Halifax, NS
Dental Schools | Public Non-Profit
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⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.5
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 42 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 (89%)
No change (11%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (25%)
Good (50%)
Average (25%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants commonly praised the interviewers for being nice and felt the questions were authentic in getting to know them. Many emphasized the importance of being genuine and sharing personal experiences during the interview process.
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Interviewers were very nice. Questions are definitely meant to find out who you are as a person. Almost impossible to give fake responses. Best advice is to just be yourself and definitely use every opportunity to talk about your experiences.
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Wonderful program, highly underrated
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Great place!
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Amazing school!!!
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Great, situational was kind of hard, but I fought hard and gave it my best, you just take it one interview at a time.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
34 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.1 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
56% One-on-One
44% Group Interview
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File Type:
13% Open-File
88% Closed-File
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Interview Modality:
100% Virtual
0% In-Person
DAL-DENT-COMP interviews are an average of 34 minutes, with an average of 2.1 interviews. 56% of interviews are one-on-one, 0% are in-person, and 88% 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 handling conflicts, ethical dilemmas, and personal reflections such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Name one thing you would change if you were to step back into the past." Some respondents mentioned scenario-based questions involving plagiarism accusations and resolving conflicts within a group, showing a focus on ethical decision-making and interpersonal skills in the interview process.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Tell me about yourself?
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Name one thing you would change if you were to step back into the past.
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Pretend a group member has accused you of plagiarizing your portion of a project. You vehemently deny it and make a scene. Later you realize that you unknowingly did plagiarize. What would you do?
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If you were in a research group and were accused of plagiarism on a group project and the you got angry and told the group off then later found out you had plagiarized what would you do? (I know strange huh?)
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Describe a time when someone was angry about something that you did.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry discussed various situational scenarios, such as handling disagreements in grading, decision-making in a lab setting, and the impact of missing class. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), and respondents may have been subject to a nondisclosure agreement based on the nature of the questions mentioned.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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What would you do if you won a million dollars?
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When you miss class, who suffers?
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If you were a TA for a class and a professor approached you wanting you to evaluate a students examination that was scored by a fellow TA and you didn't agree with the mark, how would you handle the situation?
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All situational questions.
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You are working in an organic chemistry lab trying to synthesize a new chemical. Three colleagues have proposed three different methods, how do you decide which to use.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by creating a question bank, practicing speaking with others, doing mock interviews, reviewing possible questions, and researching the school or program. Some also mentioned practicing with past questions, being themselves, and talking to current students for insights.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Prepared question bank. Practiced my speaking with family and friends. Did mock interviews.
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CDA Interview practice questions
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I thought about different situational questions they may ask.
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SDN, reviewed my application and school's website, mentally accounted for probable "explain a time when" questions.
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Nothing really, not much on SDN. Just be yourself, as you can tell they are testing you more on your interviewing skills then your answers.
What was the most difficult question?
Students said most difficult question asked at Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry discussed situational scenarios, such as challenging authority and handling personal crises. These responses suggest a focus on assessing problem-solving skills and ethical decision-making in the interview process.
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How should we remember you as an applicant?
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Explain a time when you challenged or disagreed with authority.
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Bad new question, hard to think of a "good" situation...
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It is a week before finals and you receive a call that a family member will only survive 1-2 weeks longer. What do you do?
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All questions were situational
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were positively impressed by the small class size, friendly and helpful faculty, and the clinical focus of the program, including early hands-on experience with patients. The personal and supportive interactions with interviewers, admissions staff, and current students also stood out as a highlight for many applicants.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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They had a D4 student as one of the interviewers.
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Small class size, friendly & helpful faculty, a beautiful new clinic
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How clinically oriented the school is. You have a high-speed in your hand after the first week of first year and are seeing patients your second year!
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Ms. Webb is super personable and both Dr. Bannerman and the regional dentist who interviewed were friendly and encouraging. Willingness of admissions staff and current students to act as sources for prospective students. The small class size is a plus for me, as is the fact that Dalhousie is a board testing site with reciprocity with the States.
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Great clinic. Sounds like an excellent program.
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly mentioned concerns about the distance and complexities of attending school internationally, as well as outdated facilities or negative impressions of the interview environment. Suggestions include addressing logistical challenges for international students and updating facilities to create a more positive impression on prospective students.
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N/A
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Nova Scotia is beautiful, but going to school internationally presents additional complexities.
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Very far away, but I hear it is very pretty. (I interviewed in my home state.
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The 1970's waiting room.
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Nothing
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known in advance about the interview structure, specifically whether it would be CDA structured or closed file. They also expressed a desire for more insight into the program's quality and specifics, such as student-faculty ratio.
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I wish I had known it wouldn't be CDA structured questions
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That interview was closed file. I think Dalhousie gives both open and closed interviews.
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How great the program seems.
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1-9 student faculty ratio
🤝 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?
Most applicants did not have any suggestions for the admissions office, but praised Nancy's performance.
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None at all. Nancy is Awesome
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Downtown Halifax Residence Inn (average ranking 8/10). (Top 1 displayed)
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Downtown Halifax Residence Inn
8/10
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 Other or at another housing option.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by Admissions staff personnel
Admissions staff (67%)
Other (17%)
Student (17%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (80%)
Neutral (20%)
All Responses
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