Personal Statement for reapplicants

[MiztiKatz]

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Hey-

I was wondering if people simply update their previous essay but essentially keep most of the body the same, or write a completely new essay.


Any input would be fantastic!

 

[UJ007]

I am curious about this as well. If you haven't done anything drastically different from last year, and you feel that your personal statement was pretty good, is there a need to change it?

Or does it need to be changed for the sake of change, but I can't imagine that anyone on the adcom would remeber what you wrote from the previous cycle.

Do schools by any chance retain your application from the previous year and compare it to the current application?

 

[Veneto]

I am curious about this as well. If you haven't done anything drastically different from last year, and you feel that your personal statement was pretty good, is there a need to change it?

Or does it need to be changed for the sake of change, but I can't imagine that anyone on the adcom would remeber what you wrote from the previous cycle.

Do schools by any chance retain your application from the previous year and compare it to the current application?

That's a good question about adcoms comparing the two applications. I really doubt that adcoms throw away applications very often, especially of those that they had interviewed. Alit of schools keep LOR's, DAT scores, and other supplemental stuff, so to say they have it and can compare the two isn’t a very far stretch. However I don’t think a huge change of the personal statement is necessary. It is not like in over the year you have totally changed as a person, so you shouldn’t change the thing that says what kind of a person you are. That being said there is no harm in listing the improving factors on your application this cycle, and maybe listing why you applied again and how the first denial has strengthened you, made you better, or more determined.

 

[UJ007]

That's a good question about adcoms comparing the two applications. I really doubt that adcoms throw away applications very often, especially of those that they had interviewed. Alit of schools keep LOR's, DAT scores, and other supplemental stuff, so to say they have it and can compare the two isn’t a very far stretch. However I don’t think a huge change of the personal statement is necessary. It is not like in over the year you have totally changed as a person, so you shouldn’t change the thing that says what kind of a person you are. That being said there is no harm in listing the improving factors on your application this cycle, and maybe listing why you applied again and how the first denial has strengthened you, made you better, or more determined.

Ya I was thinking the same thing, throw something about how not getting in this year has strengthened your resolve about dentistry blah blah blah.

I doubt they hold on to all applications, but maybe they keep those of ppl they interviewed for a year or two.

 

[yeabuddy]

This previous cycle was my second time applying to dental school. I believe I used the same personal statement as the first time. This cycle I received more interviews and acceptances than the first time mainly because I re-took my DAT's and improved my gpa. If there are some significant events that you like to mention in your personal statement that you would want the admissions committee to know about then you can update it but I deffinetly dont think you need to create an entire new one. Best of Luck

 

[xdianaax]

If i were in that position, I think I owuld re-write...you never know if your personal statement is what turned some schools off in the beginning. I guess change it so that in case they do keep it they see that you spent more time on your application and you want to be noticed...just what i think 🙂

 

[SpikeyMike83]

I re-vamped mine to include what I had accomplished over the course of the year. Essentially though, it had the same structure and many of the same components. I was please with it and decided it didn't need to be changed much.

At one school that I interviewed at there were two folders, the one for the current cycle as well as the previous year's folder (I didn't interview then).

Of course, I wasn't accepted so I don't know if that was a problem or not.

 

[1992Corolla]

I re-vamped mine to include what I had accomplished over the course of the year. Essentially though, it had the same structure and many of the same components. I was please with it and decided it didn't need to be changed much.

At one school that I interviewed at there were two folders, the one for the current cycle as well as the previous year's folder (I didn't interview then).

Of course, I wasn't accepted so I don't know if that was a problem or not.

Bingo.

Some schools I interviewed at the second time didn't even look at my new stuff...I felt totally jipped (?sp?). I went through the effort to change everything around and they asked me stupid questions from my OLD application. "DO you guys have any of my new stuff?"
They totally ignored my question and stared at me down their noses. Glad I got in somewhere else. good luck though! And remember if it doesn't happen the 2nd time...3rd times a charm!😱 😎

 

[the dentist]

I am planning on using the same statement. Nothing has changed as far as how and why I decided to become a dentist, just over the past year, ya know. ANd as far as revamping it, i think the rest of the app is where to include any extra coursework, volunteer work you did the past several months. whatch yall think?

 

[SirShagaLot]

Just a thought here from another re-applicant....i wrote a completely new essay this year.......the fact is that, for whatever reason, we are reapplying..which to me means my app. was not good enough...why? who knows, could be lots of reasons, but if the essay obviously didnt cut the mustard the first time, why use it again? The essay is a lot of work, and adcoms know that...it is the one area of the app. that you can personally appeal to those reviewing your application and as much as it sucks to write essays, its something that you have the power to change and improve and therefore improve your app....I've applied several times and i think its very important to write a new one...my essay doesnt list any of the stuff in my app (except for my shadowing hours)...its personal, its about why I want to be a dentist and how I got to this point in my life....my perspective on my life and career choice is something that I reflect on and learn more about each day...a year is def. a ton of time to have a new essay to express your desire to attend dental school, especially if your reapplying and sitting around stewing all day and night about how you wish u were moving on with your career instead of waiting until next cycle....i think a lot of you are just trying to convince yourselves and one another that its really no big deal to use the same essay, but I really do think it is a big deal....keep in mind this is coming from someone who has been there done that,...ive reused my essay before and look where I am..so......i would def. consider rewriting...the approaches u can take to your revision are unlimited, whatever u want to say, its up to you..thats the beauty of the personal essay. just my 2 cents.