Medical University of South Carolina - James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine Interview Feedback Summary
Charleston, SC
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 12% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.8
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 127 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 (89%)
Negatively (4%)
No change (7%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (60%)
Good (5%)
Average (20%)
Poor (15%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the MUSC dental school interview experience to be relaxed and laid back, with friendly faculty and a welcoming atmosphere. They appreciated the opportunity to engage in conversations with interviewers, the down-to-earth nature of the faculty and students, and the overall positive impression of the school and its program.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I fell in love with MUSC during the interview! Great city, school, technology, and people
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This is great program!
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This is the most laid back dental school interview you will ever experience.
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This school is very expensive, however is well worth the cost. Faculty and students are extremely down-to-earth.
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Comparing the costs to other schools I've applied to, there are schools that are cheaper to attend out of state than to stay in SC.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
28 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.9 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
48% Open-File
52% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
MUSC-CDM-COMP interviews are an average of 28 minutes, with an average of 2.9 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 52% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Applicants commonly reported being asked about their motivations for pursuing dentistry, strengths and weaknesses, healthcare improvements, research experiences, leadership roles, and contingency plans if not accepted. While some mentioned the MMI format and nondisclosure agreements, the questions predominantly focused on personal qualities, career choice rationale, and professional aspirations in dentistry.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why dentistry ?
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Why do you want to be a dentist?
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Tell me about yourself.
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How would you improve health care in the U.S.?
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What is the biggest issue in dentistry now?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Medical University of South Carolina - James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine discussed a variety of topics including personal motivations, favorite achievements, future dental profession challenges, and dinner party scenarios. The interviews seemed to focus on getting to know the applicants, their strengths and weaknesses, and unique qualities, with some applicants mentioning specific questions related to their applications or research. It is worth noting that multiple respondents reported similar questions across different interviewers, indicating a consistent approach.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about you family
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The questions were pretty standard they really just wanted to get to know you and figure out what brought you there
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They were all pretty standard.
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Was really specific to my application: "What was your favorite part of studying abroad?"
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What motivates you to do the best you can every day?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by utilizing resources such as Student Doctor Network (SDN), mock interviews, and connecting with current students. They also researched the school, reviewed potential questions, and practiced interviewing techniques to feel confident and ready for the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN
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Google and SDN. Mentally preparing myself for possible questions that they might ask.
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Mock interviews, connected with current students, and visited the school prior to the interview
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SDN, people I know who go there.
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Review questions and body language techniques
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Medical University of South Carolina - James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine discussed a variety of topics including handling stress in dentistry, challenges in dental school, motivation for dentistry, and personal achievements. Some responses indicated an MMI format with questions about handling stress and ethical scenarios, suggesting a nondisclosure agreement may be in place for further details on specific questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about your extracurriculars, service, leadership (all 3 at once) just because it was all three at once
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How are you going to handle the stress of not doing well with the manual dexterity part of dentistry when you begin waxing? (aka you're great in school can you handle not being good at something)
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What do you think would be the most challenging part of dental school?
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What would you do if you were to not get in this cycle?
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What is the biggest issue in dentistry?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness and welcoming nature of the faculty, staff, and students at the institution. Additionally, the state-of-the-art facilities, including a new clinical building, were highlighted as major positives. Many applicants appreciated the accommodating and reassuring environment created during the interview process, with an emphasis on the approachability of the faculty and interviewers.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The friendliness of all the admissions committee, faculty, and students. Southern hospitality!
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The facility were great, the building and technology were top notch and the students really love being there.
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The faculty, staff and students are the nicest people. Also, the clinic is relatively new and very spacious.
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Wet lab is open all night for you to practice/ work on your assignments and everything really
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Clinic
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants expressed concerns about repetitive interview questions, lack of interest from interviewers, outdated facilities, limited opportunities for externships and part-time jobs, and the inconvenience of parking. Suggestions include improving the interview process with more personalized conversations, updating facilities sooner, providing more opportunities for students, and addressing parking issues.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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My interviewers asking me almost all the same questions
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Nothing! It is expensive but I think it is worth it.
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Honestly nothing.
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After a warm introduction by Dr. Javed, it felt as though my Interviewers weren't all that interested in getting to know me. I'm sure they're busy people, but my interviews didn't seem like a priority to them. Students that I know at MUSC all told me the interviews there are more like conversations, but I did not have that experience. Others in my group had a lot of great things to say about their interviews, so luck of the draw, I guess.
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Parking
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interviews would be laid back and not as stressful as anticipated. Some also mentioned the importance of familiarizing themselves with the interview location and potential parking challenges.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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That the interviewers would ask the same questions and how to approach that
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How laid back it all would be!
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I wish I knew how laid back it was going to be. I wouldn't have been as anxious during the days leading up to the interview.
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I prepared as well as I could have, so there is not much that I wish I would have known ahead of time.
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N/A
🤝 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 improving communication among interviewers to avoid asking the same questions and providing a more timely response on application status updates.
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Communication within interviewers to not ask the same questions. This made it easier on my end, but I think they would learn more about canidates if they asked different questions.
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None!
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None.
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More timely response regarding standing. However, I understand why they hold out until more interviews have taken place.
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Keep up the good work! Your hospitality is impressive.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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CHS
50% interviewees used CHS (CHS), with 50% using n.a (n.a).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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6% Airplane
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72% Automobile
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11% Train or Subway
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11% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Comfort Inn- Bee St. (average ranking 9/10), with some staying at Best western Charleston Inn (average rating 9/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Comfort Inn- Bee St.
9/10
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Best western Charleston Inn
9/10
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Days Inn on W. Montague Ave
8/10
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.8
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 127 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 a Student
Admissions staff (12%)
Student (88%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (89%)
Neutral (11%)
All Responses
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