personal statement

[jinniechoi]

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is there a specific theme that I have to focus on in the personal statement?
I know the instruction on the web said to explain why I persue the dental profession, but is that it??
I have a draft ...just worried about having it not focus on what the schools are asking.
thanks

 

[hockeydentist]

Don't get too bogged down in trying to figure out what schools want, you might focus to hard on trying to impress schools and come off as not geniune. The whole theory behind writing a personal statement is to give the admission idea of who you are, behind the numbers. To get a better picture of who you are.

Also this is the general personal statement for the national application service. Once you have submitted your application, the schools will get your application and then send a supplemental or secondary application with a more specific prompt. Most schools will have you fill out a mini application with a separate more specific essay, such as why such and such school, why such and such a state to reside for 4 years. There you can impress schools by researching the history of school, curriculum, student life, the location of the school and its compatibility to your personality.

hope this is helpful
good luck!

 

[v&andy_yankee]

i just wrote about the gradual, growing affinity towards dentistry. i originallyt thought i would be a researcher, but had glimpses of dentistry until i realized i loved it far more than growing bacterial cultures. i would recommend (then again, what the hell do i know, i'm also just applying this year) focusing on explaining why you want to do this, but definitely avoid sounding generic, like you're reguritating the top ten list on "why anyone should be a dentist!" give specifics, anything in the past few years that made you realize "yeah, this is it!"

 

[aileen]

Also, you can write about why you think you will make a good dentist.

 

[rocknightmare]

i am trying to do the same thing as vandyank.. where i had the choice of building computers as a hobby and research in biology lab.. but i found out that dentistry what i wanted.. but i am worried that i might come off as dentristy i snot for me but i should go to the other fields.. how do i make sure i don't sound like i want the other fields..

 

[Ind201]

basically about ur dental experiences, volunteer, work etc experiences, and what qualities u have that wud make u a good dentist. and what interests u and what u have learnt by for ex: shadowing a dentist.
and i wud recommend essay edge if ur not too sure about ur own editing...
i was hesitant because it was exp, but i went ahead and they did a marvelous job! completely turned it around..
good luck! 🙂

 

[winstonm]

I would also second the using Essay Edge. Ask for Franklyn Ayescu, he's amazing and gets your paper back to you very quickly.

 

[favabean]

Essay edge is a good idea, however it is pricey! If you know an English major or a great prof., get them to do it for freeeee🙂

 

[jk5177]

I'm thinking of using Essay Edge for the first time. And despite of their costs, I think it is worth the investment.

 

[Sprgrover]

Essay edge is a good idea, however it is pricey! If you know an English major or a great prof., get them to do it for freeeee🙂

Realistically, its a pittance compared to the money you will spend on your applications and dashing to interviews and well worth the investment. An English major or a professor is a good source, but it has been my experience that at best they will merely check the grammar. Essayedge has editors that generally only work with certain kinds of statements (such as dental school) - as such they are familiar with the expectations involved and can also weed-out blather and verbage which is very transparent in the aim of saying what an adcom would 'like' to hear. Besides being read by at least two editors (they are professional and I looked mine up on the web and saw that he has been published several times) you'll get a letter that breaks down your essay paragraph by paragraph, a copy of your document in Word with comments attached, and a re-typed version of your essay that incorporates all of the recommendations and revisions - all that in 48 hours or less. Not a bad bargain, if you ask me. There are various levels of service. I went with the cheapest one and was very pleased with the results. Of course you should develop your essay to the point that you feel that it is perfect, or you simply can't find any room for improvement, and then hand it over to them. Doing so will only result in a better statement being returned to you.

 

[msf41]

Pay for help if you have the $$$$, but you can get a ton of help by just showing it to your professors at school. I showed my statement to family, friends, and professors and got all the good feedback I needed. I think it turned out just fine. Personally, I've heard so many adcoms say they don't like statements to sound too canned. Don't have others help you so much that your own voice can't be heard. 🙂