🎓 What I Learned From 7 Dental School Interviews (The Hard Way): 2025-2026 Guide

💬 Maybe rehearse a little. Smile more often. Or fake it ‘til your cheeks hurt.

“Fuel your smile 😊 — even if you’re faking it through nerves.”

Because sometimes that’s all it takes to open the door.

Your personal interview experience will help you decide which school is the right fit for you — you will get the feeling.

🎬 Lesson #1: Record Yourself. Yes, Really.

Out of the seven interviews I did, only one felt like I had it together — and that was OHSU.

Why? Because it was the only one I properly rehearsed for.

I recorded myself answering mock questions, then played them back. It was… humbling.

😬 I looked tense and uncomfortable.

😐 I forgot to smile.

🧾 I sounded like I was giving tax advice — Not pitching myself as someone who’d be holding a drill.

Dental school interviews are part theater, part therapy, and a little bit of a triathlon.

Put on your actor hat. Smile. Sit up. Try again. Rinse. Repeat.

🏛️ UF: Traditional Vibes & Resume Drills

University of Florida? Felt like I walked into a courtroom cross-examination vibes.

They asked leading questions and worked their way through my resume — not in a rude way, just… thorough. It felt like they were trying to hear me explain the ‘why’ behind every line.

📚 The tone was formal and structured

📚 They seemed to prefer traditional, younger applicants

📚 I got the sense that non-trads weren’t the norm (or favored)

⚠️ My perception might’ve been distorted by a slightly awkward moment:

I got there too early and accidentally got mixed in with the morning group. One of the faculty loudly said something like “Not a Florida resident?” — which set up an uncomfortable vibe. 🧊

🔑 Takeaway: Know your app cold. Be able to justify everything. And arrive about 15 minutes early — no more, no less.

🌴 NOVA: Grandpa Interviewer, Big-Heart Energy

This one took me by surprise.

I was interviewed by someone who looked like a strict old-school professor, but after 20 minutes? Total teddy bear in a blazer🐻.

We talked for 40 minutes — one of the longest and most relaxed and deep conversations of all my interviews.

📝 Most of the questions were the usual suspects with few reflective questions:

• Why dentistry?

• What are your strengths and weaknesses (from a friend’s perspective)?

• How do you handle stress?

• Where do you see yourself in 10–15 years?

• If you had one completely free day, what would you do?

🔑 Takeaway: NOVA felt collaborative, chill, and sincere. If you’re authentic and open, they respond to it. Relax your shoulders. Smile. Be real.

🎨 LECOM: Soap Carving, Subtle Surveillance, and the Fishbowl

LECOM wins the “Most Unique — and Surprisingly Warm — Interview Experience” award. Hands down.

🧑‍🏫The faculty and administrators were incredibly welcoming — calm, kind, and genuinely supportive throughout the process.

🧼 Yes, there’s a 15-minute soap carving test using nothing but your hands and nerves.

What I learned:

• ❌ I practiced with Irish Spring (mistake — it’s basically dental granite)

• ✅ Use Dove or something soft — closer to what you’ll actually carve on interview day

🗓️ Interview structure:

1. ✅ Check-in at the cafeteria — someone might be quietly observing 👀

2. 👩‍⚕️ Meet PBL and clinical faculty

3. 🧽 Carve soap. No pressure, just 15 people watching your eraser-sculpting skills

4. 🐠 Join a fishbowl-style behavioral group interview (7 others, classic Qs)

🔑Takeaway: It’s not just what you say — it’s how you say it, how you interact, and how you handle curveballs. Stay sharp, be kind.

🏢 Touro & 🤝WesternU: Streamlined & Professional

These two interviews stood out for their efficiency and structure.

🏢 Touro College of Dental Medicine

Touro’s interview process felt well-organized and businesslike — the day moved quickly, with clear transitions and minimal small talk. You could tell they value applicants who are direct and efficient.

💡 If you thrive in structured environments that get straight to the point, this might suit you well.

🤝 Western University of Health Sciences

WesternU had a similar setup, but the tone was noticeably more personable. Faculty and staff seemed open and understanding.

🌱 If you’re hoping for warmth without losing structure, WesternU balances both nicely.

✅ Takeaway

🧠 Every school has its own interview personality — some are more clinical and concise, while others are more holistic and conversational.

💬 The key is to prepare thoroughly, show up as your authentic self, and observe the tone of the program — that alone might tell you where you’ll thrive.

🏛️ USC: PBL-Focused & Mission-Driven

USC’s interview stood out with its Problem-Based Learning (PBL) format. You’re placed in a mock PBL group, and how you participate genuinely matters.

📘 Look up the Maastricht model beforehand — it’ll help you:

• 🤝 Collaborate effectively

• 💬 Speak when it adds value

• 🧠 Show your thinking, not just your knowledge

This isn’t about being the loudest — it’s about being intentional with your contributions and bringing something meaningful to the table.

✨ Personally, I’m very excited for this format because I truly believe it will help me grow not just as a future dentist, but as a person.

🏁 Result:

✅ 3 Acceptances

🟡 2 Waitlists

❔ 1 Unknown

❌ 1 Rejection

💡 Final Tips (Burned Into My Brain)

✅ Practice out loud — know your key points, not word-for-word scripts

🎥 Record yourself — and yes, watch it back

🙈 You’ll cringe, but it’s the kind of cringe that builds confidence

😊 Smile — even if it feels fake at first

🧠 Don’t memorize — prepare to connect

🤝 Show up like someone you’d want to study with for 4 years

So fuel your smile 😊 — even if you’re faking it through nerves.

Because sometimes, that’s all it takes to open the right door.

🦷 Follow @ToothOps for more!