Is this a good idea for a personal statement?

[smthngintheway]

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Hi all.

This is a really interesting website you got here 🙂

Anyways, I'm applying to dental schools for 2012 and I'm currently trying to write my personal statement. I'm not sure what I want to write about as I haven't had any major "OH MY GOD, I NEED TO BE A DENTIST!" moment in my life.

One thing that does attract me about dentistry however is that the work demands you to be very scrupulous in your actions. The more carefully you work and the more effort you put in, the better resulting tooth you get.

I think what I want to write about is how I love being an english major and--more specifically--how I like to write papers. I love writing papers because I like how you're in control of your results: that the more careful you are in your writing and the more effort you put into it, the better your essay is.

When I think about essays and dentistry, I realize that they both offer a situation where you're crafting something very gradually and if you do a rush job than it'll show. Therefore, when you finish your essay or your procedure, you can look at the final product and see a direct correlation between the efficacy of the product and the amount of energy and time you put into it. I find that very rewarding as an english major (as opposed to taking exams all the time and being at the mercy of the exam's difficulty and you're ability to retain information) and I think it would be equally as rewarding to be dentist and to finish a procedure, take a step back and say "Hey, I did that! It only looks beautiful because I put a lot of work into it!"

And of course I would obviously flair it up a bit and make it sound very passionate.

But is that good enough? I'm really just making a connection between writing and dentistry and saying how much I like writing and therefore how much I'll like dentistry. I don't know how strong that is.

Of course I have other reasons for wanting to be a dentist (mostly because it's a good family profession) but I really do like the physical control of the procedures and seeing the fruits of your labor...

I don't even know if that could be in and of itself the paper or if I should talk about other things or how normal it is only to talk about one idea...

Help?

 

[amalgamgrillz]

Hi all.

This is a really interesting website you got here 🙂

Anyways, I'm applying to dental schools for 2012 and I'm currently trying to write my personal statement. I'm not sure what I want to write about as I haven't had any major "OH MY GOD, I NEED TO BE A DENTIST!" moment in my life.

One thing that does attract me about dentistry however is that the work demands you to be very scrupulous in your actions. The more carefully you work and the more effort you put in, the better resulting tooth you get.

I think what I want to write about is how I love being an english major and--more specifically--how I like to write papers. I love writing papers because I like how you're in control of your results: that the more careful you are in your writing and the more effort you put into it, the better your essay is.

When I think about essays and dentistry, I realize that they both offer a situation where you're crafting something very gradually and if you do a rush job than it'll show. Therefore, when you finish your essay or your procedure, you can look at the final product and see a direct correlation between the efficacy of the product and the amount of energy and time you put into it. I find that very rewarding as an english major (as opposed to taking exams all the time and being at the mercy of the exam's difficulty and you're ability to retain information) and I think it would be equally as rewarding to be dentist and to finish a procedure, take a step back and say "Hey, I did that! It only looks beautiful because I put a lot of work into it!"

And of course I would obviously flair it up a bit and make it sound very passionate.

But is that good enough? I'm really just making a connection between writing and dentistry and saying how much I like writing and therefore how much I'll like dentistry. I don't know how strong that is.

Of course I have other reasons for wanting to be a dentist (mostly because it's a good family profession) but I really do like the physical control of the procedures and seeing the fruits of your labor...

I don't even know if that could be in and of itself the paper or if I should talk about other things or how normal it is only to talk about one idea...

Help?

Not gonna lie, I got bored after the first paragraph, so I'll just comment on what I did read:

Your approach is definitely unique, but it sounds like you're stretching for a connection. Writing and dentistry are two fairly different things. I see what you're trying to say, but the fact is that your reason for liking dentistry can be applied to literally any field. For example, the more careful I am when I total everything in my cash register, the more accurate my summation, the better I am at doing my job. The more meticulous I am when I scrub the floors, the nicer the store looks, the better I am at my job....etc.

You need to focus on something that really applies to dentistry. If you like English, talk about your passion for communication in more than just a verbal sense. You're going to have to communicate with your patients using non-verbal cues, written word, etc...and your love for English has developed your ability to blah blah blah cliche blah blah blah.

 

[BoxerRumble]

Hi all.

This is a really interesting website you got here 🙂

Anyways, I'm applying to dental schools for 2012 and I'm currently trying to write my personal statement. I'm not sure what I want to write about as I haven't had any major "OH MY GOD, I NEED TO BE A DENTIST!" moment in my life.

One thing that does attract me about dentistry however is that the work demands you to be very scrupulous in your actions. The more carefully you work and the more effort you put in, the better resulting tooth you get.

I think what I want to write about is how I love being an english major and--more specifically--how I like to write papers. I love writing papers because I like how you're in control of your results: that the more careful you are in your writing and the more effort you put into it, the better your essay is.

When I think about essays and dentistry, I realize that they both offer a situation where you're crafting something very gradually and if you do a rush job than it'll show. Therefore, when you finish your essay or your procedure, you can look at the final product and see a direct correlation between the efficacy of the product and the amount of energy and time you put into it. I find that very rewarding as an english major (as opposed to taking exams all the time and being at the mercy of the exam's difficulty and you're ability to retain information) and I think it would be equally as rewarding to be dentist and to finish a procedure, take a step back and say "Hey, I did that! It only looks beautiful because I put a lot of work into it!"

And of course I would obviously flair it up a bit and make it sound very passionate.

But is that good enough? I'm really just making a connection between writing and dentistry and saying how much I like writing and therefore how much I'll like dentistry. I don't know how strong that is.

Of course I have other reasons for wanting to be a dentist (mostly because it's a good family profession) but I really do like the physical control of the procedures and seeing the fruits of your labor...

I don't even know if that could be in and of itself the paper or if I should talk about other things or how normal it is only to talk about one idea...

Help?

Well, then you're not going to like the first 2 years of dental school very much. Though there are only a few people who can honestly say they love this part, but you have to be science minded and KNOW why you are doing the procedures and HOW it works.

Also, my word of advice is...it is your personal statement. It's good to bounce off ideas and get feedback, but everyone's opinion is different. As long as the personal statement is something you really like and are proud of, then you should write it. You really just need to answer the question...why dentistry? In my opinion though, it is not a very strong connection and you are stretching a bit. If you are doubting it yourself, then others will also doubt it. I did have two friends who wrote about art and medicine and art and dentistry, and they both are in medical and dental school.

But again, take anyone's advice with a grain of salt. Unless EVERYONE is saying the same thing, then you might want to switch it up.

 

[Journey2become]

My initial response was NO, then as I started thinking about it a little longer I thought...maybe.
I like that you would be incorporating something you do well now to why you will like dentistry in the future. It would HAVE to be well written though!!! Specially since you are asking the reader to equate your writing to your future work as a dentist!

 

[dentalWorks]

Hi all.

This is a really interesting website you got here 🙂

Anyways, I'm applying to dental schools for 2012 and I'm currently trying to write my personal statement. I'm not sure what I want to write about as I haven't had any major "OH MY GOD, I NEED TO BE A DENTIST!" moment in my life.

One thing that does attract me about dentistry however is that the work demands you to be very scrupulous in your actions. The more carefully you work and the more effort you put in, the better resulting tooth you get.

I think what I want to write about is how I love being an english major and--more specifically--how I like to write papers. I love writing papers because I like how you're in control of your results: that the more careful you are in your writing and the more effort you put into it, the better your essay is.

When I think about essays and dentistry, I realize that they both offer a situation where you're crafting something very gradually and if you do a rush job than it'll show. Therefore, when you finish your essay or your procedure, you can look at the final product and see a direct correlation between the efficacy of the product and the amount of energy and time you put into it. I find that very rewarding as an english major (as opposed to taking exams all the time and being at the mercy of the exam's difficulty and you're ability to retain information) and I think it would be equally as rewarding to be dentist and to finish a procedure, take a step back and say "Hey, I did that! It only looks beautiful because I put a lot of work into it!"

And of course I would obviously flair it up a bit and make it sound very passionate.

But is that good enough? I'm really just making a connection between writing and dentistry and saying how much I like writing and therefore how much I'll like dentistry. I don't know how strong that is.

Of course I have other reasons for wanting to be a dentist (mostly because it's a good family profession) but I really do like the physical control of the procedures and seeing the fruits of your labor...

I don't even know if that could be in and of itself the paper or if I should talk about other things or how normal it is only to talk about one idea...

Help?

Most of us around here don't know how strong your writing skills are. If you are a very gifted writer (New York Times grade), you can probably swing this and make it a very presentable personal statement.

However, you need to address the theme of the essay: Why do you want to become a dentist.... what is it about this profession that makes you wanna pursue it. Simple as that. How much exposure you've gotten involved with to let you understand what your getting your self into (example shadowing)..... If you can address these, then it doesn't matter what you talk about. Dentisty is as much about procedures as it is about interacting with human beings, this is VERY important to address. You can be the greatest artist, sculpturer, writer, etc, but if you don't have an interactive personality, you might hate dentistry. So IMO, this is important to address

The problem with what your trying to do is.... the average writer won't be able to swing it.... Writing literature is different than dentistry, there is actually nothing in common. Matter of fact, they are opposites in nature: One is very people-interactive and the other you sit in your desk all alone writing/typing.

 

[smthngintheway]

First of all, thank you guys for responding. I really appreciate the honest feedback.

So the only thing I would say is that writing an essay is a very slow grueling process. It is only at the end when you can look at your finished work and appreciate the effort you put in. Same thing with Dentistry.

Now while there are many other jobs where this could apply to, I feel like Dentisty works best because there you're doing something meaningful, you're making another person healthier and more self confident.

So I don't know. I'm kind of a good writer (or I would at least say better than probably the 99% biology majors applying) so I would hope this would stand out.

I would of course mention my dental shadowing and remark how that the dentist I observed is also 99% of his time working slowly on a little miniscule area. The only pleasure he gets is looking at the final product and appreciating his effort. same with writing?

GAH! dunno what to do.... :'(

 

[chippy]

I wouldn't say "the only pleasure he gets is looking at his final product" or whatever...you really want to keep the whole PS positive and you need to express how EVERY part of dentistry appeals to you, not admiring your handiwork.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

I wouldn't say "the only pleasure he gets is looking at his final product" or whatever...you really want to keep the whole PS positive and you need to express how EVERY part of dentistry appeals to you, not admiring your handiwork.

Personally, I believe keeping your entire PS positive is incredibly important but a lot of people tend to overlook it regardless... by trying to include sappy moments or tearjerkers.

You do not want to show an ounce of weakness, especially in front of a patient. As a patient myself, I expect my dentist to be confident and fearless. He should be brolic enough to take down a lion if need be.

 

[Journey2become]

Personally, I believe keeping your entire PS positive is incredibly important but a lot of people tend to overlook it regardless... by trying to include sappy moments or tearjerkers.

You do not want to show an ounce of weakness, especially in front of a patient. As a patient myself, I expect my dentist to be confident and fearless. He should be brolic enough to take down a lion if need be.

Haha, that got me thinking about my dentist - he's not any of these thing really, but he does the most amazing work, is gentle (hardly ever feel any discomfort as I did with past dentist), and friendly. I get complements from complete strangers on my smile/teeth - he's a Super dentist in my book!

 

[dantemac]

The personal statement should answer 2 questions:

1) Why dentistry? [Because writing allows you to craft something over time if delicately written]
2) What have I done to prepare for dentistry [Wrote things]

In my mind, you are raising a tangential issue that dentistry is like writing.

There is no need to make the comparison between writing and dentistry for the ad coms....I think you need to have a major "I want to be a dentist" moment"

 

[PreDental88]

This may sound a little harsh, but you're reasoning may lead people to believe that you should pursue writing rather than dentistry.

 

[UltimateHombre]

First of all, thank you guys for responding. I really appreciate the honest feedback.

So the only thing I would say is that writing an essay is a very slow grueling process. It is only at the end when you can look at your finished work and appreciate the effort you put in. Same thing with Dentistry.

Now while there are many other jobs where this could apply to, I feel like Dentisty works best because there you're doing something meaningful, you're making another person healthier and more self confident.

So I don't know. I'm kind of a good writer (or I would at least say better than probably the 99% biology majors applying) so I would hope this would stand out.

I would of course mention my dental shadowing and remark how that the dentist I observed is also 99% of his time working slowly on a little miniscule area. The only pleasure he gets is looking at the final product and appreciating his effort. same with writing?

GAH! dunno what to do.... :'(

Its cool that you want to "stand out" in your personal statement, but comparing writing to dentistry is definitely not the way to do it IMO. It sounds boring and i don't really think many adcoms will relate to it. The dentists on adcoms are doctors and scientists, not literary geniuses.

If you are wanting to "stand out" be creative with how you write not what you write. For example (and this sounds crazy) but i have had friends write PS that were: nutritional labels, eulogies, and comic book narrations about themselves. Always came up in the interviews. Best of luck!!

 

[DrDSA]

You guys have offered some great advice on this forum. I'll try to follow it up with a brief perspective from someone who's sat on an admissions committee.

As people have said, it's important to be creative in your essay. But, you should NEVER sacrifice answering important questions for the sake of creativity. I had this discussion with a friend a while back who was concerned that his essay was 'boring.' My advice was that, unless you happen to be the 1 person out of 1000 who can pull off the creative essay, just tell me why you want to be a dentist and what you've done to get where you are. I know that's oversimplifying it. Don't be boring in your essay. Add a bit of an edge, come up with a creative and clear way to piece your history together, and be sure you have a voice in your essay. But don't go too far off the deep end or you may alienate your reader. That is, unless you're that 1 in 1000.

Also, be careful in putting your ideas out on public forums, as someone already said. If it's a good idea, adcoms might end up seeing 100 essays with a similar theme...

As a side note, and directed specifically at the person who wants to talk about the relationship between writing and dentistry: you should most definitely talk about your choice of an English major in the essay. If you feel really passionate about writing the story you told on here, do it. Get some feedback, and if it's all negative, you can always start again. If people love it, then nice work! Your choice of major makes you unique, and if you spin it right, schools will love it. But it doesn't necessarily need to be the theme of your whole essay.

 

[smthngintheway]

Thank you guys for the responses.

I hear what most of you are saying and it's making me nervous. Nevertheless, I'm gonna go for it and try to make it as strong and well written as possible. Maybe then it'll come together and actually be a unique and strong PS? If not, I guess it's not too late yet to go back to the drawing board...

I'd pick something else to write about but I can't think of anything! (at least nothing that would make me stand out) :'(