Cranking out a PS

[rose786]

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So how have you folks gone about writing your PS? Is it more about getting inspired or simply answering some questions you made up (like "why dentistry, why this school")?

I would think opening with a story would be good, but it feels like everything I want to say is BLAH and has probably been said to death. "I like teeth"

Also, for anyone who is currently out of school: who did you get to proofread it? I don't really know anyone with mad writing skillz.

 

[harjay]

Mine was: the story of how I came to be interested in dentistry, other aspects of my character that will help me do well (strong academics, dexterity and leadership), and a personal experience while working in a dental clinic that was touching for me.

I had it proofread by parent and college writing center- peer mentor

 

[dentaldude8]

Get a good nights sleep, drink some coffee, clear your mind, and just type.

 

[Anatomy Fanatic]

I just tried to focus on what I really thought I could do as a dentist, and why I ever got interested in the field. Just sit and type about a few things, let some time pass, and re-read them. Keep the things you like and get rid of the things you don't.

As far as proofreading goes, I recommend using an online essay review service. I used essayedge.com and I was really happy with what they did for me, and I got accepted to four schools Dec. 1st so take that for what you will.

 

[PD3]

For me, it really required being in the right frame of mind when you start. I suggest getting in front of your computer or tablet and writing whatever comes to your mind. Don't stop until you cannot think anymore. That is how I started and I came up with about five pages. Most of it was no good, but it was really helpful to get my thoughts written down because it helped me focus.

Good luck.

 

[kevin512]

If you are starting to write your personal statement right now, GREAT JOB!!!!!! If you want to write a really good personal statement write about yourself. Really just do that. The first to paragraphs can be about a trip you made with a friend to the zoo. Or it can be about how you over-slept one day and missed the bus. If you write about yourself and not about your resume' you will be light-years ahead of many applicants.

My friend wrote about when he went fishing with his Dad and brother. That comprised the first two paragraphs. The other paragraphs didn't list what he did, but talked breifly, person-to-person, on why he would be a great dentist, where he wanted to practice and why. He avoided listing things from his resume'. My first draft of my personal statement was good, but listed why tooo much. Avoid that!

 

[rose786]

If you are starting to write your personal statement right now, GREAT JOB!!!!!!

Haha, not really. I'm applying to some SMPs and regular masters programs so my timeline is a little different. It's been realllllly slow going though.

As far as proofreading goes, I recommend using an online essay review service. I used essayedge.com and I was really happy with what they did for me, and I got accepted to four schools Dec. 1st so take that for what you will.

Interesting. Anyone else use essayedge? Do they just correct the technical stuff like grammar or do they edit the content as well?

 

[USU24]

I started mine like 6 months before it was due and then I revised it like 6-8 times. I also had a really good editor friend edit/give input. All the schools I interviewed at told me I had a great personal statement.

 

[I-Baby]

Is there a general rule for the number of pages your PS should be? I have been thinking about what I want to say and how I will say it but I think that it may be a little long. Any one know?

 

[rose786]

Is there a general rule for the number of pages your PS should be? I have been thinking about what I want to say and how I will say it but I think that it may be a little long. Any one know?

I've been aiming for 2 pages. Not sure what the recommended word count is though....

 

[t man]

mine wasn't very fancy. i made the case as to why i should be a dentist based on specific personal characteristics and the preparation i've gone through. don't get too fancy, you don't want to come off as your writing something for your creative compositions class. Believe it or not, that can be done without sounding like a robot.

I must have edited it like about 10 times, and it's all facts, and no fluff... not a wasted word, and impeccable grammar. I was accepted to 5 schools.

EDIT: make sure at least two other people who you can count on to give you the truth read it. you want to make sure it conveys your personality, and again, you are a future dentist, not a future short story teller.

 

[USU24]

I've been aiming for 2 pages. Not sure what the recommended word count is though....

Its 4500 characters including spaces. That's about one page, maybe a little more than one.

 

[rose786]

Its 4500 characters including spaces. That's about one page, maybe a little more than one.

I probably should have clarified that I'm aiming for 2 pages unedited. I'll have to hack it down...

 

[swtcatastrophe]

I started mine like 6 months before it was due and then I revised it like 6-8 times. I also had a really good editor friend edit/give input. All the schools I interviewed at told me I had a great personal statement.

i also edited mine about 7 times and i worked on it from may to august. i had 7 people read each significantly changed draft: a D1 that i met over the summer, my bf, my best friend, my parents, my predental advisor, and a writing tutor from school. i wanted several different opinions from those people who knew me really well & in different ways, knew dentistry well, and knew writing well. i was lucky that it didn't get too confusing b/c everyone generally had the same comments. my careers office recommended having 2-3 people total read it in those categories i mentioned.

So how have you folks gone about writing your PS? Is it more about getting inspired or simply answering some questions you made up (like "why dentistry, why this school")?

I would think opening with a story would be good, but it feels like everything I want to say is BLAH and has probably been said to death. "I like teeth"

i did start with a story. i've had the same dentist since i was 7 and so i started with a really brief anecdote of one of my first visits with him. he came up again later in the essay because he helped me realize why i felt so drawn to dentistry.

 

[Anatomy Fanatic]

Interesting. Anyone else use essayedge? Do they just correct the technical stuff like grammar or do they edit the content as well?

They do a complete technical check (grammar and spelling) but they will also help you with content. They won't write anything for you, but they will help you with the flow and tone of the statement. I ended up omitting an entire paragraph after the editor gave me a very detailed reason why I should. There are lots of service tiers, each with a hefty price tag, so they can simply edit for you or you can build a statement from the ground up. I was pretty amazed at how thorough my own editor was.

 

[I-Baby]

I've been aiming for 2 pages. Not sure what the recommended word count is though....

😱 Single or double spaced? I already had an epistle prepared for adcoms lol

 

[rose786]

😱 Single or double spaced? I already had an epistle prepared for adcoms lol

Single spaced....but like I said, I'm gonna cut a lot out of it. I mostly just mindlessly typed and will get down to business later.

 

[doc toothache]

So how have you folks gone about writing your PS? Is it more about getting inspired or simply answering some questions you made up (like "why dentistry, why this school")?

I would think opening with a story would be good, but it feels like everything I want to say is BLAH and has probably been said to death. "I like teeth"

Also, for anyone who is currently out of school: who did you get to proofread it? I don't really know anyone with mad writing skillz.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=5883550#post5883550

 

[Mattgk50]

A upenn ad. officer told me, whatever i do, dont talk about how i want to "help people"- there are a million other jobs you can accomplish that goal with. Also, she said they don’t want to here a story about an "ah-ha" moment, during which you suddenly had the epiphany that you were destined for dentistry i.e. when sitting in a dental chair, you realize blah blah. the essay needs to show that your arrival at the final idea of dental school was a slow, well though-out progression, during which youve done x, y, and z to explore the field (as well as rule out other [similar] fields). she estimated that she has read over 100 essays in which people talk about when they were little kids in a dental office, and how they remember the "shiny tools"-its been said to death.

the thing i was most surprised at, were her comments that too many people try way too hard to avoid saying that financial stability was a factor in their choice of dentistry- like its some huge secret or something. as a result they spend a little too much effort describing exaggerated moral and humanitarian goals they want to accomplish as dentists, that are often unrealistic.

 

[Mel Gibson]

The first to paragraphs can be about a trip you made with a friend to the zoo. Or it can be about how you over-slept one day and missed the bus.

Excellent advise 👍

 

[rose786]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=5923655#post5923655

😕

 

[doc toothache]

😕

the correct post # was changed- and should have been:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=5883550#post5883559