University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry Interview Feedback Summary
Jackson, MS
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 moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.4
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 52 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?
Applicants reported being asked about their motivation for pursuing dentistry, handling stress, reasons for career transition, academic performance, personal attributes, community service involvement, and addressing specific aspects of their application during medical school interviews. Responses did not mention an MMI format or nondisclosure agreements.
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How do you plan to handle the stress of dental school?
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Why dentistry
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why are you switching from your current career to dentistry?
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Why did you not do so well in Biochemistry?
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Use 5 adjectives to describe yourself and how they would make you a unique member of the dental class.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry discussed a range of topics including the differences between empathy, sympathy, and pity, ethical dilemmas, retirement goals, past application experiences, personal qualities related to dentistry aspirations, coping as a minority in certain environments, and memorable life experiences. While some responses mentioned standard interview questions, there were diverse and thought-provoking inquiries, indicating a comprehensive evaluation process that may include MMI format and nondisclosure agreements.
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What do you think is the difference between empathy, sympathy, and pity?
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Ethical dilemma scenarios
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when you are retired what accomplishments do you hope to look back on?
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Why did you not get in last year?
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They were mostly pretty standard interview questions.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry discussed ethical dilemmas, personal motivations for pursuing dentistry, contingency plans if not accepted, and the impact of external factors like politics on healthcare. Additionally, some respondents may have faced challenging questions related to low test scores or justifying their suitability for acceptance.
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Ethical dilemma with man stealing medication to save terminally ill wife.
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Why should we accept you?
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none
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What do you plan to do if you do not get in?
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Why dentistry? (Will be asked everywhere, but I still find it a difficult question to answer in a way that is straight-forward and accurate.)
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions ▼
How long was the interview?
Most respondents had an interview of more than 50 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 4 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 an open 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 practicing commonly asked questions, reviewing their personal statements and resumes, researching the school, and participating in mock interviews. Suggestions include making a mind map of hot interview topics, seeking advice from current students, and staying calm and relaxed before the interview.
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SDN, made a mind map of hot interview topics
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Practiced answering commonly asked interview questions readily available online
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I answered questions found here and other places.
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read this website.
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When over common interview questions.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the interviews, with interviewers being easy to talk to and creating a comfortable environment for open discussions. The faculty and staff were noted for being hospitable and approachable, contributing to an overall positive experience during the application process.
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How relaxed the interviewers were.
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Meeting with Dean of Admissions in one of the interview session and discussing very openly about the application
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Everyone was extremely nice and friendly.
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the interviews were very laid back. they really just wanted to find out who I was as a person.
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Faculty is very nice and very easy to talk to.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about feeling intimidated during interactions with the dean of admissions, with some finding the experience awkward and negative. Some applicants also felt that the focus during the visit was more on highlighting the challenges and negatives of the school rather than promoting its positive aspects, suggesting a need for a more balanced approach in showcasing the institution.
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nothing
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none
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nothing really. the dean of admissions was a little intimidating but that's the only thing i can think of that would be negative.
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The only awkward part was meeting with Dr. Duncan, the dean of addmisions. After our 3 regular interviews he asked each of us to come into his office and talk for about 5 min. if he had never met us before. It was really awkward, and I thought it went awful. When I was done, I went back in the room where the other applicants were and they were all saying the same thing. It made me feel much better because we all agreed that it must just be his personality.... so don't take it personally!
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That they seemed to want to intimidate us, not promote the school itself. All they seemed to talk about was the negative parts of the school and how hard it is; we KNOW it's hard; They should take more steps to sell the school itself and the positive aspects of it. Compared to other schools visited, the facilities were not impressive.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known to wear comfortable shoes, not to be nervous or stressed, and that interviews would be more laid back than expected. They emphasized the importance of being relaxed and treating the interview as a conversation rather than a formal interrogation.
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TO WEAR FLATS! I had a huge blister on the back of my heel by the end of the tour.
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Not be nervous about the MMI style of interview.
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Not to be stressed. They make you feel very comfortable. It's more like a conversation than an interview. They generally want to get to know you.
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nothing. the interviews were pretty straight forward.
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Not to be so stressed!
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally recommend wearing flats, preparing to discuss personal values and unique experiences, and staying calm during the interviews. They found the experience to be positive, with laid-back interviews and friendly staff, despite some feeling stressed.
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Wear flats, prepare by knowing where you stand on your personal values, try to find past experiences to relate to why you believe what you do
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Brush up your unique experiences in the past and be ready to let them know how unique you are!
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it was a good experience overall. it was three one-on-one interviews, a tour of the dental school from two second year students, and i met with the dean of admissions for like 10 minutes. i was nervous at the beginning but the whole experience was very laid back and everyone was nice.
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Overall, I had a really positive experience. The facilities were nice and so were the people. There was no reason to be nervous. Dr. Duncan is really nice, he just comes off a bit odd at first.
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Interviews very laid back, had 4 one on one interviews, they wanted to get to know you, had good conversation, they asked most of the routine questions: why dentistry, sit-in experiences, community service, overcoming adversity, about grades and dat
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
No responses
📍 On-Site Experience ▼
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in 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 Home or at home.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel is Best Western.
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Best Western
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Cabbot Lodge
How would you rate the hotel?
Most respondents rated their hotel as average
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 | Positively 🙂 | Good | In Person |
| 2021-22 | Positively 🙂 | Great | In Person |
| 2019-20 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2018-19 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2010-11 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2010-11 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Good | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Negatively ☹️ | N/A | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | N/A | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | N/A | N/A |
| 2009-10 | Positively 🙂 | Great | N/A |
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