Dental Hygiene Interview

At the end of January I turned in my application for the dental hygiene program at Weber State University for the fourth time. Since then I have been patiently waiting for the letter that tells me that I have been accepted for the graduating class of 2012. I thought that this would be easy this year and that I would be in the program for sure since I was an alternate for last year. At the end of February I received an email from the dental hygiene department that I had been selected to advance in the application process and that I needed to call and schedule an appointment for an interview on March 1, 3, or 5. I immediately had butterflies fill up my stomach. I didn't think that they still did interviews for applicants, I thought it was all based on points. I got on the phone and scheduled my interview for Wednesday March 3. I had a week and a half to wait and worry about it. The day finally came and as I got ready to leave work early for my interview I again got butterflies and I couldn't keep my hands still, they were shaking because I was nervous. By the time I had gotten home and changed my cloths and was backing out the driveway to go to my interview I had calmed down. I got to the school and had to walk what felt like five miles in high heels up hill to get to the dental hygiene department. When I went inside there were three girls there to greet me. They introduced themselves and told me that they were first year students in the dental hygiene program. They got me checked in and then took me on a tour. I have been wanting to see the dental hygiene area and the operatories for a long time and it was so much fun to see where I will be spending all my time for two years. When the tour was over they took me back to the area where they were having the interviews and I had to sit and wait for them to call my name. After a few mintues of sitting there trying to stay calm a lady came out and called my name. She took me into a room where there were three other people sitting at a table. They introduced themselves to me and told me what to expect during the interview. They each asked me one question, I only remember three of them but here is what they were and what I answered (the best that I can remember). Q. What has made you want to be a dental hygienist? A. I have wanted to go into dentistry since the first time I went to the dentist when I was little. Dental hygiene has always intrigued me and I enjoy helping people. Q. Why do you think that you would be a good addition to the dental hygiene program? A. Like I said earlier being a dental hygienist has always been a goal of mine and I feel that I am very motivated because of this desire. I have found that while working at a dental office for the past three years as the hygiene assistant I really do love the job and love helping people. Q. If I was asked to do something by a supervisor that wasn't the way I would do it what would I do? A. I face this kind of situation a lot in the office that I work in now. I always will go and try to accomplish the task the way that she has asked me but if I know of a way that is more efficient I will go to her and discuss why I think we should do it the other way and try to come to a compromise between the two of us. After I gave this answer the same lady asked me what would I do if I was asked to do something that was unethical. This is where I really got uncomfortable. I answered by saying I wouldn't even try and they all kind of snickered at me and the lady said "You wouldn't even try?!" like I was crazy. This is where I thought the interview went all down hill. I explained myself and told them that I want to always be ethical. I told them that I would go to that person and explain why I wouldn't do what they had asked me to do because I believed that it was unethical and try and find a way to complete the task in a way that is ethical. After this they asked if I had any questions for them and they told me that they will be sending out the final letters next week. When I walked out of the office and started making my way out of the building I was fighting back tears. When they laughed at me I was crushed. I thought that I had totally blown the interview. As I thought about the questions and how I answered later on through the night I started feeling better about the interview and I think that I did do a great job, I just hope that it was good enough. I can't wait another year to start the dental hygiene program. I want to get on with my life. Now I just need to wait another week and a half or two to find out. Wish me luck!!!