personal statement

[taKgaHxiA]

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Hello, i was wondering if writing a personal statement with a religious theme would be okay? I would eventually like to be able to go to underdeveloped countries later on in the future and give dental assistance while teaching about God to willing individuals.
I am not sure if reviewers look at religion in a personal statement positively?

I was also wondering if it would be okay to talk about sports and relate it to your life?

Please give input..

 

[orthdent786]

umm what if the reader is atheist?

 

[albodent]

i would not take that chance, it is too extreme, just be neutral.

 

[tinman831]

I've heard its not a good idea to mention that you want to work outside of the country or outside of the state the school is in for that matter. Schools want to invest in students that are going to stick around. I'm not sure how valid this is, but just something to think about. 🙂

 

[Fulcrum77]

Loma Linda +1 🙂

 

[Pzak]

you will definitly turn some heads at Loma Linda......thats exactly what they want to hear! but as far as other schools, Im not sure...But you can still talk about community service and its importance in your life, without mentioning religion.

 

[crazy_sherm]

I think it's fine, because it's something you really believe in. Be true to yourself, just don't sound crazy. No talk about infidels burning in hell.

 

[taKgaHxiA]

okay, the religion theme is not so positive.....

I would like to write about character building, like who you are now determines who you are in the future (so gotta change now), perseverance, stuff like that. Only thing is i don't have much character building stories to talk about.

The thing is i don't really have much other experience, research, or community service (voluntarily). I don't know what else i can write about except for my years of working as a server or years of working out (weight lifting).

Can you guys tell me what some of your themes were in your personal statements?

 

[deejay]

wouldn't recommend it

 

[Fulcrum77]

okay, the religion theme is not so positive.....

I would like to write about character building, like who you are now determines who you are in the future (so gotta change now), perseverance, stuff like that. Only thing is i don't have much character building stories to talk about.

The thing is i don't really have much other experience, research, or community service (voluntarily). I don't know what else i can write about except for my years of working as a server or years of working out (weight lifting).

Can you guys tell me what some of your themes were in your personal statements?

I think it is ok to mention that your religion is important to you (just don't go overboard with it... I'm serious here, maybe just one instance). I would definitely focus more on the community service aspect of your decision. It sounds as though you already have a base theme to go with in character-building.

You might want to discuss what specifically draws you to the dental field. Don't forget to throw in some humor since I had some interviewers chuckle at a couple meticulously planted jokes in my statement. You could talk about how weight-lifting is going to help you with those tough molar extractions!

Just some food for thought to get you started. But honestly, it works a lot better if it just comes from your own heart. Take your time when you write it and just put down what you feel. Also, get some english profs at your school to proof-read it when you have a solid draft and make corrections accordingly. It took me a good week of working on it for a few hours every night before I had something with which I was satisfied.

 

[taKgaHxiA]

I think it is ok to mention that your religion is important to you (just don't go overboard with it... I'm serious here, maybe just one instance). I would definitely focus more on the community service aspect of your decision. It sounds as though you already have a base theme to go with in character-building.

You might want to discuss what specifically draws you to the dental field. Don't forget to throw in some humor since I had some interviewers chuckle at a couple meticulously planted jokes in my statement. You could talk about how weight-lifting is going to help you with those tough molar extractions!

Just some food for thought to get you started. But honestly, it works a lot better if it just comes from your own heart. Take your time when you write it and just put down what you feel. Also, get some english profs at your school to proof-read it when you have a solid draft and make corrections accordingly. It took me a good week of working on it for a few hours every night before I had something with which I was satisfied.

yo thanks a lot fulcrum, some good stuff. I like that molar strength joke too (lol).

 

[IndDent]

Be unique, be creative...but most importantly, be honest...don't be afraid to take a little artistic liberty in embellishing your story...

write about something that makes you stand out, makes the adcom member remember you at the end of reading 10 other personal statements...be anecdotal

Indy

 

[juarezd]

think about this: what type of controversial topics do you usually steer clear of when trying to avoid conflict? Easy answers are religion and politics. This is a very interesting dilemma because it sounds like you truly are passionate about both and do you sell out and lie about who you really are to get in, or do you let your true passion shine through. I wouldn't rely on any of our answers, rather, go knocking on admissions doors and ask them what they think.

My two cents on it, I wouldn't want to go to a dentist who was constantly breathing down my neck about God - and I'm a spiritual person! I also wouldn't want to sit next to a classmate with that agenda either. Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions about you, and maybe that is not your way. But people tend to make assumptions about religious people = fanatics. We shouldn't, but do.

I would really look at a bunch of the secondary questions to see what dental schools like to hear regarding character qualities.... and focus on Fulcrum's advice - community service.

you really should talk this over with an admissions officer. Heck, I met with one of the admissions officers of the dental school I'm attending and she gave me advice!

Good luck!