What hardships did you face before getting into Dental School?

[aznnytezx]

I post this thread because I know there are some people out there that have to deal with hardships before getting into Dental school. With that being said, did anyone actually use that hardships to make you become a stronger person? In order for you to try your best until the very end? Some of these hardship includes probably parents being divorced, lost of a loved one, or any personal trauma. I feel some of these hardships could have build my character in some way, but is this even worth mentioning to dental schools when applying?

Please input your thoughts, that would be great.

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[RaeRae0903]

I post this thread because I know there are some people out there that have to deal with hardships before getting into Dental school. With that being said, did anyone actually use that hardships to make you become a stronger person? In order for you to try your best until the very end? Some of these hardship includes probably parents being divorced, lost of a loved one, or any personal trauma. I feel some of these hardships could have build my character in some way, but is this even worth mentioning to dental schools when applying?

Please input your thoughts, that would be great.

I went through a divorce, worked and raised (and still raising) 2 kids while taking full time classes. I used this in my personal statement to relay to the adcoms how hard I have worked to get where I am. I explained that it had been a struggle but that those struggles have made me stronger and then ended with the quote "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work." I'd like to think that my PS was a compelling one. I was accepted to the only school I applied to. 😉

 

[Hashwi]

I went through a divorce, worked and raised (and still raising) 2 kids while taking full time classes. I used this in my personal statement to relay to the adcoms how hard I have worked to get where I am. I explained that it had been a struggle but that those struggles have made me stronger and then ended with the quote "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work." I'd like to think that my PS was a compelling one. I was accepted to the only school I applied to. 😉

if you dont mind me asking what was your gpa Dat and such

 

[RaeRae0903]

My cGPA was a 3.78, sGPA 3.75, DAT 19/19/19 (I didn't really study for it much more than a few days before due to a busy semester). And for those worried about one or 2 lower DAT scores, my breakdown: OChem 21, GenChem 20, Bio 16, RC 24, PAT 19, QR 15. So just because you didn't ace every section does not mean you can't get accepted. Of course, I would have loved to have had more than ~4 days to study, but I figured the first time was practice so I didn't worry too much about it. 😉 Oh and BTW, I took both GenChem and my Physics at a CC. I took OChem and Bio at a university...so it's not the end of the world if you take a few at a CC, just be sure to have the majority (and preferably the tougher ones) at a university. 😉

 

[wcombs]

I talk about my story all the time on SDN and feel like I'm beating a dead horse at this point but I'll mention it again. I grew up in a moderately wealthy home and I would say I was a pretty spoiled kid. My dad committed suicide before I started college and I did really poorly in my first year. My 6 month old niece died as well that year. My family struggled emotionally as well as financially and we lost both of our houses and all our savings were wiped out; pretty soon it became a challenge just to put food on the table since my dad was the provider in my family. I got kicked out of my college and took a year off to put myself back together and then set goals for myself and restarted at full throttle, and I've held a really solid academic record ever since.

Even though I blab about my story a lot of SDN, I only mentioned it very briefly (one sentence) in my personal statement. I needed to explain those bad grades, but I didn't go into it in detail because I don't want to use it as a crutch. I think I'm a strong candidate and I want to be accepted on my own merit, not my sad story. Honestly, maybe I should have gone into detail because only one school was responsive to my application.

I recently got an interview at UF and, once again, my intention was to go into the interview and just mention what had happened, but really focus on my strengths. They ended up being really interested in my story and they baited me into talking about a lot of it and I think it worked out in my favor. I was really open with them and just talked a lot about how much stronger I've become and how going through something like that has made me appreciate these opportunities so much more. Time will tell if it actually helped me out 😛

 

[sparky450r]

I talk about my story all the time on SDN and feel like I'm beating a dead horse at this point but I'll mention it again. I grew up in a moderately wealthy home and I would say I was a pretty spoiled kid. My dad committed suicide before I started college and I did really poorly in my first year. My 6 month old niece died as well that year. My family struggled emotionally as well as financially and we lost both of our houses and all our savings were wiped out; pretty soon it became a challenge just to put food on the table since my dad was the provider in my family. I got kicked out of my college and took a year off to put myself back together and then set goals for myself and restarted at full throttle, and I've held a really solid academic record ever since.

Even though I blab about my story a lot of SDN, I only mentioned it very briefly (one sentence) in my personal statement. I needed to explain those bad grades, but I didn't go into it in detail because I don't want to use it as a crutch. I think I'm a strong candidate and I want to be accepted on my own merit, not my sad story. Honestly, maybe I should have gone into detail because only one school was responsive to my application.

I recently got an interview at UF and, once again, my intention was to go into the interview and just mention what had happened, but really focus on my strengths. They ended up being really interested in my story and they baited me into talking about a lot of it and I think it worked out in my favor. I was really open with them and just talked a lot about how much stronger I've become and how going through something like that has made me appreciate these opportunities so much more. Time will tell if it actually helped me out 😛

I hope you get in.

 

[jrpredent92]

My younger brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer my junior year at Christmas. 2nd semester I went home basically every weekend because he was in the hospital until March (he lost 1 lung and a leg to the cancer), then went through chemo which ended up not helping at all (found this out right before finals 2nd sem junior year), and now he is going through radiation. Needless to say my grades were horrible that semester. I definitely talked about my brothers situation and everything I learned from it in my personal statement because I felt like it made me a better person and hopefully one day a better dentist. I didn't write anything about my bad grades because I didnt want to bring attention to them, but I did want the admission officers to know my story because it had played such a big part in my life the past year. I dont think by telling them about your story you are using it as a "crutch." Anyways, I have been accepted to the one school I interviewed at! Good luck!!

 

[ryansgs]

I had severe social phobia. If I wasn't related to that person I locked up mentally with a wretched case of nerves. I could barely talk to people b/c for one my throat would strain too hard and no sound would come up. If I was able to talk I would be so caught up in my head I couldn't keep up with the flow of the conversation and as a result would remain very quiet. Now imagine what happened to me when I started dorming for 4 years, 100s of miles away from home base. Horrible. A case of anxiety so strong I could only eat if no one was around and I was really hungry. Unsurprisingly my weight was low. Low like 120lbs at 5'10". My body became vulnerable and the child hood asthma that I thought was long gone resurfaced and I had to be hospitalized. Then when I got better thanks to a slew of meds depression oh sweet depression took over. Sleeping all day and night. GPA tanking to sub 2.5.

Starting reading a lot while in isolation (got medically cleared to have a single dormitory). A lot. Found plenty of information that was useful. Eventually it helped and I started getting better at the end of year 2. My GPA started steadily rising until I got two 4.0s in my most recent semesters and then getting a 24/25/24 on the DAT. My GPA is still low and I'm still trying to fix it.

I didn't mention this in my personal statement. I don't want to come off as a basket case or get any pity. I worked hard to fix this all by myself and from only the help of my books. No one wanted to help me before (besides family) and I sure as heck don't want anyone's "ahhh, thats so saaaad!". I'd rather let it disappear into the void of my mind.

Though if they do seem genuinely interested in why my GPA is in the state that it is then I will tell them.

 

[Teeths]

I like this thread... it shows that a lot of us have our own battles and we can rise above and beat them. Like the others wrote, I too have a story and I don't like talking about it much either since it brings up really sad memories, but hopefully it can serve the purpose of a therapeutic outlet.

One of my parents passed away of pancreatic cancer when I was in high school. It literally turned my whole world upside down and left the rest of my family and I struggling to make ends meet and get by with what little we did have. Not to mention the mental illnesses that ensued and the stress-load that was placed on my shoulders from day to day that continued all the way through undergrad. It's a tough place to be when you're suddenly the 'rock' of your family, trying to help them and bring happiness into their lives while trying to be a responsible student too. What kept me going through it all and (still going!) was that my last words to my parent were, "...I'll make you proud." When I get into dental school, I'm gonna look up and say, "I did it." 🙂

Good luck everyone

"Be kind; for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

 

[predent12]

i hope you get in.

+1!

 

[UCSFx2017]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=975951

Written by Navy DDS 2010.

 

[Bobby Fischer]

I like this thread... it shows that a lot of us have our own battles and we can rise above and beat them. Like the others wrote, I too have a story and I don't like talking about it much either since it brings up really sad memories, but hopefully it can serve the purpose of a therapeutic outlet.

One of my parents passed away of pancreatic cancer when I was in high school. It literally turned my whole world upside down and left the rest of my family and I struggling to make ends meet and get by with what little we did have. Not to mention the mental illnesses that ensued and the stress-load that was placed on my shoulders from day to day that continued all the way through undergrad. It's a tough place to be when you're suddenly the 'rock' of your family, trying to help them and bring happiness into their lives while trying to be a responsible student too. What kept me going through it all and (still going!) was that my last words to my parent were, "...I'll make you proud." When I get into dental school, I'm gonna look up and say, "I did it." 🙂

Good luck everyone

"Be kind; for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

+1 👍

My hardship has been juggling the unceasing demands of married life with three kids including keeping the bills paid so we can keep our home's roof over our heads while doing everything else the typical unmarried, childless, parent supported d school applicant does.

I had a grandfather pass away in the last couple of years during my journey. Not unexpected because of age, was difficult. But not even close to as difficult as the deaths/illnesses in families described by others in this thread (siblings/ parents): wow I am impressed how you all have handled such a potentially devastating experience +1👍

 

[Teeths]

+1 👍

My hardship has been juggling the unceasing demands of married life with three kids including keeping the bills paid so we can keep our home's roof over our heads while doing everything else the typical unmarried, childless, parent supported d school applicant does.

I had a grandfather pass away in the last couple of years during my journey. Not unexpected because of age, was difficult. But not even close to as difficult as the deaths/illnesses in families described by others in this thread (siblings/ parents): wow I am impressed how you all have handled such a potentially devastating experience +1👍

When I hear about people who are able to do this, I really applaud them. I think my life is hectic enough as it is without kids and a spouse, so I can only imagine the struggles you've gone through! Granted I'm not your 'typical' dental school applicant either with a cash flow from parents or family members, but your situation is definitely tough! Congrats for rising above and making it happen. 🙂 👍

 

[ttpharm]

Obese, type 2 diabetic. Loss 100 pounds. The ridicule from my peers affected me hard, but made me the person I am today: Confident, compassionate, and driven. 🙂

 

[dentalicious010]

I came to United States in 2006 from China to work in a restaurant owned by one of my uncle. Worst nightmare of life as I struggled to work more than ~80 hours a week. I made a serious decision after 3 years of brutal hard-work with bare minimum pay. I left the job and moved to a different city and worked my way up from small jobs so I can attend college. I am chasing my dreams now. Even though my parents are not alive today. They will be proud of me one day when I will become a dentist 😀.

 

[Longcatislong]

My cGPA was a 3.78, sGPA 3.75, DAT 19/19/19 (I didn't really study for it much more than a few days before due to a busy semester). And for those worried about one or 2 lower DAT scores, my breakdown: OChem 21, GenChem 20, Bio 16, RC 24, PAT 19, QR 15. So just because you didn't ace every section does not mean you can't get accepted. Of course, I would have loved to have had more than ~4 days to study, but I figured the first time was practice so I didn't worry too much about it. 😉 Oh and BTW, I took both GenChem and my Physics at a CC. I took OChem and Bio at a university...so it's not the end of the world if you take a few at a CC, just be sure to have the majority (and preferably the tougher ones) at a university. 😉

People like yourself amaze me! I doubt I would ever have the strength to do so well on the DAT, maintain your schedule (with the kids an all) and still get good grades. Props to you!

 

[Longcatislong]

my "hardships"

-me and parents immigrated when I was 5
-had cancer as a kid. beat it.
-typical immigrant financial struggles.

 

[RaeRae0903]

People like yourself amaze me! I doubt I would ever have the strength to do so well on the DAT, maintain your schedule (with the kids an all) and still get good grades. Props to you!

Thank you! It means a lot. I feel like only others that are going through the same process truly understand how exhausting prepping/applying to dental school really is.

my "hardships"

-me and parents immigrated when I was 5
-had cancer as a kid. beat it.
-typical immigrant financial struggles.

Take away those quotations! You beat cancer? That in itself is amazing...and then add financial struggles? Those ARE hardships my dear. I've been struggling financially my entire adult life (and more so since the divorce) and that is mentally more exhausting, I think, than any of it. It makes me physically exhausted as well! I can't even begin to imagine how life would feel like without such financial stress! Ugh. Lol

 

[aznnytezx]

So would you incorporate things that happened at the end of high school, but it was still a hardship into your secondary essays?

 

[laundry]

yikes...makes me feel so...privileged...😛

 

[Glimmer1991]

Orgo was a hardship. We could all probably put that.

 

[RSalha17]

I post this thread because I know there are some people out there that have to deal with hardships before getting into Dental school. With that being said, did anyone actually use that hardships to make you become a stronger person? In order for you to try your best until the very end? Some of these hardship includes probably parents being divorced, lost of a loved one, or any personal trauma. I feel some of these hardships could have build my character in some way, but is this even worth mentioning to dental schools when applying?

Please input your thoughts, that would be great.

I personally think talking about hardships is a great way to show resilience and tenacity in an applicant, but it is also a very delicate thing to talk about. You don't want to sound like you're making excuses, or complaining, but at the same time you don't want to overdo it and make it sound like you carried the world and all the planets. Talk about things from the heart, and it never hurts to connect it back to dentistry.

Personal example from my personal statement, hopefully it can help give you an idea of what I mean.

"When my father was 20 years old, he left Lebanon for the US, seeking a better education. He sends money to his family in Lebanon every month while struggling to stay afloat. It breaks my heart when he tells me, “I’m sorry habibi; I wish I was able to help you more.” I soon realized what it meant to be resilient and independent. I worked numerous jobs since the age of 16 to fund my education and living expenses while balancing a full course load and extracurricular activities. Although it impacted the time I had to devote to my studies, it prepared me for the rigors of dental school and resulted in a greater appreciation for my education."

Feel free to PM me with any questions or if you want me to read over your PS, I'm more than happy to help out.

 

[RSalha17]

Orgo was a hardship. We could all probably put that.

Hahahaha you are awesome

 

[Intent]

Father died this new years eve after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004, they gave him 6 months to live and he got another 8 out of life, he had his lung removed in 2004. Brother has been a junkie for the past 10 years has overdosed 4 times (who overdoes more than once??) Changed major from fine arts to getting a bachelors in finance, started working in 2009 hated it and went back to school for post bacc, took dat three times 18 each time, going for a fourth time this august. Pray for me! Math scores are killing me and gen chem can use a pick me up,