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Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

Richmond, VA

Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit

⭐ Overall Impressions

How did the interview impress you?

Positively

What was the stress level of the interview?

2 out of 10

How you think you did?

9 out of 10

How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?

8 out of 10

How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?

8 out of 10
💬 Interview Questions

What is one of the specific questions they asked you?

3 strengths and 3 weaknesses
Tell about musical background
Where else have you interviewed?

What was the most interesting question?

Asked about my musical background

What was the most difficult question?

Name 3 personal strengths and 3 weaknesses
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics

How long was the interview?

30 minutes

How many people interviewed you?

2

What was the style of the interview?

One-on-one

What type of interview was it?

Open file

Was this interview in-person or virtual?

No responses

Where did the interview take place?

At the school
📍 On-Site Experience

Who was the tour given by?

Student

How did the tour guide seem?

Enthusiastic

How do you rank the facilities?

7 out of 10

What is your in-state status?

Out of state

What were your total hours spent traveling?

7+ hours

What was your primary mode of travel?

Other

About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?

$301-$400

What airport did you fly into?

No responses

Where did you stay?

Hotel

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

Crowne Plaza (recommended by VCU)

How would you rate the hotel?

8 out of 10

Would you recommend the hotel?

yes

What is your ranking of this school's location?

5 out of 10

What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?

4 out of 10

What are your comments on where you stayed?

No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions

How is the friendliness of the admissions office?

No responses

How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?

No responses

How did you prepare for the interview?

Read school's website, SDN, looked over AADSAS, watched Richmond news channels in the morning

What impressed you positively?

Everyone is SOOOO friendly and supportive... the 4th years had just been notified of acceptances to specialty programs and walking through the halls they were randomly calling out to each other and congratulating their classmates on getting in! Also, admit rates to specializations are REALLY high compared to other schools. Students' clinical skills are superb by 3rd year and DentSim labs are very new and clean.

What impressed you negatively?

Richmond... I was not impressed with the lack of public transportation options (definitely need a car if you live there), and the "downtown" area is almost completely deserted and cab drivers advised against walking anywhere. Students remarked that VCU is very much a commuter school and barely anyone lives on campus.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

There is nothing to do in Richmond; I brought a family member with me who by 10am had been driven around the entire city on the "Richmond Bus Tour" and had nothing else to do coz everyone kept saying that it was too dangerous to walk around Richmond alone! Also, other students going on interviews at the med school were taking the shuttle in the morning; don't get off at the same stop with them (like I did) or you'll have to walk a couple blocks over to the dental school!

What are your general comments?

Extremely laid back; everyone on the admissions staff is super nice, warm, welcoming. Started with half-hour welcome by admissions coordinator, then 2 interviews back to back (though they said sometimes they switch the schedule around a bit) with no interrogation whatsoever... they really want to get a sense of who you are as a person and your character. I have plenty of C's on my transcript and came in totally prepped to defend/explain each one, and they were never even brought up in either interview. Then a short essay, shadowing in the clinics, lunch and tour with 4th year students (also laid back but keep in mind they will report back to the committee what you say!), final words/Q&A with Dr. Healy (NICEST GUY EVER!). They're a very strong clinical school and clearly proud of it!

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

No responses