www.DMDstudent.com

C.G. Personal Statement
3 Interviews, 2 Acceptances

“NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ENTIRE PERSONAL STATEMENT.
My wife likes to think her gorgeous smile sparked my interest in dentistry, but the source of my inspiration was, in fact, much less aesthetic. While eating breakfast one morning in Vancouver, I read an article in the Canadian newspaper “The Globe and Mail” about meth mouth, the severe tooth decay and gum disease that afflicts methamphetamine addicts. The article described how meth mouth turned one 18-year-old girl’s teeth into small black stumps…the essay continues about how this article inspired the applicant to learn more about dentistry.

Since then, I have shadowed a variety of dental professionals. Of the things I have learned while shadowing, the most surprising is that dentistry and aerospace share important commonalities…The applicant then proceeds with explaining his interest in this area. Note that he takes a personal experience and interest and relates it back to his interest in dentistry.

The ultimate goal of my dental education is to own and manage my own practice. Shadowing has taught me…What has it taught you?

I also hope to use my practice as a means to give back to my community, possibly through…what kind of service have you thought about and what are your goals if any?

I am the first to admit that some of the grades I received at [Undergraduate] were mediocre. I recognize that I could have achieved better grades during college had I reduced my extra-curricular responsibilities. Knowing, however, that I was able to make a difference in the lives of young students through programs like…turning something in the application that could be looked at negatively into something positive. Be honest with yourself, it will show through in your interview.

The essay ends with the applicant relating his current job back to dentistry and what he would like to accomplish through dentistry.