This blog post is brought to you by Dominique (@love.dominique.dmd). You can read more of her posts at www.lovedominiqueblog.com!
The dental school interview is an important step in the admissions process and one that should be taken seriously. Preparing for the interview can help you make a great impression on the admissions panel and increase your chances of being accepted. To ensure that you are as prepared as possible, it is important to know what to expect on the day of your dental school interview. In this blog post, we'll go over what to expect, from the schedule to what to wear and bring, and even some questions to ask the admissions panel.
Preparing for Dental School Interviews
Be as prepared as possible for your interview. Thoroughly research the school’s mission, values, and programs to demonstrate knowledge and critical thinking about why it could be a good fit for you.
Refresh yourself on your application details by re-reading personal statements and supplemental essays, looking at grades, and reviewing who wrote you letters of recommendation.
Make an effort to stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments related to the school and its programs. All of this will come across well in the interview and show that you are not only a serious applicant but also a thoughtful and engaged student.
I put all of this research into a single document that I would review on my flight or even on my ride over to the interview.
The Schedule
Dental schools tend to follow a similar schedule for the day. Before the day begins, the school will usually provide all the candidates with a schedule of the day's events. This schedule will usually start with breakfast for all the candidates, which is a great opportunity for you to sign in, get your nametag, and get settled in.
Then, you’ll do the interviews, take a tour, and listen to presentations about the school, financial aid, curriculum, and other important aspects of the school. These three sections can happen in any order, depending on the school, but they’ll let you know before they get started.
In between, you’ll usually have a chance to have lunch with current dental students, so that you can ask them questions and get a better feel of the school and its culture.
What to Wear to Your Dental School Interview
It is important to dress professionally for the interview, as you want to make sure that you make the best impression possible. For men, the best option is usually a suit and tie, while women should opt for a suit or dress. During my interviews, I noticed that the majority of people wore black suits with white shirts and black shoes or heels.
However, you should make sure to wear something that you feel comfortable and confident in. I like to stand out a bit, so I usually wore navy or burgundy suits instead of black. It is also important to make sure that you wear comfortable shoes because school tours can involve a lot of walking. I typically wear mules or flats, as I find those more comfortable than heels.
What to Bring
You don’t have to bring much to the interview, but I would highly recommend bringing a notebook and pen to take notes throughout the process. Make sure to take notes on everything you see, hear, and experience. This will help you remember exactly how you felt in the moment and all the little details that you learned. These notes will be really helpful when you are trying to make final decisions about where to attend.
Questions to Ask in Your Interview
Asking questions is an important part of the interview process, as it shows the admissions panel that you are interested in the school. You should ask questions about the faculty, curriculum, and student life in order to get a better feel for the school. It is a good idea to do research on the school ahead of time and to write down any questions that you might have.
Some questions that I asked my interviewers that got interesting answers were:
“What advice do you have for incoming students to ease the transition to dental school?”
“What traits do you often find in successful students?”
“What do you enjoy most about working at the school?”
“Knowing everything that you know now, what would you look for in a dental school if you were applying?”
The last question gave me some of the most interesting answers, so I would highly recommend asking it.
Conclusion
The dental school interview can be intimidating, but you can make a great impression with the right preparation. Make sure to wear professional clothing, take notes, and ask meaningful questions to show your interest in the school. Doing your research beforehand will help you feel more prepared and confident during the interview.
Good luck and happy interviewing!
Love,
Dominique IG: @love.dominique.dmd