starting PS with quote

[xtra333]

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Hi sdn pre dents,
I revised my PS several times. This time, I began my PS with a quote from a poem. My health prof adviser says beginning with a quote is cliche, so can anyone offer some advice about doing the beginning with a quote? I think my quote is very attention getting.

 

[Polk]

I do not know anyone who began their PS with a quote. I think it is a fine idea.

 

[predent2051]

do not do that. Terrible idea

 

[xtra333]

predent2051, do you mind explicating why it is a terrible idea? Also, it is a quote from a poem

 

[predent2051]

an english essay on robert frost is the appropriate place for a robert frost poem, not a ps for dental school. Stick to what drives you, makes u want to be a dentist, etc. not what frost thinks about the countryside

 

[yellowishbluish]

it's not a bad idea or anything it's just cliche

in fact it's cliche because it used to be a good idea and then everyone overused it

 

[crashblades]

there is no right or wrong way or "cliche" as long as it gets to the point on:
why dentistry
what you as a PERSON did to pursue it. (human-side of the story, dont talk about what you did, SHOW what you did)

IE: I was a captain of blah blah blah and I coached my team and won a game. I believe my leadership skills will enable me to excel in dentistry (what you did) <<<< bad way of writing a PS
then theres: I was a captain of blah blah, my team mate had probems blah blah blah, I help him out by showing him how to blah blah blah. I enjoy helping others. (showing) <<<< god way of writing a PS

 

[dental555]

I personally think its trite, so if you do it, do it well, and make sure it relates to the rest of your essay.

 

[jeffity]

it's not a bad idea or anything it's just cliche

in fact it's cliche because it used to be a good idea and then everyone overused it

I think I agree with this. It won't make or break you. But it's not much of an attention grabber because it just sounds like the way every high school valedictorian speech starts and it's just been overdone.

 

[predent2051]

theres a much greater chance of this breaking you than making you. Leave it out

 

[DoeAdeer]

theres a much greater chance of this breaking you than making you. Leave it out

Essays don't usually break your app.

 

[jeffity]

Essays don't usually break your app.

I agree. As long as it doesn't suck (coming off as psychotic creep) and you can formulate your thoughts with some English skills, this thing really shouldn't be handled with so much fear.

 

[dentalprodigy]

I don't see anything wrong with it. One line isn't gonna ruin your chances of an interview or acceptance

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

 

[paulstar67]

SDN makes me laugh because people are taking "advice" from other predents that know nothing more than the next guy about getting into school. Do what you feel best represents who you are and what you're about. Keep in mind, those giving advice are fighting for the same limited seats you are!!!

 

[dmdluffy]

as long as it's pertinent go for it. don't let anyone dictate what you write for your ps so long as its to the point of why dentistry and why you.

 

[Sunspear]

I started my Personal Statement off with a quote -- but it was just that -- very personal. It was a quote I heard from someone with regards to health care while I was doing a summer internship. I think that if the quote means something really valuable to you - and not just some commonly used "cliché" - then, if used properly, it can work really well. Good luck!

 

[jeffity]

SDN makes me laugh because people are taking "advice" from other predents that know nothing more than the next guy about getting into school. Do what you feel best represents who you are and what you're about. Keep in mind, those giving advice are fighting for the same limited seats you are!!!

Who else should the OP ask? The school? Yeah right. Pre-dent, student, dentist...none of us really know in this case.

My opinion is based in what my adviser told me when I applied. He's
sat on medical and dental
committees.

I think we all know this board is full of opinion and most who solicit advice aren't going to live and die by what's said on here.

 

[doc toothache]

Hi sdn pre dents,
I revised my PS several times. This time, I began my PS with a quote from a poem. My health prof adviser says beginning with a quote is cliche, so can anyone offer some advice about doing the beginning with a quote? I think my quote is very attention getting.

Which would you guess has more experience, your adviser or pre dents?

 

[paulstar67]

Who else should the OP ask? The school? Yeah right. Pre-dent, student, dentist...none of us really know in this case.

My opinion is based in what my adviser told me when I applied. He's
sat on medical and dental
committees.

I think we all know this board is full of opinion and most who solicit advice aren't going to live and die by what's said on here.

How about their advisor . . . . like they already did.

 

[jeffity]

How about their advisor . . . . like they already did.

And we all know all those advisers out there get everything right 100% of the time, right? What comes out of their mouth is law. Case closed.

This is such an opinion topic. The adviser shared his or her opinion too. Why is it so laughable to get thoughts on the matter from others? It's not like the OP is asking about some vital component of the application.

Your original comment might be better suited in a thread where pre-dent arm-chair adcom members are directing people to retake the DAT or skip applying altogether.

 

[xtra333]

okay, I will change it.