Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Dentistry

Positively 🙂

2 out of 10

I arrived a few minutes early (8:15 am) and waited at the couches in front of the admissions office. This gave me a chance to meet the other 7 candidates and allowed me time to relax. Everyone is a little nervous at first, naturally. However, it quickly dissipates. At 8:30, Dr. Weir strolls in with a big smile and is pretty cheery for the morning. First, he takes all of you to a medium sized room with a table for 8 and gives a 20 minute introduction to what you will be doing that day, and then someone discusses professional student loan information. Then, you dive right into the chalk carving. Hopefully, you have practiced and can do it fast, because you take much more time when you are nervous. You have 35 minutes - I used 34.5 minutes. Dr. Weir periodically pops in the room to check on you and remind you how much time is left (although you have a big clock). Everyone is give a sheet to collect chalk, a pencil, ruler, chalk, knife (sharpened), a previous chalk carve to compare yours to (rated 8 or better). That's the hardest part of the interview. Then, you write your name on the bottom and they are collected. Next, 4 of you will go with a random faculty member for your personality profile. It's a 1 on 1 interview using pre-selected, structured questions that may seem wierd. They are to see if you are being honest and how you think on your feet. Most of them are below. Also, you may be asked about anything in your application. So defend your grade(s), but be honest. If you messed up, you messed up. Just let them know you learned from it, and took school more seriously after that, or whatever the case. Meanwhile, the other 4 candidates are on a tour of the school. It's fun, but you're thinking about your previous interview or your next interview to really enjoy the tour. Then, you all are given lunch back in the room. The room is sort of your base. They serve yummy fried shrimp, roast beef, and ham po-boys with chips and soft drinks. Also, great cookies. If you're a vegetarian, it's chips and cookies for you. The lunch is about an hour, but what's neat is that the faculty and staff are not present. A freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior dental student come in and talk to you about the school, and this is a good chance to ask questions that you may have been to nervous to ask Dr. Weir about. The dental students like to joke around with the potential fresh meat, so don't believe all their jokes. For example, they told us "if you get a t-shirt and are told 'good luck', then that's a bad sign." However, Dr. Weir hands everyone a t-shirt and says good luck at the end of the day. But they know you know they're joking, it's all good fun. Some other students may sneak in and steal food, but there is sooo much, no one can possibly go hungry. After lunch, the 2 groups switch. The group that had the tour, does their 1 on 1 personality profile, while the other group goes on the tour. Then everyone meets back in the room. Finally, you are taken one at a time into a room for your 3 on 1 interview with the admission committee. I think this is the most important part of the interview, but it's still a relaxed setting (despite that you are on a low couch and the "big 3" are high above). If you are last of the group, you will be waiting an hour or two (Just think of some definite points you want to make). They will ask you 3-6 questions that really just get you to talk and tell them more about yourself. I think they are pretty much decided on your chances of getting in, so if you don't feel too confident, be adamant about why you want to be a dentist . But mostly, relax and be yourself. That's the best advice. They know you are smart, so let them know that dentistry is important to you and you have no hesitations about it. Tell them how much you enjoyed working for, or observing, your dentist. You have a good shot if you have an interview anyway. Good luck.

Why do you want to be a dentist?, Are you a good teacher?

If you see a kid hit his thumb with a hammer, what would you do?

Chalk Carving - do it till you get it (about 12 to 20 times, that's it). Practiced interview skills with friends (try recording yourself). Read this site, read the LSUSD website, and have a question or two for them - this is a must.

What was your last idea?

The most obvious thing is that the faculty, staff, even students, and especially the admission committee is so friendly and courteous. They really make you feel comfortable and you spend the day relaxed and wondering what you were nervous about. Graduates have a very low default rate on their loans, i.e. they are successful. LSUSD offers every specialty program. The technology is advanced.

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (well, maybe that the location is not in the best area. But the school itself is neat).

I was pretty prepared by my pre-dental society. Just know what questions will be asked, master the chalk, and don't be too nervous. I felt like they pretty have their minds made up based on your application, so if you are not feeling confident, just let them know how badly you want it and how much you want to be a dentist.

Faculty member