San Francisco, CA
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 10% 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
8.3
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 323 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 (37%)
Good (33%)
Average (30%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found the interview experience at UCSF to be positive and low-stress, with a particular highlight being the friendly and welcoming staff and students. Some feedback mentioned concerns about the interview process organization, facilities, and faculty interview experiences, but overall, many applicants expressed a strong interest in the school due to its reputation, opportunities for research, and clinical training.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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This was a great low stress interview, wish we had a tour in person, but with COVID that is difficult
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<3
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Overall, I really loved the school... close call for me between UCSF and UOP if I were to be accepted!
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Awesome school! Relax and be yourself, if you interview here they really want you (they don't interview that many applicants).
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I can definitely see why this school is one of the top schools in the country. They have the campus, the staff, and the reputation to support that claim.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
37 Minutes Average
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Number:
1.9 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
98% One-on-One
2% Group Interview
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File Type:
3% Open-File
97% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
UCSF-COMP interviews are an average of 37 minutes, with an average of 1.9 interviews. 98% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 97% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the candidate's motivation for pursuing dentistry, their interest in the specific institution, ethical scenarios, community service involvement, leadership experiences, research background, and their ability to serve diverse patient populations. Many respondents referenced an MMI format, suggesting a structured interview with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about yourself, why dentistry?
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Tell me about yourself
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Why UCSF?
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Apart from science and art and helping people, why dentistry?
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Ethical question
What was the most interesting question?
Students said the most interesting question asked at University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry discussed various topics such as handling patient affordability issues, ethical dilemmas, reasons for choosing dentistry over medicine, and personal attributes like stress management and community involvement. The interview format may have been an MMI with mention of nondisclosure, as respondents also shared questions related to role models, diversity, and educational privilege.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why do you think there is so much anxiety towards healthcare
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When have you put others before yourself?
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What do you do to destress?
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Do you want to specialize?
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How would you handle a situation in which your patient couldn't afford the best treatment in your treatment plan? What would you do if they got upset about it?
How did you prepare for the interview?
Most applicants prepared for the interview by reviewing their application materials, practicing mock interviews, utilizing resources like SDN and the school website, and seeking advice from current students or past interviewees. Many emphasized the importance of being genuine, relaxed, and prepared to discuss personal experiences and values during the interview.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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SDN, writing down experiences and values/what I enjoyed about dentistry
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SDN, read over my application
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SDN and their webinars
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SDN and dental student friends.
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Very well
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry discussed various topics, including ethical dilemmas, personal fit for the program, future aspirations, challenges in dentistry, and reasons for choosing UCSF. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on references to nondisclosure agreements, specific dates for experiences, and standard dental questions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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None
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For the essay question response to a quote, I gave a very personal response and did not mention dentistry or science really at all as I felt it did not answer the prompt well.
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N/A
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Why do you think you're a good fit for UCSF?
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Standard questions.
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendly and genuine atmosphere at UCSF, the beautiful campus and location in San Francisco, the high-quality facilities, research opportunities, pass/fail grading system, and the enthusiastic faculty and staff. They also appreciated the emphasis on community service, the diverse student body, and the vast opportunities available to students, making UCSF an appealing choice for their dental education.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Conversational, genuine
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They were extremely organized and helpful
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City of SF! Attitude of faculty, staffs, and students. Research opportunities. Curriculum.
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Friendliness of people around.
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Location, clinical opportunities, opportunities
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about outdated facilities, lack of modern technology in labs, disorganization during the interview process, faculty interviewers lacking engagement, and a perceived lack of warmth and enthusiasm among students. Suggestions included improving facilities, enhancing the organization of the interview day, and ensuring faculty members are more attentive and engaging during interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I was confused as to whether my first interviewer was the professor or the student, so I let him introduce himself to figure it out. Might have been awkward if I asked the student professor questions and vice versa.
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Cold weather. expensive housing.
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The students I talked to said that they had no personal experience placing implants, which made me concerned that more complex cases are not available to D4s.
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Nothing at all
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Nothing really.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time about the relaxed and conversational nature of the interview, the writing sample requirement, and the mixed feedback on the organization of the day. Suggestions included attending webinars for insight and preparing for a writing prompt and the casual interview style. Applicants also highlighted the need for comfortable shoes and the potential expenses related to parking and housing in San Francisco.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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That there would be no chance to ask questions
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It is a very relaxed conversational interview. Also go to all their webinars, they are insightful.
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It gets very cold at night. Plan a trip around SF!
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There was a short writing sample at the end of the day asking for your interpretation of a quote (quote changes with each day, and they ask for about half a page to a page of writing, giving you 30 min). I also wish I would have known that an option financial aid presentation would follow the interview day -- I would have liked to stay for that but could not as I had already scheduled a shuttle to take me to the airport.
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Writing prompt at the end of the interview.
🤝 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 generally recommend that the admissions office clearly communicate the order of interviews, maintain a welcoming atmosphere to ease nerves, and acknowledge exceptional staff members like Bob McKenzie.
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Be clear on which interview is first for the student vs faculty interview.
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Nothing, they had everything under control and made it fun
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Do not be nervous, staffs are super nice. I was impressed by delicious food and nice people there.
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Bob McKenzie should get a raise. Nicest guy in the world
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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SFO
74% interviewees used SFO (SFO), with 11% using OAK (OAK) and 5% using SMF (SMF) and 5% using San Fran International Airport (San Fran International Airport) and 5% using LAX (LAX).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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55% Airplane
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21% Automobile
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19% Train or Subway
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5% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Carl Hotel (average ranking 6/10), with some staying at Renaissance Parc 55 in Downtown (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Carl Hotel
6/10
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Renaissance Parc 55 in Downtown
10/10
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Hilton San Francisco Union Square
10/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are in 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
Admissions staff (21%)
Faculty member (7%)
Other (2%)
Student (69%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (79%)
Neutral (21%)
All Responses
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