"Dad" or "Father"?

[silverjelly]

Just need some quick advice . . .

I'm writing an admissions essay for a Canadian medical school and was wondering if using the word "dad" is too informal for a personal statement and I should use "father", or if "dad" is OK. Thanks in advance for the help!

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[Scoot]

Just need some quick advice . . .

I'm writing an admissions essay for a Canadian medical school and was wondering if using the word "dad" is too informal for a personal statement and I should use "father", or if "dad" is OK. Thanks in advance for the help!

My opinion is that "dad" would be too informal

 

[NapeSpikes]

My opinion is that "dad" would be too informal

Agreed. Except, of course, if you're using it in a quote, you know, like you're calling him "Dad" to his face. Who calls their dad "Father"?

 

[cfdavid]

Dad's o.k.

 

[Rafa]

"My old man..."

 

[silverjelly]

"My old man..."

I'm sure I would appear as a mature and respectful young woman if I wrote that.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

I would go with "Dad." The reason is because Dad is far more personal than Father. When you talk to your dad, do you say, "Hey father pass the salt?" No.

Don't make your essay tedious by making it too formal. If they enjoy reading it that will make it a better experience for them. Cater your essay to serve your audience, but make sure it fulfills its purpose.

 

[docbill]

which canadian school are you writing an essay for now.. I thought application deadline already past.

By the way use "father"

 

[Jaider]

Mark Twain said it takes a knowledgeable writer to use simple language, to "eschew surplusage." I would bet adcomms read a ton of pretentious essays. You'll likely stand out if you're not trying to tart up your writing.

Use "dad" if you want. It's not too informal. I used the words "father" and "dad" and "Dad" in my essay and one of my interviewers spent the first ten minutes of my interview applauding my writing. So, I don't think you're going to freak anyone out with your diction. 🙂

 

[lropp]

Just need some quick advice . . .

I'm writing an admissions essay for a Canadian medical school and was wondering if using the word "dad" is too informal for a personal statement and I should use "father", or if "dad" is OK. Thanks in advance for the help!

pops.

 

[jebus]

Mark Twain said it takes a knowledgeable writer to use simple language, to "eschew surplusage." I would bet adcomms read a ton of pretentious essays. You'll likely stand out if you're not trying to tart up your writing.

Use "dad" if you want. It's not too informal. I used the words "father" and "dad" and "Dad" in my essay and one of my interviewers spent the first ten minutes of my interview applauding my writing. So, I don't think you're going to freak anyone out with your diction. 🙂

I agree. Make it simple, make it accessible, make it personal; make it "dad".

 

[basfan2000]

I agree. Make it simple, make it accessible, make it personal; make it "dad".

Seconded. To me, "father" puts a little bit of distance between you and him. And considering you're probably writing in the sense of him being a role model or in a moment of guidance, I'd want to make it sound like how you'd really feel about him and his connection to your life.

On the other hand, "Mom" sounds a little too informal to me. Don't know why.

 

[sacrament]

Every once in awhile, a thread in pre-allo will perfectly distill the essence of the Pre-Med Student. This is such a thread.

 

[BaylorGuy]

pops.

actually, its poppa-san

 

[jbone]

I like the term "sperm donor"
Try it. 😉 😀

 

[Hurricane95]

Dad's fine...I used it in my personal statement and fared well enough.

 

[SMRT]

double post

 

[SMRT]

which canadian school are you writing an essay for now.. I thought application deadline already past.

By the way use "father"

I know at least one school (Manitoba) asks for an essay after you've been invited for an interview.

Oh yeah and I would use "Dad".

 

[silverjelly]

I know at least one school (Manitoba) asks for an essay after you've been invited for an interview.

Oh yeah and I would use "Dad".

You're 100% correct, SMRT, and the essay is due Feb. 13

Maybe I should put my dilemma (is that how you spell it?) in context.
I'm not writing about my dad as a role model; rather, he is sort of part of the story that I'm telling. It kind of goes like this . . .

"[Conversation]" That was my dad/father, on the telephone . . .

So now do you guys still think "dad" (which I think is winning now)?

 

[BaylorGuy]

I like the term "sperm donor"
Try it. 😉 😀

Hahahaha, nice


What about making your personal statement into a horror pic and naming him The Inseminator with his millions of loyal swimming minions????

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Great question, actually. Most of my personal statement was about my father's death and how it finally got me to quit putting off my dream of medical school.

Anyway, I used both. I used "my father" when I was speaking about him in impersonal terms - his career, his illness, etc - I used "my Dad" deliberately when I was speaking about him in emotional/personal terms.

I guess it worked. I got a lot of compliments on my personal statement. Good luck!

 

[mantraman1010]

For my indian bros, BAPU!!!

 

[BooMed]

Every once in awhile, a thread in pre-allo will perfectly distill the essence of the Pre-Med Student. This is such a thread.

You're so right.

 

[silverjelly]

Every once in awhile, a thread in pre-allo will perfectly distill the essence of the Pre-Med Student. This is such a thread.

And what the heck is that supposed to mean?

 

[BooMed]

And what the heck is that supposed to mean?

It's just such an anal and pointless question. I mean, there is no possible way your chances of admission will be affected by the use of the word "dad" instead of "father".

But it's the kind of thing that all of us have obsessed about at one time or another.

 

[pagemmapants]

My interviewer at UNC asked me "So how did you get to be so smart?"

Without even thinking about it, I responded "Daddy".

I got accepted about 2 weeks later.

 

[silverjelly]

It's just such an anal and pointless question. I mean, there is no possible way your chances of admission will be affected by the use of the word "dad" instead of "father".

But it's the kind of thing that all of us have obsessed about at one time or another.

I'm sorry - did I say that I was worried about being rejected because I used the word "dad"? I didn't think so. If trying to write the best admissions essay possible is anal and pointless, then please excuse me.

 

[pagemmapants]

To clarify my previous post, silver, I think you should call him in your essay what you normally would in person (unless it's something completely inappropriate). It would be pretty darned obnoxious if a reader really got offended by the use of "Dad" instead of "Father", and such an event would more likely say more about the psyche of the reader than the applicant.

 

[silverjelly]

Thanks guys for all your helpful posts - and for not patronising me as some have chosen to do.

 

[sacrament]

I'm sorry - did I say that I was worried about being rejected because I used the word "dad"? I didn't think so. If trying to write the best admissions essay possible is anal and pointless, then please excuse me.

I bet you're the best pre-med student in, like, the entire school.

 

[DrYo12]

Thanks guys for all your helpful posts - and for not patronising me as some have chosen to do.

what fun is this process if somebody doesn't bring some levity to the table?

 

[sacrament]

what fun is this process if somebody doesn't bring some levity to the table?

This post would have been so much better if you just would have used the word "frivolity" instead of "levity."

 

[MoosePilot]

This post would have been so much better if you just would have used the word "frivolity" instead of "levity."

Hey! Levity is cool. I saw a magician use levity to float his assistant. He even used a hula hoop to show that it wasn't just wires.

 

[DrYo12]

This post would have been so much better if you just would have used the word "frivolity" instead of "levity."

😡

*goes to flog self*