Halifax, NS
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.5
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 42 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about handling conflicts, ethical dilemmas, and personal reflections such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Name one thing you would change if you were to step back into the past." Some respondents mentioned scenario-based questions involving plagiarism accusations and resolving conflicts within a group, showing a focus on ethical decision-making and interpersonal skills in the interview process.
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Tell me about yourself?
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Name one thing you would change if you were to step back into the past.
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Pretend a group member has accused you of plagiarizing your portion of a project. You vehemently deny it and make a scene. Later you realize that you unknowingly did plagiarize. What would you do?
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If you were in a research group and were accused of plagiarism on a group project and the you got angry and told the group off then later found out you had plagiarized what would you do? (I know strange huh?)
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Describe a time when someone was angry about something that you did.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry discussed various situational scenarios, such as handling disagreements in grading, decision-making in a lab setting, and the impact of missing class. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), and respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement based on the nature of the questions mentioned.
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What would you do if you won a million dollars?
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When you miss class, who suffers?
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If you were a TA for a class and a professor approached you wanting you to evaluate a students examination that was scored by a fellow TA and you didn't agree with the mark, how would you handle the situation?
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all situational questions.
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You are working in an organic chemistry lab trying to synthesize a new chemical. Three colleagues have proposed three different methods, how do you decide which to use.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry discussed situational scenarios, such as challenging authority and handling personal crises. These responses suggest a focus on assessing problem-solving skills and ethical decision-making in the interview process.
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How should we remember you as an applicant?
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Explain a time when you challenged or disagreed with authority.
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Bad new question, hard to think of a "good" situation...
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It is a week before finals and you receive a call that a family member will only survive 1-2 weeks longer. What do you do?
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all questions were situational
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 2 people.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had a closed file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by creating a question bank, practicing speaking with others, doing mock interviews, reviewing possible questions, and researching the school or program. Some also mentioned practicing with past questions, being themselves, and talking to current students for insights.
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Prepared question bank. Practiced my speaking with family and friends. Did mock interviews.
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CDA Interview practice questions
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I thought about different situational questions they may ask.
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SDN, reviewed my application and school's website, mentally accounted for probable "explain a time when" questions.
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Nothing really, not much on SDN. Just be yourself, as you can tell they are testing you more on your interviewing skills then your answers.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the small class size, friendly and helpful faculty, and the clinical focus of the program, including early hands-on experience with patients. The personal and supportive interactions with interviewers, admissions staff, and current students also stood out as a highlight for many applicants.
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They had a D4 student as one of the interviewers.
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Small class size, friendly & helpful faculty, a beautiful new clinic
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How clinically oriented the school is. You have a high-speed in your hand after the first week of first year and are seeing patients your second year!
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Ms. Webb is super personable and both Dr. Bannerman and the regional dentist who interviewed were friendly and encouraging. Willingness of admissions staff and current students to act as sources for prospective students. The small class size is a plus for me, as is the fact that Dalhousie is a board testing site with reciprocity with the States.
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Great clinic. Sounds like an excellent program.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly mentioned concerns about the distance and complexities of attending school internationally, as well as outdated facilities or negative impressions of the interview environment. Suggestions include addressing logistical challenges for international students and updating facilities to create a more positive impression on prospective students.
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N/A
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Nova Scotia is beautiful, but going to school internationally presents additional complexities.
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Very far away, but I hear it is very pretty. (I interviewed in my home state.
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the 1970's waiting room.
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nothing
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known in advance about the interview structure, specifically whether it would be CDA structured or closed file. They also expressed a desire for more insight into the program's quality and specifics, such as student-faculty ratio.
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I wish I had known it wouldn't be CDA structured questions
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That interview was closed file. I think Dalhousie gives both open and closed interviews.
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How great the program seems.
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1-9 student faculty ratio
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly praised the interviewers for being nice and felt the questions were authentic in getting to know them. Many emphasized the importance of being genuine and sharing personal experiences during the interview process.
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Interviewers were very nice. Questions are definitely meant to find out who you are as a person. Almost impossible to give fake responses. Best advice is to just be yourself and definitely use every opportunity to talk about your experiences.
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Wonderful program, highly underrated
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Great place!
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amazing school!!!
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great, situational was kind of hard, but I fought hard and gave it my best, you just take it one interview at a time.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Most applicants did not have any suggestions for the admissions office, but praised Nancy's performance.
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None at all. Nancy is Awesome
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by Admissions staff personnel
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
What were your total hours spent traveling?
Most respondents spent 0-1 hour traveling to the interview.
What was your primary mode of travel?
Most respondents traveled by automobile to the interview.
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
Most respondents spent less than $100.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
No responses
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Other or at another housing option.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel is Downtown Halifax Residence Inn.
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Downtown Halifax Residence Inn
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
Most respondents would recommend their hotel.
What are your comments on where you stayed?
No responses
All Responses
| Application Cycle ▿ | Impression | Performance | Interview Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | No change 😐 | Good | Virtual |
| 2017-18 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2010-11 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | N/A | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
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