Top Mistakes to Avoid in Dental School Interviews
The dental school interview is often the final hurdle between you and an acceptance letter. You’ve worked hard on your GPA, scored well on the DAT, and submitted a strong application—but how you perform in your interview can make or break your chances.
Unfortunately, many students unknowingly make common mistakes that leave the wrong impression on admissions committees. To help you prepare, here are the top mistakes to avoid in dental school interviews—and what you should do instead.
1. Not Preparing for Common Interview Questions
Walking into an interview without preparation is one of the biggest errors applicants make. Questions like “Why dentistry?”, “Why this school?”, and “Tell me about yourself” almost always come up.
👉 What to do instead:
Practice answering common dental school interview questions out loud.
Create a short, structured story for each question that highlights your strengths.
Emphasize experiences that connect directly to dentistry.
2. Giving Generic or Cliché Answers
Admissions committees don’t want to hear the same script from every applicant. Saying “I want to help people” or “I like science and working with my hands” without real examples makes you forgettable.
👉 What to do instead:
Share personal stories or moments that influenced your decision to pursue dentistry.
Be specific—describe how shadowing, volunteering, or a personal experience shaped your goals.
Connect your answers to your unique journey.
3. Overlooking Nonverbal Communication
First impressions matter. Poor posture, lack of eye contact, or fidgeting can signal nervousness or lack of confidence—even if your answers are strong.
👉 What to do instead:
Practice confident body language: sit upright, make eye contact, and smile naturally.
Record a mock interview on video to identify habits you might not notice.
Treat every interaction, from greeting to goodbye, as part of the interview.
4. Speaking Negatively About Other Schools or Experiences
Some students make the mistake of criticizing other schools, professors, or classmates. Negativity reflects poorly on your professionalism and maturity.
👉 What to do instead:
Stay positive, even when discussing challenges.
If asked about difficulties, frame them as learning opportunities.
Show that you can handle setbacks with resilience and growth.
5. Not Researching the School
If you can’t answer why you want to attend a specific program, it signals lack of genuine interest. Schools want students who fit their mission and values.
👉 What to do instead:
Research the school’s curriculum, clinical opportunities, and community outreach programs.
Mention specific faculty, facilities, or initiatives that appeal to you.
Connect the school’s strengths to your career goals.
6. Talking Too Much—or Too Little
Rambling can lose your interviewer’s attention, while one-word answers don’t show enough personality.
👉 What to do instead:
Keep answers structured: use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Aim for 1–2 minutes per response—long enough to provide detail, but concise.
Practice mock interviews with feedback to balance clarity and depth.
7. Forgetting to Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, most schools will ask if you have questions. Saying “No” suggests lack of interest.
👉 What to do instead:
Prepare 2–3 thoughtful questions in advance.
Examples:
“How does your program support students preparing for board exams?”
“What makes this dental school’s culture unique?”
“Are there opportunities for community service or international outreach?”
Final Thoughts
Your dental school interview is an opportunity to showcase who you are beyond your application. Avoiding these common mistakes—and replacing them with strong, thoughtful strategies—can help you leave a lasting impression.
At Dental School Declassified, our team of licensed dentists helps students prepare with mock interviews, personalized feedback, and insider tips to maximize confidence and performance. With the right preparation, you can turn your interview into an acceptance letter.
