Stony Brook, NY
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 11% 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 ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.6
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 237 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 average 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 (83%)
Negatively (9%)
No change (8%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (44%)
Good (41%)
Average (9%)
Poor (3%)
Bad (3%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview experience at Stony Brook to be relaxed, conversational, and low-stress, with a focus on being oneself and engaging in open dialogue. They appreciated the friendly faculty, top-notch clinical training, modern facilities, and the overall positive atmosphere of the school, although some expressed concerns about diversity and faculty interaction.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Go seawolves ;)
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It’s hard and you’ve heard this before - BE YOURSELF
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Stony Brook is a GREAT dental school. Their clinical training program is top-notch. It was such an honor to be invited to their interview.
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I absolutely loved my time at Stony Brook. Don’t stress the interview, it’s relaxed. The school is top notch. You won’t find another school like this, especially within its price tag.
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This school gets a 0/10 on the diversity scale. I wouldn't feel comfortable attending here simply because of where I'm from. I feel like I'd get depressed. Some of the faculty members have an air of elitism, but from what I've seen it wasn't really reflected in the students.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
25 Minutes Average
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Number:
1.3 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
93% Open-File
7% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
SUNYSB-DENT-COMP interviews are an average of 25 minutes, with an average of 1.3 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 7% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools based on user responses include inquiries about the candidate's interest in dentistry, reasons for choosing the specific school, research experiences, future plans, strengths and weaknesses, and personal background. Some responses referenced an MMI format, suggesting a structured interview process, and some respondents indicated a nondisclosure agreement might have been in place during the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why dentistry?
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What got you interested in dentistry?
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Tell me about yourself.
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Tell me more about this experience (pointed to my app)....
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We began the interview by talking about my hometown (very conversational)
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at SUNY - Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including hypothetical scenarios about dental care under Medicare, personal hobbies, influences on school choices, and hands-on experiences in dentistry like performing a root canal. The interviews covered diverse areas such as personal statements, career motivations, family backgrounds, recreational activities, and future aspirations, with some interviews being in an MMI format and possibly subject to a nondisclosure agreement.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Let's say you just got into dental school, oral care just became a part of the medicare program, and dentists now make $20,000, what would you do?
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Tell me about your hobbies?
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Did your mentor (pointed to my app) want you to go to this school (a very well-known dental school at the west coast that my mentor holds a teaching position) ? - I just answered, my mentor did not say anything about where I should go, but he did tell me no matter where I go, just study hard, ask good questions, and have common sense.
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A very well thought out question relating to my personal statement. I was surprised how in depth they went.
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How do I tour Italy with a motorcycle? (I am from there)
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by extensively reviewing websites, such as Student Doctor Network (SDN) and the school's site, practicing mock interviews, studying their application and personal statement, and seeking advice from current students or dentists. Suggestions include jotting down key points to address, researching the school, staying updated on current affairs related to dentistry, and engaging in mock interviews with advisors or peers.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Sdn, prepared common interview questions
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Went through website and read over SDN
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Jotting down notes of key points you want to address
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Reviewed all SDN questions and went over my application many times prior to the interview.
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Reviewed my application, studied the school and conducted a few mock interviews
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at SUNY - Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including teamwork, career aspirations, uniqueness as an applicant, challenges in dentistry, and handling criticism. Some responses indicated a conversational interview style, while others mentioned specific queries about uninsured patients, insurance situations, and reasons for choosing Stony Brook. It is worth noting that some respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement due to the MMI format mentioned in a few answers.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Since the class size is quite small, tell me how you would work as a team player at stony brook.
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N/A
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Nothing difficult really.
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Everything was conversational — nothing too difficult.
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What would you do if you did not get accepted to any dental school?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed with the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the school, the small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and close-knit community. They specifically highlighted the individual attention from faculty, modern clinics, early clinical exposure, and opportunities for personal and professional growth within the program.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Everyone was so SO nice there. they just opened the new center for implants and digital technology and its ahhhhmazing.
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Facilities and improvements, how nice everyone was
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The staff and close knit environment
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1. My interviewer prepared a paper of questions based on my previous experiences and asked almost every one of them. They really studied your application and made sure you are a holistic applicant. 2. The amount of patients visiting on the day on my interview. They have a very great patient pool. 3. Friendly students and even more friendly faculties. They were so down to earth and were genuinely interested in you.
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Friendly faculty, medical school curriculum, no rankings, small class size, selective courses, personalized curriculum. This school is a hidden gem!
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the location being in the middle of nowhere, limited diversity among students, elitist attitudes, a lack of social life, and small class sizes. Suggestions included improving interviewer professionalism, increasing out-of-state acceptance rates, and enhancing campus amenities to create a more welcoming environment.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The school isnt the prettiest. a lot of grey
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Interview was after lunch
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Nothing at all.
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You definitely need a car to get around, but parking is affordable.
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One of the interviewer kept talking and barely gave me the chance to talk.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants wished they had known ahead of time about the laid-back and casual nature of the interviews, the potential for traffic delays when traveling to the school, and the importance of being prepared with questions to ask during the interview. They also mentioned the limited acceptance of out-of-state residents and the need for clear directions to the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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You're going to be grilled during the interview.
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That everyone is so sweet... the students actually help each other and it isn't as cut throat as it is made out to seem.
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N/A
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How down-to-earth and relaxed the interview would be.
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Nothing
🤝 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 generally praised the admissions office for being friendly, informative, and doing a great job. One common suggestion was to consider coordinating interview start times with train arrival times to avoid potential delays and confusion for interviewees.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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N/a
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Keep being super friendly... its such a sense of relief!!! Shout out to Ms. Patricia Berry = the sweetest lady you will ever meet!!!
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Keep doing great work!
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Keep doing the great job!
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Keep up the great work.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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ISP
50% interviewees used ISP (ISP), with 25% using LGA (LGA) and 25% using JFK (JFK).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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14% Airplane
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75% Automobile
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11% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Holiday Inn Express - Stony Brook (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Hampton Inn, Brookhaven (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Holiday Inn Express - Stony Brook
10/10
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Hampton Inn, Brookhaven
10/10
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Hilton Stony Brook
10/10
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 Faculty member
Admissions staff (32%)
Faculty member (50%)
Other (3%)
Student (15%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (86%)
Neutral (14%)
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