• Dental schools use a variety of different types of interview styles.
• Regardless of your interview format, most individual dental schools typically have a brief check-in, welcome and overview of the day's agenda to make you more comfortable of what to expect that day. 
• We encourage all candidates that receive an interview invitation to review (in advance) any basic written instructions or details provided by the admissions team in your interview invitation.
• Interviews may include or be a combination of any/all the types listed below.

• Interviewers ask behavior-based questions to determine how you have managed certain situations in the past to project if you can handle and perform well in future situations as a healthcare provider.
• Consider using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) method anytime you provide an example to help answer behavior-based questions.
• Use diverse and honest examples from your past experiences to help them know you understand you are in tune with your future experiences.
• The questions may initially catch you off guard. However, answer honestly and thoughtfully to demonstrate that you are well-developed and ready for professional school.
• Strategies: Utilize the STAR method to aid your written self-reflection before advancing to mock interviews.

• A group interview (often 3-7 candidates) reviews candidates at the same time and gives each candidate a chance to respond to the same question, in rotational turns.
• Tips:
  • Wait patiently for your turn.
  • Do not interrupt or criticize other candidates.
  • Actively listen to what others have to say. Briefly refer to a candidate's previous answer to quickly discuss additional, new thoughts or ideas for the same question (if appropriate). 
  • Be memorable and respectful.
  • Assume that you and all candidates in your interview group will also be admitted as your future colleagues.

• Meet one-on-one with your interviewer.
• The full interview process may consist of only one individual interview or might be several individual interviews throughout the day.

• This may feel as a casual conversation regarding questions asked by your interviewer(s).
• It might include some follow-up questions throughout the interview format. 
• Stay focused, be professional and be yourself.

• MMIs are designed to measure communication skills, verbal / non-verbal skills and gauge an applicant's potential to successfully interact with future patients and colleagues. 
• Series of short structured interview stations that candidates rotate through various scenarios (visualize "speed dating" for interviewing).
• Typically you have 6-10 stations and engage 5-8 minutes at each, individual station.
• Stations vary and might be:
  • Hypothetical scenarios involving interactions with an actor (live standardized patient).
  • Essay writing.
  • Standard interview: written/video prompt or oral conversation.
  • Teamwork situation: candidates must work together to complete a task.
  • Ethical or equity scenarios involving questions regarding social or policy implications.
  • "Rest" station to catch your breath and relax.
• Additional MMI information:
  • What it’s like to Participate in MMIs

• This interview format often includes several interviewers (often 2-4) at once.
• Usually the panel has a variety of diverse interviewers who participate, such as: faculty, staff, current students, community members, healthcare providers, etc. who will take turns asking you questions.

• Situational Judgment Tests are a type of psychological test which present the test-taker with realistic, hypothetical scenarios and may ask the individual what they would do in the dilemma / situation and why they would do it.
• The test tends to determine behavioral tendencies, assessing how an individual will behave in a certain situation, and knowledge instruction, which evaluates the effectiveness of possible responses.
• There is little you can do to prepare for this format; other than be a strong communicator, be flexible and able to think on your feet.
• Review your specific programs of interest to confirm if they require a Situational Judgment Test. If so, explore the two most widely used tests below: 
  
  • Casper 

• A stress interview might feel as if you are being put under a magnifying glass. The intention is to see how you function under a stressful, pressured situation.
• They may ask you questions that might make you uncomfortable to observe how you behave and communicate (verbally and non-verbally).
• It might contain questions about sensitive topics or personal questions to go more into your personal thought process.
• Overall, the interviewer is most interested in how you thoughtfully respond in a stressful situation.