Personal Statement: mentioning financial security？

[Bigbirdo]

I am from a economically disadvantaged family, so choosing a career that provides me with financial security is important to me. I didn't see my parents that much back in high school because they had to work days and nights to make just enough money for the family. In conclusion, I am choosing a job, not a hobby, so money matters. Of course, I am not doing dentistry just because of the money. After explaining my passion in my personal statement, do you guys think it is a good idea to put financial security as one of the reasons why I choose dentistry? Would that give the schools a bad impression of me? If not, what should I pay attention to while I am phrasing my reason?

 

[Glimmer1991]

In all honesty, I sort of think it is understood that this career will provide us financial stability. They know we aren't going into thinking that we'll be poor in the end. 😉 However, you could always attack this from the standpoint of family being incredibly important to you and how you want to be able to amply provide for yours.

 

[Illfavor]

I actually think it should be mentioned in a PS, and framed in a way that makes it clear that financial security is just another way dentistry will let you achieve your life goals.

 

[sgv]

It's a given that you're going to dental school for financial security...your faculty aren't stupid...and you dont need to bring this up otherwise it appears as if the biggest reason why you're doing dentistry is for money, which isn't a good image...they want to know deeper reasons as to how you fit into this profession and they want to know that you understand what dentistry expects of the dentist

The fact there have been people who drop out of dental school cuz they hate the level hand skills required of them and dentists who change careers because they dont think the money is worth the patient's BS, show that money as the core motive isn't a good reason why they should accept you...

The job involving your hand skills and people skills are two of the most important aspects of this gig. Tradition is also important and dentists are traditionally entrepreneurs..

 

[Troyvdg]

Gotta side with sgv..don't mention..at all.

 

[rmw3]

I would avoid using this is as a reason too. You only have a limited amount to space to justify your reasoning so why bother including it at all if the chance that it might be reflected negatively is there? Play it safe and don't include it.

 

[Blake1e]

The closest I came to mentioning money was saying something like how this career allows for a healthy balance between my work life and my family life.

Better not to mention it and only hint at it indirectly if you really want to.

 

[Illfavor]

I said "I naturally saw surgery as a means for me to make a broader impact while providing comfortably for my family." This was my only mention of it, and most of my PS is about the positives of dentistry and why my prior career prepared me for it. I actually think it's really hard to come across as "in it for the money" if you frame it well.