Bad personal statement topic?

[dbacDDS]

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I've written the first half of my personal statement and now I'm doubting if I'm on the right path. I started off talking about a trip I took by myself to Australia when I was 14 and how that fueled my love for travel. Then for two paragraphs I wrote about why I love travelling (I'm curious about the world, want to learn new things, etc.) which I plan on leading into the fact that I love learning in general and how I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. Then I talk about shadowing/interning and how I like working with people, etc.

I wanted to go this route because I studied abroad last semester and it had such a big impact on me and just reinforced my decision of becoming a dentist. I'm a little worried because it seems like travelling and dentistry don't really tie in together, and I read on Princeton's site that a personal statement shouldn't be philosophical/creative and should just get to the point of "why dentistry" and where you see your future going. To me, this is pretty boring and I don't think I can convey why I want to go into dentistry without including the "creative" paragraphs about travelling. Pretty much I just want some outside opinions because I don't want to waste my time finishing this personal statement when I'm on the wrong track to begin with.

 

[ktran17]

I objectively analyzed my p.s by standing back and asking myself, "would I accept this person?" Try to read it from an adcom member's perspective. They have read thousands of these essays, what makes you so special? Why do you think you're so deserving of a seat?

 

[dentalhopeful24]

I don't have anything but my own experience, but the first year I applied, I was creative and philosophical with my personal statement. I didn't get in. The second time around, I was more direct and sort of tried to answer the questions "why me?" and "why dentistry?" but still had a theme and a bit of creativity. I got in this year. I had other improvements (more shadowing, etc.) but I think the change in my personal statement may have impacted it, particularly because I received interview invites to two schools that rejected me early the previous year. For what it's worth.

 

[dbacDDS]

Well....crap.

I guess it may be a little too creative for the admissions committees, but I want something in the beginning to grab their attention and for my PS to stand out from the rest. I'm thinking about condensing the whole travel bit into the first paragraph and tie it in more with how going abroad has allowed me to develop a bunch of skills to be a successful dentist...what are your thoughts on this? Should I get rid of the whole thing completely?

 

[J777]

If you can execute it as you stated above, condensing and tying it into dentistry would be great. They love when applicants travel cuz it makes you more worldly. But connecting it to dentistry and grabbing their attention creatively sounds like a good idea. Just make sure that the creative component doesn't distract from your story

 

[dbacDDS]

Alright, thanks! Hopefully I can pull it off

 

[JustCallMeDocAlready]

Travelling or traveling? Hmmmm. That is the question.

 

[dbacDDS]

How embarrassing! Finals week has turned my brain to mush.

 

[Dentalguy8621]

Travelling or traveling? Hmmmm. That is the question.

Hey thanks for pointing that out. I don't think anyone caught what she meant...

 

[Glimmer1991]

Travelling or traveling? Hmmmm. That is the question.

It actually can be spelled either way.

Anyhow, back to the original question--your personal statement can be about ANYTHING so long as you are able to tie it back in with how it:
A) made you love dentistry
and/or
B) will make you a better dentist
and/or
C) opened your eyes to the need for dentists, etc.

Don't write a boring statement. I think you are probably on the right track, but don't dwell *too* long on something that doesn't relate. I'm sure you aren't doing that, though. Mine definitely talked a *lot* about one of my passions, which has nothing to dentistry on the surface. However, through that passion, I was able to become who I am today and it ultimately will make me a better dentist because of the attributes I had to hone in preparation for it.

 

[dbacDDS]

Great advice, thanks all! I've decided to dedicate a paragraph or so to it instead of having my entire PS focused around it since it really was a life changing experience and I'd like to incorporate it somehow.