How to Write a Good Dental School Essay

This article was created by a professional writer and edited by experienced copy editors, both qualified members of the Demand Media Studios community. All articles go through an editorial process that includes subject matter guidelines, plagiarism review, fact-checking, and other steps in an effort to provide reliable information. By WayneS, eHow Contributor Writing a good dental school essay may may be the difference between being accepted and rejected. An important part of applying to dental schools is writing a personal essay. The essay provides applicants with a chance to relate the attributes they would bring to the school and show their commitment to the field. It also offers applicants a chance to demonstrate how dental school will fulfill their professional and personal goals. Essays can be a deciding factor when schools make admission decisions, so applicants should put a lot of careful time and effort into writing them. Instructions Devote a lot of time to brainstorming. A clear understanding of exactly what you want to say is a necessary step when writing a compelling and effective dental school essay. While brainstorming, keep the three major goals of the essay in mind. First, establish exactly why you want to be a dentist. Second, think of any personal experiences that will prove helpful in dental school. Finally, search for qualities that would make you a good dentist. These can include schoolwork, clinical experience and community activities. Think of personal stories that will show you can be successful in dental school and dentistry. These stories should demonstrate the compassion needed to be a good dentist and identify experiences and skills youwill bring to dental school. Start the essay by using one of these stories. This will draw the reader into the essay more effectively than a list of accomplishments. Organize the essay. Determine the major points that you need to make in the essay and organize stories and information around those points. Instead of just relating all the stories at one time, organize the essay by topics. One topic can be how you have enthusiasm for the field. Then, use stories and information to demonstrate that enthusiasm. Â  Write the essay so it reflects the way you speak. It should flow naturally and be easy to read, not pedantic and full of jargon. The purpose is to sell yourself to show how you would be a great asset to the school and the field of dentistry. Â  Avoid cliches and worn-out themes. Use stories and practical examples to show the why the school should admit you. Do not just say that the you are committed or enjoy helping people. Provide practical examples of this commitment and desire to help. Have someone with a solid journalism or English background proofread the essay. Typos and misspellings can make you appear unprofessional and increase the chances of rejection.