Chicago, IL
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 33% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
7.5
Good
Generally favorable experience overall, applicants reported positive interactions with some minor issues noted.
Based on 231 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 (75%)
Negatively (17%)
No change (8%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (58%)
Good (18%)
Average (21%)
Poor (3%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview process to be informative and low-stress, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and showcasing their unique qualities. They appreciated the friendly and welcoming environment at UIC, with some mentioning the school's focus on clinical experience and outreach to underserved communities as positive attributes.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Do your research ob the school and its curriculum. know your strengths and weaknesses well you should be fine,
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Very nice and easy interview. Just prep ahead of time and know everything you can about UIC COD and you will do great. GOOD LUCK!!
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N/a
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It was a very exciting day. I expected it to be difficult and stressful but it was not like that at all. Do not worry and just be yourself.
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This was my first interview, everyone was really nice and kind and trying to make you feel at ease and welcomed. I hope I did better than I think.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
34 Minutes Average
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Number:
2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
94% One-on-One
6% Group Interview
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File Type:
25% Open-File
75% Closed-File
UIC-COMP interviews are an average of 34 minutes, with an average of 2 interviews. 94% of interviews are one-on-one, and 75% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the candidate's motivations for pursuing dentistry, experiences with diversity, personal qualities such as strengths and weaknesses, language proficiency, familiarity with the institution's curriculum, and potential responses to challenging situations in dental school. Some respondents mentioned being asked to read passages aloud or discuss ethical scenarios. Additionally, references to MMI or Multiple Mini Interview formats may indicate a nondisclosure agreement was in place during the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What do you know about our curriculum?
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1- I know nothing about you, tell me about yourself. 2- Why did you choose dentistry? 3- What do you do to de stress? 4- What is one thing that's not on your application that you would like the admissions committee to know about?
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What other languages do you speak, other than English?
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Why dentistry?
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Why dentistry
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry discussed a wide range of topics, including ethical dilemmas, personal qualities not on applications, views on diversity, coping with challenges, and future aspirations in dentistry. The interviews encompassed various scenarios such as addressing cheating, group dynamics, changes in curriculum, and the impact of hypothetical situations like a world without dental diseases, while some respondents noted a traditional interview format alongside questions about motivations for choosing UIC and handling ethical dilemmas in dental settings.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Have you ever been in a situation where your morals/ ethics were challenged.
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What is one thing that's not on your application that you would like the admissions committee to know about?
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What do you know about the program?
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What would you do if you saw someone cheating
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One of your group members does not want to participate in a group project and the assignment is due soon, what do you do?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as Student Doctor Network (SDN), watching YouTube videos, reviewing school websites, and practicing responses to common interview questions. Many also engaged in mock interviews with friends or professionals, read through their application materials, and sought advice from current students or alumni.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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By going on a tour and doing an open house before hand. Being myself, SDN, their website and YouTube videos.
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Looking through SDN example and previous questions, watching tons of Youtube videos about UIC COD on their channel, and also reading them about them on their website and talking to other dental students on there.
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Sdn, being myself
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SDN
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Youtube videos, SDN threads, friends
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry discussed various topics including ethical dilemmas, personal values, diversity, and healthcare perspectives. While some mentioned specific ethical scenarios like witnessing cheating, others highlighted questions about success definitions, weaknesses, and the transition to small group learning. The interview format was not explicitly stated as MMI, and responses varied from conversational to clinical, with some emphasizing knowing one's application thoroughly due to the closed-file nature of the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None were difficult to me.
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What was an ethical situation that you were put in previously?
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How do you feel about diversity
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What does success mean to you?
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The ethics question, what would you do if you see your best friend cheating in a test?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the dental school, with positive interactions noted with interviewers, staff, and students. They appreciated the open and conversational interviews, the emphasis on student success, the low cost of education, the ongoing renovations and improvements, as well as the strong sense of community and support throughout the admissions process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The interviewer's kind personality and ability to answer questions to a full extent.
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How the interviewer was very nice and calm and tried his best to relax me by smiling and complimenting me on my answers!
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Sim lab
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The new curriculum with pre-clinicals in D1 great speciality programs location and patient exposure
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Nice admin and tour guide. Friendly students
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants were mostly concerned about the outdated facilities, short interview times, lack of amenities during visits, negative interactions with staff, and the perception of favoring certain demographics in admissions. Suggestions included improving facilities, extending interview durations, providing more information about the school to interviewers, and ensuring professionalism among current students.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing
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Nothing.
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Interviewers responded negatively to my inability to speak Spanish.
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Main school and patient entrance: very outdated and cold!
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Tiny class size- of the 70, 22 spots are already reserved, so only 48 available not hearing back in december with a november interview
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the interview format, the need for preparation, the weather in Chicago, the importance of being on time, and the clinical orientation of the interview. It was also mentioned that closed-file interviews, the curriculum transition, and the need to review application materials were important factors to consider.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None they answered all my questions beforehand.
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Nothing.
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N/a
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To review my application in order to refresh everything before entering into the interview.
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The interviewers background.
🤝 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 suggest that the admissions office should improve communication responsiveness, provide timely responses to inquiries, and ensure flawless communication to enhance the overall applicant experience. Additionally, offering refreshments during interviews and maintaining a friendly and helpful staff were highlighted as positive aspects of the admissions office.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None they are really helpful.
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None, thank you!
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I have tried to reach out three times with important questions to the admissions office, and they completely ignore all three of my emails. When we are about to pay close to $350,000 for our education, the minimum is that our questions are answered and the communication is flawless. Schools that receive three times more applications than UIC respond in a timely manner.
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N.a
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Cut it with the good cop bad cop. It's offputting
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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ORD
50% interviewees used ORD (ORD), with 13% using MDW (MDW) and 13% using Midway (Midway) and 13% using midway airport (midway airport) and 13% using O'Hare (O'Hare).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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22% Airplane
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54% Automobile
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19% Train or Subway
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5% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Crown Plaza Chicago Metro (average ranking 7.5/10), with some staying at UIC Marriott (average rating 7.5/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Crown Plaza Chicago Metro
7.5/10
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UIC Marriott
7.5/10
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La Quinta
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 Admissions staff personnel
Admissions staff (65%)
Faculty member (8%)
Other (2%)
Student (24%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (83%)
Neutral (17%)
All Responses
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