My actual secondary application answers
Answering the secondary applications essay questions can be really stressful, and I remember them clear as day. Although it seems absolutely ridiculous that a school wants ANOTHER $84 to process 8-12 answers, you just have to answer those pesky things to move on in the application cycle.
Since there is definitely an ART FROM to answer these, I've uploaded my own essays that I used back
when I was applying.
As always, if you have any questions, hit me up :)
Since there is definitely an ART FROM to answer these, I've uploaded my own essays that I used back
when I was applying.
As always, if you have any questions, hit me up :)
Without further adieu...
1. Give the reasons for 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.
2. What have you done to explore dentistry as a career?
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.
3. Please List—Honors or Special Achievement
-Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician: trained in basic life support -North Carolina Interventions Program: Certification to work with ND/ID (neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities) individuals -Dean’s List: Wake Forest University
-Wake Forest University Sullivan Scholarship: Biology scholarship
4. Please List—Your Strong Points
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.
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.
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.
5. 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.
6. Please comment on your performance on 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.
7. Indicate experiences that would demonstrate your ability to work with your hands
One of my tasks at OE Enterprises is teaching individuals with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities new skills involving dexterity. This may include building color blindness kits with various colored yarn, packaging wine bottle corks, or assembling ConvaTec insulation equipment. Teaching these individuals new skills requires the instructor to possess fine motor skills, patience, and a creative approach to explanations. As an EMT, I improved my dexterity through performing various medical procedures, manipulating equipment, and dispensing medications.
When I worked as a medical assistant I performed venipunctures and performed lab tests. I have also played the piano and lead volleyball teams as the defensive specialist.
8. What have you done that demonstrates your ability to work effectively with people?
Though each employment opportunity has allowed me to lead or work as a team member, assisting the mentally disabled population challenged me to become more personable, compassionate, and patient. Each day at OE Enterprises I am reminded that humans possess a wide range of capabilities, and I must cater to each individual based on their unique needs and aspirations. I have become an advocate for clients who have the ability and desire to find employment by working with local business owners to create jobs. When community involvement is not possible for individuals, I work with corporations to contract work that can be brought into the facility, then teach the clients how to complete the task. Through focusing on individual strengths, listening and communicating effectively, and contributing my abilities, I am able to aid this population in reaching their highest vocational potential.
9. Give a summary of your employment history:
In high school, I was the tutor and swim coach for a mentally challenged girl. At the beginning of our four-year endeavor, she had poor reading skills, was behind in mathematics, and was petrified of water. By the time I started college, she was excelling in critical reasoning, practicing math problems on her own, and showing off her swimming prowess for anyone that would watch.During winter and summer breaks in college I worked as a waitress at Applebee’s restaurants in Mobile, AL, and Winston-Salem, NC. During my shifts I learned the importance of prioritizing tasks and improved my soft skills with customer service to a wide variety of customers.
After graduation, I became a medical assistant at an urgent care clinic. I performed venipunctures and administered injections, took radiographs and electrocardiograms, and conducted laboratory tests. After the DAT, I became a Treatment Coordinator at an orthodontic practice where I learned the importance of working as a patient’s advocate and how to communicate treatment plans in layman’s terms. I currently work at Opportunities for Everyone to match adults with neurological disabilities with a vocation that both works for and excites them. My job requires creativity, patience, and an appreciation that any person with any set of limitations can find satisfaction in contributing.
10. List any activities in areas other than studies in which you have excelled:
Running. In high school, my younger sisters were the competitive runners while I was the short volleyball player. After being cut from my high school volleyball team, though, I was forced to find another extracurricular activity per graduation
requirements. I decided to try cross country as it looked like a relatively simple sport with almost no technique. I was sorely mistaken; after the first practice I was exhausted, sunburned, and blistered from toe to heel. I now run on a daily basis, and have knee injuries, a half marathon medal, and frequent blisters to show for it.
Volleyball.At 4’11, I was the shortest volleyball player in my league. I overcame my shortcomings by becoming the defensive specialist on traveling teams. In college, I went on to coach a winning intramural team.
Creative Design. I have excelled in creative design since I became the Editor-in-Chief for my high school newspaper during my junior and senior year. I enjoy gathering tidbits of content, envisioning a product, and collaborating to produce the final piece. Whether it’s designing a brochure or website, or executing an event, I pride myself on organizing details and delivering the best results.
11. List extracurricular endeavors, community services, and hobbies:
Hobbies. I enjoy being outdoors. Running, hiking mountain trails, and playing pickup volleyball games are amongst my favorite activities. I strive for a healthy lifestyle, and enjoy cooking nutritional meals and working out at the gym.
Community Service.My involvement includes: assisting dental professionals at six North Carolina Mission of Mercy clinics, working with RDHs through the Department of Health and Human Services to provide preventative treatment to elementary children, and aiding dentists on the Baptists on a Mission dental bus to serve rural communities.
Extracurricular endeavors. In college I volunteered at the local Boys and Girls Club and tutored struggling children in academics. I volunteered to help the city of Winston-Salem through several waterway clean-up events, organized community outreach activities to serve local children, and volunteered at animal shelters. I was a member of two service organizations: Doing Random Acts of Kindness (DoRAK) and Circle K International, a Kiwanis-sponsored service organization. The former aimed to boost the morale of students, while the latter focused on community and national projects.
12. Describe the major influences in your life:
Two of most significant influences are my mother and father, but each molded me in different ways. In the absence of one I became more self-sufficient and determined, and through the guidance of the other I learned the values of courage and perseverance.
My abusive mother abandoned my sisters and me when I was fourteen years old due to her alcohol and drug addictions. Her absence forced me to become more independent, compassionate, and resilient—traits that have and will continue to aid me in future endeavors.
In December 2015, my father was diagnosed with stage IIB P16 positive squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and began eight weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. During his treatment he became depressed and angry. Due to complications, he can no longer enjoy activities like running and eating. Despite his suffering, my father continues his responsibility of talking patients through their diagnoses and teaching residents. Rather than joining colleagues for lunch, he now goes to the bathroom to feed himself via his feeding tube. Naturally, he feels like an outcast watching people lead normal lives.
My father has taught me how to be courageous, to show compassion for others regardless of one’s own predicaments, and to fulfill one’s responsibilities no matter what. I believe these are important virtues both in professional and personal life.
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.
2. What have you done to explore dentistry as a career?
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.
3. Please List—Honors or Special Achievement
-Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician: trained in basic life support -North Carolina Interventions Program: Certification to work with ND/ID (neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities) individuals -Dean’s List: Wake Forest University
-Wake Forest University Sullivan Scholarship: Biology scholarship
4. Please List—Your Strong Points
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.
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.
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.
5. 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.
6. Please comment on your performance on 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.
7. Indicate experiences that would demonstrate your ability to work with your hands
One of my tasks at OE Enterprises is teaching individuals with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities new skills involving dexterity. This may include building color blindness kits with various colored yarn, packaging wine bottle corks, or assembling ConvaTec insulation equipment. Teaching these individuals new skills requires the instructor to possess fine motor skills, patience, and a creative approach to explanations. As an EMT, I improved my dexterity through performing various medical procedures, manipulating equipment, and dispensing medications.
When I worked as a medical assistant I performed venipunctures and performed lab tests. I have also played the piano and lead volleyball teams as the defensive specialist.
8. What have you done that demonstrates your ability to work effectively with people?
Though each employment opportunity has allowed me to lead or work as a team member, assisting the mentally disabled population challenged me to become more personable, compassionate, and patient. Each day at OE Enterprises I am reminded that humans possess a wide range of capabilities, and I must cater to each individual based on their unique needs and aspirations. I have become an advocate for clients who have the ability and desire to find employment by working with local business owners to create jobs. When community involvement is not possible for individuals, I work with corporations to contract work that can be brought into the facility, then teach the clients how to complete the task. Through focusing on individual strengths, listening and communicating effectively, and contributing my abilities, I am able to aid this population in reaching their highest vocational potential.
9. Give a summary of your employment history:
In high school, I was the tutor and swim coach for a mentally challenged girl. At the beginning of our four-year endeavor, she had poor reading skills, was behind in mathematics, and was petrified of water. By the time I started college, she was excelling in critical reasoning, practicing math problems on her own, and showing off her swimming prowess for anyone that would watch.During winter and summer breaks in college I worked as a waitress at Applebee’s restaurants in Mobile, AL, and Winston-Salem, NC. During my shifts I learned the importance of prioritizing tasks and improved my soft skills with customer service to a wide variety of customers.
After graduation, I became a medical assistant at an urgent care clinic. I performed venipunctures and administered injections, took radiographs and electrocardiograms, and conducted laboratory tests. After the DAT, I became a Treatment Coordinator at an orthodontic practice where I learned the importance of working as a patient’s advocate and how to communicate treatment plans in layman’s terms. I currently work at Opportunities for Everyone to match adults with neurological disabilities with a vocation that both works for and excites them. My job requires creativity, patience, and an appreciation that any person with any set of limitations can find satisfaction in contributing.
10. List any activities in areas other than studies in which you have excelled:
Running. In high school, my younger sisters were the competitive runners while I was the short volleyball player. After being cut from my high school volleyball team, though, I was forced to find another extracurricular activity per graduation
requirements. I decided to try cross country as it looked like a relatively simple sport with almost no technique. I was sorely mistaken; after the first practice I was exhausted, sunburned, and blistered from toe to heel. I now run on a daily basis, and have knee injuries, a half marathon medal, and frequent blisters to show for it.
Volleyball.At 4’11, I was the shortest volleyball player in my league. I overcame my shortcomings by becoming the defensive specialist on traveling teams. In college, I went on to coach a winning intramural team.
Creative Design. I have excelled in creative design since I became the Editor-in-Chief for my high school newspaper during my junior and senior year. I enjoy gathering tidbits of content, envisioning a product, and collaborating to produce the final piece. Whether it’s designing a brochure or website, or executing an event, I pride myself on organizing details and delivering the best results.
11. List extracurricular endeavors, community services, and hobbies:
Hobbies. I enjoy being outdoors. Running, hiking mountain trails, and playing pickup volleyball games are amongst my favorite activities. I strive for a healthy lifestyle, and enjoy cooking nutritional meals and working out at the gym.
Community Service.My involvement includes: assisting dental professionals at six North Carolina Mission of Mercy clinics, working with RDHs through the Department of Health and Human Services to provide preventative treatment to elementary children, and aiding dentists on the Baptists on a Mission dental bus to serve rural communities.
Extracurricular endeavors. In college I volunteered at the local Boys and Girls Club and tutored struggling children in academics. I volunteered to help the city of Winston-Salem through several waterway clean-up events, organized community outreach activities to serve local children, and volunteered at animal shelters. I was a member of two service organizations: Doing Random Acts of Kindness (DoRAK) and Circle K International, a Kiwanis-sponsored service organization. The former aimed to boost the morale of students, while the latter focused on community and national projects.
12. Describe the major influences in your life:
Two of most significant influences are my mother and father, but each molded me in different ways. In the absence of one I became more self-sufficient and determined, and through the guidance of the other I learned the values of courage and perseverance.
My abusive mother abandoned my sisters and me when I was fourteen years old due to her alcohol and drug addictions. Her absence forced me to become more independent, compassionate, and resilient—traits that have and will continue to aid me in future endeavors.
In December 2015, my father was diagnosed with stage IIB P16 positive squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and began eight weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. During his treatment he became depressed and angry. Due to complications, he can no longer enjoy activities like running and eating. Despite his suffering, my father continues his responsibility of talking patients through their diagnoses and teaching residents. Rather than joining colleagues for lunch, he now goes to the bathroom to feed himself via his feeding tube. Naturally, he feels like an outcast watching people lead normal lives.
My father has taught me how to be courageous, to show compassion for others regardless of one’s own predicaments, and to fulfill one’s responsibilities no matter what. I believe these are important virtues both in professional and personal life.
Things to remember about this portion of the application...
As you can see from my examples, this portion of the essay is all about being brutally honest and appealing to the soul's of your audience. You want to make them remember who you are and why you deserve a spot on Interview Day. Put yourself out there, but then make them remember what makes you a strong and deserving candidate to serve through this profession.
This is what I'm trying to say...
When you read my last example (#12), you should feel goosebumps. It should have thrown you for a loop, and you should want to meet the strong person who was brave enough to write those words and expose themselves before a room of strangers. I crafted my story in such a way that I didn't pity myself, but instead I gave the readers something to remember. I told them that despite my obstacles, I preserved and that I'm better for it. If you're going to tell them a sad story, you better show them than you're strong enough to be standing in front of them on Interview Day. Show them who you are and what you've overcome, and not just that you had a bad experience.
This is what I'm trying to say...
When you read my last example (#12), you should feel goosebumps. It should have thrown you for a loop, and you should want to meet the strong person who was brave enough to write those words and expose themselves before a room of strangers. I crafted my story in such a way that I didn't pity myself, but instead I gave the readers something to remember. I told them that despite my obstacles, I preserved and that I'm better for it. If you're going to tell them a sad story, you better show them than you're strong enough to be standing in front of them on Interview Day. Show them who you are and what you've overcome, and not just that you had a bad experience.