If you were accepted into our school of dentistry, what type of leader would you be?
Working as a dentist requires definitive leadership qualities in the clinic setting, where you will work closely with dental assistants, hygienists, support staff, and other dentists. Because you will start to display them during your time in dental school, your interviewer at this MMI station wants to hear your best leadership qualities so they can gauge how you will be a leader during your academic and clinical pursuits during your time with their program.
During an MMI interview, each station will be timed for around 10 minutes. Use this time to give concrete examples of times when your leadership skills benefitted a team effort. This can be from your educational, work, or personal history.
As you openly talk about the skills and qualities that make you a great leader, remember the impression you are making on your interviewer at this MMI station. Remember that open communication, great listening skills, the ability to empathize, and taking charge when needed are qualities the program you are interviewing with is looking for in their dental students. After highlighting your leadership qualities, discuss a time or two when your leadership led to great results when working with others.
"Others I have worked closely with have said that I'm a leader who builds trust among my team and that I'm always willing to jump in and lead by example when necessary. Whether it's my current student colleagues in my undergraduate program or my teammates on my college baseball team, they all would tell you that I have excellent communication skills. I can deliver bad news in a way that empathizes with others. I'm also very in tune with having difficult conversations respectfully and professionally. I've been the captain of my teams through high school and took on this honor this past spring in baseball. My teammates cling to my ability to remain positive when things get tough and my ability to motivate others in a fun manner. During my senior year of high school, my team started 0-4, and morale was down among the entire team. I took it upon myself to lead a team-building day on my family farm, where we played games, did a volunteer project for a neighbor, and ended the night with a campfire and dinner from my parents. By becoming closer, we quickly started winning games and made the district playoffs. My coaches were very impressed with my effort to take this lead myself and help us towards a winning path. These are qualities I look forward to bringing to your program, especially as a third and fourth-year student and a positive role model for the younger classes."
Unlock all 25 Dental School MMI questions
Unlock expert responses for every MMI station format dental schools use.
Get Started