Share Your Story: The Personal Statement by Lindsey Swenson

One of the largest hurdles that pre-dental students

must overcome when putting together their

application, is the personal statement. Choosing

what to write about can be a challenging task, and

it can feel overwhelming to introduce yourself on

paper in 4500 characters or less.

Competing in a pool of thousands of high

achievers can raise the pressure to write an essay

that stands out. However, every student is

extraordinary in their own way and it isn’t

necessary to be somehow different or more

impressive than everyone else. Remember that

you have worked hard to apply in a challenging

and highly sought after field, and to tell your

story with confidence!

A helpful mantra to keep in mind is to “show, not

tell.” For example, instead of stating, “I will

make a good fit for dentistry because I’m

caring.”, try showing the reader how you are caring by describing a time when you helped

someone and explain how that made you feel.

It can be surprisingly easy to lose sight of the prompt, which in a nutshell is, “Why Dentistry?”.

Remember that the personal statement isn’t a resume. A potential trap to fall into when writing,

is to list off your achievements to prove that you are qualified to make a successful dental

student. However, there is another section on the application for you to do just that. In the

experience section, you will categorize all of the things you’ve done and explain why they have

contributed towards applying to dental school. The personal statement is an opportunity to dig

deeper than your accomplishments and explain why you hope to take on the responsibility of

being someone’s dental provider one day.

One way to structure the personal statement is to choose a memory or experience that solidified

that dentistry would be your future career. Take the reader on your journey with you and allow

them to feel what you felt in those moments or hours. This experience doesn’t necessarily have

to be dental-related, but it should somehow tie-in or lead back to answer the prompt.

I found “Your Essential Guide to Dental School Admissions: 30 Successful Application Essays

and Collective Wisdom from Young Dentists” edited by Dr. Helen Yang, to be very helpful in

getting the feel for the format of the personal statement. The authors of these thirty essays are

exceptional at taking a meaningful experience and guiding the reader towards an understanding

of why they are seeking the field of dentistry.

Have as many trustworthy people as possible read your application essay and give you feedback

on content and structure. However, take their suggestions with a grain of salt. This is your

personal statement; welcome their advice without losing your voice. Explain the main points

you are trying to convey, and ask for help on how to best communicate them. Additionally, as a

future doctor, you should do your best to submit an essay that is professional and error-free.

Finally, remember to simplify. You know why you want to be a dentist and why you’ll make a

great one! Invite admissions to follow your thought process so they can see why you’ll be a good

fit for their program and ultimately, chair-side with patients one day.

As always, don’t forget to believe in yourself. :)