So, today I let my dad read the essays for a supplemental application, whose deadline is next wednesday. I have already revised my essays multiple times. My friends and a dentist that read my essays thought they were good. However,my dad thinks differently. He thinks that my essays don't stand out. He thinks that the essays don't show how I am different from other applicants. He is not an admission officer, but he has read numerous job application essays and interviewed many applicants. So I think his opinion is legit. At this point, I don't know what to do. I have already spent so much time on these frigging essays, and the deadline is approaching. Shiet. Perhaps I don't have unique attributes. I just study and do some extracurricular activities like everyone else. I already feel screwed even though my supplemental application hasn't even been submitted. What does it really take to be a unique applicant?
screwed?
- Thread starter stk
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My dad worked in public relations, and I remember him commenting a lot on my undergrad essays, saying the same things that your dad is saying now. He passed away recently, so I'm really missing his expertise this year. You should sit down with your essays with your dad and let him help you. Ask him to give you some suggestions... I'm assuming he knows you better than everyone here on SDN, so he can probably think of really great things that you can add that will allow you to show why you're an ideal candidate.
Your dad is probably right, but don't panic. Your friends who reviewed your essay probably were also right, but they don't have the expertise to tell you if your essay is good for a dental school application. I went through this same thing.
While you may have written a sound essay, the language or direction of it might not leave the reader feeling positive and excited enough about you as an applicant. This can often be changed by being mindful of your use of "negative" words and phrasing. Doing these edits on your own is difficult without extensive English training.
My advice? College writing centers and professors/English PhDs advertising essay editing services (on fliers around campus, for instance). They are massively helpful, and have seen a lot of essays for medical/dental/law school, etc. I would visit both if possible. That way you'll feel very secure about your final product, and you won't have to deal with the fact that your editing advice is coming from your dad (which makes it a little touchier, because you have a relationship with him).
I hope that helps.
While you may have written a sound essay, the language or direction of it might not leave the reader feeling positive and excited enough about you as an applicant. This can often be changed by being mindful of your use of "negative" words and phrasing. Doing these edits on your own is difficult without extensive English training.
My advice? College writing centers and professors/English PhDs advertising essay editing services (on fliers around campus, for instance). They are massively helpful, and have seen a lot of essays for medical/dental/law school, etc. I would visit both if possible. That way you'll feel very secure about your final product, and you won't have to deal with the fact that your editing advice is coming from your dad (which makes it a little touchier, because you have a relationship with him).
I hope that helps.
Your dad probably know's the essay can reach a higher leverl, and your friends/dentist probably think it does the job.
Try to get it looked over by someone associated with adcoms, or even Dr. Phan on the Mentor forum.
Try to get it looked over by someone associated with adcoms, or even Dr. Phan on the Mentor forum.
Your dad is overreacting, IMO. Save the hassle, and submit them, if you think your essays are well organized and at the point. Overall, these essays are not what will get you the interview. You basically need the required stats (GPA, DAT, etc, the higher, the better) + normal essays which answer the questions honestly.
There is this false notion among the society, that the elderly always knows better. If you believe you are good at writing, go ahead and use your own judgement, unless you have been the kid getting C grades in your English classes since high school.
There is this false notion among the society, that the elderly always knows better. If you believe you are good at writing, go ahead and use your own judgement, unless you have been the kid getting C grades in your English classes since high school.
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Change what you have time to change and submit what you have by then. Hurry up and go write. Essays ideally should be read and revised by people who truly care, because they'll put more effort into it. Your dad cares more about you than your friends or dentist. Trust your dad, and get him to help you.
Correct that deadline, it is 25th of August not 26th. WATCH OUT! The day that email was sent count as one day. I read a thread somewhere recently here saying UCSF sent out a straight rejection because he/she did not send in by the 21st day (1 day late)! Don't waste your hardwork.
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I agree. That was my thought going into the writing the essays.... I wrote down something that makes me quite unique or focused on different aspects of what I wrote in the PS... and it worked out (got interview to one of my top choices). The PS is the only essay that I went to for outside help... but I did spend a weekish on the other essays.
If you still dont know that to do... do this. Anyway you said yourself that your dad has experience in this sort of thing.
