reapplying... use the same personal statement????

[Comet208]

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Hello everyone, here is the situation...

I am reapplying and of course, need to send the application in ASAP. the main reason that i did not get in last cycle was my DAT scores and the GPA. Now, what does everyone think about using the same personal statement?? some of the schools to which i am applying this year overlap with the old ones. So, do those schools from last year really care about this?? of course this showes the effort that i have put in, but honestly, i am very happy with the way my personal statement is (i think its very unique as well as personal) and that i really dont have much to add. is my personal statement from last year still on file?? did they really read it before sending me all those bloody rejections??? will they compare it to the this years personal statement???

please tell me what you think.........i need as many opinions as i can get on this.

thank you all

Lost Comet!

 

[Bickle]

My motto is: there's always room for improvment. Try to improve every aspect of your new application, including your personal statement. No matter how good your statement is, I'm sure you can enhance it in some aspect.

Good luck!

 

[ShawnOne]

Comet,

Use the fact that its your second attempt to your advantage. You can add some stuff about how you are dedicated and serious about dentistry. Certainly a positive in my book.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I would change it. Perhaps your personal statement didn't push the ball into your court last year.

It may be that your DAT and GPA are low, but maybe your personal statement wasn't enough to motivate adcoms to choose you over the other applicant they were weighing you with.

You never know. What you do know is that you didn't have success last year. Why leave ANYTHING the same?

 

[dr_benj]

If you don't change your personal statement you are telling the addcomms that you haven't made any changes in your life since last year to better prepare yourself for dental school. This is not the message you want to send. If you didn't get accepted one year they obviously are looking for something more. Don't sell yourself short by submitting the same essay. They will definitley notice this and see it as a lack of effort and desire. Just my opinion.

 

[ecdoesit]

i agree with the people who replied.
you should mention ur weak points and show how you have improved or how you will improve.

at least you should put in what have you done in this last year. what experience led you not to change career but re-apply.

 

[DDSdude]

I would absolutely write a new one. I am applying for the second year and will be writing another personal essay. It is critical that "we" (those of us applying the second, third,... time) make some changes. There is a reason we were not accepted last year and we definately do not want to give them the same reasons this year. We need to show improvement. We can do this a couple of ways.

Re-write our essay
Re-take the DAT
Improve GPA
Continue observing
Better recommendation letters

Those are a few of the things but they seem to stand out the most. We need to show them that this is a decision we are not backing down from and the best way to show them is by our actions, thus improving those items mentioned above. Do not sell yourself short and hope to get in this year simply because you are reapplying.

I know of a guy who applied three times until he got in. Upon getting accepting and starting he asked why it took him three attempts to get in. They told him because his application looked the same. He did not take the DAT again, improve his GPA, re-write his essay or anything else. They said it showed a lack of motivation and maturity. Don't let this happen.

Ok enough of my preaching. Time to step off of my soap box. I rambled on to make a point!! DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY REASON TO DENY YOU TWO YEARS IN A ROW!! If you give them a reason than chances are they will take it.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[PashaJ]

why not ask some of the schools you applied to? You don't need to give them a name but ask them what do they think. I know they told someone here that they don't need to interview since they interviewed during the last cycle, so maybe they'll tell you what you want to hear.
I would personally keep the same message but add a little about how the past year taught you something. Say that you retook the DAT in an effect to improve your application.
Good Luck

 

[Comet208]

MILLIONS of "Thank You"'s to all of you. now i have many new thigs to talk about. ... i have started to revise my essay and will send out the application by coming Monday.

Comet