University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio School of Dentistry Interview Feedback Summary
San Antonio, TX
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 18% 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 342 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 (80%)
Negatively (9%)
No change (11%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (41%)
Good (52%)
Average (7%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly mentioned that the interviews were conversational and relaxed, with a focus on getting to know them. Suggestions included being prepared to discuss personal statements and having questions ready for interviewers, as well as checking basic writing skills for post-interview tasks.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Not much to say aside from amazing
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Do research on the school beforehand. Have questions ready to ask your interviewers.
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Very chill, behavioral and conversational interview. Standard questions that can be all found on SDN and nothing too out there. It's a closed interview so they only have access to your essays prior to your interview - be familiar with the topics you covered on there. Overall though, they just want to get to know you!
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Conversational, personable interviewers
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Almost 100% behavioral interview. I heard some others had a rough time. Expect at least one question on your essays, so be able to genuinely talk about them. Closed file, but I heard one interviewer asks about your GPA and DAT, so be ready to back it up.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
38 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.4 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
33% Open-File
67% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
17% Virtual
83% In-Person
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Interview Location (for In-Person):
100% At the School
0% Other Location
UTHSCSA-Dent-COMP interviews are an average of 38 minutes, with an average of 2.4 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, 83% are in-person, and 67% 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 why the applicant chose that specific school, how they manage stress, their potential contributions to the class culture, and details from their personal statement. Some respondents also mentioned being asked about their motivations for pursuing a career in dentistry, their research experience, and their future goals, with some interviews structured in an MMI format where questions were tailored to their application materials.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Why this school
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Why dentistry?
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Tell me one of your challenges.
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They only see your essays so they asked specific questions from there.
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How do you manage stress?
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio School of Dentistry discussed various topics such as qualities of a good dentist, personal statement details, handling patient scenarios, and how external factors impact dentistry. The interviews seemed conversational with a mix of situational inquiries and personal reflections; however, some responses hinted at an MMI format with potential nondisclosure agreements in place.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What is your least favorite about this field?
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What would you do if your patient asked for a specific opioid?
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Questions pertaining to my personal statement and my interests.
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Situational questions
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Asked one question about one of my essays
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for interviews by utilizing resources such as SDN, mock interviews with friends, practicing common questions, and researching the specific school program and faculty. They also highlighted the importance of reviewing their application, talking to current students or alumni, and staying informed about current events in dentistry.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Talked to students
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SDN, YouTube videos, mock interviews with friends and pre health advisor
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Go through practice interview questions.
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SDN, practice with friends and family, practice coming up with answers on the spot
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SDN, mock interview workshops and personalized mock interviews with mentors
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio School of Dentistry discussed a range of topics including ethical scenarios, access to care issues, personal strengths, and motivations for pursuing dentistry. Some respondents mentioned an MMI format, which may involve a nondisclosure agreement, while others highlighted questions related to professionalism, healthcare legislation, and future goals in dentistry.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing. They were pretty standard questions
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What will you do if you see your classmate always come in drunk and messy?
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If you had a classmate that was showing up to lecture drunk/hungover what would you do?
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Ethical question involving cheating/plagiarism.
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Is there anything else you would like to add to your application?
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were consistently impressed by the friendliness and welcoming atmosphere of both faculty and students at UTHSCSA. They appreciated the well-organized interview process, modern facilities, computer-based curriculum, and opportunities for hands-on experience in a supportive environment.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Very thoughtful organization for the interview day. Everyone was very friendly and easy to talk to. Curriculum and facilites are amazing
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Made me feel comfortable and confident
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The faculties and students are extremely nice. This was my first interview and it gave me a very relaxing interview environment.
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Kind faculty and students, the buildings are so nice (especially clinic). It felt like I was truly wanted there. The exchange program and opportunities to teach/do research excited me!
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The faculty member was very passionate about organized dentistry and mentorship and those align with my interests as well. I'm glad the school tries to pair you up with an interviewer with similar interests.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about the old and confusing building layout, lack of natural lighting, outdated facilities, and a sense of disorganization. Suggestions included improving the building's environment, enhancing communication and enthusiasm among staff and students, and providing clearer navigation within the school.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Nothing, loved it
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Nothing. But my student interviewer wasn't that day. Another student, who was supposed to transport me to the 2nd part of the interview, happily took me in and interviewed me.
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Texas heat :(
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The presentation preceding the student panel was a bit boring.
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Faculty was about 10 minutes late
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time to relax, be confident, and view the interview as an opportunity to get to know the school as well. They also highlighted the importance of preparation, staying calm, and being aware of the interview format and expectations.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I wish I knew that eating a proper breakfast is important. It was a long day and I felt light headed at some point
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To not be as anxious. If you are getting an interview, they want to meet you. If you have practiced basic interview questions, you will be fine. They are asking about you anyways, and who better to answer that than you! Also, everyone at UT Health San Antonio is so welcoming!! Be confident and do the dang thing. You have worked so hard to get to this point so show them you deserve to be there!!!
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Take deep breaths! Remember that even though they're asking you questions most of the time, you're also interviewing the school to see if you'd like it there!
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Felt very prepared. Just relax. Prepare your best. Once you do that, there is honestly absolutely zero point in stressing or worrying. You did what you could and you did your best. Leave the rest up to God.
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Relax
🤝 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 commonly suggested that the admissions office should send a follow-up email detailing what to expect after the interview day and provide warmer food options while allowing more interaction between applicants and current students.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Sending out a follow up email on what to expect after interview day!
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Keep up the good work!
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Heat the food up. It's kind of weird eating a cold sandwich. Combine the lunch tables together so that all the applicants can speak with the Dental students.
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Employ more humanistic appraoch.
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I would have liked a bathroom break earlier during the morning presentations.
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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SAT
44% interviewees used SAT (SAT), with 22% using SAN (SAN) and 11% using JFK (JFK) and 11% using DFW (DFW) and 11% using San Antonio; United Airline (San Antonio; United Airline).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by automobile to the interview.
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24% Airplane
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76% Automobile
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0% Train or Subway
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0% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the La Quinta (average ranking 7.8/10), with some staying at Oak Hills (average rating 3.4/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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La Quinta
7.8/10
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Oak Hills
3.4/10
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Drury Inn
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 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 (13%)
Faculty member (3%)
Student (84%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Discouraging (2%)
Enthusiastic (82%)
Neutral (16%)
All Responses
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