Negatively
5 out of 10
45 minutes
At the school
1
One-on-one
Open file
"Why Penn? What do you like about our school AGAIN besides re-emphasizing that they were ivy-league? " Report Response | I was asked this question too
"Why dentistry and not medicine?" Report Response | I was asked this question too
"What was the turning point in your life that led you to pursue dentistry?" Report Response | I was asked this question too
"Tell me about the country you grew up in and is your family supportive of your decision to go into dentistry?" Report Response | I was asked this question too
"What have you learned during your experience shadowing a dentist?" Report Response | I was asked this question too
"SDN, Barron's guide to med and dent schools, other interviews (that are better organized and keep you informed on things)" Report Response
"Everyone was quite friendly, with the exception of Corky Cacas. Like one mentioned in a prior feedback that she's an "ice-princess"---a perfect description of her! She was very unapproachable and misleading as far as telling us to contact the office ASAP should we have to make a decision on deadlines for deposits to other schools so that they can take that into consideration---knowing how expensive it would be to hold one or more seats." Report Response
"The possible neighborhoods to live in if you want to be close to campus. Adjacent apartments looked ghetto/unsafe, and I grew up in a low-income neighborhood so I was used to that type of environment but some places were extreme esp. the drive from the airport. Even some of the dorms looked like they couldn't pass city codes." Report Response
"That it would take FOREVER before you get any courtesy feedback regarding your application and post-interview status (i.e., whether denied, accepted, waitlisted, still in limbo, lost your file, etc.). It's been 5 months now and not even a postcard or letter indicating what happened to your file. My friend who interviewed early last year is also kept in the dark. Dog ate our files? Well, we're picking from a better set of schools to go to anyway (like Columbia or Harvard, well-known Ivy leagues that don't have to keep pointing it out) rather than wait on our bottom choices---besides we'd rather go to even non-ivy league schools that have their act together than Penn. Called several times and same story---the adcom hasn't met yet or made a decision yet, blah blah blah. At least other schools let you know what's going on! I wouldn't have wasted my time and money to go on the interview if I've known how scattered brain they were." Report Response
"Although most of the staff were friendly (again, except for Corky) and the students seemed happy, they can't seem to get enough of "over-emphasizing" that they were an Ivy League school. If that's the only redeeming factor, then I'd rather pay more to go to a non-ivy league school with quality education vs. a brand name or tag that patients don't care about as long as you are a competent and non-arrogant dentist. Man, I tell you, if you have to keep stressing that you're an ivy league (which people should already know about pre-interview), then maybe they're compensating for lack of better educational qualities. Going over the top with the branding means that other schools are more competitive in terms of getting students to go there. Before my visit, I was indifferent, but now I have changed my mind about going to Penn...(even if I hear back from them sometime this CENTURY that I've been accepted). I have better choices to decide upon---ivy league or not." Report Response
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