Dental School Mock Interview
Prepare for your dental school admissions interview with 40 questions covering clinical judgment, ethics, and patient care scenarios.
Question 22 of 40
Who in your life mentors or inspires you?
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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.
Throughout your dental school interview, your interviewers will pose a few questions to determine your motivators and what inspires you to be great in what you do. With this question, they're looking to hear who has been your biggest inspiration and why you feel they are a motivating factor for you.
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.
"I find inspiration in many people and things. I would have to say that the person who has most greatly inspired me has been my grandmother. She always had a smile on her face no matter how hard she worked, and she loved everyone. She was well respected and always gave more than she received. I try to live like her as much as I can."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
Your life's inspiration can come from a book, a mentor, your family, a celebrity, an author - anyone! Talk to the interviewers about who has inspired your life and why.
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My grandmother, she is my role model and inspires me in so many ways. She is so kind-hearted and such a strong woman. She gives her all and free time to help so many people. She used to be a volunteer firefighter. She still volunteers with the New Mexico search and rescue team and the Santa Fe Symphony. She has been my biggest fan, and she has supported me throughout all of my educational endeavors. We have done so much together; she has taken me all over the world. When I was a young girl, she started taking me on a yearly trip out of the country. It fostered in me the passion for traveling and seeing different cultures and ways of life. I have gone to over 20 countries with my best friend, my grandma.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your grandma sounds like an INCREDIBLE woman. Wow! This is a heartwarming answer that any interviewer should appreciate.
Anonymous Answer
My life mentor is dad. My dad was born in a small town in China. He made himself millions with nothing. He is also the one that supports me financially and mentally the most to become a dentist. And my husband as well. He also told me that 99% percent of success comes from hard-working, and 1% of success comes from genius. Practice makes perfection.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your dad sounds like a very wise man! Nice, heartfelt answer :)
"My life's mentor is my dad. He was born in a small town in China and made himself millions from nothing. Aside from my husband, my dad is the one who supports me the most, financially and emotionally, on my path to becoming a dentist. He taught me that 99% of success comes from hard work, and 1% comes from genius. Practice makes perfect, and I truly believe this."
Anonymous Answer
My dentist, who is also my boss, mentors me, and my mom inspires me. She inspires me to chase my dream and dream big.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's fantastic that you have two strong inspirations in your life. In what ways does your dentist/boss mentor you? (i.e., what have been your biggest takeaways so far?)
Anonymous Answer
I find inspiration in many people and things. I would say that my parents inspire me the most. They both came into a completely different country with nothing but clothes on their backs and made huge sacrifices in order to give me the chance to pursue my dreams of one day becoming a dentist. They work long hours every day and still manage to keep a smile on their faces no matter what. They always give more than they take and are well respected and loved. If I could be only half the person they are I would be so happy.
Jaymie's Feedback
This is such a genuine and heartfelt answer. Your parents' qualities that inspire you are the same that an interviewer will find attractive as well.
Anonymous Answer
My mom inspires me the most for her effort to successfully complete a dental assistance program this year in her fifties. She overcame the language barriers, had to wake up at 6 almost every day to go to classes, took 18 units each semester, and worked part-time at the same time. Despite her busy schedule, she still stayed optimistic and found joy in her study and work. Her enormous effort and attitude inspire me to stay strong and positive in my pre-dental journey.
Marcie's Feedback
Awesome! This is a strong and memorable answer. Your mom definitely sounds inspiring, and it's great that her example has impacted you so positively. Any interviewer will appreciate this response. Nice job!
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