Personal statement for reapplicants question

[jaysonddshopeful]

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Would it be bad to write about my determination to pursue dentistry after not getting accepted in the first cycle? Not that I want to hide it, I don't want the reader to get turned off by the fact that I did not make it in the first year.

 

[macsak]

Would it be bad to write about my determination to pursue dentistry after not getting accepted in the first cycle? Not that I want to hide it, I don't want the reader to get turned off by the fact that I did not make it in the first year.

it's not bad
you can show how you have improved, learned, and grown from not getting accepted last cycle...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

If a future patient read your personal statement, would you want them to know you didn't get accepted after your first cycle? Why/not?

I don't know whether it's "bad", but if it distracts from the task of having screeners and reviewers want to read the rest of your application and invite you to an interview, then don't do it.

 

[doc toothache]

Determination is gaged more by deeds and less by words.

 

[boardkat]

i met with one of the schools and they told me to not change my personal statement (they had read it), should i just follow this advice?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

i met with one of the schools and they told me to not change my personal statement (they had read it), should i just follow this advice?

What about the other schools where you would be reapplying? Do they agree?

I agree one shouldn't just change a personal statement for the sake of change, but there are some adcoms that like to see you include new experiences or insights when comparing to their last application.

NB: I find that very strong applicants I have advised can write more than one personal statement with different vignettes or making different impressions.

 

[boardkat]

What about the other schools where you would be reapplying? Do they agree?

I agree one shouldn't just change a personal statement for the sake of change, but there are some adcoms that like to see you include new experiences or insights when comparing to their last application.

NB: I find that very strong applicants I have advised can write more than one personal statement with different vignettes or making different impressions.

I have only met with two schools, one said don't change and the other didn't read it, basically rejected me on stats alone before they even got to my personal statement i guess

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I have only met with two schools, one said don't change and the other didn't read it, basically rejected me on stats alone before they even got to my personal statement i guess

Well, I would say read over your PS (out loud or into a voice recorder then replay it). You can make some minor tweaks that reflect any changes from the last application where appropriate, but it sounds like that one school liked the themes they read.