to think about !

Well guys this is an e-mail i got recently and i am putting it here bcos this one is so good at putting all the questions down which u have to prepare from ur application starting till the interview and acceptance into a school. Iliked this email especially becos it puts down clearly everything one has to know when they start preparing and as i said till the end so when ever you guys who are taking there first step get hold of somebody who is doing good and had gone past all these steps try askin them all these things, its gonna do wonders !

These questions might appear to be stupid, naïve, repetitive, but all feedback from you will be very appreciated.
Please tell me about yourself ( acceptance stats, where you applied, interviewed, accepted, reapplicant?)

IF YOU DONT WANT TO ANSWER SOMETHING...PLEASE IGNORE IT.

Stats - 1 and 2, GPA, Experience, Extra things (masters, certificates, teaching, research, dental hygiene, dental assistant, volunteer work, ce couses- online or person, observorship, externships, teaching, anything else ……) .
Please give me details answers of each question….so I get some idea of what I can do to improve my chances of admission.
The school you got accepted into – by now you must have an idea of what they are looking for?

What made you stand out?
What do you suggest - can be done to improve an application?Any tips? Any advice?

How did you figure out what to write in your SOP ? What are the most imp points in a sop? Who helped you with it?

Can you please describe what exactly happened in each interview you attended? Step wise? Parts?
Day 1-what happened?
Day 2-what happened?
How did you prepare for interviews?
Any books, videos, links, classes, websites, resources?
Who took your interview-names? How many interviewers were there? How many rounds?
One to one? Friendly/ tough?
What type of questions were asked dental or personal?
Some interview questions? Personal, Clinical, Ethical
How long was your interview for?
How many people interviewed with you?
What kind of stats did they have?
Same interviewers for all parts of the interview?

If you have a GPA below 3.0 -were there any questions about your low GPA?
How did you explain that?
If you had a gap in your education , how did you explain it?
For the question –what have you been doing since you came to the States-(I’m just sitting at home right now). What should be my answer ?
Some bright ideas/personal advice required?
If you have a non dental master’s degree from the States, do you submit the transcript with your application, or do you have to take it with you to the interview?
Do they discuss your Master’s grades/ graduate work/thesis/lab work/research?
Are they detailed or superficial questions?

BENCH EXAM
Do you have to take your instruments with you for the bench test?
Can you give me an idea of how to prepare for the bench test in each school?
A basic list of instruments which can kick start my practice (a) names, b) model number, c) source to buy from?
Do you have to buy a slow or fast hand piece?
Any instruments you recommend getting from India?
How did you practice?
How many times did you practice each type of prep?
Who checked your practical preps?
Do you recommend any prep course-Duggan’s course, any other course?
Any books, videos, links, classes, websites, resources?
If we practice on one type of typhodont, is it enough?
How did you equilibrate each time or did you just practice on single teeth?
Did you practice on ivory or real teeth?

FOR EACH SCHOOL INTERVIEW
Manikin or bench?
Rubberdam asked for?
Columbia or Kilgore?
Which tooth and what preparation?
If a restoration-only cavity cutting or filling too?
How much time for each part of the exam?
Is there a written component in the interview also?
How much time do they give you for this??
What do they test you on in that?Part1, part 2, or what??
Some specific subject-which one and which topics should be read?
Any suggestions from where to prepare for this component?Some questions?
Do you think passing part2 would help here?
Any x rays, spotters, instruments, casts (please identify this) type of thing?
Do they show x-rays and expect a diagnosis/treatment plan?
Do they test your clinical knowledge?


All the best folks...