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University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine

Pittsburgh, PA

Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 24% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a low stress level, and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions

How did the interview impress you?

Most respondents felt positively about their interview.

What was the stress level of the interview?

Most respondents rated their interview as low stress.

How you think you did?

Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.

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
💬 Interview Questions

What is one of the specific questions they asked you?

The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about motivations for pursuing dentistry, career goals, personal attributes that set applicants apart, experiences in the field, challenges faced, and future plans within the profession. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format and potential nondisclosure agreements, indicating a structured interview process with specific scenarios or ethical questions may have been included in their interviews.

What was the most interesting question?

Students said the most interesting questions asked at University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including research, personal motivations for dentistry, future aspirations, ethical dilemmas, and personal experiences. Some responses indicated an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements possibly in place, while others highlighted standard questions about personal background, academic pursuits, and career goals.

What was the most difficult question?

Students said most difficult question asked at University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine discussed various topics such as hypothetical scenarios, personal reflections, ethical dilemmas, and motivations for pursuing dentistry. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format and potential nondisclosure agreements, while others highlighted questions about personal attributes, future plans, and familiarity with the school.
🤝 Interview Format and Logistics

How long was the interview?

Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.

How many people interviewed you?

Most respondents were interviewed by 1 person.

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.

Where did the interview take place?

Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
📍 On-Site Experience

Who was the tour given by?

Tours were most commonly given by a Student

How did the tour guide seem?

Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.

How do you rank the facilities?

Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.

What is your in-state status?

Most respondents rank the facilities as below average.

What were your total hours spent traveling?

Most respondents spent 7+ hours traveling to the interview.

What was your primary mode of travel?

Most respondents traveled by airplane 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 Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

Where did you stay?

Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.

What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?

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 is your ranking of this school's location?

Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

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

Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great

What are your comments on where you stayed?

No responses
✅ Interview Preparation and Impressions

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.

How did you prepare for the interview?

Most applicants prepared for the interview by researching the program online, reading feedback on SDN, reviewing their application materials, and practicing common interview questions. The overall advice shared was to be familiar with the school, stay relaxed, know why you want to pursue the profession, and engage in a conversational interview style.

What impressed you positively?

Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and approachability of the faculty and students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. They also appreciated the school's facilities, including the simulation clinic, research opportunities, and the emphasis on providing a low-pressure interview experience. Suggestions include continuing to invest in modern equipment and technology, maintaining the supportive and welcoming atmosphere, and highlighting the school's strengths in specialty programs and clinical experiences.

What impressed you negatively?

Applicants commonly expressed concerns about short interview times, disorganization on interview days, lack of integration with students, negative or unprepared interviewers, and issues with facilities. Suggestions included longer interviews, more organized interview days, better integration with current students, and improvements in facilities and interview quality.

What did you wish you had known ahead of time?

Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interview process at the school was very relaxed and conversational, with a focus on getting to know the school as much as the school getting to know the interviewees. They also mentioned the importance of being prepared for a long day, including a timed writing sample, and advised future applicants to wear comfortable shoes for walking.

What are your general comments?

Applicants generally found the interview process at Pitt to be relaxed and informative, with positive interactions with faculty and students during the day. While some interview experiences were more challenging due to the interviewer's approach, most applicants appreciated the welcoming environment and the opportunity to engage with the school's community.

What are your suggestions for the admissions office?

Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office improve organization for interviews, reduce the number of applicants during interview days for better interactions, provide faster responses to applicants, and streamline the overall process to minimize downtime. Additionally, some applicants also mentioned the need for clearer directions for interviews and questioned the requirement of a writing sample.