LSUSD Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – School of Dentistry (LSUSD) in New Orleans is a state-focused dental program with a mission to serve Louisiana’s oral health needs. Its interview process reflects this mission, typically involving both one-on-one and panel interviews and including a unique chalk carving exercise to assess manual dexterity lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. The school’s values (such as compassion and a commitment to underserved communities) align with its admissions criteria lsusd.lsuhsc.edu lsusd.lsuhsc.edu and influence the topics that often arise in interviews. Understanding LSUSD’s program features—from class composition and statewide clinical outreach lsusd.lsuhsc.edu lsusd.lsuhsc.edu to research initiatives—and being aware of the broader dental health context in Louisiana feti.lsu.edu are important for interview preparation. Finally, applicants should keep track of the 2025–2026 application timeline, including an early fall application deadline and rolling admissions with initial offers released in December lsusd.lsuhsc.edu lsusd.lsuhsc.edu.

LSUSD conducts traditional interviews rather than MMI, combining personal interviews with practical skills assessment. Notable characteristics of the interview format include:

• Multiple interview sessions – Candidates typically have both a one-on-one interview and a panel interview on the interview day. One Student Doctor Network respondent described an 8-hour interview day that included a one-on-one session (with at least 30 planned questions) and a 3-on-1 panel interview studentdoctor.net. The one-on-one tends to be a longer, structured interview, while the panel involves several faculty asking follow-up or application-specific questions.
• Open-file discussion – LSUSD interviews are primarily open-file, meaning the interviewers have access to the applicant’s full application during the conversation studentdoctor.net. Interviewers may reference your personal statement, academics, or experiences directly, so applicants should be prepared to discuss anything in their file.
• Chalk carving test – Unique to LSUSD, the interview day includes a manual dexterity exercise in which applicants carve a piece of chalk to specified dimensions within a 35-minute time limit lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. This exercise (a throwback to an old DAT section) is scored 0–10, with a score of around 6 or higher generally needed to remain competitive lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. Interviewers often ask candidates to critique their own chalk carving during the interview studentdoctor.net, tying the activity into the evaluation.
• Schedule and atmosphere – The interview day is lengthy (often a full workday with tours and breaks) studentdoctor.net, but the atmosphere is generally low-stress and welcoming. In one survey, all respondents reported a positive interview experience and rated the stress level as low (average ~4.2 out of 10) studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Faculty interviewers tend to be conversational and friendly, aiming to get to know the applicant personally.
• Rolling admissions – LSUSD uses rolling admissions, so a strong interview can directly lead to an early acceptance. With 75 seats available (56 reserved for Louisiana residents) lsusd.lsuhsc.edu, being invited to interview is a sign that you are a top candidate. A significant proportion of those interviewed ultimately receive offers, and the first admission notices go out in early December following interviews lsusd.lsuhsc.edu.

LSUSD’s mission is to serve the needs of Louisiana’s citizens through excellence in dental education, research, and patient care lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. The school takes pride in having educated over 75% of the state’s dental professionals, underscoring its impact on improving oral health across Louisiana lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. LSUSD also fosters a humanistic and ethical culture, holding faculty and students to high standards while maintaining a supportive environment that helps each individual reach their potential lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. Core values include compassion, service, and professionalism – qualities reflected in the admissions philosophy, which seeks applicants who will provide the best possible care for the people of Louisiana and contribute to a diverse student body lsusd.lsuhsc.edu.

Founded in 1968, LSUSD is unique among U.S. dental schools in offering degrees in dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental laboratory technology in one institution lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program enrolls approximately 75 students per year, of whom 56 are Louisiana residents (with a few additional spots for Arkansas residents through a state partnership) lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. Recent entering classes have an average undergraduate GPA around 3.65 lsusd.lsuhsc.edu, reflecting strong academic preparation.

LSUSD emphasizes extensive clinical training and community engagement. Each year, its students and residents manage roughly 100,000 patient visits across 15 clinical locations statewide – including in under-served areas – through rotations and partnerships lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. For example, the school’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry operates a mobile dental unit known as the “Tooth Bus” that travels to serve children in New Orleans who might not otherwise have access to care lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. In addition to clinical practice, LSUSD houses a Center of Excellence in Oral & Craniofacial Biology, which has secured major research grants to advance dental science and develop future researchers lsusd.lsuhsc.edu.

These distinctive features of the program can provide excellent talking points during an interview. Applicants might ask about opportunities to collaborate with dental hygiene and lab tech students in the curriculum, how the school facilitates community outreach experiences like the Tooth Bus lsusd.lsuhsc.edu, or what research projects students can join at the Center of Excellence. Such questions demonstrate an informed interest in LSUSD’s program and can help the candidate learn more about the school’s offerings.

• Access to care in Louisiana – A major issue in the region is the shortage of dental providers in rural and underserved communities. An estimated 87.5% of Louisiana is designated as a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area feti.lsu.edu, with some parishes having few or no dentists. LSUSD contributes to addressing this gap (in line with its mission) by expanding services and training opportunities in underserved areas – for example, through a collaboration with LSU Health Shreveport to establish dental clinics in northern Louisiana feti.lsu.edu feti.lsu.edu.
• Oral health disparities – Louisiana’s population faces notable dental health challenges, which can be a discussion point given LSUSD’s community focus. Nearly 41% of Louisianans did not visit a dentist in the last year, and about 18% of the state’s seniors have lost all their natural teeth fox8live.com. These statistics highlight the importance of preventive care and public health efforts. LSUSD’s outreach programs (like mobile units and special needs clinics) are aimed at reducing such disparities by bringing care to high-need groups.
• National dental policy trends – At the national level, topics such as dental insurance coverage and the integration of oral health into overall healthcare may come up. For instance, there is ongoing discussion about expanding Medicare or Medicaid to cover more dental services; the American Dental Association has advocated for Medicare to include medically necessary dental treatments due to the clear link between oral health and systemic health adanews.ada.org. Awareness of issues like these – along with topics like student debt in dental education or the role of mid-level dental providers – can signal that an applicant is well-informed about the broader context of dentistry.

Beyond academics, LSUSD’s Admissions Committee looks for well-rounded candidates with key attributes and experiences that align with the school’s values. These non-academic selection criteria include:

• Compassion and service – Demonstrated compassion, empathy, and concern for others, as well as a commitment to serving the community, are highly valued lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. The school specifically wants students who will “provide the best possible dental care for the people of Louisiana,” reflecting its service-oriented mission lsusd.lsuhsc.edu.
• Manual dexterity – Excellent hand-eye coordination is essential for dental practice. Evidence of manual dexterity is evaluated via the DAT’s Perceptual Ability Test (LSUSD generally requires a score of 18 or above for interview consideration) and the on-site chalk carving exercise during the interview lsusd.lsuhsc.edu lsusd.lsuhsc.edu.
• Motivation and clinical exposure – A strong, well-documented desire to enter dentistry is critical. Applicants are expected to shadow dentists (50–100 hours recommended in general dentistry settings) to prove their commitment and understanding of the profession lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. The committee will not consider an applicant who hasn’t shadowed in a general dentist’s office (for 2021, a temporary minimum of 25 hours was accepted due to COVID-19).
• Communication skills – Because dentistry is often called the “ultimate people profession,” LSUSD seeks individuals with strong communication and interpersonal skills lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. The ability to effectively educate and collaborate with patients and team members is likely to be assessed throughout the interview (in both the one-on-one and panel interactions).
• Stress management and resilience – The rigors of dental school and dentistry require the ability to manage stress and adapt to challenges. Interviewers may explore how applicants cope with pressure or failure, as LSUSD prizes those who can maintain performance and poise under stress lsusd.lsuhsc.edu.
• Ethical integrity – High ethical standards and a sense of professionalism are imperative lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. Questions during the interview might probe an applicant’s moral reasoning or honesty (for example, discussing an ethical dilemma) to ensure they can uphold the honor of the profession.
• Leadership and teamwork – A history of leadership roles or effective teamwork (in student organizations, jobs, etc.) and participation in community service can bolster an application lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. LSUSD appreciates candidates who have shown initiative and a collaborative spirit in helping others.
• Diversity and unique experiences – Candidates from varied backgrounds who bring unique personal attributes or have overcome significant challenges can enrich the learning environment lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. LSUSD also notes a strong motivation to practice in under-served areas of the state as a positive factor lsusd.lsuhsc.edu, aligning with its goal to produce dentists who will serve where they are needed most.

LSUSD’s curriculum is designed to produce graduates who meet all the competencies required of a new general dentist. As an accredited school, it adheres to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards, which align with the American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) Competencies for the New General Dentist adea.org. These competencies cover the full spectrum of knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors needed in dental practice, including:

• Professionalism and ethics – Conducting oneself in a professional manner and understanding ethical responsibilities to patients, society, and the profession umc.edu.
• Patient assessment and diagnosis – Performing thorough oral examinations, collecting medical/dental histories, interpreting diagnostic tests, and formulating accurate diagnoses for patients of all ages umc.edu.
• Treatment planning and therapy – Developing and presenting comprehensive treatment plans that address each patient’s needs and conditions, and executing a broad range of dental procedures to restore and maintain oral health umc.edu.
• Patient management and communication – Communicating effectively with patients (and their families) and managing patient behavior, as well as controlling pain and anxiety during dental procedures and handling dental emergencies calmly umc.edu.
• Health promotion and disease prevention – Emphasizing preventive dentistry and helping patients maintain oral and systemic health through education, routine care, and early intervention to prevent disease umc.edu.
• Restoration of form and function – Providing restorative and rehabilitative care (fillings, crowns, dentures, etc.) that re-establishes the normal form, function, and aesthetics of teeth and oral tissues using appropriate materials and techniques umc.edu.
• Practice management and community leadership – Understanding the basics of running a dental practice (e.g. practice administration, legal and financial aspects) and demonstrating the ability to lead or contribute to community oral health initiatives umc.edu.
• Critical thinking and evidence-based practice – Applying scientific reasoning and staying current with research to make informed clinical decisions. New graduates must be able to critically evaluate emerging evidence and integrate it into patient care umc.edu.

Looking at reports from previous LSUSD interviews, certain question themes appear frequently. They tend to mirror the school’s priorities and allow the interviewers to assess whether applicants fit with LSUSD’s mission and expectations. Common themes include:

• Motivation and “Why dentistry?” – Most interviews begin with or include a direct question about the candidate’s motivation for dentistry, such as “Why do you want to be a dentist?” studentdoctor.net. Applicants can also expect “Why LSUSD?”-type questions probing why they applied to LSU’s program and what they are seeking in a dental school blackstonetutors.com. These help the committee gauge genuine interest in dentistry and fit with the school.
• Manual skills and hobbies – Given LSUSD’s focus on manual dexterity, interviewers often ask if candidates consider themselves “mechanically inclined” studentdoctor.net or inquire about hobbies that develop fine motor skills (for example, “What do you do in your spare time and how is it helpful for dentistry?” blackstonetutors.com). Additionally, applicants are typically asked to reflect on their chalk carving performance – for instance, to grade their carving or describe what went wrong with it studentdoctor.net – to see how they handle feedback and self-critique.
• Ethical scenarios and problem-solving – Interviewers may pose hypothetical situations to assess integrity and judgment. One commonly reported scenario question is, “If one of your employees is 10 minutes late, what do you do?” studentdoctor.net, which examines the candidate’s leadership and approach to managing staff. Similarly, open-ended prompts like “Give two or three ethics that you live by” blackstonetutors.com reveal the applicant’s moral principles and decision-making framework.
• Personal qualities and strengths – Many questions aim to uncover personal attributes. Examples include, “Dentists have to be teachers too. Are you a good teacher?” and “Are you ready for the stress involved in dental school?” blackstonetutors.com. Another thought-provoking question shared by past candidates was, “What is your purpose in life?” studentdoctor.net – a prompt that allows interviewers to understand an applicant’s values, drive, and perspective beyond academics.
• Personal life and responsibilities – Some questions address an applicant’s personal circumstances to evaluate how they might balance dental school with other commitments. For instance: “Do you have a family of your own? If so, how will that impact making it through dental school?” blackstonetutors.com. This line of questioning assesses maturity and time-management – essentially, whether the candidate has considered the challenges of dental school in the context of their personal life.

For those applying to enter LSU School of Dentistry in the fall of 2026, below are key dates and milestones in the 2025–2026 application cycle:

1. June 2025 – The ADEA AADSAS application opens. Applicants can begin submitting their primary applications in early June of 2025 lsusd.lsuhsc.edu.
2. September 1, 2025 – Application deadline for LSUSD. All AADSAS primary applications must be submitted by this date lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. (Note: Early submission is highly recommended, as interviews are offered on a rolling basis and can begin before the deadline.)
3. Summer–Fall 2025 – Secondary applications and interviews. Competitive applicants will be invited by LSUSD to complete a supplemental application after their AADSAS is received lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. Interview invitations are sent out starting mid-summer, and interviews take place from roughly August through November lsusd.lsuhsc.edu on a rolling basis.
4. December 2025 – Initial acceptances released. In line with national guidelines, LSUSD issues the first offers of admission on the first Monday of December lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. Candidates accepted in this wave typically must respond with a deposit to hold their seat, and the school continues to fill remaining spots (from additional acceptances or waitlist offers) in the months following.
5. Summer 2026 – Matriculation. Admitted students will begin the DDS program (orientation and first-year classes) by mid-summer 2026, gearing up to join the LSU School of Dentistry community as the Class of 2026.

In conclusion, thorough preparation for an LSUSD interview involves understanding both the format of the interview and the values that drive the school. Be aware of the interview’s structure – including its unique chalk-carving component lsusd.lsuhsc.edu – and familiarize yourself with LSUSD’s mission, community-focused initiatives, and the personal qualities it prioritizes in candidates lsusd.lsuhsc.edu lsusd.lsuhsc.edu. By learning about the program’s features and the oral health needs of Louisiana, while also keeping track of important application deadlines, you can approach the interview confident and well-informed.