Dental School Mock Interview
Prepare for your dental school admissions interview with 40 questions covering clinical judgment, ethics, and patient care scenarios.
Question 2 of 40
It is important that our university exercises great discernment when choosing applicants. What is your plan if you are not accepted into our school of dentistry this year?
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Nisha Yadav is a Talent Advisor & People Specialist with a focus on global talent attraction. Her earlier career experience includes HR and recruitment roles where she specialized in contract and permanent IT recruitment opportunities.
It is a well-known fact that around 60% of dental school applicants each year get accepted into programs, and there is a real chance that you won't be accepted. The way you answer this question will show the interviewers that you have an interest in the field of dentistry that goes deeper than your acceptance into dental school. It will also show your tenacity for one day achieving your dream if you aren't accepted this year.
Nisha Yadav is a Talent Advisor & People Specialist with a focus on global talent attraction. Her earlier career experience includes HR and recruitment roles where she specialized in contract and permanent IT recruitment opportunities.
"Should I not be accepted into dental school the first time, I plan to reapply the following year. I would take that year to upgrade any required courses and prepare an even stronger application. My life's goal is to become a dentist, and I certainly won't take one rejection as a final answer."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
There are a couple of ways to answer this question. First, you can show that you will take a different path in Dental Hygiene or Dental / Medical Sales, for instance. Or, you can let the interviewers know that one rejection won't stop you at all! Talk about your plan to reapply if rejected. Whatever the path you would choose, show the interviewers that you have the confidence and drive to be accepted into a reputable dental school and that it'll take more than one rejection to keep you down!
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Anonymous Answer
I would take this year as a self-improvement year. I would try to gain more dental experiences such as dental assistant, post-bac program, or retake DAT. Then I will continue to apply the coming next year.
Rachelle's Feedback
These are all great ideas for strengthening your application if needed. Mainly, the interviewer would want to see that you are not giving up.
Anonymous Answer
I would find out the factors that contributed to that decision. I would work on them and reapply next cycle. I would also do more community service, continue working as a dental assistant, and possibly shadow other dental specialists.
Rachelle's Feedback
Wonderful! This is a solid plan, and it's great that you would figure out what factors contributed and work on those points.
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