Boston, MA
Dental Schools | Private Non-Profit
Application Cycle: 2009-10
⭐ Overall Impressions
How did the interview impress you?
Positively 🙂
What was the stress level of the interview?
3 out of 10
0 = Low Stress, 10 = High Stress
How you think you did?
8 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
9 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
7 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above
What are your general comments?
So, to repeat, HSDM will not prepare you for going right into general practice. You simply don't get the overall clinical experience (which begins in the third year), because you're starting to specialize by that time, and choosing which procedures you want to do. Also, there are no traditional lectures and exams - it is ALL student-driven with tutorials and a PASS-FAIL grading system.
So the program is very different, but if you are at ALL interested in going into a specialty, research, or academics, this is the PERFECT program. You can do whatever you want, 100% of postgrads get into their specialty of choice, and there are an enormous amount of resources, both with advising, technology, and experience. (Just make sure you let them know you know how to go after what you want and are proactive. Also, you need to be a leader, since all the learning is done in small groups with little professor involvement).
Also, you simply cannot beat the facilities, dorm, history, library, cafeterias. This is obviously a Harvard school! Every building looks like a museum.
As for the interview, they ask very open-ended questions and let you do most of the talking, since they're looking for a very specific type of personality to match their "problem-based learning" style. If you're invited, you have the numbers - the interview is just seeing your style.
💬 Interview Process
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
Do you have any brothers or sisters? Also, I see that your father is a dentist...tell me about that.
What was the most interesting question?
What specifically do you think you can bring to the problem-based learning style and tutorials at HSDM?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Read the web site, SDN interview feedback
What impressed you positively?
The uniqueness of the program, the UNLIMITED amount of resources and assistance available to students, and the technology and facilities
What impressed you negatively?
It's very specific program, so it doesn't work for everyone! If you are not interested in going right into a specialty, academia, or research, it will not prepare you for general practice. Also, there is a required research project and no clinical experience at all until the third year.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
That they are NOT looking for the most common answer of "what do you want to do after dental school?", which is "Go right into practice and get started!" HSDM is specialized in providing advanced dental opportunities.
🤝 Campus and Facilities
How do you rank the facilities?
10 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this school's location?
10 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
10 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
📍 Travel and Logistics
Who was the tour given by?
Student
How did the tour guide seem?
Neutral
What is your in-state status?
In state
What were your total hours spent traveling?
2-3 hours
What was your primary mode of travel?
Automobile
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
$101-$200
Where did you stay?
Hotel
What is the name of the hotel you stayed in?
Harrington Inn (it's a youth hostile in Brookline)
How would you rate the hotel?
7 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
Would you recommend the hotel?
yes
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