An independent practice guide by Admitted. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Iowa College of Dentistry.
What it tests: Whether you know what genuinely sets the school apart, and whether it fits how you want to train.
Source: ADA Health Policy Institute, Survey of Dental Education 2025–26
What it tests: Whether you have pictured yourself learning in a class smaller than average.
What they are assessing: Whether you did real homework or mass-applied. They can spot a recycled answer in one sentence.
The trap: Anything that would be true of forty schools — 'strong clinical training,' 'great reputation,' 'diverse patient population.' If your answer survives a find-and-replace of the school name, it's not an answer.
What they are assessing: Effort. Anyone can skim a homepage the night before — they want to know whether you cared enough to talk to a human being.
The trap: Reciting facts anyone could find in ninety seconds. If everything you say could have come from the admissions page, you've answered the question badly no matter how accurate you are.
What they are assessing: Retention risk. Schools genuinely worry about students who are miserable in the city and disengage or transfer.
The trap: Answering about the school when they asked about the city. And empty enthusiasm — 'I'd love it anywhere' tells them you haven't thought about the four years of your actual life this decision commits.
What they are assessing: Yield probability, and your honesty under a slightly uncomfortable question.
The trap: An obvious lie in either direction. Overclaiming 'you're my only choice' when they know you applied broadly damages your credibility more than an honest 'this is among my top choices, and here's exactly why.'
Interview formats vary by school and can change from one cycle to the next. Check the school’s admissions website first. Reports from recent applicants can add detail, but they’re self-reported and unverified.