowledge of dentistry as well as being well-rounded; they’re likely also keen to hear why you decided to interview with them in particular and about your passion for dentistry in general. They want to ensure you can work well as part of a team.
Keep in mind that most dental schools will accept fewer applicants than they have space in their class, meaning even being the top candidate on paper doesn’t guarantee you acceptance into one or all the schools you interview at. Many students who did exceptionally well on both exams, DAT, and interviews were ultimately rejected from all the schools they interviewed at.
Some schools will provide an early commitment option similar to medical programs that gives certain applicants priority in interviews and allow them to be eligible for conditional admission and four-year scholarships not offered elsewhere. If this option interests you, make sure your application for it is submitted before December 1.
