Boston, MA
Dental Schools | Private Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 13% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.1
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 179 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (76%)
Negatively (13%)
No change (11%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (32%)
Good (54%)
Average (14%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly praised Harvard School of Dental Medicine for its excellent education, supportive environment, and student-centered approach to learning. They highlighted the conversational and relaxed interview process, emphasizing the importance of being oneself and showcasing a well-rounded personality with diverse experiences.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Excellent school with excellent students. They are all very humble considering they come from such a great school like Harvard. They are upfront about Harvard not being a super "clinical" type school, but the students don't feel shorted by this.
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If you’re reading this, you probably landed an interview at Harvard. Congratulations! The interview day is nothing to worry about. They want to better understand who you are as a person, not how well you can spit out rehearsed interview answers. There are two 1 on 1 interviews, each for about an hour. It is very conversational, so just relax and answer honestly. Also, come ready with tons of questions to ask faculty/students. Good luck!
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It's an amazing school. In my eyes, the closest to perfect that you can get from a dental education. But I don't think I put my best foot forward during the interview. Maybe I was just nervous because I knew I only had one shot, and I really want to go to this school.
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I went in with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised by the city, campus, students, and faculty. Really a top notch school that gives you a lot of options. I would never go to a school just for the name brand, but I think HSDM earns it from what I saw.
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Excellent school. Dental students do all coursework with med students first two years, plus take two additional classes. (harder than med school).
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
45 Minutes Average
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Number:
1.9 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
98% Open-File
2% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
0% Virtual
100% In-Person
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Interview Location (for In-Person):
100% At the School
0% Other Location
HSDM-COMP interviews are an average of 45 minutes, with an average of 1.9 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 100% are in-person, and 2% are closed-file. Of the in-person interviews, 100% are held at the school.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about personal background, motivations for pursuing dentistry, experiences related to healthcare or dentistry, future goals, strengths and weaknesses, and scenarios demonstrating skills needed by dentists. Some respondents may have experienced an MMI format where questions were specific and may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement regarding the interview content.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about your self?
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Why dentistry? Very general questions to get a sense of who you are.
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What do you do for fun? Follow up: How does gardening relate to dentistry? (Be prepared to relate what you do for fun to dentistry)
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Describe how COVID-19 has changed your perspective on healthcare?
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They asked me about my research.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Harvard School of Dental Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including hypothetical/ethical scenarios, personal interests, leadership skills assessment, reasons for choosing dentistry over medicine, and handling challenging situations like informing a patient with HIV. The interviews seemed to cover in-depth questions related to applications and personal statements, with some creativity inquiring about being a kitchen utensil, rating leadership skills on a scale, and envisioning oneself in hypothetical scenarios.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Asked hypothetical/ethical questions
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If you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be? (both of my interviewers asked this)
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Do you have any enemies?
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Both interviewers asked in depth questions relating to my application. I was impressed with how thorough the entire interview was.
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All of the questions were pretty standard.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing websites, such as SDN and the school's site, and engaging with current students for insights. Some also practiced with mock interviews and researched general interview questions to feel more confident and prepared.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN questions, regular interview questions
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Sdn, talking to students
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SDN. Deep dive into their website (read the articles and student interviews)
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I was just myself.
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Research online
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Harvard School of Dental Medicine discussed included scenarios like balancing monetary benefits with patient care, unique qualities distinguishing applicants, envisioning future goals, handling challenges in dental school, addressing disparities in healthcare, and personal reflections on failures and influences. Respondents also mentioned a conversational tone in interviews, with common themes revolving around individuality, commitment to dentistry, and problem-solving abilities.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None
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What do you want me to tell the ad com?
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How should dentists balance monetary benefits and patient care?
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No single question was difficult. The interviews themselves were conversational.
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You have a very high dat score and GPA. You have a passion for research, have a wealth of diverse dental experiences, and have completed many community service projects, both locally and internationally. But we have plenty of applicants like you. Why are you different? What can you bring to HSDM that is unique?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and down-to-earth students and faculty, the pass/fail curriculum, the integration with the medical school, the numerous research opportunities, the location in Boston, and the lack of competition among students. They also appreciated the helpful admissions team, the financial aid presentation, and the overall positive atmosphere of the program, making them feel excited and enthusiastic about the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Very nice and personable faculty, with medical students for first year and a half
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The admissions team is incredibly helpful and kind. The students seem super happy and genuine.
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The financial aid presentation was pretty helpful. It gave you a better idea of what your financial situation will look like after graduating with loans
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Super personal interviewers. They really read up on me and made the interview day (even online) super special.
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The research opportunity and the Pass/Fail curriculum
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the outdated facilities, lack of clinical experience in the early years, financial aid presentation issues, arrogance among some students, and the emphasis on research over clinical skills. Suggestions included improving facilities, providing more clinical exposure earlier in the program, addressing the financial aid process professionally, and fostering a more balanced focus on research and clinical training.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None.
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Seemed a little pretentious
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Interviewer was disrespectful and didn't seem to be interested in being there.
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That students tend to live in the dorms during D1.
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Nothing. The interview and school itself was flawless.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they knew more about the school's unique curriculum, the interview format, and the importance of showing their natural personality during the interview. Some also mentioned the need for thorough research on the school, preparing questions for faculty and interviewers, and being aware of the facilities and environment at Harvard Dental School.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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They have an open Q and A with faculty and students for the first like 30 minutes, bring questions for faculty and more questions for interviewer (might be the same)
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None.
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Research is part of the cirriculum
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How small the interview group was.
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That you will get a ticket if you park outside of Vandy.
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants were generally satisfied with the responsiveness and welcoming attitude of the admissions office. One common suggestion was to avoid scheduling interview days when important facilities, like clinics, are closed.
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Nothing, everyone was responsive and made me feel welcome.
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Try not to schedule interview days when the clinics are closed.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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BOS
33% interviewees used BOS (BOS), with 22% using bos (bos) and 11% using Bos (Bos) and 11% using Boston (Boston) and 11% using Logan International Airport (Logan International Airport) and 11% using Logan (Logan).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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63% Airplane
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21% Automobile
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13% Train or Subway
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4% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Marriot Courtyard (average ranking 10/10), with some staying at Cambridge Marriott (average rating 9/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Marriot Courtyard
10/10
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Cambridge Marriott
9/10
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Harrington Inn (it's a youth hostile in Brookline)
7/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either Hotel or at a hotel.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Faculty member (2%)
Other (2%)
Student (96%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (92%)
Neutral (8%)
All Responses
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