Los Angeles, CA
Dental Schools | Private Non-Profit
Application Cycle: 2009-10
💬 Interview Questions
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Writing sample: What are 1 or 2 ethical principles you live by?
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions
How long was the interview?
30 minutes
How did the interview impress you?
Positively 🙂
What was the stress level of the interview?
2 out of 10
0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress
What was the style of the interview?
In a group
Where did the interview take place?
At the school
How did you prepare for the interview?
none done knowing it was a group interview
What impressed you positively?
Laxed feeling of the school, closer mentorship with professors
What impressed you negatively?
Ofcouse the cost, and the fact that you might feel like you are teaching yourself in dental school
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
nothing out of the ordinary
What are your general comments?
USC uses Problem Based Learning (PBL) as their curriculum. So basically students seemed to have a lot let stress and much more free time, especially in their first 2 years. If it wasn't for growing up in LA, and the cost of education, I probably would have liked USC more.
The day is very long, beginning with an introduction, an hour of watching the students in a class, then coming back and doing a writing sample for 10 minutes. Then an hour speech by a professor (which was very interesting) about the program and dentistry. Then an hour financial aid presentation. Then you eat lunch with dental students, which is the best time to learn about the program, the pros and cons of USC and any real questions you want answered. Then you have your "interview" with 7 other applicants, where you are given a dilemna and you work it out together. It has nothing to do with science, some problems like deserted on an island or a question about problems with the house plumbing. Then you have a tour of the school.
Overall, I really liked the program, as it seemed more in tune with how education should be taught and the students seemed to have a life. The campus is beautiful, but it located in poorer neigborhood. On the plus side, you're ten minutes away from santa monica and beverly hills.
📍 On-Site Experience
Who was the tour given by?
Admissions staff
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