BIG question here, guys

[pinetar321]

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under the "Has your education ever been interrupted or affected adversely for reasons other than deficiencies in conduct or academic performance?" section of AADSAS... I'm debating whether or not to include my father's death as a contributing factor of bad grades from one semester. Do you think I should do this or does it show a lack of emotional strength that is needed in dental schools? Do you think they will look down on this as some kind of excuse?

 

[Mazz]

...

I'm sure all the adcoms wouldn't miss a beat if their fathers died. I'm sure their performance at work would not falter at all.

Anybody who would look down on you for that reason deserves a flying 360 hurricane thrust kick to the taint...twice.

 

[vlct0ria]

under the "Has your education ever been interrupted or affected adversely for reasons other than deficiencies in conduct or academic performance?" section of AADSAS... I'm debating whether or not to include my father's death as a contributing factor of bad grades from one semester. Do you think I should do this or does it show a lack of emotional strength that is needed in dental schools? Do you think they will look down on this as some kind of excuse?

I would seriously hope adcoms will not "look down" on an applicant for having their education affected by an immediate family member's death...I don't think they are that insensitive. I mean, if you've had consistent grades, and then the one semester sticks out like a sore thumb, I don't see why you wouldn't mention it, especially if you missed a lot of class because of the death.

 

[promolion]

they are caring dentists.... not heartless monsters

 

[sfrice80]

Believe me, if they did not understand, you DEFINITELY do not want to go to school there anyways! I really dont think that would ever be viewed as lacking emotional strength. I agree with promolion.

 

[Vicviper]

I wrote about my mother being diagnosed with Leukemia and undergoing the long drawn out treatment process, and how it effect me and my grades, and all of the Adcoms at the interviews I went to took it completely seriously. In no way will it hurt you, and I think they completely understand that such a major event in someone's life can take a toll, and the important thing they're looking for is that you've recovered.

 

[DmdNJ]

I had the exact same situation. My father passed away while I was in college and it drastically affected my concentration on studying. I got a math scholarship and suddenly I was getting C's in Calc I which I already took in hs....I wrote about it in that section because it was an additional place to explain why my grades were not stellar for that year.

 

[NyCzPeter]

Sounds pretty toolish. I would not write that. Everybody has a sob story, I don't think putting that in will really help you and can probably only hurt you.

 

[Kneecoal]

Sounds pretty toolish. I would not write that. Everybody has a sob story, I don't think putting that in will really help you and can probably only hurt you.

there's always someone...

 

[vlct0ria]

Sounds pretty toolish. I would not write that. Everybody has a sob story, I don't think putting that in will really help you and can probably only hurt you.

Being affected by a parent's death is NOT "toolish". It's not a "sob story", it is a painful, difficult thing to deal with that can affect your mind, health, attitude and thus your performance in school...adcoms are not insensitive jerks, and they will understand this. If they don't, then like sfrice said, there is absolutely no reason to want to attend that dschool anyway.

 

[xiphoidprocess]

under the "Has your education ever been interrupted or affected adversely for reasons other than deficiencies in conduct or academic performance?" section of AADSAS... I'm debating whether or not to include my father's death as a contributing factor of bad grades from one semester. Do you think I should do this or does it show a lack of emotional strength that is needed in dental schools? Do you think they will look down on this as some kind of excuse?

I think what you have to say is very important and that ADCOMS should know about your story.. I think you can choose to write about it in that space if you feel it is necessary..

However, I would also indicate on your secondaries the reason why your grades were not so great that one semester. Use your secondaries to elaborate on your story.

Hope this helps!

 

[NyCzPeter]

Being affected by a parent's death is NOT "toolish". It's not a "sob story", it is a painful, difficult thing to deal with that can affect your mind, health, attitude and thus your performance in school...adcoms are not insensitive jerks, and they will understand this. If they don't, then like sfrice said, there is absolutely no reason to want to attend that dschool anyway.

I feel for the OP and his loss is a tragedy. However, anything that attempts to justify some lack in the application is lame and toolish. If the OP wants to include that experience, why not turn it into something positive by talking about how that event has helped him mature and grow as a person instead of how it ruined his grades.

 

[PreDentDJ]

You would really like to think that something like that wouldn't count against you. I see where you're coming from though. I'd be hesitant too.

Sorry for your loss.

...
Anybody who would look down on you for that reason deserves a flying 360 hurricane thrust kick to the taint...twice.

AGREED!

 

[pinetar321]

i ended up putting it in after all. I feel comfortable that my reasoning will resound with adcomms. Besides, I do feel like the experience helped me to grow immensely.

 

[Dmessina]

i think the more important area to discuss this would be in the personal statement. The PS is the area to enlighten the adcoms as to who you are and what your about. Your journey's through your educational career are important here. With that being said it is also VERY important as to HOW you go about shedding light on this discussion. Do NOT make it too emotional or too detailed. Don't try to bring about a feeling of pity because when the tears dry up all they're going to know about you is that your dad died in college and your grades suffered. Talk about how this experience shaped you in conjunction with other aspects of your life. My mother died during my freshman year of college. I had some trouble writing my PS at first because I got caught up in what I thought was important but really it was just important to me, not to an adcom. Read your PS from someone elses perspective, not your own. How would you percieve this person? ask yourself that

Remember who your audiance is. Save the narrative for oprah