question regarding personal statement

[Dentalist]

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Hey everyone,

I will be applying to dental schools in upcoming cycle, and I am currently working on my personal statement. In my essay, 70~80% is about my background, and 20~30% is a concise yet straight to point explanation for reasons why I am pursuing dentistry. I understand that the essay question specifically asks for my motivation behind pursuing dentistry. However, I strongly believe that my background really reflects who I am as a person and I want adcoms to hear my story. I've done many extracurricular activities that reflect my motivation to pursue the field and I am ready to answer the question "why dentistry" at the interview. Should still I write more about how I became interested in dentistry in my essay?

Also, I will be applying in the early July, and I was wondering if that would be considered as late application.

Thank you!

Dentalist

 

[PDizzle]

Two things....


1) Why not apply in mid May? There is no reason not to. AADSAS does not hold up your app for lack of DAT or LOR's. The only thing I would wait for is official transcripts from the previous spring semester and thats like early June if your school "has it all in one sock".

2) Secondly, your essay needs to nail two things:
a) Who you are, (your accomplishments, strengths, traits, experiences) emphasising how you may be different from other applicants.

b) Why you want to be a dentist and how you think you will become a good one.

As long as you nail those two, which it seems you have, then you're cool.

If I had to add to the above I would say put in explainations of negative aspects of your app and maybe throw in some tasteful humor just make your essay stand out a little. Remember that adcoms read thousands of these things!

 

[bigsilvo]

In the personal statement, make sure to also be creative but not to the point where you sound unprofessional. Remember, those adcoms are going to be reading a couple thousand essays, and its good to try and stand out. For example in my essay I started with an experience I had while boxing where I had one of my molars knocked out. You want to try and stay away from the conventional "Ive wanted to be dentist ever since I was a kid..b/c.." Hope that helps a little bit. I know its a pain, I think I started mine over from scratch about 5 times.

 

[beannaithe]

What makes you unique? Why should d-schools accept YOU? Why do you want to be a dentist and why would you be good at it? What have you done that makes you special?

Those are the things to think about...as well as what everyone else said on here. Think about why you really want to be a dentist and what you've done to help form that idea and who you are.

And definately apply mid-May. Most important thing! ever.

 

[1992Corolla]

Also, I will be applying in the early July, and I was wondering if that would be considered as late application.
Dentalist

Sounds like your essay is good.

Apply in May! Put that sucker in ASAP even w/o letters of recommend or DAT score! It's stressed ALL THE TIME, only the smart ones listen.

1) Why not apply in mid May? There is no reason not to. AADSAS does not hold up your app for lack of DAT or LOR's. The only thing I would wait for is official transcripts from the previous spring semester and thats like early June if your school "has it all in one sock".

DITTO!!