Types of dental school
interview styles
You've probably heard about other people's dental school experiences. They probably told you about the questions that were asked, as well as the type of interview style they experienced. Each school is a little different in the type of interview experience they put their candidates through, so it's a good idea to be familiar with the categories in preparation for interview day.
Interview Styles:
One on One Interviews, Panel Interviews, and
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
One on One Interviews, Panel Interviews, and
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
Traditional One on One Interview Tips
In this interview, you are assessed by one representative of the admissions committee, hence the "one on one" name. These are the type of interviews we are probably most familiar with as they are seen in job interviews.
During these interviews ALL of the attention is on you. You're not competing against others to speak, so no need to figure out how to get a word in. Generally, the interview should follow the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 interview rule goes like this: the dental student being interviewed will speak for about 80% of the time, and the interviewer for about 20%. This allows a better picture of how the candidate is able to speak to a stranger, keep a conversation going, and build rapport.
Tips for the one on one interview:
1. No fidgeting. Remember ALL of the attention is on you. That means that any fidgeting will be noticed. So, place those hands in your lap and sit up straight. Ladies, feel free to cross at your ankles, and gentleman put those feet flat on the floor. I know you're probably going to be nervous, but try to avoid bouncing back and forth!
2. Follow the 80/20 rule. The interview is intended to get to know who you are. The interviewer has already been to dental school before, and this is your chance to open up about yourself. If there's a lull in the conversation, offer an open-ended question. Ask the interviewer about something that you can expand upon. Answer in more than one or two worded answers as this might come across as short or rude.
3. Try to find something that you have in common and talk about that. Studies (and I'm sure even your own personal life experiences) show that people love when they talk about themselves, so much so that if they talk about themselves in an interview they feel that they connected better to the candidate than if they didn't speak about themselves as much. Dental interviews aren't all about "why dentistry" or "your strengths and weaknesses," rather they are also about how you speak with others.
3. Eye contact (but not in a creepy staring way). Eye contact during interviews shows your confidence, so don't be afraid of it! Of course you can look away for a second (there's science behind this supporting that it allows our minds to think a little better in stressful situations), but bring it back after a second or two. Along with the eye contact, remember to smile with your mouth and your eyes. This will help you relax a little bit, and it shows that you're friendly. They're expecting you to be nervous, but it is important to demonstrate that you are able to converse with strangers because you'll be doing it everyday when treating patients!
During these interviews ALL of the attention is on you. You're not competing against others to speak, so no need to figure out how to get a word in. Generally, the interview should follow the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 interview rule goes like this: the dental student being interviewed will speak for about 80% of the time, and the interviewer for about 20%. This allows a better picture of how the candidate is able to speak to a stranger, keep a conversation going, and build rapport.
Tips for the one on one interview:
1. No fidgeting. Remember ALL of the attention is on you. That means that any fidgeting will be noticed. So, place those hands in your lap and sit up straight. Ladies, feel free to cross at your ankles, and gentleman put those feet flat on the floor. I know you're probably going to be nervous, but try to avoid bouncing back and forth!
2. Follow the 80/20 rule. The interview is intended to get to know who you are. The interviewer has already been to dental school before, and this is your chance to open up about yourself. If there's a lull in the conversation, offer an open-ended question. Ask the interviewer about something that you can expand upon. Answer in more than one or two worded answers as this might come across as short or rude.
3. Try to find something that you have in common and talk about that. Studies (and I'm sure even your own personal life experiences) show that people love when they talk about themselves, so much so that if they talk about themselves in an interview they feel that they connected better to the candidate than if they didn't speak about themselves as much. Dental interviews aren't all about "why dentistry" or "your strengths and weaknesses," rather they are also about how you speak with others.
3. Eye contact (but not in a creepy staring way). Eye contact during interviews shows your confidence, so don't be afraid of it! Of course you can look away for a second (there's science behind this supporting that it allows our minds to think a little better in stressful situations), but bring it back after a second or two. Along with the eye contact, remember to smile with your mouth and your eyes. This will help you relax a little bit, and it shows that you're friendly. They're expecting you to be nervous, but it is important to demonstrate that you are able to converse with strangers because you'll be doing it everyday when treating patients!
Panel Interview
This is the interview type when there is still one candidate, but now there are multiple people interviewing you at the same time. This is also sometimes seen in job interviews. For example, there might be someone from HR, someone from your division, and your direct supervisor interviewing you.
This interview tests your ability to speak to multiple people at once, balancing the amount of time that you give to each person both in your verbal and behavioral responses (turning towards someone, eye contact, etc).
One good tip to acing this panel interview during dental school interviews is to follow a variation of the 80/20 rule. When I have been in panel interviews for job opportunities, I used this guide and it worked like a charm! It goes like this: whoever is speaking to you gets 80% of the response, and the other people get 20%. For example, if my hopefully-maybe-one-day direct supervisor asks me a question, I will spend 80% of the time looking and speaking to her, and the other 20% casually looking at and speaking to the other people in the room. Doing this allows you to both directly answer the interviewer's question and gives the other people the respect of acknowledging their presence.
Tips for the panel interview:
1. Make sure to give everyone in the room the decency of looking at them when responding. See the 80/20 rule in the before paragraph. I promise that it works like a charm in dental school panel interviews. Remember, these are hopefully going to be your professors one day!
2. Bring a copy of your resume for everyone on the panel. You'll typically know what the interview style will be beforehand, so you'll know how many copies of your resume to bring. I would suggest bringing a few copies more than what you anticipate needing just in case there is an extra person or one gets dirty. Bringing a copy of your resume for everyone will allow each person the opportunity to see a paper copy of your accomplishments so that they can ask better informed questions based on your past experiences. Plus, it gives each interviewer at the table the chance to walk away with a physical reminder of you. They will collectively decide your fate, so best to give them all the same respect.
3. Try to get away from the back-and-forth questions and aim for a conversational feel. This will engage everyone at the table and demonstrate that you're capable of thinking on the same field as multiple people.
4. Don't favor anyone based on their titles. This goes without saying, but just so that I can go on record: everyone in the room is equally important. It's alright to follow the 80/20 rule, but remember that when the interviewer asking a question switches, so should who you are paying the most attention to.
This interview tests your ability to speak to multiple people at once, balancing the amount of time that you give to each person both in your verbal and behavioral responses (turning towards someone, eye contact, etc).
One good tip to acing this panel interview during dental school interviews is to follow a variation of the 80/20 rule. When I have been in panel interviews for job opportunities, I used this guide and it worked like a charm! It goes like this: whoever is speaking to you gets 80% of the response, and the other people get 20%. For example, if my hopefully-maybe-one-day direct supervisor asks me a question, I will spend 80% of the time looking and speaking to her, and the other 20% casually looking at and speaking to the other people in the room. Doing this allows you to both directly answer the interviewer's question and gives the other people the respect of acknowledging their presence.
Tips for the panel interview:
1. Make sure to give everyone in the room the decency of looking at them when responding. See the 80/20 rule in the before paragraph. I promise that it works like a charm in dental school panel interviews. Remember, these are hopefully going to be your professors one day!
2. Bring a copy of your resume for everyone on the panel. You'll typically know what the interview style will be beforehand, so you'll know how many copies of your resume to bring. I would suggest bringing a few copies more than what you anticipate needing just in case there is an extra person or one gets dirty. Bringing a copy of your resume for everyone will allow each person the opportunity to see a paper copy of your accomplishments so that they can ask better informed questions based on your past experiences. Plus, it gives each interviewer at the table the chance to walk away with a physical reminder of you. They will collectively decide your fate, so best to give them all the same respect.
3. Try to get away from the back-and-forth questions and aim for a conversational feel. This will engage everyone at the table and demonstrate that you're capable of thinking on the same field as multiple people.
4. Don't favor anyone based on their titles. This goes without saying, but just so that I can go on record: everyone in the room is equally important. It's alright to follow the 80/20 rule, but remember that when the interviewer asking a question switches, so should who you are paying the most attention to.
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
This interview is becoming increasingly more popular as it allows candidates to both prepare for their answers, but not rehearse them for weeks before the interview date. Let me explain...
In the multiple mini interview, candidates are moved through different stations (typically 6-10) of short scenarios in which they speak to different interviewers at each station. Before they enter each room, they are presented with a prompt. That prompt could be talking about an ethical dilemma, answering a standard interview question, or interacting with a standardized patient. There is no real way to prepare for the specific things asked of you during these individual interview scenarios as the specific prompts vary, but there are general principles and guidelines to improve your performance in the MMIs.
These interviews are all about testing your ability to think critically on the spot and how you are able to convey your thoughts. The great thing about these interviews is that you are able to form multiple first-impressions. So, if one of the scenarios goes poorly or you don't mesh well with your interviewer, no worries! It's not the end of the world since you'll be moving to the next one in about ten minutes.
Though there are scenarios and standardized patients presented to you during this type of dental school interview, candidates are not required to have previous in-depth knowledge about the topic. Instead, the MMIs are testing your professionalism, ability to communicate new thoughts that are not previously memorized answers, and critical thinking abilities.
Tips for the MMI Interview:
1. Show empathy. Remember that you will be an advocate for your patients one day, responsible for their treatment plans. It's important to show that you are capable of putting yourself in other's shoes. Empathy and intellectual adaptability are huge pillars of dentistry (and other healthcare professions), so take this opportunity to demonstrate that you are capable of putting the well-being of others at the forefront of your mind.
2. Have an ethical stance. It is important to be open to the opinions and thoughts of others, but show that you are confident in where you stand. This is my general rule: demonstrate that you see the side of others, but then explain your own. Speaking to the thoughts/opinions of others allows the committee to see that you are not a close-minded individual and that you are capable of seeing beyond your own stance, but then bring it back to what you believe. Show that you're strong by picking a stance and not wavering. That said, make sure that your ethical stance is reflective of the values of a good dental professional.
3. Know something about the current dental controversies. Knowing something about the current hot topics of dentistry is important as it shows that you are interested in the field. You don't have to know the composition of amalgam (silver filling material), but know that some people think it causes cancer. Know what fluoride is and what it did for public health when it was added to community tap water (actually a pretty cool study and huge benefit to the general public). You don't have to know everything about the current issues, but be familiar that there are controversies and generally where the ADA stands on them.
4. Don't force your own life experiences into the answer of a serious/tragic scenario. If there's a question about how to handle a tragic event, don't try to put forward how you carried your high school team to victory in whatever sport you played. Basically, answer the question that is asked. If you don't, it shows two things: 1. you're not capable of following instructions like the prompt presented to you (big no no in dental school), and 2. that you're trying to hard to try to impress them (this is annoying). Let things about your personal life come up naturally--we all know that things that are forced is cringy. There will be opportunities to speak about yourself, but this is not the time. If there's a natural flow that allows you to relate the presented situation to your personal life, then go for it. But always, answer the presented prompt first and foremost.
In the multiple mini interview, candidates are moved through different stations (typically 6-10) of short scenarios in which they speak to different interviewers at each station. Before they enter each room, they are presented with a prompt. That prompt could be talking about an ethical dilemma, answering a standard interview question, or interacting with a standardized patient. There is no real way to prepare for the specific things asked of you during these individual interview scenarios as the specific prompts vary, but there are general principles and guidelines to improve your performance in the MMIs.
These interviews are all about testing your ability to think critically on the spot and how you are able to convey your thoughts. The great thing about these interviews is that you are able to form multiple first-impressions. So, if one of the scenarios goes poorly or you don't mesh well with your interviewer, no worries! It's not the end of the world since you'll be moving to the next one in about ten minutes.
Though there are scenarios and standardized patients presented to you during this type of dental school interview, candidates are not required to have previous in-depth knowledge about the topic. Instead, the MMIs are testing your professionalism, ability to communicate new thoughts that are not previously memorized answers, and critical thinking abilities.
Tips for the MMI Interview:
1. Show empathy. Remember that you will be an advocate for your patients one day, responsible for their treatment plans. It's important to show that you are capable of putting yourself in other's shoes. Empathy and intellectual adaptability are huge pillars of dentistry (and other healthcare professions), so take this opportunity to demonstrate that you are capable of putting the well-being of others at the forefront of your mind.
2. Have an ethical stance. It is important to be open to the opinions and thoughts of others, but show that you are confident in where you stand. This is my general rule: demonstrate that you see the side of others, but then explain your own. Speaking to the thoughts/opinions of others allows the committee to see that you are not a close-minded individual and that you are capable of seeing beyond your own stance, but then bring it back to what you believe. Show that you're strong by picking a stance and not wavering. That said, make sure that your ethical stance is reflective of the values of a good dental professional.
3. Know something about the current dental controversies. Knowing something about the current hot topics of dentistry is important as it shows that you are interested in the field. You don't have to know the composition of amalgam (silver filling material), but know that some people think it causes cancer. Know what fluoride is and what it did for public health when it was added to community tap water (actually a pretty cool study and huge benefit to the general public). You don't have to know everything about the current issues, but be familiar that there are controversies and generally where the ADA stands on them.
4. Don't force your own life experiences into the answer of a serious/tragic scenario. If there's a question about how to handle a tragic event, don't try to put forward how you carried your high school team to victory in whatever sport you played. Basically, answer the question that is asked. If you don't, it shows two things: 1. you're not capable of following instructions like the prompt presented to you (big no no in dental school), and 2. that you're trying to hard to try to impress them (this is annoying). Let things about your personal life come up naturally--we all know that things that are forced is cringy. There will be opportunities to speak about yourself, but this is not the time. If there's a natural flow that allows you to relate the presented situation to your personal life, then go for it. But always, answer the presented prompt first and foremost.
Interview Styles:
Open vs. Closed File Interviews
Open vs. Closed File Interviews
Open File Dental School Format
This is by far the most common. In the open file interview, the interviewer has full access to your test scores (GPA and DAT), all letters of recommendation from dentists, and your personal statements. Basically everything that you've turned in has been combed through by your interviewer before you even walk through that door.
Tips for the Open File Interview:
1. Make sure that you go into this interview PREPARED! This means to absolutely review ALL of your application a few days in advance, and even more so, to be able to speak in depth about any aspect they ask to know more about. For instance, if they ask about your work at the local soup kitchen on Sunday mornings, be able to tell them what you did during the events/ any leadership roles you held/ why you got involved with this particular organization/ what you learned from working in this sector. Bottom line: be able to expand on everything they would possibly ask you about. It's your application, so you should know it inside and out. If you don't, you're going to lose credibility and come across as aloof and lazy!
2. Bring a copy of your resume. Sure, they will probably have a folder of the resumes in front of them, but it's a nice touch to be able to give them a fresh and clean one as a "souvenir" of your time with them. It shows that you took the time to think about what would best serve them during your nerve-racking interview. You classy person you.
3. Make sure that your resume is correct and error free! This goes without saying as it is an official document that you're turning in to them, but make sure that it's all correct. This includes the names of the organizations that you work with, as well as the time frames that you served there. One of the last things you want to do is to argue with the admissions committee interviewer about how long you volunteered at Organization X because you're sure that you are right (and you are), but your resume is wrong. Refer to tip #1 and don't lose credibility.
Tips for the Open File Interview:
1. Make sure that you go into this interview PREPARED! This means to absolutely review ALL of your application a few days in advance, and even more so, to be able to speak in depth about any aspect they ask to know more about. For instance, if they ask about your work at the local soup kitchen on Sunday mornings, be able to tell them what you did during the events/ any leadership roles you held/ why you got involved with this particular organization/ what you learned from working in this sector. Bottom line: be able to expand on everything they would possibly ask you about. It's your application, so you should know it inside and out. If you don't, you're going to lose credibility and come across as aloof and lazy!
2. Bring a copy of your resume. Sure, they will probably have a folder of the resumes in front of them, but it's a nice touch to be able to give them a fresh and clean one as a "souvenir" of your time with them. It shows that you took the time to think about what would best serve them during your nerve-racking interview. You classy person you.
3. Make sure that your resume is correct and error free! This goes without saying as it is an official document that you're turning in to them, but make sure that it's all correct. This includes the names of the organizations that you work with, as well as the time frames that you served there. One of the last things you want to do is to argue with the admissions committee interviewer about how long you volunteered at Organization X because you're sure that you are right (and you are), but your resume is wrong. Refer to tip #1 and don't lose credibility.
Closed File Dental School Format
coIn this interview, the interviewer does NOT have access to your files beforehand. They won't know the good or the bad that you've achieved in the past that's culminated to this moment. That can be both a blessing and a curse. It's important to learn how to dictate and steer the conversation towards where you want it to go.
Tips for the Closed File Interview:
1. Only talk about the good parts of your application. Remember, they don't know anything about you, like at all! So use that to your advantage. Why would you voluntarily tell them about that D- you got in biology when you could just not talk about that, focusing on the awesome shadowing that you did for the last 3 years! Of course, if they ask you about an academic shortcoming, then tell them (but always put a positive twist on it!).
2. Bring them a copy of your resume! I did this for my own closed file interview, and the interviewer so appreciated it! It makes it so much easier if they get a chance to review your accomplishments briefly rather than just diving right in and overwhelming them by listing your whole life story. Remember that they are also interviewing at least 5 other hopefuls, so giving them a sheet to remember you by is an awesome way to leave a great impression (and easier to remember who you were in general among the other candidates) . Plus, it makes it easier for them to think of follow up questions. Now you can begin to understand why I'm a huge believer in bringing a few more copies of that resume than you think you'll need.
3. Keep it professional. Again, this is another tip that should be common sense, but let's roll with it anyways. When I had my student-led closed file interview, it felt more conversational than the ones I had with the adjunct professors. It definitely had the more laid back feel to it. HOWEVERRRR, remember that this is still an interview, and these students still report back to the admissions committee with their impressions of each applicant. So, come across as friendly and as someone who could potentially be a professional colleague one day, all while maintaining complete professionalism.
Tips for the Closed File Interview:
1. Only talk about the good parts of your application. Remember, they don't know anything about you, like at all! So use that to your advantage. Why would you voluntarily tell them about that D- you got in biology when you could just not talk about that, focusing on the awesome shadowing that you did for the last 3 years! Of course, if they ask you about an academic shortcoming, then tell them (but always put a positive twist on it!).
2. Bring them a copy of your resume! I did this for my own closed file interview, and the interviewer so appreciated it! It makes it so much easier if they get a chance to review your accomplishments briefly rather than just diving right in and overwhelming them by listing your whole life story. Remember that they are also interviewing at least 5 other hopefuls, so giving them a sheet to remember you by is an awesome way to leave a great impression (and easier to remember who you were in general among the other candidates) . Plus, it makes it easier for them to think of follow up questions. Now you can begin to understand why I'm a huge believer in bringing a few more copies of that resume than you think you'll need.
3. Keep it professional. Again, this is another tip that should be common sense, but let's roll with it anyways. When I had my student-led closed file interview, it felt more conversational than the ones I had with the adjunct professors. It definitely had the more laid back feel to it. HOWEVERRRR, remember that this is still an interview, and these students still report back to the admissions committee with their impressions of each applicant. So, come across as friendly and as someone who could potentially be a professional colleague one day, all while maintaining complete professionalism.
Closing Words About the
Types of Dental School Interviews
Types of Dental School Interviews
Dental school interviews (or really any interviews for that matter) can be very nerve-racking process. You want to impress the important people sitting across from you, but you also want to be yourself and show them how awesome you are. I get it. It's all about a balance.
Unsure about what kind of interview your potential dental school does? If they didn't include it in the invitation details, ask current students or other people who have applied. You can also always as the admissions administrative personnel!
You're going to be great! Now that you understand the different kinds of interviews that are out there when it comes to dental schools, go ahead and read about some tips to preparing for them HERE. You're going to be awesome!
Unsure about what kind of interview your potential dental school does? If they didn't include it in the invitation details, ask current students or other people who have applied. You can also always as the admissions administrative personnel!
You're going to be great! Now that you understand the different kinds of interviews that are out there when it comes to dental schools, go ahead and read about some tips to preparing for them HERE. You're going to be awesome!