Should I mention that my parents are specialists?

[Lassy]

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Hi,

I am finishing writing my personal statement, and I have gone through a dilemma.
Both of my parents are Orthodontists. I wish to specialize as one as well.
Should I mention that they are Orthodontists in my personal statement or not at all?
Can it be viewed badly or can I earn some bonus points?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[AONLINE]

Hi,

I am finishing writing my personal statement, and I have gone through a dilemma.
Both of my parents are Orthodontists. I wish to specialize as one as well.
Should I mention that they are Orthodontists in my personal statement or not at all?
Can it be viewed badly or can I earn some bonus points?

Thanks in advance guys

Depends on if your parents can get you an interview from their home program(s)?

 

[Alpha Centauri]

If you don't someone else will. Just remember, you are more than the child of an orthodontist. Don't make it the crown of your statement

 

[OMaxFace]

It'll probably come down to how to spin it. Cant hurt if its just a fun side fact in your PS.

 

[Lassy]

Depends on if your parents can get you an interview from their home program(s)?

Nope, their personal connections won’t help me at all, I am not applying in the university they went to (nor the ones they have applied to).

If you don't someone else will. Just remember, you are more than the child of an orthodontist. Don't make it the crown of your statement

So is it rather common for people to state their parents’ profession if it relevant to dentistry? It is just a small line, I just wanted to explain why I picked USA (I am not American, both of my parents are also non-Americans) and that their experience has somewhat influenced me as they came back to my country very fulfilled from the experience.

 

[OMSDoc]

Hey, so, I have written about my dad, who was a legend when I applied, and who is a still-practicing oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Everyone knew, everywhere I applied (Medical College of Georgia, Emory, Alabama, Baylor, University of Connecticut, Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Mayo), who my father was.

I never mentioned it proactively. To do so would have been unseemly and undignified. They knew I was his son.

My father ingrained in me: above all, be dignified.

But one interviewer asked me, "What have you learned being the son of an outstanding oral and maxillofacial surgeon?"

My answer: "That I still have so much to learn."

 

[periopocket]

Yes

 

[P7898]

I would say you want to be a competent dentist and help others. Keep it simple but also humble. Say you're parents are in the dental field but I would keep it at that.

 

[4thgen]

Like you, I also have a parent that's an orthodontist and also a grandparent that was. I wrote in my personal statement about having dentistry in my family but not that they were orthodontist. I remember wording in my PS that having dentistry in my family has helped me understand its importance in the community and also the importance to act professionally through all walks of life. I wouldn't bring up wanting to be an orthodontist in any interviews or in your personal statement because dental schools generally want their graduates to be good dentists (from my experience) that represent their program well. I was at an instate interview close to my home town and during my interview I was asked by the head of admissions "so it looks like you have a lot of orthodontists in your family, explain why you don't want to be an orthodontist because we have too many of them here" I'm assuming they knew who I was because my parent practices about an hour away from their program and is quite well known. I ended up getting waitlisted and then I pulled my application and decided to go elsewhere because I want to specialize in orthodontics and didn't like the programs attitude towards my goals. I think having a parent that's a specialist can somewhat make it harder to get into dental school but I'm hoping it will be of benefit when applying to that specialty post dental school. I also think my situation might be a bit unique given that this dental schools orthodontic program has zero instate residents meaning that they truly do think there are too many orthodontists in my state and don't want to accept an instate dental student that could become one.

 

[P7898]

Like you, I also have a parent that's an orthodontist and also a grandparent that was. I wrote in my personal statement about having dentistry in my family but not that they were orthodontist. I remember wording in my PS that having dentistry in my family has helped me understand its importance in the community and also the importance to act professionally through all walks of life. I wouldn't bring up wanting to be an orthodontist in any interviews or in your personal statement because dental schools generally want their graduates to be good dentists (from my experience) that represent their program well. I was at an instate interview close to my home town and during my interview I was asked by the head of admissions "so it looks like you have a lot of orthodontists in your family, explain why you don't want to be an orthodontist because we have too many of them here" I'm assuming they knew who I was because my parent practices about an hour away from their program and is quite well known. I ended up getting waitlisted and then I pulled my application and decided to go elsewhere because I want to specialize in orthodontics and didn't like the programs attitude towards my goals. I think having a parent that's a specialist can somewhat make it harder to get into dental school but I'm hoping it will be of benefit when applying to that specialty post dental school. I also think my situation might be a bit unique given that this dental schools orthodontic program has zero instate residents meaning that they truly do think there are too many orthodontists in my state and don't want to accept an instate dental student that could become one.

Agreed^^^

 

[Lassy]

Like you, I also have a parent that's an orthodontist and also a grandparent that was. I wrote in my personal statement about having dentistry in my family but not that they were orthodontist. I remember wording in my PS that having dentistry in my family has helped me understand its importance in the community and also the importance to act professionally through all walks of life. I wouldn't bring up wanting to be an orthodontist in any interviews or in your personal statement because dental schools generally want their graduates to be good dentists (from my experience) that represent their program well. I was at an instate interview close to my home town and during my interview I was asked by the head of admissions "so it looks like you have a lot of orthodontists in your family, explain why you don't want to be an orthodontist because we have too many of them here" I'm assuming they knew who I was because my parent practices about an hour away from their program and is quite well known. I ended up getting waitlisted and then I pulled my application and decided to go elsewhere because I want to specialize in orthodontics and didn't like the programs attitude towards my goals. I think having a parent that's a specialist can somewhat make it harder to get into dental school but I'm hoping it will be of benefit when applying to that specialty post dental school. I also think my situation might be a bit unique given that this dental schools orthodontic program has zero instate residents meaning that they truly do think there are too many orthodontists in my state and don't want to accept an instate dental student that could become one.

Thank for your input

In my case I am already a graduated dentist, and not an in-state applicant. In which state may I know you live? I am curious in which areas there are ”too many” orthodontists.

 

[4thgen]

Thank for your input

In my case I am already a graduated dentist, and not an in-state applicant. In which state may I know you live? I am curious in which areas there are ”too many” orthodontists.

Wisconsin

 

[AONLINE]

OP, you're applying to orthodontics residency programs, not dental school right?

 

[Lassy]

OP, you're applying to orthodontics residency programs, not dental school right?

Yes applying in Ortho
sorry I forgot to specify that (since this subforum is for dental residents and practicing dentists)

 

[vk223]

Thank for your input

In my case I am already a graduated dentist, and not an in-state applicant. In which state may I know you live? I am curious in which areas there are ”too many” orthodontists.

If you are applying to Ortho I think it'd be a plus to put it in your PS such as growing up shadowing your parents make you understand the commitment and importance of the profession. So I went about the other way of not mention having that, and on the Ortho interview I was being asked "how come you did not mention that your parents are orthodontists in your personal statement". I still matched, but it seems like would be better if I did put that somewhere. I think lot of programs like people with heritage so they understand the values and expectations of the profession.

 

[setdoc7]

Being from a dental family can only help. You have seen the ins and outs of practice. I am sure you spent plenty of time at the office. That knowledge is immeasurable.

 

[Lassy]

If you are applying to Ortho I think it'd be a plus to put it in your PS such as growing up shadowing your parents make you understand the commitment and importance of the profession. So I went about the other way of not mention having that, and on the Ortho interview I was being asked "how come you did not mention that your parents are orthodontists in your personal statement". I still matched, but it seems like would be better if I did put that somewhere. I think lot of programs like people with heritage so they understand the values and expectations of the profession.

Wow, I always thought they didn’t want people who followed their parents’ footsteps, like it might be viewed that we just took the ”easy” path and weren’t very original with our choices. Thanks for your input!