2 Personal statement examples
Hey pre-dental students! I know that a ton of you guys are writing your personal statements right now and are either lost, confused, or have no idea what in the world the Admissions Committee wants from you.
So, I've asked some current dental students to lend me their own personal statements so that you can see what schools are looking for.
So, I've asked some current dental students to lend me their own personal statements so that you can see what schools are looking for.
Essay #1: An analogy
Click here for the Tennis and Dentistry Essay!
Why this is a good essay: The writer incorporated something that he/she loves (tennis) and likened the importance of hard work and dedication to what he/she thinks that the field of dentistry will be like. This person was able to show the admissions committee a hobby of theirs and essentially say to them that they are a hard worker and motivated to always push themselves, without actually being so blunt as to say that.
It's important that through the personal statement the admissions committee gets to know your character in a way that they aren't able to see through GPAs or extracurricular hobbies. So, this is a really good way to put a fun spin on why they believe they are a good fit for dentistry.
Things to remember: Tell the admissions Committee that you are a hard worker and that you are a lifelong learner (cue the DDS/DMD CE required courses) through an EXAMPLE of your hard work. This part about giving them a solid example of how you're a hard worker is critical because you always need evidence to back up your words.
It's important that through the personal statement the admissions committee gets to know your character in a way that they aren't able to see through GPAs or extracurricular hobbies. So, this is a really good way to put a fun spin on why they believe they are a good fit for dentistry.
Things to remember: Tell the admissions Committee that you are a hard worker and that you are a lifelong learner (cue the DDS/DMD CE required courses) through an EXAMPLE of your hard work. This part about giving them a solid example of how you're a hard worker is critical because you always need evidence to back up your words.
Click here to read the Gap Year Essay!
essay #2: Gap Year Lessons
Why this is a good essay: The writer explained what they learned during their gap years. It's important for an Admission Committee to know that you did something productive during your gap years, whether you intended to take them or not. While it's great to vacation across Europe or hang out with friends, the Committee needs to know that you are absolutely serious about pursuing this very competitive field and that nothing is going to get in between you and your goals.
Explain to them how you grew as an individual, lessons you learned, and that the gap years are making you realize how much you want to pursue this career.
Things to remember: If you write about gap years, make sure that you are showing the Admissions Committee that you are being productive and learning things during this time. This is a great way to show the committee how you as an individual has grown and how you are now able to be a better future provider than before.
Explain to them how you grew as an individual, lessons you learned, and that the gap years are making you realize how much you want to pursue this career.
Things to remember: If you write about gap years, make sure that you are showing the Admissions Committee that you are being productive and learning things during this time. This is a great way to show the committee how you as an individual has grown and how you are now able to be a better future provider than before.
I really hope that these examples were helpful and that you now have a better idea of what the Admissions Committee is looking for in the personal statement. If you have any questions/ comments, leave me a message below!