UMD Dental School Interview Questions – Flashcards

-Working as a full time Statistician at RTI International -Volunteering as a Spanish translator at WakeSmiles dental clinic.

At this point in my dental career, I feel as if I would be comfortable enough to start exploring opportunities in oral research. Public health has always been an area of strong interest for me and I would like to combine that with dentistry at this point of my life.

I see myself working at a government clinic as a public health dentist. I feel as if working at a government clinic will allow me to get great experience and get exposed to all kinds of procedures.

-Playing the saxophone since the 4th grade -Cooking

-After going to UNC for 4 years I would like to be challenged academically at another institution. -Lived in Maryland for more than half of my life so I am still comfortable with the area -A lot of research opportunities -Prefer the curriculum

-The great reputation it has as the first dental school in the world -I lived in Maryland for more than half of my life so it is like a second home to me. -Great faculty and state of the art facilities. -Being able to see patients early on -Distinguished research programs it offers (MPH and Summer Research Training Program)

I can bring a unique perspective and skill with my background in Biostatistics/Public Health and what I learned during my gap year as a fill time Statistician combined with my interest in dentistry and speaking Spanish.

-I am great at receiving criticism and using what I learn from that to make improvements. This is best exemplified through my college courses and work experience as a Resident Advisor and Statistician. -Throughout my experiences as a Statistician at RTI, and research at Columbia University, I have worked on teams to address common goals. As a result, I have become great at collaborating. -Over my 4 years at UNC Chapel, I have taken on several leadership positions which have made me into the strong leader I am today.

-Committing myself to too much therefore, having a full plate. -Patience in learning material.

-Goes back to my grandparents and dad -Combines my interest in public service and science -Help out those that were in the shoes of my parents and grandparents in Latin America

-Make a list of pros and cons of each school -Compare price -Try and see where I could see myself as a better fit in terms of school curriculum and class profile (ex: age, previous majors)

-I decided to take the DAT after I had graduated from UNC. Even though it was challenging to manage working a full-time job after graduating and studying for the DAT at night, I was happy with my score of a 20 since it accurately reflects my strong points. Based on my 20 in Biology, 21 in General Chemistry , and 22 in Organic Chemistry, I can accurately say that Science was my most comfortable section of the DAT. On the other hand, Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning proved to be the most demanding sections for me due to the timing.

-Took a Kaplan course -Studied every night after work and on the weekends (sometimes with groups).

-Great facilities and faculty -Diverse student body -Focus on research -Opportunities for students to get involved in the community

-While volunteering at WakeSmiles clinic, two Spanish-speaking patients were on the wait-list for an appointment but there was only one slot left. -Even though one patient requested first, I had to give priority to the patient that needed more immediate attention due to the severity of their condition.

-Rewards: instant gratification after procedure, having a positive impact on the community, not feeling like your going to work when you work on patients -Challenges: many times patients have a negative stigma towards dentists so, getting patients to overcome that fear, rejecting some patients due to their insurance

-Advanced Calculus -Required me to think and solve problems in ways I had never done so before. Specifically, proof-based logic.

-I have been able to work on my time management skills immensely since I started working as a full time Statistician and am working on 3 different projects all requiring different tasks.

-Looked at the ASDA website -Ask friends currently in dental school what worked best for them. -Had friends mock interview me, went on a run to Federal Hill to start the morning right.

-Throughout college I challenged myself in several upper level classes with some classes having graduate and medical students. I was able to develop time management and studying skills that I believe that can translate over to dental school.

-I tend to over commit and sometimes my plate is too full. -Not enough time to hang out with my friends.

-Grandmother -Has always been there for me to support me -Not only leads with words but also by example.

-Not studying abroad in college -I would have liked to study in a different environment. I feel as if it would have been exposed to different experiences that I did not have in undergrad.

-Visiting where my parents grew up. -Helped me get a better sense of where I came from and defined me culturally.