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By Andrew Hanna, DDS

How to Stand Out In a Dental School Interview

Being invited to a dental school interview is a pivotal moment in your journey to becoming a dentist. It’s an opportunity to show dental school admissions committees that you possess the communication skills, professionalism, and passion to thrive in the field of dentistry.

Why Do Dental Schools Require an Interview as Part of the Admissions Process?  

While your dental school application showcases your academic abilities, the interview provides a platform for you to demonstrate your interpersonal skills, maturity, and enthusiasm for dentistry. Dental schools want to see if you will be a good fit for their program, both academically and personally.

The Interview is also a Chance for You to Interview the School!

Equally important, the dental school interview is a chance for you to determine if the school aligns with your values and goals. While at the interview, take the time to learn about the program and assess how the program would allow you to reach your goals.

Why You Should Approach Your Dental School Interview with Confidence

Dental schools receive many applications from prospective students and conducting interviews is a time-consuming process for them. As a result, dental schools only offer interviews to applicants who they have vetted carefully on paper and who they believe have strong potential to succeed in their program.

If you have received an interview invite, it means the school is considering you seriously. Don’t go into the interview feeling that you have to prove yourself – you have already proven yourself to the dental school if you are invited to interview! You just have to provide confirmation that the person they are meeting is consistent with the person they see on the application.

What Are Different Dental School Interview Formats?

Dental schools may use different interview formats depending on their approach to assessing applicants. Understanding the format ahead of time can help you tailor your preparation accordingly.

If the dental school doesn’t provide information on what format they will use, chances are they will employ a traditional one-on-one interview. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for all formats

1. One-on-One Interviews

One-on-one interviews are the most traditional and common interview format employed by dental schools. You’ll sit down with a faculty member, admissions officer, or dental student who will ask you a series of questions and learn more about you.

One-on-one Interviews can be formal or casual

Some one-on-one interviews may be highly structured with the interviewer asking a series of predetermined questions while others may take on a conversational tone.

Tips:

• Be prepared to discuss any aspect of your dental school application.
• Active listening is crucial! Pay careful attention to what the interviewer is asking and take a moment to think before responding, ensuring your answers are clear and well-thought-out

2. Panel Interview

Panel interviews involve a group of interviewers (such as faculty members, dental students, or admissions officers) questioning one dental school applicant. The panel will likely assess different aspects of your candidacy, such as your motivations for dentistry, academic performance, and problem-solving abilities.

Tips:

• Maintain eye contact with each panelist, and try to engage with everyone present.
• Vary your answers to demonstrate your range of skills and knowledge.

3. Group Interviews 

Group interviews place several dental school candidates together for a joint interview, typically involving group discussions or tasks. The interviewers will evaluate how you interact with others, assessing your ability to work collaboratively.

Although less focused on personal background, group interviews highlight your communication and teamwork skills.

Tip:

• Strike a balance between contributing meaningfully to the conversation and allowing others to speak.
• Collaboration is key, but don’t be afraid to take the lead when appropriate.

4. Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)

MMIs consist of a series of short, timed interviews (or stations). Each station presents you with a prompt, such as an ethical dilemma or scenario, and you’ll have a few minutes to respond. Not all the prompts or scenarios will be related to dentistry.

The MMI format is designed to test your ability to think quickly and critically. Some stations may include role-playing or hypothetical scenarios.

Tips:

• Think about a structure for your answers before you respond.
• If the hypothetical situation involves dealing with another person, display empathy and compassion.
• Use methods like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to organize responses to behavioral questions (more about STAR below)

 5. Video Interviews

 In recent years, some dental schools have incorporated video interviews like the Kira Talent into their admissions process. These interviews involve recording responses to pre-set question prompts and submitting your answers.

Pre-recorded video interviews like Kira typically don’t replace an in-person or online interview in real-time. They are designed as an additional screening process before dental school applicants are offered a ‘real’ interview.

Tips:

• Choose a quiet, well-lit space.
• Test your equipment ahead of time, and ensure your internet connection is stable.
• Treat the interview as professionally as you would an in-person meeting – make sure to dress professionally!

What is the Difference Between an Open-File and Closed-File Dental School Interview?

In an open-file interview, the interviewer has full access to your application and may ask you questions about your application. In a closed-file interview, the interviewer will only know basic details, like your name.

How to Prepare for Your Dental School Interview

Adequate preparation is essential for standing out during your dental school interview. By familiarizing yourself with the interview format and practicing your responses, you can ensure that you’re ready for any question that comes your way.

1. Research the Program Thoroughly

• Take time to research each dental school where you’re interviewing. Understand the dental school’s mission, curriculum, and clinical opportunities in dentistry.
• Go beyond the dental school’s website and look at their social media accounts or if possible, talk to current students at the dental school to get more detailed information about the program
• Try to glean as much specific information as you can about the dental school, such as specialized research areas in dentistry, faculty interests, or dental community outreach programs.
• If possible, mention the names of faculty whose research you find interesting. In doing so, you demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and are seriously interested in contributing to the school’s community.

2. Know Your Application Inside and Out

• Review your dental school application carefully before the interview so that you can discuss any aspect of it confidently and in detail.
• Be prepared to explain any gaps in your education or fluctuations in grades.
• Reflect on your dental shadowing experiences, leadership roles, or research activities. Be ready to explain how these experiences have shaped your decision to pursue dentistry.

3. Practice Answering Common Interview Questions

• While you can’t predict every question, certain topics tend to come up frequently in dental school interviews. It’s a good idea to practice answering these common questions:
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why do you want to become a dentist?
  • Why did you apply to our dental school?
  • What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
  • Describe a time when you faced a challenge and how you handled it.

•  Conduct a mock interview with a friend or mentor, or record yourself and review the footage.

4. Prepare Your Own Questions

• Interviews are a two-way street. Dental school admissions committees want to see that you’re as invested in finding the right fit as they are in selecting the right candidate.
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the program, such as:
  • What are the research opportunities available to dental students at your school?
  • How does the program integrate clinical training in dentistry throughout the curriculum?
  • What student support services are in place to help dental students succeed?

• Asking insightful questions demonstrates that you’re taking the interview seriously and are genuinely interested in the dental school.

5. Stay Informed About Dentistry

• Keeping up with current trends in the field of dentistry is essential, especially if the interviewers ask about your thoughts on ethical issues or the future of the profession.
• Follow reputable organizations like the ADA (American Dental Association) and read dental journals to stay up to date.
• Stay updated on public health issues related to oral health and dental care trends. If the interviewer asks you about a current issue in dentistry, being well-informed will set you apart from other candidates.

 Making a Strong Impression

 Your demeanor during the dental school interview is just as important as the content of your answers. Here are some additional tips to help you leave a positive, lasting impression:

1. Be Professional

 Whether your interview is in person or virtual, professionalism is key. Dress appropriately, arrive early (or log on early if virtual), and be polite to everyone you meet — including administrative staff.

A firm handshake (if in person), maintaining good posture, and making eye contact can all convey confidence and professionalism.

2. Communicate Clearly and Thoughtfully

 Effective communication is essential. Speak clearly and confidently and take time to think before answering questions. Interviewers will appreciate thoughtful, concise responses over rushed or rehearsed answers.

3. Show Enthusiasm and Passion

Your passion for dentistry should be apparent throughout the interview. Smile, engage with the interviewer, and maintain positive body language. Showing genuine excitement for dentistry can make you more memorable to the admissions committee.

4. Be Honest and Authentic

 It’s tempting to try to give the “perfect” answer, but interviewers value authenticity over rehearsed responses. Be honest about your experiences, strengths, and areas where you need to improve. Authenticity can set you apart from other dental school candidates who try too hard to give the answers they think the interviewers want to hear.

5. Follow Up with a Thank-You Note

After the interview, send a thank-you email to the dental school. If you have the email of the interviewer, you can contact them directly. If not, you can email the admissions office at the dental school.

Express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in their specific dental school. Mentioning specific points discussed during the interview shows that you were engaged and attentive.

Common Dental School Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Here are some frequently asked questions in dental school interviews, with tips on how to structure your responses:

Tell Me About Yourself

• Purpose: To learn more about you as an individual and develop a clear understanding of how your background has shaped your character and values.
• Answer: Briefly summarize your background, focusing on experiences that have played a key role in shaping you as an individual. Discuss how these values tie into your passion for dentistry. Avoid shifting the focus of this question to why you want to be a dentist (that’s a separate question!)

Why Do You Want to Be a Dentist?

• Purpose: To understand your motivation for dentistry.
• Answer: Provide several specific reasons why you are drawn to dentistry. Share a compelling story or personal experiences to back up your reasons and to demonstrate how you learned about these aspects of the profession.

Why Our Dental School?

• Purpose: To gauge your fit for the specific dental school.
• Answer: Mention specific aspects of the program that appeal to you and relate them to your personal interests and future goals in dentistry. Show that you’ve researched the dental school thoroughly.

Tell me About a Time You Overcame a Challenge

• Purpose: To evaluate your problem-solving skills.
• Answer: Use the STAR method to structure your response, demonstrating resilience and what you learned from the experience:
  • S – Begin your response by describing the Situation or challenge clearly so your interviewer understands
  • T – Describe the Task at hand or the role you had in this challenging situation. Make sure you delineate clearly why this was a challenge
  • A – Explain what Action you took to address the challenge, explaining your rationale for the choices you made
  • R – Share the Result or outcome and what you learned from the process. You don’t need to demonstrate that your actions led to a perfect outcome. What’s more important is demonstrating the lessons you learned (the learning outcome) from the situation!

How do You Handle Stress?

• Purpose: To assess your ability to manage the demands of dental school.
• Answer: Discuss specific techniques you use to manage stress, such as time management or mindfulness, and provide examples of how these strategies have helped you in the past.

Key Takeaways

1. Being Interviewed is a Big Deal: If you’re invited to a dental school interview, it’s a strong sign that they’re seriously considering you. This is your opportunity to shine and demonstrate your fit for the program.
2. Different Interview Formats: Expect various formats like one-on-one, panel, MMI, and even pre-recorded interviews. Each format will test different skills, so prepare accordingly.
3. Be Ready for Key Questions: Prepare for classic questions like “Why dentistry?” and be ready to discuss your application in detail. Be confident in responding to personal and situational questions.
4. Develop Strong Techniques: Go beyond memorizing answers and cultivate techniques for navigating various types of questions including scenario-based questions or MMI interviews.