Alton, IL
Dental Schools | Public For-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 25% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
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 average.
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 average.
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 personal experiences, strengths and weaknesses, motivations for pursuing dentistry, academic background relevance, and specific interests in the school or program. Some respondents mentioned questions tailored to their personal statements or experiences, while others were asked about their future plans if not accepted. Additionally, there were references to questions about non-science classes, financial expectations, and distinguishing factors from other candidates. It's worth noting that some responses may have been from Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) formats, potentially involving a nondisclosure agreement.
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Tell me about yourself
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Why dentistry?
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"What was a satisfying experience you have had recently?"
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What is a non-science class that you took that will help you succeed in dental school?
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They asked questions based off your personal statement.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine discussed a variety of topics, including qualities sought in applicants, reasons for choosing dentistry over medicine, the future of dentistry, and backup plans if not accepted. While some mentioned general or odd questions, there were no specific references to an MMI format or nondisclosure agreements in the responses provided.
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N/A
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What qualities do we look for in an applicant, in your opinion?
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"What was your favorite class in college?"
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Why dentistry and not medicine?
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Where do you see the direction of dentistry going?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including handling past situations differently, frustrating experiences, communication skills, failures, personal weaknesses, interest in the school, and plans if not accepted. Some responses suggested an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements in place due to references to 'MMI', 'Multiple Mini Interview', and 'non-disclosure'.
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N/A
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If you were to go back to a situation and act in it differently, how would you act? What would you have done differently?
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"What was a frustrating experience you had recently?"
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What is something that you wish you would have handled in a different way/How has your communication skills served you well?
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Give me a failing experience
✅ 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 1 person.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as low 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 their interviews by utilizing resources like Student Doctor Network (SDN), conducting mock interviews, reviewing past interview questions, researching the school's website, and seeking advice from current dentists or other health professionals. Suggestions included practicing with mock interviews, reading interview books, and seeking guidance from individuals who have previously gone through the interview process.
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SDN
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Looking through previous questions from other students here in SDN, watching lots of YouTube videos to prepare, and doing a mock interview with my family via zoom since my interview was held virtually on zoom!
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mock interview, SDN
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Read questions from this website/researched the school.
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SDN, writing down questions and answers on paper and reviewing them before the interview. Also asking current dentists for advice.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the campus, the small class sizes, the laid-back and conversational interview experience, the quality of facilities and equipment, and the supportive staff and faculty. They appreciated the homely and relaxed environment, as well as the personal interactions with admissions committee members, emphasizing the importance of feeling comfortable and at ease during the application process.
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Super nice, friendly, homey campus
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What impressed me positively was how the 3 admissions committee members were very nice, very funny, made me laugh, and really made me feel very comfortable and at home!
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how conversational and relaxing the interview is
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Laid-back interview, a small school that offers a great clinical experience at a good price.
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Interviewers, small class sizes
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions regarding the small, run-down town of Alton and the lack of activities in the area. Many also mentioned the short interview times and the unimpressive campus facilities as areas of concern. Suggestions included improving the campus appearance, offering longer interviews, and enhancing the surrounding area to provide more opportunities for students.
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Little run down
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Nothing!
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nothing
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Location of the school, surrounding area
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The town of Alton is very old looking and small. Doesn't seen like there's much to do in the town.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known about the small campus vibe, the specific backgrounds of interviewers, not to stress, the interview format, the school's location and facilities, and the relaxed nature of the interview. They also mentioned the early patient interaction opportunity, the school's affordability, and success rankings.
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Small campus homey vibe
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The title and some background info about each of the 3 people that interviewed me. Make sure to look them up and know who is a dentist and who is not, so when you are asking them your questions and you want to ask the question, "Why did you choose dentistry or what aspect drew you into dentistry?" you know exactly who to ask since not all of them may be dentists.
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not to be nervous
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Don't stress out about being a little late if you are, because you sit around a table for a bit at first.
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Three 30 min interviews with diff faculty, so total interview time was 1.5 hours! Too long!
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interviews to be relaxed and conversational, with interviewers being friendly and approachable. Many applicants appreciated the laid-back atmosphere and recommended having fun facts ready to make a lasting impression.
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Great school!
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It was a very chill, laid back, and relaxed interview. All of the 3 interviewers were very nice, friendly, funny, and one of them commented on one of the things I said and told me that their son enjoys doing the same thing too! So, they definitely made me feel comfortable and not as nervous! Good luck to everyone reading this, you WILL DO GREAT! :)
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straightforward q's; really just want to get to know you; have some fun facts to say to stick out a little bc it seems very conversational to the point where they might not remember anything you said
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Impressed with the school and the interview was relatively short, which may be good or bad. Have questions to ask your interviewers.
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Seems like a great school. Look forward to attending in the fall.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
The most common feedback and suggestions shared by applicants to the admissions office were to schedule and conduct interviews promptly and in a timely manner.
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None!
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n/a
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My interview was not conducted at, or near to the scheduled time. I was fine with having to wait, as
📍 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 4-6 hours 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 Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
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FLL - ORD
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MDW
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
The most commonly mentioned hotel is "Hilton".
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Comfort inn
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Hilton
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Motel 6
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at Springfield...
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super 8
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?
N/A
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My sink was clogged so that was annoying
All Responses
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