Portland, OR
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 23% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.1
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 199 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.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as low stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (85%)
Negatively (9%)
No change (6%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (70%)
Good (27%)
Average (3%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally praised OHSU for its friendly atmosphere, supportive faculty, and strong clinical focus. However, some expressed concerns about the outdated facilities, organizational issues during interviews, and limited exposure compared to other programs, prompting a few to reconsider their initial preferences.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Wonderful school with great student/faculty dynamic. Interview was online and then traveled there for optional Preview Day to tour school
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Awesome school with beautiful new facilities.
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Place is great, The building is fantastic, but the surrounding buildings and architechture arent really aesthetically pleasing. The facilities are a bit strange to navigate to. The school is in a very pricy area so finding affordable housing in a nice neighborhood under $1200 is difficult, let alone within short distance, expect 20-30+ minute commutes for that. The staff were very nice and the professors doing the interviews were genuinely interested in me. I over-prepared and could have gone in dry and felt fantastic in the interview.
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OHSU is a great school! Clinically strong, enthusiastic, and supportive!
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Good school, good people, good city. Interview day could've been scheduled better but not a major issue. Facilities are a little old but not too bad. Clinic seems a little cramped though. They are thinking about building a new dental school (and raising tuition to compensate) but it wouldn't be completed until ~2014 at the earliest.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
42 Minutes Average
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Number:
1.7 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
96% Open-File
4% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
OHSU-DENT-COMP interviews are an average of 42 minutes, with an average of 1.7 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 4% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include scenario-based ethics questions, inquiries about academic challenges faced, reasons for choosing a career in dentistry, interests in specific programs, research experiences, and personal characteristics essential for a dentist. These interviews may have been conducted in an MMI format, as suggested by the focus on multiple questions and scenarios, and respondents might have been subject to nondisclosure agreements due to the specific nature of the questions asked.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Mostly scenario based ethics questions, i.e. how would you handle a classmate cheating?
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First interview was more of "why dentistry/ why OHSU" type questions. Second interview was more about seeing if you've been through some academic adversity/how are you going to handle it.
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Talk about your research
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Tell me about your research
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Tell me about yourself
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry discussed various topics such as interpreting personal statements, professionalism, handling ethical dilemmas, personal growth through experiences, and scenarios involving patient interactions. The interview format may have been MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) as some responses hinted at nondisclosure agreements, while other questions focused on assessing personality traits, motivations for dentistry, and problem-solving skills.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What a specific quote in my personal statement meant to me
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How did you go about doing your research (specific questions probing it)
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What does English Composition mean? (She honestly didn't know)
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What is professionalism?
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What are your hobbies?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their application, researching the school's website, engaging with Student Doctor Network (SDN) for interview feedback, and conducting mock interviews. They also sought advice from current students and professionals in the field to gain insights and practice common interview questions. Some emphasized the importance of understanding the school's values and community involvement to better connect during the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Sdn
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Google, your average interview prep. Having thoughtful answers to your basic questions (especially regarding your own application) will carry you through this interview. They are not trying to grill you.
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This site, answering a few basic questions on my own, studying why the profession is perfect for me in the first place.
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Reviewed my application, read SDN interview feedback questions
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Talked to current OHSU students, studentdoctor.net interview feedback, OHSU website
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry discussed various topics including academic challenges, reasons for interest in dentistry, ethical obligations facing dentists today, and future trends in the field. Responses also mentioned questions related to DAT performance, personal attributes, and hypothetical scenarios, indicating a diverse range of inquiries typical of a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format where respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Your undergrad GPA is slightly lower than the average we accept here.. What do you think about that and how will you succeed here if accepted?
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Why don't you just stick to IT work? There's good money in it.
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What academic challenge have you faced?
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What do you dis-like about dentistry?
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What can you tell me about why you did very well on certain sections of the DAT and not so well on others?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, the state-of-the-art facilities, the emphasis on clinical training, and the personalized, low-stress interview experience. They appreciated the camaraderie among students and faculty, the hands-on approach to the interview day, and the high level of support and engagement from staff and professors.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Friendly students/faculty and gorgeous facilities
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Extremely thoughtful questions that were the most personalized of any interview I had. Interviewers were genuine and very interested in what you had to say.
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The facility and the friendly atmosphere
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Fantastic facilities, Great clinic, Great clinical preparedness from the looks of things.
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It was just a conversation. There were 2 professors who were both very nice. Low stress interview.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were commonly unimpressed by the outdated facilities, disorganization in scheduling or lack of tours, and some negative experiences with students or staff interactions. Suggestions included improving communication, updating facilities, and fostering a more professional and welcoming environment for prospective students.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Was not the biggest fan of the online platform. Zoom probably would have been better
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Nothing, best interview.
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Cost of attendance, A bit of disorganization was spoken about by multiple students/staff due to constant changes in the policies.
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How late the in the application process the interview was (I interviewed at many others schools prior to December 3rd)
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No formal tour. Morning introduction was a little informal (not bad but not as impressive as other schools). Schedule had time to sit in on a class but they had scheduled my interview for that time so I didn't get to see the class. Time observing in clinic seemed kind of a waste (isn't that why they required shadowing hours?).
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the relaxed and conversational style of the interview process, the emphasis on being well-prepared from their application, and the friendly and welcoming atmosphere created by the admissions staff. Suggestions included not stressing out, reviewing application details, and being aware of any pre-interview essays or writing samples.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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You spend a while (probably 45 min or more) "shadowing" a student one on one while they work. Can be a good time to chill out and ask the student questions but also a little boring as they are busy and unable to talk that much.
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I was very prepared, I dont feel as though I wish I'd known anything extra before going in.
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Make sure to look over your application before you go on. They will ask about stuff on your app.
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How easy the interview was going to be.
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There's a morning writing sample. Nothing stressful but writing samples are kind of annoying.
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested improvements such as enhancing the interview process, including multiple student perspectives, starting interviews earlier in the cycle, and providing more proactive communication about application status updates.
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Good interview process. I have no immediate suggestions.
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Have lunch with multiple students, not just one.
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Start interviewing earlier!!
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More communication earlier in the cycle regarding application status updates and interviews
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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PDX
91% interviewees used PDX (PDX), with 9% using Portland International (Portland International).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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45% Airplane
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48% Automobile
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3% Train or Subway
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3% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Days Inn Portland Center (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at The Inn at Marquam Hill (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Days Inn Portland Center
10/10
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The Inn at Marquam Hill
10/10
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Inn at Marquam Hill
10/10
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.1
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 199 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.
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Admissions staff (23%)
Faculty member (14%)
Other (2%)
Student (61%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (76%)
Neutral (24%)
All Responses
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