Dental School Interview Preparation Guide
A Comprehensive Guide for Pre-Dental Students
Introduction
The dental school interview is a crucial component of the admission process. It’s an opportunity for admissions committees to assess your interpersonal skills, professionalism, and passion for dentistry, beyond what’s presented in your application. This white paper aims to provide pre-dental students with comprehensive guidance on preparing for and excelling in your interviews.
About the Author
Chance Bodini is a general dentist in California. He is also the founder of Proximal Contact, LLC, where he operates Embrasure Space, DentWoo, and American Dental News. He attended the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry, where he graduated in 2015.
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bodini/
Learn more about Proximal Contact, LLC at: https://proximalcontact.com
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Table of Contents
How to Use This Guide to Prepare for Your Dental School Interview
Understanding the Interview Process
Dental schools do not interview students for fun. They know their class sizes are limited, and the admission committees take their responsibility as gatekeepers to the profession seriously. If you have been offered an interview, your application has been accepted, and you must close the deal.
An important concept that many students do not understand, is that you are being interviewed by everyone that you encounter at the school on your interview day. From the security guards and receptionists, to the students and faculty, every person you come into contact with, has a voice that can be used to advocate for or against you when the committee decides who to extend an offer of acceptance to.
Tip: Most schools offer admissions on a rolling basis. If you are not familiar with a rolling admissions process, I have written about the process here: https://embrasurespace.com/news/understanding-rolling-admissions-for-dental-school/
Why Do Applicants Need to be Interviewed?
The purpose of a dental school interview extends beyond assessing academic competence; it is an opportunity for both applicants and admissions committees to evaluate compatibility. For applicants, the interview serves as a platform to showcase their passion for dentistry and demonstrate personal and professional attributes which make them a strong candidate. The interview also allows the applicant to articulate their visions, aspirations, and readiness for the demanding yet rewarding journey of dental education.
Conversely, for the admissions committee, the interview is an opportunity to gauge an applicant’s interpersonal skills, ethical compass, and critical thinking abilities—traits vital for professional success. This mutual evaluation ensures that the selected candidates not only possess the requisite knowledge and academic skills, but also align with the school’s culture and mission. Ultimately, the goal of the admissions committee is to select the most qualified candidates they believe will be good stewards of the school’s values and mission throughout their careers, both as healthcare providers and as responsible, productive citizens.
In the next section, we are going to explore some common objectives of the interview process.
Evaluate Your Communication Skills and Professionalism
Dental schools are looking for candidates who can communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and staff. During the interview, they assess how well you articulate your thoughts, listen to questions, and respond appropriately. They also observe your professional demeanor, including how you dress, your body language, and your overall conduct throughout the day.
Tip: I know I’ve already said this, but it’s so important, it’s worth repeating. During an interview day, everyone you interact with is interviewing you. You should always assume that every person employed by the school is a part of the decision-making process.
Assess your motivation for pursuing dentistry:
Schools want to ensure that candidates are genuinely passionate about dentistry and have a clear understanding of what the profession entails. They’ll look for evidence that you’ve thought deeply about your career choice and have a compelling reason for wanting to become a dentist.
Gauge your understanding of the dental profession:
Some interviewers will try to determine how much you know about the day-to-day realities of being a dentist. They may ask about current issues in dentistry, ethical dilemmas, or your experiences shadowing dentists. This helps them determine if you have a realistic view of the profession.
Determine your fit with the school's culture and values:
Each dental school has its own unique culture, mission, and values. During the interview, they aim to assess whether your personal goals, work ethic, and values align.
Allow you to ask questions about the program:
The interview is not just for the school to evaluate you, but also for you to evaluate the school. They want to see that you’ve researched their program and have thoughtful questions. This demonstrates your genuine interest and helps you make an informed decision if accepted.
Remember:
The interview allows the admissions committee to get a more holistic view of you as a candidate, beyond what they can see or infer from your application, test scores, and grade point average. At the conclusion of the day, the interview will help support their decision-making, as they are tasked to determine how you will represent the school and profession as a dental student, alumni, and eventually, a practicing dentist.
Interview Formats:
It’s no secret that interview formats have changed over the last decade and dental school candidates now face a variety of interview formats. Understanding the nuances of each type can help you showcase your skills and make a strong first impression. Even if you know the interview format for a program, practicing and being prepared for any format will improve your confidence and your ability to succeed. Before delving into the specifics of different formats, let’s discuss the overarching concepts that underpin successful interview strategies.
There are five main types of interview formats used by dental schools:
- Traditional one-on-one interviews,
- Panel interview where multiple interviewers are present,
- Multiple mini-interviews (MMI) where candidates are scheduled for a series of interview stations,
- Group interviews where you interact with other candidates, and
- Virtual interviews.
Traditional One-on-One:
This is the most familiar interview format for applicants, because it’s often used for entry-level positions. In this format, you’ll have a conversation with a single interviewer, typically a faculty member, admissions officer, or sometimes a current dental student. The interview will last approximately 60 minutes and covers a range of topics including your background, experiences, and motivations. Because the interview is one-on-one, it allows for a more casual and conversational interaction, giving you the opportunity to build rapport with your interviewer.
Panel Interview:
A panel interview is the most common format for dental schools. For this format, you’ll be interviewed by multiple people at once—usually two to six interviewers. In the most likely scenario, you’ll be interviewed by two people, with one of them being faculty and either another faculty member, an admissions officer, a student or resident, or a clinical instructor. As opposed to a traditional one-on-one interview, this format can be more challenging, as you need to engage with multiple people simultaneously. But the format allows your positive connection with one interviewer to influence the other. Be sure to give all interviewers equal attention, make eye contact, and speak clearly so everyone in the room can hear you.
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI):
The MMI format has become increasingly popular in dental and medical school admissions. It consists of a series of short interviews, set up as stations. The interviews often last 30 minutes or less. In some cases, the MMI format will consist of stations where the interviews are only 10-15 minutes. Each station will have a specific goal and there’s little opportunity to deviate from the situation presented by the interviewer. You should anticipate being presented with a scenario or question, and given a short time to respond. Scenarios might involve ethical dilemmas, role-playing, or traditional interview questions. This format assesses your critical thinking, communication skills, and ability to perform under pressure.
Group Interview:
When it comes to the group interview, you’ll be part of a small group of candidates (typically 3-8) who are interviewed together. The interview might involve group discussions on a given topic, collaborative problem-solving exercises, or taking turns answering questions. The interviewers observe how you interact with others, your leadership skills, and your ability to contribute in a group environment. This format tests your interpersonal skills and how well you work in a team environment.
Of all the interview formats, the group interview is considered the most challenging, because interviewing alongside your competition is difficult. It’s important to be kind and courteous to your potential colleagues, but you still need to find a way to differentiate yourself from the field.
Virtual Interview:
Many schools have adopted virtual interviews. These are typically conducted via video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Teams. The format can be any of the above (one-on-one, panel or even virtual MMIs), but instead of in-person, they are conducted online. Preparing for a virtual interview is similar to an in-person interview, with the added responsibility of ensuring you have a reliable internet connection, a professional background, and appropriate lighting. Most importantly, you need to have access to a quiet, private space to seclude yourself for the duration of the interview.
Tip: It has become increasingly popular for schools to give applicants an option to select between in-person and virtual interviews. If given the choice, always take the in-person option—it’s just better for you and the admissions committee.
Reality Check:
In reality, the school is using all of the formats listed above throughout the interview day. If you have lunch with other applicants, consider it a group interview. If you spend ten minutes talking to the receptionist, consider that one of your MMIs. If you interact with the admissions department virtually before or after your interview date, consider that a virtual interview, etc.
Common Interview Questions
Now that we have reviewed the most common interview formats, let’s move on to some of the most frequently asked interview questions.
Ten Frequently Asked Questions:
- Why do you want to become a dentist?
- What experiences have led you to choose dentistry as a career?
- How do you handle stress and pressure?
- Describe a challenging situation you’ve faced and how you overcame it.
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the dental profession today?
- How do you stay informed about current issues in dentistry?
- Describe your strengths and weaknesses.
- How do you work in a team environment?
- What do you know about our program?
- Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Let’s take a closer look at these ten questions.
Why do you want to become a dentist?
This question aims to assess your motivations and understanding of the profession. Interviewers want to see genuine passion and a well-thought-out reason for pursuing dentistry. Your answer should reflect personal experiences, an understanding of the role dentists play in healthcare, and how your skills and interests align with the profession.
What experiences have led you to choose dentistry as a career?
Here, interviewers are looking for specific experiences that have shaped your decision. This could include shadowing dentists, personal dental experiences, volunteer work, or research. Your answer should demonstrate how these experiences provided insight into the profession and confirmed your career choice.
Tip: Tell a story.
How do you handle stress and pressure?
Dental school and the profession itself can be stressful. This question assesses your self-awareness and coping mechanisms. Be prepared to discuss specific strategies you use to manage stress, such as time management techniques, exercise, or mindfulness practices. Share examples of high-pressure situations you’ve handled successfully, highlighting your ability to manage stress.
Tip: Tell a story.
Describe a challenging situation you've faced and how you overcame it.
This behavioral question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience. Choose a significant challenge and explain it using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Focus on what you learned from the experience and how it prepared you for future challenges.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the dental profession today?
This question tests your awareness of current issues in dentistry. Take time to research topics like access to care, the impact of technology, changing regulations, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practices. Show that you’ve thought critically about these issues and how you might find or propose potential solutions.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the dental profession today?
Interviewers want to see that you’re proactive and already learning about the field. Mention specific journals, professional organizations, podcasts, or news sources that you follow. If you’ve attended any dental conferences or webinars, include them as well.
Describe your strengths and weaknesses.
This question assesses your self-awareness and honesty. For strengths, choose qualities relevant to dentistry and provide examples. For weaknesses, show self-awareness by identifying areas for improvement, and most importantly, describe steps you are taking to address these weaknesses.
Tip: This question is guaranteed to come up during your interview, and most students know that but still fail to have a good weakness. Do not say that your weakness is that you are a perfectionist like everyone else. Set yourself up to be different.
How do you work in a team environment?
Dentistry often involves working with other healthcare professionals. Provide examples of successful team experiences, whether from academic projects, sports, or work. Emphasize your ability to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and contribute to group goals.
What do you know about our dental school program?
This question tests whether you’ve researched the school thoroughly. Discuss specific aspects of their curriculum, facilities, research opportunities, or community outreach programs that appeal to you. Explain how these align with your goals and learning style.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
This question assesses your long-term commitment to dentistry and your career goals. Discuss your vision for your career, whether it’s opening a private practice, specializing in a particular area of dentistry, engaging in research, or teaching. Show that you’ve thought about your future in the profession and how the school’s program fits into those plans.
Summary:
These questions are opportunities to showcase your passion, experiences, and fit for both dentistry and the school’s specific program. It’s crucial to prepare thoughtful, sincere answers backed by specific examples from your experiences.
Preparing Your Responses:
This is where you need to spend the most time preparing for your interview. Your responses to questions should be well-rehearsed before your interview. However, avoid the temptation to memorize a script and recite answers to questions; this approach comes off as disingenuous and robotic. At the end of the process, you need the admissions committee to feel a sense of connection to you, not your answers.
To help you get started, think about using the STAR method as you structure responses to common questions.
What is the STAR Method?
S.T.A.R. stands for Situation, Tasks, Action, Result. This method provides a structured way to respond to certain interview questions about your past experiences. Here’s how it works:
- Situation: Briefly describe the context or background of the event.
- Task: Explain what you were specifically required to do.
- Action: Describe the steps you took to address the situation.
- Result: Share the outcomes of your actions, preferably with specific, quantifiable results.
For Example:
If you are asked about a time that you showed leadership, you might structure your answer like this:
- Situation: “During my junior year, our pre-dental club was struggling with low attendance and engagement.”
- Task: “As vice president, I was tasked with increasing member participation.”
- Action: “I surveyed members about their interests, organized more hands-on activities like dental impression workshops, and started a mentorship program with local dentists.”
- Result: “Over the next year, our regular attendance increased by 50%, and we had a 30% increase in new members.”
Reflect on your experiences and be ready to discuss them in detail:
Before your interview, the admissions committee and your interviewer(s) will have reviewed your application, studied your C.V., and read your personal statement. Your interviewers will come prepared with their own notes or questions about what you have already shared in your application. It is your responsibility to anticipate the most likely points of interest from the admissions team and prepare concise responses to those questions.
It should be easy for you to recall the experiences you wrote about in your personal statement and how they relate to dentistry. You should know what you listed on your C.V., and you should be able to talk about what you learned from each experience and how it reconfirmed your decision to pursue dentistry.
Tip: When crafting your responses, always consider how your answer demonstrates qualities valuable in dentistry.
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely:
You must practice. It is so important; I must repeat it. You must practice! Schedule at least one mock interview, and two would be better. If mock professional school interviews are not available at your college or through your pre-dental society, you should pay for the service online. I cannot overstate how much you can gain from a mock interview and how much you might lose by not doing one. Going into your interview “cold” is a major disadvantage that is easily avoidable.
Tip: A common question pre-dental students will ask is if their friends and family are a good resource for mock interviews. The answer is almost always “no”.
It should be easy for you to recall the experiences you wrote about in your personal statement and how they relate to dentistry. You should know what you listed on your C.V., and you should be able to talk about what you learned from each experience and how it reconfirmed your decision to pursue dentistry.
Tip: When crafting your responses, always consider how your answer demonstrates qualities valuable in dentistry.
Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the program:
Having questions for your interviewers shows your genuine interest in the school and helps you gather important information. Furthermore, having no questions for your interviewers is considered poor etiquette, and may hurt your chances of gaining acceptance. With so much information available online, creating a short list of questions should be easy. If you are struggling, consider using LinkedIn to reach out to current students for help.
Here’s your action list:
- Research the school thoroughly and prepare three to five thoughtful questions.
- Focus on aspects of the program that aren’t easily found on the website, but don’t be patronizing.
Tip: Don’t ask what sets their program apart from other dental schools, because you should already know the answer. Instead, ask what is their favorite part of the program?
Examples of good questions:
– “How does your program integrate the latest dental technologies into the curriculum?”
– “Can you tell me more about the mentorship opportunities available to students?”
– “What kind of support does the school provide for students interested in specializing?”
Remember, the goal of interview preparation is not to memorize scripted answers, but to become comfortable discussing your experiences and knowledge in a clear and organized manner.
Authenticity:
Authenticity is crucial when interviewing. Being genuine allows admissions committees to see your true passion for dentistry and assess your fit for their program. Authentic responses highlight your unique experiences and motivations, setting you apart from other candidates. While it’s natural to feel nervous, trying to present an idealized version of yourself can come across as insincere. Instead, showcase your real personality, strengths, and areas for growth. This honesty demonstrates self-awareness and integrity—key qualities for future dentists.
The importance of honesty:
If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to say so. Repeat after me, you do not need to know all the answers. Dental schools know their applicants are not dentists yet, so you don’t need to pretend to be one. Admitting when you do not know something demonstrates integrity and self-awareness. These are crucial qualities for healthcare professionals. Interviewers and fellow candidates will appreciate your honesty, more than an attempt to bluff your way. In fact, acknowledging gaps in your knowledge shows maturity and a realistic understanding of where you are in your educational journey.
Demonstrating Your Knowledge and Passion
After being authentic, your ability to demonstrate your knowledge, and more importantly, your passion for the profession, is what your interviewers will be looking for. Being passionate is more about body language and enthusiasm than anything else. You need to listen, be engaged, and lean into the conversation. Being passionate means you should be able to discuss specific experiences with dental professionals or patients that inspired you. You should be able to recount volunteer or shadowing experiences that got you excited about the prospect of becoming a dentist. You should be able to explain what motivated you to choose dentistry, and you should be able to describe how dentistry aligns with your values and goals.
The admissions committee knows that becoming a dentist is a big commitment, so they want to know you are up to the challenge.
Professional Etiquette and Appearance
When attending a dental school interview, presenting yourself professionally is crucial. You should wear conservative business attire to make a positive first impression. Punctuality is key, so arrive early to the interview location or log in early for virtual meetings. Come prepared with extra copies of your resume and any other required documents. To avoid distractions, silence your phone or turn it off completely. Throughout the interview, maintain good eye contact and positive body language to convey confidence and engagement.
The admissions committee knows that becoming a dentist is a big commitment, so they want to know you are up to the challenge.
What to Wear to Your Dental School Interview?
For both men and women, the key is to choose clothing that is professional, conservative, and well-fitted. Your interview is not a fashion show, so avoid anything too flashy, revealing, or casual. The goal is to present yourself as a polished, serious candidate who is ready to enter the professional world of dentistry.
Men:
- A well-fitted, dark-colored suit (navy, charcoal, or black).
- A well-ironed dress shirt.
- Conservative tie in a solid color or subtle pattern.
- Polished dress shoes in black or dark brown.
- Dark socks that match the suit color.
- Minimal, tasteful accessories.
Women:
- A tailored suit (pants or skirt) in navy, black, or dark gray
- Conservative blouse in white or a muted color
- Closed-toe dress shoes with a modest heel (2-3 inches max)
- Neutral-colored hosiery if wearing a skirt
- Minimal, professional jewelry (e.g., small earrings, a simple necklace)
- Subtle makeup and a neat hairstyle
- Manicured nails with clear or neutral polish
On the Day of the Interview
On the day of your interview, start with a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast to ensure you’re alert and energized. If you have time, review your application materials and practice answers to reinforce your confidence.
As you prepare to meet your interviewers, focus on staying calm and composed – deep breaths can help manage any nerves. During the interview, listen attentively to each question, allowing yourself a moment to formulate thoughtful responses. While maintaining professionalism, don’t be afraid to let your genuine personality shine through. Remember, the interviewers want to get to know the real you.
Follow-up After the Interview
After your interview, prompt and thoughtful follow-ups can leave a lasting positive impression. Within a day or two, send personalized thank-you emails or handwritten notes to each interviewer, expressing your appreciation for their time and reiterating your interest in the program. Take time to reflect on the interview experience, noting both your strengths and areas for potential improvement in future interviews. This self-assessment can be valuable for your professional growth.
In the weeks following the interview, maintain appropriate contact with the program to demonstrate your continued interest. This might include sending updates on any new achievements or experiences relevant to your application. However, be mindful not to overwhelm the admissions team with excessive communication. A balanced approach to follow-up shows enthusiasm and professionalism, potentially setting you apart in a competitive applicant pool.
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