Baltimore, MD
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 18% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ 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 523 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 (6%)
No change (9%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (33%)
Good (49%)
Average (13%)
Poor (5%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interviews to be laid-back and stress-free, with positive comments about the school's facilities and staff. Some applicants mentioned the importance of being oneself during the interview and highlighted the friendly atmosphere created by interviewers and students.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Simple interview.
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Good atmosphere. Done interview virtually so wish I could have gone to the actual place.
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Very chill interviewees. I was nervous for no reason
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I loved this school!
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Loved the school overall and really glad to be accepted here
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
26 Minutes Average
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Number:
2 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
86% One-on-One
14% Group Interview
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File Type:
89% Open-File
11% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
UMB-COMP interviews are an average of 26 minutes, with an average of 2 interviews. 86% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 11% 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 applicants' biggest achievements, views on diversity in healthcare, experiences that inspired them, ethical situations they've faced, reasons for choosing dentistry, preparation for the DAT exam, and their motivations for pursuing a career in dentistry. Some responses suggest the interviews were in the MMI format, which may involve questions related to nondisclosure agreements.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What do you think is your biggest achievement?
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Is diversity important in healthcare?
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Why dentistry?
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Describe a special moment while shadowing, or assisting that really inspired you
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Diversity, what can you bring to school. Because the school's very diverse
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Maryland School of Dentistry discussed a variety of topics such as diversity in healthcare, personal traits of dentists, ethical dilemmas faced, preparation for dental school, and opinions on dentistry-related issues. Responses indicate a wide range of standard questions were asked, with a notable absence of unique or non-disclosure related questions commonly associated with MMI formats.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Is diversity important in healthcare
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How have you personally expanded upon your cultural understanding / competency?
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What 3 traits do you think all dentists should have and do you have these?
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What 3 traits do good dentists have?
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Diversity
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reading feedback on SDN, practicing mock interviews, reviewing their applications and personal statements, researching the school's website, and discussing potential questions with others. Many also emphasized the importance of staying informed about the school and reflecting on their motivations for pursuing dentistry as part of their preparation.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN
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SDN, the questions on here are extremely accurate, I was asked MANY of them. I don't think they switch up the questions too often.
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SDN and watching UMD student youtube videos
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Sdn, reddit, official university website, online flashcards, youtube videos
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Sdn, reddit, youtube
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Maryland School of Dentistry discussed various topics including ethical dilemmas, strengths and weaknesses, contributions to society, and preferences between dental specialties. Some responses mentioned an MMI format, suggesting a structured interview with nondisclosure agreements may have been in place, while others highlighted questions related to community impact, personal attributes, and career decisions in dentistry.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What is one barrier to access to dental
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How can we solve the lack of care in rural / underserved areas?
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How have your extracurricular activities enriched your communication skills?
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What profession would you do if you couldn't do dentistry anymore (such as after having an accident)?
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Describe a time you helped a friend or family member in need, what did you learn from it
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology, and friendly atmosphere at the school. They appreciated the emphasis on early clinical experience, opportunities for community service, and the supportive faculty and student body. Many also highlighted the upcoming new building as a major positive aspect of the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The school's rich history, curriculum, they start clinical before most schools, research opportunities, and it is newly renovated.
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The interviewers were very relaxed and made me feel comfortable. It was like a conversation.
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Friendly faculty
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Interviewer was very conversational and nice
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The interviewing doctor was very kind and reassuring
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the lack of friendliness and conversational nature during interviews, high out-of-state tuition costs, safety and sketchiness of the surrounding city of Baltimore, unenthusiastic or unprepared interviewers, large class sizes, and outdated facilities. Suggestions included improving interview experiences, addressing safety concerns, enhancing campus security, increasing faculty and student engagement, and updating facilities to align with other dental schools.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Interview was extremely non-conversational and not friendly. They must have had a mega-list of questions and were just rattling them off one after the other to fill up the 30 mins.
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Tuition for OOS students is more expensive than most
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I wish the student would stay about 10-15 minutes more.
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The zoom "student panel" was only one student had to wait a while to be taken to break out room for the interview
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Nothing much
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interview process would be less stressful and more relaxed than expected, to avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes for walking, to bring cash for transportation, and to be prepared for potential questions on ethical situations or specific subjects. Additionally, they recommended being aware of the surrounding area of the school, utilizing public transportation, and staying calm during the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Interviewers were with a student and faculty
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The interview was 2-on-1 with a faculty and student
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Not to stress
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Interviews are taken separately but I was called first so that was sudden.
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The city itself
🤝 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 for the admissions office to improve communication by being more informative and transparent about the application process and status updates, as well as to enhance timeliness in their procedures. Additionally, some applicants highlighted the importance of maintaining a professional and courteous demeanor during interactions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None
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Great experience
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Nothing
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Always be polite when speaking to them on the phone. They take note of rudeness.
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Presentations were great. Very informative and helpful.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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BWI
80% interviewees used BWI (BWI), with 4% using Baltimore (Baltimore) and 4% using Soutwest (Soutwest) and 4% using bwi (bwi) and 4% using Baltimore-Washington International (Baltimore-Washington International) and 4% using Baltimore/Washington Intl (Baltimore/Washington Intl).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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39% Airplane
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52% Automobile
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7% Train or Subway
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1% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the The Sheraton (average ranking 9/10), with some staying at holiday inn (average rating 8/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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The Sheraton
9/10
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holiday inn
8/10
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Radisson Lord Baltimore
8/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of 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 a Student
Admissions staff (2%)
Faculty member (3%)
Other (2%)
Student (94%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (84%)
Neutral (16%)
All Responses
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