What should you put on the personal statement ?

[yh4747]

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I am thinking about dividing mines into 3 paragraphs. For the first paragraph, I was going to put how I got interested in dentistry. For the second and third paragraph, I was going to put why I want to be a dentist and what I've done to earn a spot in the dentistry field. Is that a good method?

Also, should I introduce myself in the first paragraph and talk about my hobbies and life story a little?

Any advice on what I should and shouldn't put on the personal statement will be appreciated.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

I am thinking about dividing mines into 3 paragraphs. For the first paragraph, I was going to put how I got interested in dentistry. For the second and third paragraph, I was going to put why I want to be a dentist and what I've done to earn a spot in the dentistry field. Is that a good method?

Also, should I introduce myself in the first paragraph and talk about my hobbies and life story a little?

Any advice on what I should and shouldn't put on the personal statement will be appreciated.

This is posted on the ADEA website, hope it helps.

Words of Advice
Not sure what to write about in your essay? Consider these ideas.

The ADEA AADSAS application requires a personal essay on why you wish to pursue a dental education. Where do you start? Admission committees are looking for individuals who are motivated, academically prepared, articulate, socially conscious, and knowledgeable about the profession. What can you tell admissions committees about yourself that will make you stand out?

Here are some tips:

• Be honest about how you became interested in studying dentistry. If becoming a dentist wasn't a childhood dream, that's fine, but explain how you discovered dentistry as a career possibility and what you have done to research the career.
• Have you observed or worked in dental offices? Explain what you've done to demonstrate your interest in dentistry. Talk to practicing dentists to increase your understanding of general dental practices.
• Do you have any special talents or leadership skills that could be transferable to the practice of dentistry?
• Express your commitment to helping others and mention any efforts made that enforce that commitment.
• Did you have to work to pay for your education? How has that made you a stronger applicant?
• To get where you are today, have you had to overcome hardships or obstacles? If so, how has this influenced your motivation for advanced education?

 

[syeh3]

In my personal statement I wrote about how I had to overcome my dental issues and how I became interested in the career due to my dental issues. I also wrote about how I volunteered at a rehab center in NYU and made soaps (using manual dexterity) to help people and then s bit about the dental clinic

 

[jefnawe]

I was thinking of writing about my background ( where I come from, family education, how that encouraged me... etc), where I stand in the mean time ( work, school, hobbies) and where I would like to see myself ( dental school, dentistry career). how does that sound?

 

[w4nt2baDDS]

I am thinking about dividing mines into 3 paragraphs

Three paragraphs sounds too clumped for 4500 characters. Try to write small succinct, but still powerful, paragraphs. I just wrote my personal statement and it came out to 5 paragraphs but I feel 4-6 would be the ideal scope.

Also, should I introduce myself

Don't formally introduce yourself, that sounds like an awkward idea. They already know who you are (name and such from your application) so there is no reason to say. "Hello, I am John Doe" or "My name is Jane Doe"

But, it isn't a bad idea to introduce yourself informally in a method similar to: "Coming from a small suburban town...." Introduces the "type" of person you are...

talk about my hobbies and life story a little

YUP! That's what a personal statement is all about, letting them know what makes you unique and what makes you tick. Introducing with this is what I did... so I hope its not bad lol

Just my .02 after looking some info up on this recently..