How important is the personal statement?

[Dent44]

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How important is it? I have one all done, but it's just your basic story... its not particularly funny, not particularly upbeat but its well written, honest and gives you insight into who I am. Is it better to submit June 2 with this one or wait a week or so and write a new one?

Thoughts?

 

[longhornpride]

How important is it? I have one all done, but it's just your basic story... its not particularly funny, not particularly upbeat but its well written, honest and gives you insight into who I am. Is it better to submit June 2 with this one or wait a week or so and write a new one?

Thoughts?

well think about it. do you want them to start day dreaming 2 sentences into your paper or do you want them to say "holy ****, we can't pass this kid up" ?

in my opinion, it's not going to make much of a difference if you submit it June 1st or June 8th. You'll still probably be in the first cycle. They will read 1000 average essays, and if you write a good one, it could be boost your chances for getting an interview.

 

[Ranelar]

Because you asked if you should write a new one versus write another draft, I'm assuming you wrote this essay for a different purpose. Spend the time to write one that's on topic, and not generic.

 

[Omenino]

one of the most important part in the application

 

[bennijai]

PS is very important, it is one of the few areas in the application that you can manipulate to your favor.

 

[thethethe]

i dont think it is THAT important. in the end numbers speak louder than your PS.
For example: my buddy wrote the PS in a few hours and submitted it. I doubt it was good, even that person admitted it wasn't the best. but with a 3.8 sgpa and 3.8cgpa and 22AA 22PAT, he got into every school.

however most people don;t have stats like that. i would spend a good amount of time to make sure your ps is good.

 

[doc toothache]

That's like asking how important is your attire for the prom.

 

[USU24]

Exactly. It's a qualitative variable in in the application process. Since no one even knows what it is worth then people can believe that it influences your application different amounts. But who knows, maybe it can tip the scales.

 

[2school4cool]

i heard that the admissions only take 2 minutes tops to read through the personal statement due to the sheer amount of applications, so i personally believe that stats, maybe even research/publications > personal statement. but that's just my opinion.

however, your personal statement is good fodder for interview ques. most of my interviewers brought up stuff i mentioned in my essay.

 

[USU24]

good point. I know at my school the student interviewers only get to look at your ps not your stats and their input counts as much as the faculty interview.

 

[tizom]

prob most important writing of your life

 

[HowAboutDAT]

where is the topic for the PS on the application? When I click personal statement its more or less a screen that says personal statement without a topic and just a blank box.

 

[doc3232]

Topic: "Why do you want a dental education?"
Why dentistry?

where is the topic for the PS on the application? When I click personal statement its more or less a screen that says personal statement without a topic and just a blank box.

 

[jyc]

where is the topic for the PS on the application? When I click personal statement its more or less a screen that says personal statement without a topic and just a blank box.

From the "Instructions for this Section" link:
"What should you write?
The Admissions Committee members who read your essay are looking for individuals who are motivated, academically prepared, articulate, socially conscious, and knowledgeable about the profession. Write about your experiences and any qualities that will make you stand out. Check the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools for ideas about essays."

 

[mddang]

i dont think it is THAT important. in the end numbers speak louder than your PS.
For example: my buddy wrote the PS in a few hours and submitted it. I doubt it was good, even that person admitted it wasn't the best. but with a 3.8 sgpa and 3.8cgpa and 22AA 22PAT, he got into every school.

however most people don;t have stats like that. i would spend a good amount of time to make sure your ps is good.

agreed x 1000


Keep it honest.

 

[nydds25]

Not very important.

95 percent of them are basically going to say the same thing. I know an Ad Com well... they breeze through them. In my 10 plus interviews, not once was my personal statement referenced. These schools care about numbers, then extra's like research and volunteer hours.

 

[dcsk8element]

agreed x 1000


Keep it honest.

and there are people with stats like mddang who can just write "I like teeth." in their PS and get in. 👍

 

[doc toothache]

and there are people with stats like mddang who can just write "I like teeth." in their PS and get in. 👍

Fortunately/unfortunately there is a pretty limited number mddangs around.