Contractions (I've, Isn't, Would've) in Personal Statement?

[cmF]

I had a recent dental graduate tell me that I shouldn't be using contractions in my personal statement. It seems a bit odd but is there a rule or formality that I'm not aware of? Please let me know, 4,500 characters for a personal statement is not enough!

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[MBlue16]

That's what I would suggest to. Do not use: I'm, you're, I've, he's, and so on. Unless, of course, when you are indicating possessions.

I had a recent dental graduate tell me that I shouldn't be using contractions in my personal statement. It seems a bit odd but is there a rule or formality that I'm not aware of? Please let me know, 4,500 characters for a personal statement is not enough!

 

[PointEstimate]

That's what I would suggest to. Do not use: I'm, you're, I've, he's, and so on. Unless, of course, when you are indicating possessions.

In which case it is not a contraction.

 

[steveymcdubs]

Your statement is your voice, and all of the little nuances (contractions being one of them) contribute to it. There is no right or wrong answer. It really depends on the tone you're going for.

 

[two thirty]

I've been taught not to use contractions on any formal essay. I didn't use them in my personal statement.

 

[Bobby Fischer]

Your statement is your voice, and all of the little nuances (contractions being one of them) contribute to it. There is no right or wrong answer. It really depends on the tone you're going for.

...or it is "the tone you are going for"?

 

[Bis-GMA111]

you never use contractions in a piece of formal writing...ever.

i'm sure you've taken formal writing courses in high school and college right?

 

[Glimmer1991]

you never use contractions in a piece of formal writing...ever.

i'm sure you've taken formal writing courses in high school and college right?

But just how "formal" is this supposed to be? Obviously, it needs to be professional, but I don't think it should sound stiff.

In mine, I'm trying to make sure I sound like a real person and not a robot... Because, as I've been told, my numbers sort of make me seem like one! 😳 I used a few contractions here and there.

 

[JAWSSS]

I just counted, and I used 9 contractions in my PS...

I received interviews at 14/15 schools I applied to and was accepted at each place I interviewed at.

It is not as important as people make it seem. I agree with some of the above statements, make it your OWN voice... If you never use a contraction while you talk you are probably a hard person to talk with, haha!

My opinion: they make the "PERSONAL" statement more personal and do not take away from professionalism.

 

[Glimmer1991]

I have 10 contractions. 😀

However, I am definitely a thrill seeker and daredevil. 😎

 

[cmF]

I just counted, and I used 9 contractions in my PS...

I received interviews at 14/15 schools I applied to and was accepted at each place I interviewed at.

It is not as important as people make it seem. I agree with some of the above statements, make it your OWN voice... If you never use a contraction while you talk you are probably a hard person to talk with, haha!

My opinion: they make the "PERSONAL" statement more personal and do not take away from professionalism.

Sounds like you're a stellar applicant who's use of contractions can be ignored. I'm very average so I'm very wary of anything that might come across negatively in my PS.

 

[MBlue16]

Sounds like you're a stellar applicant who's use of contractions can be ignored. I'm very average so I'm very wary of anything that might come across negatively in my PS.

Actually, this is a good example why you might want to avoid using contractions. It suppose to be "whose." People tend to make mistakes like these. But, this can be avoided easily by spelling everything out.

 

[steveymcdubs]

...or it is "the tone you are going for"?

Hey-oh.

 

[Teeths]

My personal opinion on this is to mix it up... sure it's meant to be a formal piece BUT I think the main idea behind having the personal statement is a way for adcoms to get a glimpse into who you are. Write how you would speak (it's assumed that it's going to be in a professional manner since, after all, you are applying to become a dentist)!

Good luck

 

[Seattle206]

Bottom line you want it to sound like you. People who are saying "I was taught you only do this" or "you NEVER do that in this type of writing" probably aren't honestly very advanced in their post-high school writing skills...

http://www.ehow.com/how_8473823_use-contractions-formal-writing.html

 

[sacapuntas]

I defintiely agree with those saying to write in your own voice. In my opinion, formal essay rules (if they even exist) do not apply to a personal statement. Don't stress contractions if it flows how you intended, those 4500 characters are valuable!

 

[jeffity]

I would cater to your audience. (hint: not your peers)

 

[MBlue16]

I would cater to your audience. (hint: not your peers)

^That

 

[JAWSSS]

I would cater to your audience. (hint: not your peers)

Still human beings that don't want to talk to machines all day.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Good use of contraction: "I didn't know dentistry was in my future when..."

Bad use of contraction: "I ain't sure when I decided to become a dentist."

 

[jeffity]

Still human beings that don't want to talk to machines all day.

Or professionals who are several generations older. Some of these guys would probably reject you on your handshake alone if they could. Will they for this? Hardly. But why even mess with it. Maybe it's far-fetched, but maybe there's a problem if you can't write without contractions without thinking you sound like a robot. Is your identity that lost? Are they really not going to get to know 'the real you'.

That being said, the main goal is that your statement not suck, which isn't that hard for anyone. My opinion is that these things aren't looked at as much as we think. Even seeing my statement during one of my interviews, I still think that.

 

[Kieran1992]

Actually, this is a good example why you might want to avoid using contractions. It suppose to be "whose." People tend to make mistakes like these. But, this can be avoided easily by spelling everything out.

Hey, if you're going to be a jerk and correct people's grammar on an informal forum, at least use proper grammar yourself. "It suppose to be" should be "It's supposed to be."
You're welcome.