University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine Interview

Buffalo was my last scheduled interview prior to December 1st, the AADSAS decision date.
 Being in November, it was unlikely that I’d receive any more invitations to interview in the early stages of the application process.
I was lucky to have a connection at the school and in the Buffalo area.
 My cousin was in her last year at the ortho program, and lived near the school with her husband and sister.
 I made the long drive the night before my interview, arriving after 5 hours in the car.
After relaxing at her home for a while, playing with the dogs and meeting the kitten for the first time, we went out for Thai food.
 Michelle, my cousin, had to go to a gathering for the ortho applicants, since they were also in the interview stage of the application process.
She met a 4th year student named Nish who was applying to the ortho program and who said he was on the dental admissions committee.
 I had someone to look forward to meeting.
Michelle showed me into the school, and up to the admissions office.
 The other applicants and I were shown to a conference room where we’d spend most of our day.
 Barbara Weinberg began with a presentation about the school, concentrating on some its highlights, namely its outreaches into the community, both local and global.
 It did seem like Buffalo had the most outreaches of any school that I visited, and that it was easy to find a spot on one of the outreaches.
 There was also a short presentation on the student assistance that is offered through a special student services office, as well as student organized help.
 A note taking service was mentioned, but not explained. I do believe some of the classes are recorded.
 The dean also joined us for a moment to give a short speech of the school, which was primarily unmemorable except for the fact that he admitted that the applicant review process is difficult. Buffalo seems to be trying new techniques to choose its students, which is good.
Buffalo was the first school to require a short writing segment.
 I hadn’t given a writing sample like this since grade school.
Everything has been on the computer since then.
 The short essay question was related to explaining the most rewarding class in your undergraduate studies. Afterward, another student commented that he felt most people would choose organic chemistry, for an effect of sorts.
 I hadn’t even thought of this, since organic chemistry was naturally the most rewarding and challenging class I’d taken.
Now it was more of the waiting game. Thankfully, Buffalo had students come in to answer questions while we all waited to be called for our case study and interview.