why dentistry?

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

joonkimdds

Senior Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2005
Messages
2,780
Reaction score
2
I have two interviews from pre-health department of my school so they can give me committee recommendation.

I am pretty sure they will ask me why I want to become a dentist.

There are so many reasons why I decided to become a dentist and it will take me at least several minutes to talk about.

But I heard that some people don't want a very long answer.
About how many sentences do you think is the ideal length to answer this question in either during the interview or in personal statement?
 
I think that you should take as many sentences or as many minutes as you feel is adequate to illustrate to these people that this is your passion. I don't think you should cut anything out just because you think they don't want to hear a long answer. It's all about you and your passion and I think if they can see it and feel it, you should be good!
Good luck!
 
I hate that question because it's so subjective. Its like your Boyfriend/girlfriend asking why you love them.
 
I hate that question because it's so subjective. Its like your Boyfriend/girlfriend asking why you love them.

I do believe it's supposed to be subjective. That's why they ask that question.
 
I think that you should take as many sentences or as many minutes as you feel is adequate to illustrate to these people that this is your passion. I don't think you should cut anything out just because you think they don't want to hear a long answer. It's all about you and your passion and I think if they can see it and feel it, you should be good!
Good luck!

I agree. Mine wasnt long because of all the different facets. I focused on one aspect that was important to me, but it was a long story. I think for the pre-health committee it's ok for them to feel the unedited answers & personal statement because it puts more across for them.
 
I do believe it's supposed to be subjective. That's why they ask that question.

Yea but don't you see the problem to that? To be perfectly honest, I don't really have any reasons to love my girlfriend much like the way I don't have any reason to enjoy dentistry. The answer is, I just do. However, that obviously won't fly during an interview which forces me to fabricate up some stuff about working with my hands, art, blah blah blah just to satisfy them. Hence subjectivity waters down the question, turning it into a pointless ritual so to speak.
 
Hey joonkim, I was actually in a very similar situation when i went to my pre-health committee interview. I had so many reasons for wanting to pursue dentistry and I just stated everything I had to say. I have to admit I felt like I was blabbering on and on, but after the interview I asked them how they felt my response was and they said they thought I had done a great job. So in my opinion you should take your time and make sure they truely know how you feel and how passionate you are about dentistry. Good luck!
 
Can anyone in One sentence tell me WHY DENTISTARY, just one sentence??
 
Can anyone in One sentence tell me WHY DENTISTARY, just one sentence??

That's the second time you mispelled that word in the same way,...it's "dentistry".

And to answer it, "I love saliva!"
 
Can anyone in One sentence tell me WHY DENTISTARY, just one sentence??

The tried and true are still the best reasons. I couldn't get into medical school.

...and because hygienists are sexy.
 
I think you should make a list of your reasons, and rank them from "most important" to "least important"... then just go in that order until they stop you... That's pretty much what I did at every one of my interviews (at the dental schools). It seems to fly rather well.
 
Yea but don't you see the problem to that? To be perfectly honest, I don't really have any reasons to love my girlfriend much like the way I don't have any reason to enjoy dentistry. The answer is, I just do. However, that obviously won't fly during an interview which forces me to fabricate up some stuff about working with my hands, art, blah blah blah just to satisfy them. Hence subjectivity waters down the question, turning it into a pointless ritual so to speak.

This is exactly how I feel about the question...I don't know if those with dentists in the family realize how much of an advantage they have; when it comes to answering "why dentistry?", they have the single most important thing- unique past experiences to speak of...the rest of us are left to spout out one of the generic things every adcom has heard a million times- helping people, money, lifestyle, manual dexterity, running your own business, etc, etc, etc...it seems so contrived- just my opinion. 🙂
 
mske sure to mention that you love playing video games and how that will come in handy👍
 
hey joon,

did you end up taking the DAT? i remember studying at the same time as you (over the winter break)...how did you do?
 
To be perfectly honest, I don't really have any reasons to love my girlfriend ... The answer is, I just do.

That may be so but tomorrow when she asks you why you love her, I hope you can come up with something better than that.
 
mske sure to mention that you love playing video games and how that will come in handy👍
I'd say something along the lines of "I have always loved video games, and when I played Dr. Mario, I fell in love with helping people. Dentistry allows me to combine these two loves that I have."
 
I'd say something along the lines of "I have always loved video games, and when I played Dr. Mario, I fell in love with helping people. Dentistry allows me to combine these two loves that I have."


epic

and since I can actually have a life it allows me to continue to play Dr. Mario in my offtime.


/thread
 
Top