The Personal Statement/Essay

[supraman]

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Im gonna be applying soon so just wanted to ask a few questions:

1. Is there a limit of words?
2. Do you write about whatever?
3. Is every school different?
- If so, what are some examples you've experienced?
4. anything else would be helpful.

THANKS

 

[aranjuez]

Hey supraman,

Here's the prompt from AADSAS:

Your Personal Statement should address why you desire to pursue a dental education and how a dental degree contributes to your personal and professional goals.

You are encouraged to compose your statement in a text-only word processor (e.g., Notepad), review your statement for errors, then cut and paste the final version into the text box above. Click the Save button and return to the Personal Statement to review the formatting of your text. You are limited to approximately 1 page (4500 characters, including spaces)

In response to number 3... 53 of the 56 dental schools are covered by this personal statement in your primary apps. The Texas schools, I believe, are the ones that aren't. Some schools (e.g UCLA, UCSF, Arizona, as far as my own experiences are concerned) will ask you for additional mini-essays on their secondaries.

 

[herpecin]

i'm so sorry- but seriously, you're applying way too late. even if you have the best application in the country, applying this late in the game knocked you out of the runnings.

although all schools have a "deadline date" none of them acutally accept anyone that applies after november. i learned this from an admissions officer.

the applicant pool is too competitive out there with the earlybirds alone to consider people who waited.

save your $$$ and apply next year. i don't mean to sound harsh, but these are the facts.

 

[thehipster]

i'm so sorry- but seriously, you're applying way too late. even if you have the best application in the country, applying this late in the game knocked you out of the runnings.

although all schools have a "deadline date" none of them acutally accept anyone that applies after november. i learned this from an admissions officer.

the applicant pool is too competitive out there with the earlybirds alone to consider people who waited.

save your $$$ and apply next year. i don't mean to sound harsh, but these are the facts.

I think he actually is getting ready for the 2008 cycle. He's just getting a really early head start on it.

 

[dr.rex]

if he is applying for the 2008 cycle then that is not really soon ...someone tell him he has 6 months

 

[supraman]

ha soon is sooner than you think, but yea im applying for next cycle thanks for responses all

 

[CSI Dentist]

👍 it's never to early to start thinking ahead!

 

[eleminopee]

I was told to write in a story mode. start out strong so that you grab their attention by describing some event in your life that is important to you. make it read like a novel. from there go through some of the experiences that have really changed you for the better and made you decide you wanted to practice dentistry. describe why you want to be a dentist all while mentioning things indiscretely about the type of person you are; show you are selfless by describing the service you've done, show you're a good leader by describing something you learned while in leadership. the purpose is to portray your personality but also distinguish yourself as a good candidate.

mine was 765 words, about 1 and 2/3 pages double spaced (don't submit it double spaced though). i followed this pattern and got good compliments on mine; one interviewer said if i changed my mind about dentistry i could be an author hah. rrrrright. i'll let you read it as an example if you want. email me

 

[thehipster]

I was told to write in a story mode. start out strong so that you grab their attention by describing some event in your life that is important to you. make it read like a novel. from there go through some of the experiences that have really changed you for the better and made you decide you wanted to practice dentistry. describe why you want to be a dentist all while mentioning things indiscretely about the type of person you are; show you are selfless by describing the service you've done, show you're a good leader by describing something you learned while in leadership. the purpose is to portray your personality but also distinguish yourself as a good candidate.

I did the same exact thing. I started it out as a story, and went into community service i was involved with since the main theme of my essay was compassion and working with others, and concluded with how it fit with dental.