Los Angeles, CA
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
AI Advisor
Ask questions about this school. Answers use aggregated data and are subject to error.
👋
Hi there! How can I help?
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 13% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.5
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 265 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 (85%)
Negatively (5%)
No change (10%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (52%)
Good (41%)
Average (7%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally expressed positive experiences with the UCLA dental school interview process, noting a relaxed and conversational atmosphere during their interviews with faculty and students. Many commented on the welcoming and friendly nature of the staff and faculty, as well as the strong reputation of the school in preparing students for successful dental careers. Some mentioned concerns about patient pools and facilities, but overall, UCLA was a top choice for many applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
-
Overall, I enjoyed the whole interview day. The other interviewees were super nice and some are attending with me. The tour guide was super helpful and had more information on the school. The student panel could've been better.
-
Be prepared, and hold the conversation
-
Love the school and will be attending!
-
During the interview, you know that UCLA is on top of it. Great faculty. Great students. You can only set yourself up to succeed by attending this school. My interviewer asked me so many times how I felt I would manage high stress that I felt as though attending UCLA would mean giving up a well-rounded life for at least 4 years. For some, that's doable. No problem. Small price to pay for success.For others, perhaps it just isn't...due to family constraints or otherwise. This was something I needed to heavily consider when making my decision.
-
Overall, great school. Facilities are older. Though the patient pool is not as strong, the clinics seemed very busy the day I toured during my interview. Strong faculty, students are friendly, but seem really exhausted. Though, UCLA will hands down prepare you for a successful dental career. Go Bruins!
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
🕐
Length:
34 Minutes Average
🔄
Number:
1.7 Interviews Average
👥
Interview Type (Interaction):
91% One-on-One
9% Group Interview
📁
File Type:
97% Open-File
3% Closed-File
💻
Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
UCLA-COMP interviews are an average of 34 minutes, with an average of 1.7 interviews. 91% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 3% are closed-file.
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 the applicant's motivation for pursuing dentistry, their research experience, future goals, extracurricular activities, and unique attributes. Some interviews followed an MMI format with questions related to handling ethical dilemmas like cheating, while others were more conversational and focused on the applicant's personal experiences and aspirations. Respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement during their MMI interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
-
How would you react if there was a student who was caught cheating? What punishment your you give them
-
Why you?
-
They had already read my application and just wanted further information. They asked specific questions about my unique extracurriculars and also my answer to the essay.
-
Why dentistry?
-
Tell me about yourself
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry discussed a variety of topics, including the use of technology in dentistry, balancing personal and professional commitments, the social aspects of dentistry, and future goals in the field. The interviews may have been in a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, as some responses mentioned nondisclosure agreements, while other common themes included questions about personal experiences, career decisions, and the impact of dentistry on society.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
-
How do you use technology for remote dental clinics?
-
Dental school requires you to be selfish. You need to succeed to put yourself in a position to do well later on and provide for your family. There will be times when you have to put yourself before your family during dental school. (Can you handle that? Are you willing to do that?) was implied from the statement.
-
Dentistry is a very social career, what do you think about that?
-
None
-
N/A
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their application materials, practicing interview questions, seeking feedback on forums like SDN, and researching the school's website. Many also engaged in mock interviews, spoke with current students, and stayed updated on current issues in the field of dentistry.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
-
Other interviews
-
SDN
-
I reviewed my application the night before. I also practice tons of interview questions.
-
SDN, online resources for knowing more about the issues in health care systems
-
SDN Interview Feedback
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry discussed various topics such as handling stress, personal history, and future goals. Additionally, some respondents mentioned questions related to research, leadership, and ethical scenarios, while others highlighted the friendly and laid-back interview atmosphere without traditional questions like 'why dentistry?'.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
-
How would you react if there was a student who was caught cheating? What punishment your you give them if you had to give a punishment
-
N/A
-
Why you?
-
Nothing difficult. It was only the multiple questions relating to stress and handling heavy curriculum. That was probably the most anxiety inducing part of the interview.
-
None.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the faculty's interest in their background, the friendly and supportive atmosphere among both faculty and students, the high specialization rates, the pass/fail grading system, the new curriculum changes, the collaborative and conversational interview process, the excellent facilities, and the location of the school. They also appreciated the emphasis on student well-being, the high board passing rates, and the opportunities for research and specialization provided by the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
-
I loved the fact they had already read my application and had notes written down of specific things they wanted to talk about. At my other interviews, they never saw my application before and were making questions on the spot which made me uninterested in those schools.
-
Both faculties were interested in my background
-
The students and the faculty- friendly and great at answering questions/explaining thoroughly.
-
Faculty are top notch. Students are all smart but seemed to be laid back with the Pass-No Pass system
-
The caliber of the faculty and students was definitely impressive.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed negative impressions related to the following themes: difficulty in finding patients for clinical practice, concerns about the school's location and traffic/parking issues, outdated facilities, long interview days, lack of organization during the interview process, lack of diversity, and high competitiveness among students. Suggestions included improving patient recruitment efforts, updating facilities, providing clearer directions, and offering better organization during interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
-
Students seemed unhappy, had a rude interviewer
-
I didn't know exactly where to go for the interview. The building was very confusing so maybe having direction signs would've helped. The student panel wasn't super helpful. They didn't seem that interested in talking.
-
Long interview day
-
Nothing
-
The curriculum seemed extremely dense and time-consuming. I left feeling as though of all the schools I had visited, I'd have the least amount of free time attending UCLA.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the specific location of the building for the interview, the need for hard copies of transcripts, the open file nature of the interview, and the relaxed and stress-free atmosphere. Suggestions included bringing snacks, being prepared for an essay, and allowing extra time for traffic and parking at UCLA.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
-
That they changed to closed file this year
-
-
-
N/a
-
Where the building actually is. The address they give you isn't the School of Dentistry- it's the CHS building, so you have to walk past it to the building behind it. Don't be late!!
-
Prepare hard copies of transcripts to mail into Noemi. Have the schools send them in. If it won't arrive in time, you can bring sealed copies for Noemi to confirm the pre-req courses with. However, the "transcript review" isn't as scary as it sounds. No mention of grades. Strictly to see if pre req courses have been taken.
🤝 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 providing food or snacks during admissions events to address hunger issues and making tours student-led for a more personal experience.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
-
N/A
-
None!
-
None
-
Sandwiches were a bit hard
-
Maybe make the tour student-led rather than admissions-officer led?
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
✈️
LAX
86% interviewees used LAX (LAX), with 14% using - LAX (DCA).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
✈️
24% Airplane
🚗
74% Automobile
🚆
0% Train or Subway
🚲
3% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Claremont (average ranking 6/10), with some staying at Ramada, Culver City (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
🏨
Claremont
6/10
🏨
Ramada, Culver City
10/10
🏨
Brentwood Inn
9/10
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.5
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 265 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 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 Admissions staff personnel
Admissions staff (64%)
Faculty member (16%)
Other (2%)
Student (19%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (2%)
Enthusiastic (68%)
Neutral (29%)
All Responses
Loading responses...
Success!
School has been added to your favorites.