The UIC dental school interview format

The University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry publishes both its current-cycle rules and an interview preparation article. The how to apply page says that for the 2026-2027 cycle interviews are held virtually, from September 2026 through March 2027. Interview day components are student services, faculty interviews and a student panel, and they may be held on different days. The interview is usually closed file, and candidates interview once with one or two faculty members.

Item	What UIC says
Delivery (2026-27)	Virtual, September 2026 through March 2027
Interview	Usually closed file; one interview with 1 or 2 faculty members
Length	20 minutes, one-on-one, according to UIC's interview preparation article
Other components	Student services session and a student panel
Invitation	Emailed by the Admissions Office with committee approval; do not contact the office to request an interview
Recording	UIC does not allow recording of the interview in any form, and doing so can disqualify you
Question types, rubric	Not published

UIC's older interview preparation article describes a half-day, in-person visit with a closed-file conversation of 20 minutes with one or two faculty members. It describes an in-person visit, which differs from the current virtual note, so treat the how to apply page as the current source and follow your invitation.

What UIC looks for

That article says interviews let reviewers understand your personal qualities beyond academics: self-confidence, interpersonal skills, and passion and knowledge about dentistry. UIC says it wants to hear about your leadership and extracurricular activities, what makes you unique and how you would contribute to a diverse class. It also says its curriculum is highly integrated and uses a small group learning model, which requires critical thinking and problem solving for patient-centered cases and strong communication and teamwork.

The advice in the article is practical and worth following: know the program, practice with a mock interview, do not memorize answers, be honest about weaknesses, be reflective, be enthusiastic, answer completely and accurately, and bring your own questions.

The cycle and requirements

Deadline: the AADSAS deadline is December 1, 2026. After submitting, complete the UIC supplemental application, which has an $85 fee payable only by credit card.
Rolling admissions: UIC gives preference to earlier applications and says final decisions come no later than April.
Illinois residents: as a state institution, UIC says there is a strong preference for them, and the entering class is about 70 students (per its article).
No extra materials: UIC cannot accept transcripts, additional letters or resumes after you submit, unless the admissions staff request them.

How to prepare for UIC

Prepare for a closed-file start. UIC says the committee members interviewing you have not reviewed your application. Give a short, clear picture of who you are in the first minute.
Prepare for a short conversation. The older article describes 20 minutes, which is brief. Prioritize three stories: your path to dentistry, a leadership example and a time you were wrong.
Be conversational, not scripted. UIC's own advice is to practice but not to memorize, because interviewers say candidates do better when conversational.
Know the small group learning model. Be ready to describe how you work in a group and how you handle disagreement in a case discussion.
Prepare for the student panel. Prepare two questions about daily life and clinical timing.
Do not record the interview. UIC says this can disqualify you.

UIC dental school practice questions (written by us, not UIC)

UIC does not publish its questions. These are ours, built from the qualities in UIC's own preparation article. Practice each aloud for about two minutes.

Tell me about yourself and how you came to dentistry.
What have you learned from shadowing that surprised you about being a dentist?
Describe a leadership role you held. What would you do differently?
Tell me about a time you worked in a small group to solve a problem. What was your role?
What is a weakness you are working on, and how do you know it is improving?
A patient is anxious and keeps cancelling appointments for a painful tooth. How would you help?
Some communities have very few dentists. How would you think about practicing in one?
How has the dental profession changed in the last decade, and what do you think comes next?
Describe a decision you made when you did not have all the facts.
Why UIC, and what will you add to the class?

For a wider set, see our dental school interview questions guide.

A drill for a short closed-file interview

Write a 60-second introduction with no jargon. Practice it until it sounds natural, not memorized.
Choose your three stories and rehearse each at two minutes.
Have a friend run a 20-minute mock (the length the older article describes) with five questions and two follow-ups. Do not stop for notes.
Ask your friend which moment sounded rehearsed. Redo it more simply.
Repeat two days later.

If you do not have partners, Confetto's dental school interview prep uses AI mock interviews that ask follow-up questions based on what you actually said and give rubric-based feedback afterward. The question bank has over 500 questions, and you can start with a 7-day free trial.

UIC dental school interview FAQ

Is the UIC dental interview an MMI?

No. UIC describes a one-time interview with one or two faculty members, typically closed file.

Is it virtual or in person?

The 2026-2027 page says virtual. An older UIC article describes an in-person visit, so follow your invitation.

Can I record it?

No. UIC does not allow recording and says it can disqualify you.

What is the AADSAS deadline?

December 1, 2026 for this cycle, with an $85 supplemental application fee.

Does UIC prefer Illinois residents?

Yes. UIC says there is a strong preference for Illinois residents.

Applying elsewhere in the Midwest? See our guides to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and University of Iowa College of Dentistry interviews, or our dental school interview prep page.

Sources: UIC College of Dentistry how to apply to the DMD program and how to prepare for the dental school interview.

Confetto isn't affiliated with the University of Illinois Chicago. Everything here about the school comes from its public admissions pages, checked in October 2026. Formats and dates can change between cycles, so go by your invitation email.