Starting A Personal Statement with a Joke?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
T

TrixxyW

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2012
Messages
40
Reaction score
0
Members don't see this ad.
Hello all,

I have started writing my personal statement and I am stuck on how to start it. I have already outlined it and wrote it out, but I do not have any stories I can start it off with. Would it be okay if I started my personal statement with a joke, and elaborate on some key parts of the joke?

Thanks in advance.
 
I think it is a good idea..especially if you can relate it back to show how it is relevant. I used a quote in the middle of my statement.
 
Totally, as long as it's actually funny, and not like a "you-had-to-be-there" kind of funny. Have some one else read it, without telling them it's a joke; if they don't laugh, then don't use it.
 
How many adcoms does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Only one. He/she just stands there and holds it while the whole world full of pre-dents revolve around him/her.

Probably not the best way to start your PS.

You don't need a clever story or joke. The whole point of the essay is to tell YOUR story. Why do you want to subject yourself to the pain and suffering of going to school there. Use your life, use your dream, use your personality to get them to send you an interview invitation.

Tell them why you are the best candidate to sit in the seat of their school.

That being said, I did slip a few word plays into my med school personal statement (despite people telling me to take them out). It got me interview invites to multiple schools and acceptances at three of five interviews. Then I was accepted at my top choice and canceled all other interviews after that.

dsoz
 
TrixxyW said:
Hello all,

I have started writing my personal statement and I am stuck on how to start it. I have already outlined it and wrote it out, but I do not have any stories I can start it off with. Would it be okay if I started my personal statement with a joke, and elaborate on some key parts of the joke?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I really think it just depends on what kind of "joke" you use, and whether or not it pertains to your story, or if it is thrown out there out of nowhere, etc. It doesn't really do much to ask if you should or should not start with some kind of joke unless you have an example of what you are planning on saying. If you need any help with your PS just shoot me a PM and I'll offer my advice. Good luck to you!
 
TrixxyW said:
Hello all,

I have started writing my personal statement and I am stuck on how to start it. I have already outlined it and wrote it out, but I do not have any stories I can start it off with. Would it be okay if I started my personal statement with a joke, and elaborate on some key parts of the joke?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

you can start if off with a joke... just make sure you show the final product to multiple people to read through it and tell you their opinion.

the feedback you get will help strengthen / improve / remove / or add to the essay
 
I believe its a high risk, high reward gamble to start with a joke. The joke can either fall on deaf ears, or be a hit and make your PS stand out. I started mine with a quote (something I was told over and over when telling people I wanted to go to dental school) it was a risk that fortunately worked out for me. At all but one of my interviews I was complimented on my personal statement, and the story behind the opening quote. I think as long as the joke is funny and ties in to the rest of your story, its a good idea.
 
A joke is a good way to make your personal statement stand out and make you stand out as a candidate, BUT, only if done appropriately and effectively of course lol. if you really want to go with that plan, come up with some ideas and run it by your advisor and maybe some other advisors to see if it works. they will give you honest advice and might even tell you to scrap it completely, but i would guess they have the most expertise regarding personal statement advice. you could even post your ideas here....but be warned, there are plenty of vultures and rude people on SDN that might read it and make you feel worthless :/ either way, good luck!
 
Thank you all for your input.
It is a very short joke, a one line question, and a one line punchline. I came up with it myself. It is more corny than anything, but I can elaborate on the punchline of it in relevance to why I would want to be a dentist.
As iSorin posted, I am afraid to post it because of the "vultures".
I will ask my people to read it, but I still have to touch up on it haha. It is still in the first draft...

Thanks again for all of your advice!
 
No offense, but i am hear to tell you that most people are simply not funny in person, let alone in writing.

As a rule of thumb i would avoid jokes. You may be funny or you may be a good writer, but for you to be both at the same is a rare occasion and you probably don't have it.

Sorry...
 
UltimateHombre said:
No offense, but i am hear to tell you that most people are simply not funny in person, let alone in writing.

As a rule of thumb i would avoid jokes. You may be funny or you may be a good writer, but for you to be both at the same is a rare occasion and you probably don't have it.

Sorry...
Click to expand...

I agree with UH. Risk too high.

Also, if a person on adcom reads extremely sad and touching personal statements all day, they might not be in the mood to laugh anymore.
 
Rather than try so hard to be clever, I think you should make your statement as sincere as possible and oddly enough not too personal. Good luck!
 
If analogies would still be testing material on the SAT, one of the correct choices would say:

Starting a personal statement with a joke : walking into a corporate office with a non-button down shirt.

In other words, if you feel as though this "non-button down shirt" of yours is worth mentioning since it is of "Ralph Lauren" quality and is truly high class then go for it. If you feel as though your "non-button down shirt" although it is Ralph Lauren would compromise the way your "supervisor" sees you since you are opting not to wear the traditional button down shirt (which I should mention may be of Ralph Lauren quality as well, or maybe even Brooks Brothers) then kid, I would not do it.

"non-button down shirt" = essay with a joke
"Ralph Lauren" = high quality
"supervisor" = admissions committee
 
Last edited:
I think it can be done. If I were an adcom, I'd get tired of reading sad (or even worse, sappy) stories all day. If you handle it the right way, it could make your personal statement stand out (in a good way!) and give the adcoms a nice break from the norm.

Just use your good judgment. I don't think it's a no-no, but if the joke is totally lame, then obviously refrain! Hah!
 
Personally, I think it's high-risk-low-reward. I would not attempt it; especially in the beginning of your statement.
 
Dentalkid434 said:
If analogies would still be testing material on the SAT, one of the correct choices would say:

Starting a personal statement with a joke : walking into a corporate office with a non-button down shirt.

In other words, if you feel as though this "non-button down shirt" of yours is worth mentioning since it is of "Ralph Lauren" quality and is truly high class then go for it. If you feel as though your "non-button down shirt" although it is Ralph Lauren would compromise the way your "supervisor" sees you since you are opting not to wear the traditional button down shirt (which I should mention may be of Ralph Lauren quality as well, or maybe even Brooks Brothers) then kid, I would not do it.

"non-button down shirt" = essay with a joke
"Ralph Lauren" = high quality
"supervisor" = admissions committee
Click to expand...

You have outdone yourself kid.
 
Dentalkid434 said:
If analogies would still be testing material on the SAT, one of the correct choices would say:

Starting a personal statement with a joke : walking into a corporate office with a non-button down shirt.

In other words, if you feel as though this "non-button down shirt" of yours is worth mentioning since it is of "Ralph Lauren" quality and is truly high class then go for it. If you feel as though your "non-button down shirt" although it is Ralph Lauren would compromise the way your "supervisor" sees you since you are opting not to wear the traditional button down shirt (which I should mention may be of Ralph Lauren quality as well, or maybe even Brooks Brothers) then kid, I would not do it.

"non-button down shirt" = essay with a joke
"Ralph Lauren" = high quality
"supervisor" = admissions committee
Click to expand...

ralph lauren is peasant clothes...unless its from the black or purple label
 
timmytim said:
im an adorable panda

a picture of he hugging a kitten will be enough to get me into dschool
Click to expand...

Share more of your secrets tim! -- Where were you when I was applying to dental schools months ago? 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Personal Statement Help
Replies
1
Views
751
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
D
Personal statement help
Replies
1
Views
744
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
F
Looking for Personal Statement Reader
Replies
1
Views
409
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
S
2025-2026 Personal Statement
Replies
1
Views
3K
macsak
M
Mr.Smile12
2025-2026 ADEA Personal Statement Prompt Revised
Replies
5
Views
5K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top