Dental School Interview Basics

Before your Interview

1. Learn as much as you can about the school youre interviewing at a. Read up on it at Student Doctor Network (SDN) b. Thoroughly look at Schools website c. Look at all Brochures you have from the school d. Look at ASDA Handbook and Official Guide to Dental Schools 2. Review common interview questions both specific to that school and common at any school. Ponder how you might handle at least the more difficult ones. (see sample list on page 2) 3. Review all your Application Material (e.g., Personal Statement, AADSAS App. Transcript, etc). They will likely ask you about them. 4. Write down a few questions for the interviewer (Only ones not answered on their site!)

At your Interview
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Wear a suit or other professional attire Arrive early Maintain eye contact, dont fidget, keep good posture, and smile! Be very friendly and outgoing with everyone, including other interviewees Be yourself and Be 100% honest / sincere Strive to modestly point out your strengths throughout the interview Dont say anything negative about yourself even if they ask you specifically They seem to really like brief personal examples from your own life. Really try to see if this school is right for you. 10. Be enthusiastic about dentistry & show desire to learn & grow in the field 11. Show them youre a well rounded individual. 12.Sincerely thank them for inviting you for an interview.

After your Interview

1. Be sure to write down the correct spelling of your interviewers names while at the school. 2. Write a brief but sincere thank you card.

Example of Past Creighton Interview Questions

(Source: SDN September 2006)
1. What factors did you consider when choosing schools to apply to?

2. Where do you think you will work after school? 3. Are you interested in specializing? 4. How did you prepare for the DAT?
5. Tell me how your interest in dentistry began.

6. How did you become interested in Creighton? 7. Why Dentistry?

8. What are some of your Personal weaknesses?

9. What have you done to prepare for dental school? 10.What extracurricular activities have you been involved in? 11.Explain incompletes and low grades on your transcript
12. What do you consider our schools strengths and weaknesses to be?

13.Why did you choose Creighton? 14.What questions do you have for me?