Los Angeles, CA
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
Application Cycle: 2009-10
⭐ Overall Impressions
How did the interview impress you?
No change 😐
How you think you did?
5 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
10 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
10 out of 10
0 = Below, 10 = Above
What are your general comments?
Understand that if you get an interview unless you seriously blow the interview you're going to be accepted if there are still seats so don't stress, be professional and be yourself. My DATs, AA/TS 19/19, are well below the average and I was amazed to get an interview and am even more amazed that I was accepted so don't stress they like you. Also as others have said be prepared to write why you have unique characteristics that will positively contribute to the school (or something like that). If you get an interview they liked something in your application that made them think you will contribute positively.
Last comment is kind of an interviewer tip for beginners but always keep your right hand free for a hand shake. Immediately after my interview we stood up and shook hands and I let my guard down and put my pen in my right hand we went back to the room with the other prospective students. Once there she went to shake my hand again in front of everyone so I awkwardly had to switch my pen to my left hand (the double goodbye shake got me so don't let your guard down...ever).
💬 Interview Process
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
There were no real specific interview type questions. As others have said it was pretty open and conversational. I would say that my interviewer, who was one of the group practice administrators, did not really review my AADSAS application. The questions that came up were all based on the essay that I wrote at the start of the day. I wrote about my job as I'm a nontraditional applicant. In the essay I stated leadership was forced on me and she asked what I meant by that.
What was the most interesting question?
Interesting is relative I guess. I thought it was interesting that her questions were not really questions that would be used to determine if I was an acceptable candidate but instead to see if I'd be willing to put up with being a dental student.
How did you prepare for the interview?
I read this forum and saw that most people said it was really laid back so didn't really stress too much. I did review AADSAS and supplemental application.
What was the most difficult question?
I rambled a bit on the what I meant by leadership being forced on me because it's tough to explain in a positive twist why I didn't feel ready for the leadership role.
What impressed you positively?
The specialization rates, board pass rates, the campus, pass fail, students seriously seemed really happy and motivated (really important that other students are happy and motivated because moods are infectious), emphasis on continual improvement in the school and programs
What impressed you negatively?
Didn't like driving around LA as it just seriously sprawls endlessly. We spent pretty much the entire day in the admissions office which is a pretty small room with no windows.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
I felt pretty comfortable with what happened and there weren't really any surprises.
🤝 Campus and Facilities
How do you rank the facilities?
7 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
What is your ranking of this school's location?
6 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
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
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
9 out of 10
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
📍 Travel and Logistics
Who was the tour given by?
Admissions staff
How did the tour guide seem?
Neutral
What is your in-state status?
In state
What were your total hours spent traveling?
7+ hours
What was your primary mode of travel?
Airplane
About how much did you spend on room, food, and travel?
$401-$500
What airport did you fly into?
DCA - LAX
Where did you stay?
Friends or family
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