NSU CDM Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine (NSU CDM) is a student-focused dental program known for its innovative curriculum and commitment to service. The school’s mission emphasizes educating future dentists through patient-centered care, academic excellence, research, leadership, and community engagement dental.nova.edu. Interviews at NSU CDM are typically welcoming and conversational in tone studentdoctor.net, allowing applicants to showcase their personalities and motivations. As Florida’s first private dental college, NSU CDM offers extensive clinical experience, specialty training opportunities, and a tradition of service learning that prepares graduates to be compassionate leaders in dentistry dental.nova.edu dental.nova.edu. This overview highlights key aspects of the interview process, the program’s values and offerings, pertinent policy issues in dentistry, selection criteria beyond academics, common interview question themes, and the timeline for the 2025–2026 application cycle.

NSU CDM uses a traditional interview format, generally consisting of an open-file one-on-one interview with a faculty member (or small panel of faculty). The style is often described as relaxed and conversational, focused on getting to know the applicant rather than putting them under pressure studentdoctor.net. Many candidates have noted the laid-back atmosphere and friendly faculty; one respondent described it as a 'chill interview that just wants to put a face to the name on your application' studentdoctor.net. Interviewers have access to the applicant’s file (open-file format) in most cases studentdoctor.net, meaning they may reference your personal statement or experiences during the discussion.

The interview day at NSU is typically an in-person experience on campus and is designed to help applicants learn about the school while the faculty learn about the applicant. According to the official schedule, the day often includes an overview of the curriculum and facilities, a tour of the dental college led by current students, lunch with students, and a meeting with the Assistant Dean of Admissions dental.nova.edu. These interactions allow candidates to see the collaborative, student-centered environment and state-of-the-art facilities firsthand studentdoctor.net. (During recent pandemic-affected cycles, interviews were conducted virtually studentdoctor.net, but NSU has since largely returned to its on-campus interview format.) After the interview day, the Admissions Committee deliberates and makes decisions on a rolling basis, so the post-interview timeline can vary – some candidates may hear back soon after the first acceptance release date in December, while others might receive confirmations later in the cycle.

It’s worth noting that getting to the interview stage at NSU is a significant accomplishment and often a strong indicator of eventual admission. NSU receives a high volume of applications each cycle (for example, 2,374 applicants for the 2023–2024 first-year class) discodent.com, from which a few hundred are chosen to interview. The college typically matriculates a class of around 126 students discodent.com. In one recent cycle, about 300 acceptance offers were extended to fill those seats (approximately a 12.6% overall acceptance rate from the applicant pool) discodent.com. This means that a substantial proportion of interviewees ultimately receive offers, given that NSU must admit roughly double the class size to account for applicants choosing other schools (resulting in about a 43% yield of those accepted) discodent.com. While exact post-interview acceptance rates vary, candidates who make a positive impression in the interview have a strong chance of admission. Overall, the interview format and process at NSU CDM is applicant-friendly and geared toward finding students who are both academically qualified and a good fit for the school’s mission.

NSU College of Dental Medicine’s mission is "to educate future dentists and to improve oral health through patient-centered care, academic excellence, research, leadership, and commitment to the communities we serve" dental.nova.edu. This mission statement signals that the school highly values not only strong academic and clinical training, but also service to the community and leadership development. The vision of NSU CDM is to advance oral and craniofacial health through innovation in education, clinical practice, scientific discovery, and community service, both locally and globally dental.nova.edu. In other words, NSU strives to be a leader in dental education and public health impact, encouraging students to think beyond the classroom and clinic to improve oral health in broader society.

The core values of NSU CDM give further insight into the qualities the school promotes. These include honesty, integrity and high ethical standards; professionalism; mutual respect; community; diversity and cultural competence; leadership; interdisciplinary initiative; service; excellence and quality; and communication dental.nova.edu. During the admissions process (including interviews), applicants are evaluated with these values in mind. For example, a commitment to ethical behavior and integrity is paramount in a future dentist, as reflected in NSU’s emphasis on honesty and high ethical standards. Similarly, the school’s focus on community and service implies that they seek students who have a track record of volunteering or serving others. A candidate who demonstrates professionalism, cultural competence, and strong communication skills will likely align well with NSU’s expectations. Understanding NSU’s mission and values is important for interview preparation, since you may be asked about how your own experiences and goals connect with what the school stands for.

Nova Southeastern’s D.M.D. program is a four-year doctoral program located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a large campus that houses multiple health profession colleges. Founded in 1997 as the first private dental college in Florida, NSU CDM takes pride in its innovative approach and comprehensive training environment dental.nova.edu. Each entering class is about 125–130 students (recent data shows a class size of 126) discodent.com, drawn from a competitive applicant pool nationwide. NSU’s curriculum provides early exposure to clinical practice – students begin developing clinical skills in their first two years and then engage in extensive rotations and patient care in the later years. The program is well-integrated with NSU’s Health Professions Division, which means dental students train alongside or have opportunities to collaborate with students from medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and other health fields. Basic science courses may be taught by faculty from both the medical and dental schools, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to education.

NSU CDM offers a wide breadth of clinical experiences. The college operates comprehensive care clinics and specialty clinics where students treat diverse patient populations under supervision. Uniquely, NSU has all major dental specialties represented through postdoctoral programs (such as orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and more) dental.nova.edu. This allows predoctoral students to learn from specialists and even explore specialty clinics during their training. NSU has a long-standing tradition of service learning – students frequently participate in community outreach events and provide care to underserved communities as part of their education dental.nova.edu. This aspect of the program not only fulfills the school’s mission of community service but also gives students hands-on experience with public health dentistry.

Research and innovation are also key parts of the NSU experience. The college encourages student research through formal research electives, involvement in faculty projects, and annual research days. NSU CDM is known for integrating research opportunities into the dental curriculum, ensuring students can contribute to advances in dental science. This focus on scholarly activity complements the clinical training and helps students develop an evidence-based approach to dentistry. Additionally, NSU boasts modern facilities and technology in its clinics and simulation labs – according to student feedback, the state-of-the-art equipment and early clinical exposure are major strengths of the program studentdoctor.net. The campus features digital dentistry tools, comprehensive simulation labs for pre-clinical training, and advanced imaging modalities that students learn to use. All of these program features contribute to producing well-rounded dentists who are practice-ready and compassionate healthcare providers.

Given these distinctive aspects of NSU’s program, applicants should come to the interview knowledgeable about what makes NSU CDM unique. Showing awareness of the program’s strengths can not only help you tailor your answers, but also help you pose insightful questions to your interviewers. For instance, an interviewee could ask about specific community service opportunities or international mission trips the school participates in, knowing NSU’s emphasis on serving the community. You might also inquire about research for students, given the college’s encouragement of student research projects. Demonstrating that you have done your homework on NSU’s program – class size, clinical rotations, specialties on campus, research, and community outreach – will underscore your genuine interest and help you stand out as a well-informed candidate.

Potential questions to ask interviewers about the program include:

• What community service or outreach programs are dental students involved in, and how does NSU support serving underserved populations?
• Could you tell me more about the research opportunities available for students, or any ongoing projects that students have participated in recently?
• In what ways do dental students interact or collaborate with other health profession students at NSU (for example, through interprofessional classes or joint community clinics)?
• How does NSU incorporate new dental technologies and techniques into the curriculum, and what resources are available for students to learn digital dentistry?

Dental school interviews often include discussion of broader policy or healthcare issues, to gauge an applicant’s awareness of the context in which they will practice. For NSU CDM, which is situated in Florida and imbued with a community service mission, certain policy topics are particularly pertinent. Below are some relevant issues at the school, state, and national level that could come up in conversation:

• Access to Care in Florida’s Underserved Communities: Florida faces challenges in providing dental care to low-income and rural populations. The state’s Medicaid program offers very limited adult dental coverage (typically only emergency procedures like extractions for pain or infection) flsenate.gov, leaving many adults without routine dental care. Given NSU’s emphasis on community dentistry, you may discuss ideas on improving access – for example, through community clinics, mobile dental units, or advocacy for expanded Medicaid dental benefits.
• Dental Care for an Aging Population: South Florida has a large population of seniors, yet dental care for older adults is often neglected in policy. Medicare, the federal health program for seniors, historically does not cover routine dental services; recent changes have only added limited dental benefits tied to certain medical procedures axios.com. This national debate on whether to include comprehensive dental coverage in Medicare is a relevant topic. An interviewer might explore your thoughts on treating geriatric patients or addressing the oral health needs of elderly patients who lack insurance coverage.
• Integration of Oral Health into Healthcare Systems: There is a broader healthcare discussion about integrating dental care with overall health care. Currently, dental insurance and medical insurance are largely separate, and many Americans lack dental insurance. Nearly 27% of U.S. adults have no dental insurance, compared to about 9.5% who lack medical insurance time.com, highlighting a significant gap in coverage. Interviewers could ask about your perspective on oral health disparities or how oral health impacts systemic health. NSU’s focus on holistic, patient-centered care aligns with the idea that dentists should collaborate with other healthcare professionals to improve overall health outcomes.
• Workforce and Scope of Practice Innovations: To address dentist shortages in underserved areas, some states and regions have explored new provider models like dental therapists (mid-level providers who can perform basic dental procedures). Florida in recent years has debated legislation to allow dental therapists, though as of now the state has not adopted this model. A question might touch on your opinion of expanding the dental team’s scope of practice or other ways to ensure all communities have access to care. Understanding the pros and cons of such policy measures (increasing access vs. maintaining quality and training standards) can be useful in discussing how dentistry can evolve to meet public needs.

Staying informed about these and other current issues (such as public water fluoridation debates, student debt and the cost of dental education, or the impact of technology on dental practice) will help you engage in thoughtful dialogue during your interview. The key is not to take a political stance but to show awareness and a reasoned perspective. NSU’s mission and values suggest the school appreciates candidates who are mindful of community needs and the evolving landscape of dental healthcare.

Like most dental schools, NSU evaluates applicants holistically, considering various non-academic factors in addition to grades and DAT scores. By the time you reach the interview, your academic metrics are typically in range; the school is now assessing your personal qualities and experiences to see if you fit their program. Important non-academic criteria for NSU CDM include:

• Clinical exposure to dentistry: Significant experience in dental settings (shadowing dentists, assisting, or working in a dental office) demonstrates your commitment to and understanding of the profession dental.nova.edu. NSU looks for applicants who have shown sustained interest in dental medicine through direct clinical observation or hands-on experience.
• Community service and volunteerism: A dedication to serving others is highly valued, given NSU’s mission of community commitment. Applicants who have volunteered in community clinics, public health initiatives, or other service projects can showcase this trait. Evidence of service (for example, participating in events like 'Give Kids A Smile' or other outreach) aligns with the school’s core value of service dental.nova.edu.
• Research experience: Engaging in research (whether in biomedical science, public health, or even social science related to healthcare) is another positive factor dental.nova.edu. NSU’s mission includes advancing knowledge through research, and the school encourages students to be inquisitive and evidence-driven. An applicant who has contributed to a research project or thesis can discuss what they learned and how it might help them in dental school.
• Leadership and teamwork: Holding leadership roles or being an active team member in organizations (such as pre-dental clubs, student government, sports teams, community groups, etc.) is looked upon favorably. NSU identifies leadership as a core value and strives to "prepare patient-focused leaders" in dentistry dental.nova.edu. Examples might include leading a volunteer event, serving as a club officer, or organizing a project. These experiences show that you can communicate well and take initiative – qualities important for dental professionals.
• Manual dexterity and artistic skill: Dentistry is a hands-on, detail-oriented profession, so evidence of good manual dexterity is often considered. Applicants might highlight hobbies or activities that require fine motor skills (such as painting, playing a musical instrument, crafting, or model-building). NSU interviewers have been known to ask questions like 'What have you done to show your manual dexterity?' blackstonetutors.com to gauge this aspect. Having a concrete example (for instance, jewelry-making or ceramics) can demonstrate your hand-eye coordination and patience for meticulous tasks.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills: Being able to communicate effectively and empathize with patients is critical in dentistry. NSU values professionalism, compassion, and cultural competence dental.nova.edu – traits which often manifest through your interactions with others. Your experiences in customer service, tutoring, mentorship, or working with diverse groups can illustrate your people skills. The interview itself is a prime opportunity to display your communication abilities through thoughtful responses and engaging conversation.
• Ethical judgement and integrity: Given the emphasis on high ethical standards in NSU’s core values dental.nova.edu, the admissions committee will be attentive to your moral reasoning and honesty. You might be asked about an ethical dilemma you’ve faced or what you would do in a given scenario. Throughout your application and interview, consistency and sincerity are key – the school wants students who will uphold integrity in their academic work and patient care.

In preparation for the interview, reflect on examples from your background that correspond to these non-academic criteria. By articulating your experiences in these areas, you can demonstrate that you embody the qualities NSU College of Dental Medicine seeks in its future students.

NSU’s curriculum is designed to ensure that graduates meet all the competencies required of a general dentist. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which sets standards for the knowledge and skills dental students must acquire. For example, one of the CODA-defined competencies is that graduates must be competent in patient assessment, diagnosis, comprehensive treatment planning, and obtaining informed consent dental.nova.edu. NSU explicitly outlines such competencies (often numbered as C1, C2, etc. in its documentation) to guide its educational outcomes. These cover domains like patient care, professionalism and ethics, communication and interpersonal skills, practice management, and health promotion, among others – aligning with national guidelines for dental education.

In practice, this means that NSU CDM students train to proficiency in all aspects of general dentistry by graduation. The school’s commitment to leadership and research also suggests that the curriculum goes beyond the minimum, encouraging students to develop competencies in research methodology and to take on leadership roles in teams or projects. NSU’s interdisciplinary environment contributes to some competencies as well: for instance, working with other health disciplines can enhance communication and collaborative care skills. Being aware of these frameworks is useful for interviews; if asked about what makes a competent dentist or how you handle certain aspects of patient care, you can relate your answer to these fundamental competencies (like emphasizing ethical decision-making or effective treatment planning as things you aspire to excel in). It shows that you understand the professional benchmarks you’ll be expected to meet.

While specific interview questions can vary for each applicant, those who have interviewed at NSU CDM often report similar themes. The questions tend to be traditional in style – aiming to understand your motivation, experiences, and personal qualities – rather than tricky or overly specialized. Here are some common themes from past NSU dental interviews:

• Motivation for dentistry and for NSU: You should expect questions about why you chose to pursue dentistry and why you are interested in NSU’s program in particular. For example, interviewers might ask, 'Why do you want to be a dentist?' or directly, 'Why do you want to study dentistry at NSU?' blackstonetutors.com. Be prepared to articulate what drives you toward dentistry and what aspects of NSU appeal to you (such as its curriculum, clinical opportunities, or values).
• Knowledge of and insight into your experiences: Many questions invite you to discuss your background and experiences in detail. You might be asked about something you did in college, a research project, or a change in your academic path – e.g. 'Tell us about your research experience' blackstonetutors.com or 'Why did you change your undergraduate major?' Such questions allow you to highlight important learning experiences and any challenges you overcame. Similarly, expect to talk about your exposure to dentistry: 'What chances have you had to shadow dentists? Have you shadowed abroad?' blackstonetutors.com. The interviewers want to gauge how well you understand the field and that your interest is grounded in real-world observation.
• Personal strengths, values, and self-reflection: NSU interviewers often ask questions that encourage you to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and defining characteristics. Examples include 'What sets you apart from all the other interviewees?' blackstonetutors.com or 'What qualities do you have that would make you a good dentist?' These open-ended questions are an opportunity to emphasize traits that align with NSU’s values (like compassion, perseverance, or leadership). You might also encounter, 'Please tell us the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome and how you overcame it,' which lets you demonstrate resilience and personal growth.
• Future goals and scenario-based questions: It’s common to discuss your future plans or ethical viewpoints. An interviewer could ask, 'Where do you see yourself five or ten years after graduation?' blackstonetutors.com to understand your long-term vision, whether it’s practice ownership, specialization, or community clinic work. They may also pose hypothetical situations or moral dilemmas to assess your problem-solving and ethics. For instance, 'If you had a patient who requested that all their teeth be removed and replaced with dentures, what would you do?' or 'If you just finished a crown preparation and the crown drops and breaks, how would you handle it?' blackstonetutors.com. These scenario questions don’t necessarily have one “right” answer – the interviewer is looking at your reasoning process, ethical principles, and communication style.
• Manual dexterity and hobbies: Given the importance of fine motor skills in dentistry, NSU sometimes inquires about what you do with your hands. You might be asked, 'What have you done to show your manual dexterity?' blackstonetutors.com. This is your chance to talk about any artistic or craft hobbies, or other manual activities (like playing an instrument or cooking) that you enjoy. The aim is to see that you have patience and hand coordination, as well as to get to know you on a personal level beyond academics.
• Other personal questions: Many interviews include a few miscellaneous get-to-know-you questions. NSU interview reports have mentioned prompts like 'What do you do in your spare time?' or even creative queries such as 'If you could sit next to one person on your flight back home, who would it be?' These kinds of questions help lighten the mood and let the interviewers see your personality. They might also check how you think on your feet. For example, asking who you’d like to sit next to is a way to learn about what inspires you or who you admire, without being a standard question.

Overall, the themes of NSU’s interview questions center on understanding who you are, why you want to attend NSU and become a dentist, and whether you possess the qualities that fit the school’s environment. It’s a conversational evaluation of your character and fit. When preparing, it’s helpful to review your own application thoroughly (since open-file interviews mean anything in your file is fair game to discuss) and to practice answering common dental school interview questions. However, avoid coming across as rehearsed – remember that NSU’s interviewers genuinely want to have a conversation and get to know the real you.

For those applying to NSU College of Dental Medicine in the 2025–2026 admissions cycle, it’s important to keep track of the key dates and deadlines. The dental school admissions process is rolling, which means earlier applicants often have an advantage nova.edu. Below is a timeline overview for this cycle:

1. May–June 2025: The ADEA AADSAS application typically opens around mid-May. Applicants can begin working on their primary application and officially submit by late May or early June (exact dates vary each cycle). It’s advisable to apply as early as possible once the cycle opens.
2. Summer 2025: After submitting AADSAS, qualified applicants will receive NSU’s secondary application (supplemental application). NSU usually invites applicants to complete a secondary after the primary is received and screened. Working on the secondary (which may include additional essays or short answers) promptly during the summer can expedite potential interview consideration.
3. August – November 2025: Interview invitations are extended on a rolling basis. NSU conducts interviews during the fall (and possibly early winter) months. Candidates who applied early could receive interview invites in late summer or early fall. Keep in mind that NSU’s admissions are rolling, so interview spots and eventually seats in the class may become limited as the cycle progresses.
4. November 15, 2025: This is the recommended latest date to have your AADSAS primary application and supporting documents submitted for NSU. In fact, NSU advises that all application materials be sent to AADSAS by roughly mid-November nova.edu. Waiting beyond this date could jeopardize your chances, as the NSU admissions committee may not review late applications if the class is nearly filled.
5. December 15, 2025: Deadline for NSU’s supplemental application. All secondary application materials and the application fee must be submitted by this date nova.edu. If you receive an interview invite near or after this deadline, ensure that you have completed the secondary requirements fully (most applicants will have done so earlier).
6. Mid-December 2025 (Acceptance Day): The first batch of admission offers is released in mid-December, on the date set by ADEA for all dental schools to begin notifying applicants predenting.com. On this “Acceptance Day,” many interviewed candidates receive good news via email or phone. NSU participates in this process, so if you interviewed in the fall, you could hear about acceptance around this time. If you are accepted, NSU will provide details on securing your seat (such as deposit deadlines, etc.).
7. Early 2026 (Jan – April): The admissions process continues. NSU will hold additional interviews in early 2026 if needed (depending on how many seats remain after the initial acceptances). Offers of admission continue to be made on a rolling basis. Applicants who are waitlisted may also be admitted during this period as spots open up. It’s important to respond to any communication from NSU promptly and to follow instructions if you’re waitlisted (for example, sending letters of intent if the school welcomes them).
8. Orientation & Matriculation (Summer 2026): The entering Class of 2026 will begin orientation in the summer (likely July) of 2026, with classes starting in August. By this time, all final transcripts and requirements must be submitted. NSU will provide an exact schedule to admitted students. Starting dental school is an exciting milestone – the culmination of the application journey and the start of your career in dentistry.

Throughout the application cycle, remember that NSU uses rolling admissions nova.edu. This means earlier applicants not only get interview invites sooner, but also fill up the class as the cycle goes on. It is in your best interest to submit quality applications early and be ready for an interview on relatively short notice. If you do interview earlier in the fall and are placed on “hold” or waitlist after the first round of acceptances, don’t be discouraged – schools often re-evaluate candidates in late winter and spring as spots free up. Keep in communication with the admissions office if appropriate, and remain patient. The timeline can feel long, but by late spring 2026 you will know if NSU (or another school) will be your dental home. Planning ahead for these deadlines ensures you won’t miss any opportunity due to a late submission.

Preparing for an interview at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine involves more than just practicing responses – it means understanding the school inside and out. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of NSU’s interview format (a friendly, open-file conversation), the mission and values that drive the school (from community service to research and leadership), and the distinctive features of its program. We also reviewed current dental policy issues relevant to NSU’s context, the non-academic qualities the school looks for in applicants, and common themes from past interview questions. By absorbing these insights, you should be well-equipped to demonstrate your fit with NSU and engage in a meaningful dialogue on interview day. Good luck with your interview, and remember to be yourself – NSU’s welcoming approach is designed to bring out the best in you as an aspiring dentist.