Kansas City, MO
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 20% 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 ▼
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?
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 leadership, significant life events, personal ethics, handling complex situations, academic preparation, reasons for choosing dentistry, and ethical dilemmas in the field. Some respondents may have faced an MMI format interview with a non-disclosure agreement, which typically involves a variety of situational and behavioral questions.
-
What does leadership mean to you?
-
"tell me about yourself"
-
What is the most significant thing that has happened in your lifetime?
-
Tell me about a particular service event that impacted you.
-
Why dentistry?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry discussed a wide range of topics such as alternative career choices, rural practice, ethical dilemmas in dentistry, personal character tests, academic strengths, and reasons for pursuing dentistry despite other academic interests. While some responses indicated specific and personal questions, others mentioned a standardized format for Reserved Admissions where participants answered the same two questions in a group setting.
-
Lifelong lesson that I have learned
-
90% of the questions were really specific and personal. It was obvious that my interviewer spent some time reading my file.
-
If not dentistry, then what would you do?
-
Would you practice in a rural setting?
-
If you are unable to pursue dentistry as your career of choice, what would your likely alternative choice(s) be? Plan B?
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry discussed various topics including personal ethics, accountability, reasons for pursuing dentistry, handling ethical dilemmas in a dental setting, and self-reflection on strengths and weaknesses. Some responses indicated preparation by SDN, while others highlighted the conversational nature of the interview. Additionally, the mention of nondisclosure or non-disclosure suggests the interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) where specific questions are not disclosed to maintain fairness.
-
A time you had to change your opinion because of someone else’s.
-
No hard ones
-
None.
-
No hard questions! This was hardly an interview, more of a conversation with one of the faculty!
-
Please define "personal ethics" and "accountability."
✅ 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 1 person.
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.
No responses
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing common interview questions from sources like SDN, practicing mock interviews, and revisiting their application materials and the school's website. Many emphasized the importance of preparing answers to expected questions and being well-rested before the interview.
-
One mock
-
Read questions on SDN. I was asked a majority of the ones listed. I prepared answers in my head and practiced speaking to people in a formal interview setting.
-
I wrote down answers for the most common questions and for questions about me that I knew they would ask.
-
Read over my application
-
Reading SDN and the school's website.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and welcoming nature of the faculty and students at UMKC. They also appreciated the well-organized interview day, the emphasis on team-based clinical learning, and the state-of-the-art facilities available at the school.
-
Friendliness and ease of interviewers.
-
The faculty are eager and welcoming.
-
My interviewer had prepared for my interview very well. She knew everything there was to know about me. She was excited and genuinely acted like she wanted to see me as a student at this school.
-
The faculty looks like they really care.
-
The directors were both very personable and kept the day light and entertaining
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions about the school's location and surrounding neighborhood, with concerns about safety and the area not being of the highest caliber. Additionally, some applicants felt uncomfortable with the hard sell approach during presentations and interviews, as well as perceived negativity towards other institutions. Suggestions included improving the presentation approach and addressing safety concerns in the surrounding area.
-
N/a
-
Nothing
-
Nothing at all!
-
A presenter was very negative about other schools clinical curriculum.
-
One presentation tried to hard sell the school to us... we're already interesting
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly expressed a wish to have known about the relaxed and low-stress atmosphere of the interview, as well as the specific details regarding the number of available seats for applicants from different states. Many also mentioned a desire to have been informed about the interview format beforehand, including activities like writing samples and video submissions.
-
When you shadow, it gets extremely hot so take off your suit jacket!!
-
Nothing. I was prepared.
-
The laid back atmosphere was nothing to worry about!
-
How low-stress and fun the interview would be. They asked us what our favorite book was and why, and did a short essay on a very basic ethics question (which we discussed as a group afterwards). This was before the presentation about the school/KC. We also had to do a one minute video that was sent directly to the adcom!
-
How nice the interviewer was going to be.
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview process at UMKC to be low-stress and conversational, with a friendly atmosphere and supportive staff. Some feedback highlighted the importance of knowing one's application well and being prepared for potential tough questions, while others appreciated the relaxed nature of the interview and the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about dentistry and medicine.
-
Smooth process.
-
It really is a low stress day. UMKC invites you to interview because they already like you.
-
Excellent atmosphere! The interview felt like a conversation.
-
The BEST KC BBQ LUNCH
-
Good luck! Hope this info is useful!
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants generally expressed satisfaction and encouragement for the admissions office's current practices, with a humorous suggestion for providing barbecue. Some feedback included a request to avoid negative comparisons with other schools and to provide more realistic advice for improving applications.
-
Great work.
-
None
-
Keep the good work up!
-
Keep doing what you're doing!
-
Feed us barbecue for lunch!!!! :D
📍 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 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 between $101 and $200.
What airport did you fly into?
Respondents who flew to the interview generally used Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
-
KC
-
Kansas City Int. Airport
-
MCI
-
none
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 among the responses is Comfort Inn.
-
Air BnB in the area.
-
Airbnb
-
Comfort Inn
-
Hilton President
-
Settle Inn - Overland Park
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
Success!
School has been added to your favorites.