University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston School of Dentistry Interview Feedback Summary
Houston, TX
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.9
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 192 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 (95%)
Negatively (2%)
No change (2%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (53%)
Good (40%)
Average (7%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally provided positive feedback about the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston, mentioning friendly faculty and staff, relaxed interview atmosphere, and the importance of preparing questions for the interview. Some applicants highlighted the need to engage with the interviewer, emphasize interest in dentistry, and the overall positive experience at the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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UTSD is a great school filled with great people!
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Break the ice with the interviewees. Break the ice with your interviewer when walking to the interview office. Ask, ask, ask questions.
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My interviewer had access to my application but did not look at it before the interview. There were not any surprise questions that I hadn't already seen on SDN.
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I think the interview experience depends completely on your faculty interviewer. My interviewer was extremely "by the book" and not really casual at all. Other interviewees were asked just one question and had a really chill time.
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Really nice new building, interviewer had sheets in front of her with questions on them. She wrote them down as I replied.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
48 Minutes Average
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Number:
1 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
88% Open-File
12% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
0% Virtual
100% In-Person
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Interview Location (for In-Person):
100% At the School
0% Other Location
UTHSC-H-COMP interviews are an average of 48 minutes, with an average of 1 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 100% are in-person, and 12% are closed-file. Of the in-person interviews, 100% are held at the school.
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 self-description in terms of strengths and weaknesses, experiences in handling difficult situations, methods for managing stress, motivations for pursuing dentistry as a career, and details about academic achievements like GPA and test scores. Some respondents mentioned questions related to specific experiences like volunteering, leadership skills, and memorable childhood events. Additionally, references to an MMI format and nondisclosure agreements were noted in the responses, indicating a structured interview process where candidates may be presented with predetermined questions and required to maintain confidentiality.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why dentistry?
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What are 3 or 4 words that describe you?
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Tell me about yourself.
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What difficult situation have you faced, and how did you come resolving it?
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Describe yourself in three words.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston School of Dentistry discussed a variety of topics including difficult undergrad courses, future aspirations, involvement in organizations, and ethical scenarios. The interview format may have been an MMI as some responses alluded to nondisclosure agreements, while common questions focused on personal development, time management, and reasons for pursuing dentistry.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Did you interview at other schools?
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Which undergrad course was the most difficult for you and why?
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Do you do any activities to improve your dexterity or fine motor skills?
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Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 20?
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What kind of organizations would you like to get involved with at the school?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for their interviews by using resources like SDN (Student Doctor Network), mock interviews, and reviewing their application materials. They also focused on researching the school website, practicing with friends and family, and preparing answers to common interview questions to feel more confident and ready for the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN, mock interviews
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SDN interview feedback.
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SDN questions, mock interviews, review of my application materials
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SDN, pep talk stuff liked TED Talk video(s)
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Wrote down my strengths and weaknesses and tried to think of good questions prior to the day of the interview.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston School of Dentistry discussed a wide range of topics including ethical dilemmas, personal strengths and weaknesses, handling challenges, and reasons for pursuing dentistry. Some responses hinted at an MMI format with nondisclosure, suggesting a structured interview style where scenarios or ethical questions might have been presented.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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If you could go back and change something what would you change and why?
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If I may ask, would you tell me a time when you faced an ethical issue?
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Tell me about an ethical situation you have faced and how did you resolve it?
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What can you bring to the table that is different than other students?
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Tell me about a time that you overcame a challenge and explain how you did so.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the school, noting the close-knit community among faculty and students. The enthusiasm of Dr. Pierpont, the upcoming changes and new facilities, the high-tech equipment, and the emphasis on a familial relationship within the school were also highlighted as positive aspects. Many applicants appreciated the emphasis on collaboration, the supportive environment, and the opportunities for community service and clinical research.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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How nice and friendly everyone was
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UTSD Houston has impressive facilities and top-notch technology. The rooms are spacey and high tech.
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How relaxed everything was. My interviewer also made comments based on my responses that allowed me to elaborate.
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The people. Wow. And their vision for the new/upcoming changes in terms of curriculum.
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Dr. Pierpont is a rock star. Students begin learning endo techniques starting the second year and are required to do 6 endo procedures both third and fourth year. That's more than both SA and Baylor.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions around various aspects such as disorganization during interviews, outdated facilities, lack of dining options, uncredited courses, long program durations, and negative comments from current students about other schools. Suggestions included improving organization during interviews, updating facilities, offering more dining options, ensuring proper credit transfer procedures, and promoting a more positive atmosphere among current students towards other schools.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing!
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The doctor providing the presentation and tour was grilling the interviewees a little bit.
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Nothing.
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The dean (Dr. John Valenza) mentioned that Houston has six vacancies in the faculty. Vertical integration of class years in the clinic doesn't strike me as a great idea (if/when you're a fourth year student).
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Not really any places to eat at the school
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time to not stress, as the interview process was laid back and not as intimidating as anticipated. They also suggested being prepared for a long day, asking questions during the interview, and being mindful of the location's traffic and attire considerations.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Make sure to talk to everyone
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Houston traffic is bad.
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The interviewer has a sheet of paper with the questions on it and he/she will write bullet points of your responses to present to the admissions committee on a later date
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Should have worn flats / not heels. We had to take the stairs up and down four floors. I wish I had known that my faculty interviewer was not a native English speaker and that he would be reading off three pages of interview questions -__-
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To set my purse on the floor at my interviewer's office so it wouldn't fall down.
🤝 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 providing mirrors for trying on white coats after interviews, improving communication about parking options, recognizing courses from schools not listed in TMDSAS, and overall positive feedback on the admissions office's courtesy and promptness.
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At the end of the interview, they hand out white coats to try on for sizing. I think it would have helped if there was a tall mirror to see my fit.
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I arrived at the conference room less than a half hour early...and there was absolutely no one there. Parking is not paid for; I ended up paying $10 just to park next to the school (unlike at SA and Baylor). Otherwise I think the admissions office was courteous and prompt when I contacted them via email and phone.
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If u took Statistic at Lone-star college, it might not counts since Lonestar is not one of the school listed under TMDSAS Approved Stat Course.pdf
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Very nice overall
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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N/A
20% interviewees used N/A (N/A), with 20% using HOU (HOU) and 20% using Hob (Hob) and 20% using none (none) and 20% using IAH (IAH).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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13% Airplane
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87% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Hilton ~ 140.00 per nite but worth it. (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Holiday Inn medical center (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Hilton ~ 140.00 per nite but worth it.
10/10
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Holiday Inn medical center
10/10
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Blossom
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 (48%)
Faculty member (52%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (93%)
Neutral (7%)
All Responses
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