121227123 Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 So, I've applied to Toronto and Dalhousie. My GPA is a 3.99 and my DAT scores are 22AA/23PAT so I'm thinking it's likely that I will get an interview. I want to start preparing now but I'm not sure where to start. Which resources are good and which have helped any of you who have gotten into these schools? I think Toronto uses the CDA style but I'm not too sure about Dalhousie. Any advice would be much appreciated!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shm Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Congratulations, those are amazing scores! For CDA interviews, I made an excel file listing the seven competencies in one column and then I filled up each row with as many personal experiences that demonstrated the competencies. It's good to have multiple experiences that demonstrate a single competency so that you don't use the same example twice. I then just practice explaining my experiences in a succinct way with my friends and family. For the behavioral questions sections, I used the STARLP method and practiced with my med friends. I was accepted into UofT using this method. Hope this helps and good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopeful42 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 So, I've applied to Toronto and Dalhousie. My GPA is a 3.99 and my DAT scores are 22AA/23PAT so I'm thinking it's likely that I will get an interview. I want to start preparing now but I'm not sure where to start. Which resources are good and which have helped any of you who have gotten into these schools? I think Toronto uses the CDA style but I'm not too sure about Dalhousie. Any advice would be much appreciated!!! Wow great stats. Yes you are pretty much guaranteed an interview is my guess!! Lucky you. While I'm fine with interview and DAT - my weakness is my GPA. Yes Toronto does use the CDA style and Dalhousie uses the traditional format questions. Having been through this interview process before and having friends who are in dental school, I took their advice and practiced a ton using the resources that are out there that are really helpful. The key ones that friends referred me to were Elite, Topstar, CDA Crush, Astroff Consulting and Dental Interview Plus. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuscanleather Posted January 5, 2017 Report Share Posted January 5, 2017 I was browsing back through these forums and read somewhere briefly that there is a list of the published CDA interview questions - is this true? Also are there any specific interview prep companies that seem to be recommended for the CDA interview over others? Worth spending the money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shm Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 That list of CDA questions you're referring to is most likely the Dental Interview Plus book, but to be honest none of those questions were asked in my interview. I did find that book useful in running my mock interviews. In my opinion, I don't believe these interview companies are worth the money unless: 1) you feel really uncomfortable with interviews, 2) you don't have a group of med/dent friends to practice, or 3) you have loads of extra money. I only practiced with my friends (some where already in med school, which really helped!). Of all my interviews, I found it easiest to prep for the CDA interview. If you prep how I described above I think you'll be ready . Remember to smile and the moment you step into the building pretend you are being watched at all times! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell E. Bradford Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smileon Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 So, I've applied to Toronto and Dalhousie. My GPA is a 3.99 and my DAT scores are 22AA/23PAT so I'm thinking it's likely that I will get an interview. I want to start preparing now but I'm not sure where to start. Which resources are good and which have helped any of you who have gotten into these schools? I think Toronto uses the CDA style but I'm not too sure about Dalhousie. Any advice would be much appreciated!!! Would also kill for that gpa... an apparently elusive goal for me thus far. CDA interview is far easier to master. I disagree with SHM - in my experience last year, after prepping endlessly with prepared packages and I went into both interviews confident and feel like I nailed it (haven't gotten in due to gpa). CDA is all in the practice - and frankly the breadth and volume of the practice questions did take a lot of time but by the time I completed them all, the questions in the actual interview, while never identical, did feel oddly familiar - and quickly formatting my responses became a breeze. I also used some coaching - that was moreso because I know my delivery is really weak. I lacked polish and help in that area after I had finished all my own personal content practicing via packages was also a wise choice for me at least. I figure I want this badly enough so am willing to invest both the money and the time it takes to get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwyhan Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 how i'd kill for that gpa... man. that's nice stats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilebright Posted January 22, 2017 Report Share Posted January 22, 2017 I was browsing back through these forums and read somewhere briefly that there is a list of the published CDA interview questions - is this true? Also are there any specific interview prep companies that seem to be recommended for the CDA interview over others? Worth spending the money? While I won't recommend one company over another - in my experience last year yes definitely worth investing in the CDA interview prep. When I first applied last year I had a friend in dental school who advised me that the biggest issue with CDA is going in prepared and therefore confident. I felt naturally nervous since interviewing was my weakness. I looked into everything I could get my hands on - Topstar, Elite, Crush, and Dental Interview Plus. I bore out what she had said - that CDA interviews particularly lend themselves well to preparation. I did a ton and I think aced each of the interviews (now if I could only say the same for my DAT scores!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleasehelpme Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 While I won't recommend one company over another - in my experience last year yes definitely worth investing in the CDA interview prep. When I first applied last year I had a friend in dental school who advised me that the biggest issue with CDA is going in prepared and therefore confident. I felt naturally nervous since interviewing was my weakness. I looked into everything I could get my hands on - Topstar, Elite, Crush, and Dental Interview Plus. I bore out what she had said - that CDA interviews particularly lend themselves well to preparation. I did a ton and I think aced each of the interviews (now if I could only say the same for my DAT scores!) even UBC MMI which is not standardized CDA structure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilebright Posted January 25, 2017 Report Share Posted January 25, 2017 No I think BC's MMI is a whole other ball game. I'm referring to places like U of T and UWO where it is clearly CDA-based ---- huge benefit then in tons of CDA practice - in which case investing in the broadest content base possible is well worth the investment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfletch Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 No I think BC's MMI is a whole other ball game. I'm referring to places like U of T and UWO where it is clearly CDA-based ---- huge benefit then in tons of CDA practice - in which case investing in the broadest content base possible is well worth the investment. I agree. I also used the same combo of package and one-on-one consulting noted above in prepping for U of T and UWO last year. I started really early so that the quantity of practice that I could get in with a huge volume of practice questions was enough. By the time interview time came I was confident in what I was doing. It really is a lot of work but will be worth it in the end if it lands me an acceptance (now if only upping my GPA were as straightforward!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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