Examples of Short Answer responses
It's time to answer your secondary application! These applications are school-specific, so keep in mind the school's mission statement and what their curriculum stresses.
The following examples are how I answered my own secondary application to UNC School of Dentistry. After each Q&A are some thoughts behind why I answered the question in the fashion that I chose. Enjoy!
The following examples are how I answered my own secondary application to UNC School of Dentistry. After each Q&A are some thoughts behind why I answered the question in the fashion that I chose. Enjoy!
1. Give the reasons of your interest in dentistry and for selecting dentistry as a profession
Growing up, I believed that I was destined to become a surgeon—my father and grandfather are both specialists in the medical field. Working as a medical assistant, though, allowed me to gain the perspective of unappreciated providers who urged me to pick a more rewarding profession. I wanted to work with patients and help them achieve their best personal health. Would ten more years of schooling be worth a white coat and an incredibly stressful lifestyle?
I contemplated the qualities that I value in a profession: the potential for me to improve patients' lives using my hands, the instant gratification earned from solving problems and designing solutions, and the sense of appreciation I would feel from patients well treated. Dentistry is a profession with these characteristics. It would also allow for a balanced professional and personal lifestyle. Coincidentally, a few days after I considered my values, an acquaintance suggested that I shadow a dentist. After nearly three hundred hours of dental shadowing and volunteering, I am confident that dentistry affords me all the qualities I wanted in a profession.
I contemplated the qualities that I value in a profession: the potential for me to improve patients' lives using my hands, the instant gratification earned from solving problems and designing solutions, and the sense of appreciation I would feel from patients well treated. Dentistry is a profession with these characteristics. It would also allow for a balanced professional and personal lifestyle. Coincidentally, a few days after I considered my values, an acquaintance suggested that I shadow a dentist. After nearly three hundred hours of dental shadowing and volunteering, I am confident that dentistry affords me all the qualities I wanted in a profession.
What to keep in mind for this response:
Paragraph 1: Since medicine was so important to me for such a long time, I felt it important to add it into my response. I wanted UNC to know that my decision to become a dentist was a very thought out process. Dentistry opened my eyes to something new that I didn't know really existed.
Paragraph 2: Why did I want to be a dentist? These were the reasons for me. I think it's perfectly normal (everyone is thinking about it anyways) to mention the lifestyle that comes with dentistry-both the finances and ability to balance personal and professional life. Of course, to serve others you need to have a strong sense of grit and values. Lastly, mention what you did to arrive at that decision.
Paragraph 1: Since medicine was so important to me for such a long time, I felt it important to add it into my response. I wanted UNC to know that my decision to become a dentist was a very thought out process. Dentistry opened my eyes to something new that I didn't know really existed.
Paragraph 2: Why did I want to be a dentist? These were the reasons for me. I think it's perfectly normal (everyone is thinking about it anyways) to mention the lifestyle that comes with dentistry-both the finances and ability to balance personal and professional life. Of course, to serve others you need to have a strong sense of grit and values. Lastly, mention what you did to arrive at that decision.
Final thoughts: This question is asking you why you want to become a dentist. Remember to make it somewhat emotional and convince the admissions board of how much heart you have put into your decision.
2. what have you done to explore dentistry?
I have spent over one hundred hours watching six dentists improve the lives of patients in pediatric and general practice settings. I have volunteered at six NC Mission of Mercy Clinics to serve underprivileged communities throughout the state. With the NC Department of Health and Human Services, I have assisted hygienists in providing preventive treatment to elementary school children in Forsyth and Alamance counties. I have also volunteered with dentists on the NC Baptist Missions bus to serve the people of Roxboro. I have professional experience working as a Treatment Coordinator at an orthodontic practice. During my sophomore year at Wake Forest I traveled to El Salvador with the Christian Medical Dental Association to provide dental care to impoverished communities.
Final thoughts: This is a pretty straightforward answer. Basically, I just listed the various approaches I took to explore dentistry as a profession. I was fortunate enough to have various volunteering opportunities ranging from clinical to administrative dentistry. Just keep in mind that whenever you list your different experiences, give a brief explanation of what you actually did in that role.
3. Please list Your strong Points
1. Building rapport with patients. Although once terrified of public speaking, my employment and volunteer experiences have helped me become more comfortable speaking with strangers. I enjoy learning about other people’s lives and dreams, and offering emotional or physical assistance if the need arises. I believe communication is an important aspect of dentistry, as the professional is expected to build trusting relationships with his or her patients.
2. Leading and working as a team member. Whether leading a volleyball team to victory or working with dentists to provide services to patients, I have enjoyed working with others to achieve a common goal. I relish teaching others new skills as well as making necessary business decisions for the betterment of an establishment. Dentists are often portrayed first as leaders, then as team players; I believe that I would thrive on the responsibility of managing a dental practice.
3. Detail-orientated. I am an obsessive perfectionist—when I am responsible for a project, I ensure that the final product is flawless. I hold others and myself to high standards, especially when serving patients or consumers. When planning an event or reaching out to potential clients, I am organized in my thought process and ensure that all details are considered. My determination paired with exceptional organizational skills allows me to plan and efficiently execute tasks.
2. Leading and working as a team member. Whether leading a volleyball team to victory or working with dentists to provide services to patients, I have enjoyed working with others to achieve a common goal. I relish teaching others new skills as well as making necessary business decisions for the betterment of an establishment. Dentists are often portrayed first as leaders, then as team players; I believe that I would thrive on the responsibility of managing a dental practice.
3. Detail-orientated. I am an obsessive perfectionist—when I am responsible for a project, I ensure that the final product is flawless. I hold others and myself to high standards, especially when serving patients or consumers. When planning an event or reaching out to potential clients, I am organized in my thought process and ensure that all details are considered. My determination paired with exceptional organizational skills allows me to plan and efficiently execute tasks.
Final thoughts: List things that are important to the success of a dentist AND explain them. You don't want to sound too boastful, but you need to convince the admission committee that you will be good with patients, good with a team, and a meticulous dentist. That way, you're covering all of your bases!
4. Please list areas upon which you wish to improve
Public Speaking. Throughout high school and college I became extremely anxious when tasked with speaking before a group. I understood that to overcome my anxiety I would have to face my fear. I became involved with opportunities that forced my interaction with groups of people. Waitressing and working as a Treatment Coordinator desensitized me to the initial stress of meeting new people. These opportunities have allowed me to improve on my self-confidence, become more poised, and learn how to build relationships with a wider audience. I take courses on articulation and conversation to continue to improve on my public speaking deficit.
Self-criticism. In middle and high school I was only able to focus on my deficiencies and failed to recognize or appreciate my strengths. This mindset followed me to college, and the results were debilitating. Fortunately, in my first semester I learned from a mentor the tricks that I needed to change my perception. Today, I critique my shortcomings in a constructive way, and compare my strengths with my peers as a way to stay competitive.
Self-criticism. In middle and high school I was only able to focus on my deficiencies and failed to recognize or appreciate my strengths. This mindset followed me to college, and the results were debilitating. Fortunately, in my first semester I learned from a mentor the tricks that I needed to change my perception. Today, I critique my shortcomings in a constructive way, and compare my strengths with my peers as a way to stay competitive.
Final thoughts: This question is the classic interview question of What are your flaws? To answer this question properly and thoughtfully, list two things that you truly think are not your strongest points. Then, spin those negatives into a positive light. Or share how you're improving upon them. It's all about accepting your flaws (because it shows that you're a humble human who acknowledges that you aren't perfect) and sharing that you know there is always room for improvement. Without the follow up of explaining them, the response can come across as negative or whining. So, own those "negatives" and spin them into something that you are learning from!
5. Please comment on your performance in your
college courses
I did well at Wake Forest University. My first semester was an adjustment period. I came from a high school where I was in the top seven percent of my class to a University that was densely populated with valedictorians. The thought of underachieving terrified me. I became so concerned with how I stood in comparison to my peers that I spent many late nights and early mornings studying at the library, only to find myself exhausted and falling behind in class the next day. I decided to seek methods of absorbing the material more effectively. I learned to put away distractions when studying, to outline the material before reviewing for an exam, and how to overcome the anxiety of asking professors for assistance. Eventually, I learned how to cope with stress and use it to motivate rather than cripple me.
The first time I took Organic Chemistry II I failed the course. Halfway into the semester I realized that regardless of how much effort I spent on the material I could not accumulate enough points on exams to earn above a C-. I decided to direct my attention to the other courses I was taking and return to Organic in the summer when I could focus on it completely. I retook the course and earned a B. Taking the course again motivated me to master the material and overcome past inadequacies. Although I wish I had done well initially, I learned to accept failure and use it to motivate me.
The first time I took Organic Chemistry II I failed the course. Halfway into the semester I realized that regardless of how much effort I spent on the material I could not accumulate enough points on exams to earn above a C-. I decided to direct my attention to the other courses I was taking and return to Organic in the summer when I could focus on it completely. I retook the course and earned a B. Taking the course again motivated me to master the material and overcome past inadequacies. Although I wish I had done well initially, I learned to accept failure and use it to motivate me.
Final thoughts: So, first I emphasized that I am/was a really good student. I am diligent with my grades. I am prideful of the obstacles I have overcome and where I am today. But, there is a glaring flaw on my college transcript: one F in Organic Chemistry II. I wanted to acknowledge this on the secondary application to be completely upfront with the admission committee. I wanted to be ahead of their questions. So, I took the opportunity to expose my grades completely and explain what happened. Like in the previous question, it is absolutely vital to explain how the negative experience made you a better learner. Show the committee that you're better today than you were last week. We're all human, and they understand that not everyone can always get the best grades. Be upfront and honest with them. That in itself shows maturity and strong character.
Well....
Well guys, that's it for now! I hope that was super helpful to read my own personal responses. Hopefully, now you know the general way to answer those short responses. Remember to keep it true to your own self and present yourself in the best light. You're awesome. Show the committee that you're going to make a great dentist one day!!