why dental school essay

How to Answer the "Why This Dental School?" Application Question

Learn how to craft a compelling response to the common dental school application question, "Why this dental school?" Our article provides expert tips and strategies to help you stand out and impress admissions committees.

Posted May 19, 2023

Applying to dental schools can be an exciting but nerve-wracking process, especially when you're faced with the question, "Why This Dental School?" This question, which is often part of the application process, requires careful consideration and a well-crafted answer. In this article, we'll offer some tips on how to answer the "Why This Dental School?" question in a way that showcases your knowledge, experience, and passion for dentistry.

Understanding the Importance of the "Why This Dental School?" Question

The "Why This Dental School?" question holds a lot of weight in the admissions process. Admissions committees use this question to determine whether or not you've done your research on the dental school, and if you're truly committed to the program. Your answer to this question gives them insight into your motivation for studying dentistry, and how well you'd fit within their institution. Therefore, it's essential to take the time to craft a thoughtful and well-researched response.

When answering the "Why This Dental School?" question, it's important to not only focus on the school's reputation and academic programs, but also on the school's values and culture. Admissions committees want to see that you align with the school's mission and vision, and that you'll be an active and engaged member of the community. Research the school's extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, and any unique programs they offer. This will not only help you answer the question, but also give you a better understanding of whether or not the school is the right fit for you.

Researching the Dental School Before Answering the Question

Before you can answer the "Why This Dental School?" question, you need to do your research on the institution. Start by looking at the dental school's website and learning about their mission, values, and programs. Understand what sets this dental school apart from others, and what their areas of expertise are. Make note of any faculty members or alumni that have particularly caught your attention, and why. Additionally, try to reach out to current dental students or alumni to get firsthand insight into the dental school's programs and culture.

Another important aspect to consider when researching a dental school is their clinical experience opportunities. Look into the types of clinics and facilities that the school has partnerships with, and what kind of hands-on experience you can expect to gain as a student. It's also important to consider the location of the school and the surrounding community, as this can impact the types of patients and cases you will encounter during your clinical rotations. By thoroughly researching the dental school, you can confidently answer the "Why This Dental School?" question and demonstrate your genuine interest in the institution.

Highlighting Unique Features of the Dental School in Your Answer

Your answer to the "Why This Dental School?" question should showcase why the institution is unique and why it stood out to you. Consider highlighting their innovative curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, or cutting-edge research programs. Draw connections between the dental school's unique features and your personal goals, experiences, or values.

One unique feature of this dental school that stood out to me is their emphasis on community outreach. I was impressed to learn about their partnerships with local clinics and organizations to provide dental care to underserved populations. As someone who values giving back to the community, this aligns with my personal values and goals as a future dentist.

Additionally, the dental school's commitment to diversity and inclusion is another aspect that caught my attention. I appreciate their efforts to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students from all backgrounds. As a member of a diverse community myself, I believe that a diverse learning environment fosters a more enriching educational experience for everyone.

Tailoring Your Answer to the Dental School's Mission and Values

The dental school's mission and values are critical components of their identity. Therefore, it's important to tailor your answer to reflect how your personal values and goals align with those of the dental school. Make sure to speak to how your experiences and interests align with the institution's mission statement and core values, and how you plan to contribute to their community.

One way to research the dental school's mission and values is to visit their website and read through their mission statement and core values. You can also look for any specific programs or initiatives that the school is known for, and mention how those align with your own interests and goals.

Additionally, it's important to show that you have a clear understanding of the dental profession and the role of a dentist. You can do this by discussing any relevant experiences you have had, such as shadowing a dentist or volunteering at a dental clinic. This will demonstrate your commitment to the field and your understanding of the importance of the dental school's mission and values.

Emphasizing Your Fit with the Dental School's Culture and Community

Culture and community are crucial aspects of a dental school's environment. In your answer, try to emphasize how your background, experiences, and interests enable you to fit seamlessly into the dental school's culture and community. Highlight any involvement you've had in community service or leadership positions, and how they've prepared you to contribute positively to the dental school community.

Demonstrating Your Knowledge of the Dental School's Curriculum and Programs

Another crucial component of demonstrating your fit with a dental school is showcasing your knowledge of their curriculum and programs. Make sure to do your research and determine how the dental school's programs will help you achieve your career and educational goals. Speak to specific classes, research opportunities, or student organizations that caught your interest, and explain how they align with your personal goals.

Explaining How the Dental School Will Help You Achieve Your Career Goals

The "Why This Dental School?" question is an opportunity for you to explain how the institution will help you achieve your career aspirations. In your answer, make sure to talk about how the dental school's programs, reputation, or alumni network will help you achieve your long-term career goals. Be specific and use concrete examples to demonstrate how the dental school will help you launch your dream career in dentistry.

Providing Specific Examples of Why You're Interested in the Dental School

Providing specific examples of why you're interested in a particular dental school can set you apart from other applicants. Consider talking about any specific experiences you've had that led you to pursue a career in dentistry and how those experiences align with the dental school's philosophy. Talk about any connections you've made with alumni or faculty members, and how those connections inspire you to pursue your dental education at that particular institution.

Avoiding Common Mistakes When Answering the "Why This Dental School?" Question

When answering the "Why This Dental School?" question, it's essential to avoid common mistakes that other applicants may make. Avoid generic answers and instead focus on specific details that set the institution apart. Additionally, make sure that your answer is a genuine reflection of your interests and values, and not something you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Finally, proofread your answer carefully for spelling or grammar errors and make sure that your answer is clear and concise.

Crafting a Compelling Introduction for Your Answer

Your answer to the "Why This Dental School?" question should begin with a compelling introduction that catches the admissions committee's attention. Consider starting with an anecdote or a personal story that illustrates your passion for dentistry. Make sure that your introduction sets the tone for the rest of your answer and effectively showcases why you're a perfect fit for the dental school.

Structuring Your Answer to Address All Aspects of the Question

When crafting your answer to the "Why This Dental School?" question, structure it in a way that addresses all aspects of the question. Start by addressing why you're drawn to the dental school, followed by how you fit into their culture and community. Make sure to discuss the dental school's programs and curriculum, and how those align with your personal goals. Finally, explain how the institution will help you achieve your career aspirations.

Making Sure Your Answer is Genuine and Authentic

Avoid the temptation to write an answer that you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Instead, focus on crafting an answer that is a genuine reflection of your interests, experiences, and values. Be authentic and true to yourself, and make sure that your answer effectively showcases why you're a perfect fit for the dental school.

Proofreading and Editing Your Answer for Clarity and Professionalism

Finally, make sure that your answer is polished, professional, and error-free. Proofread your answer carefully for spelling and grammar mistakes. Additionally, make sure that your answer is clear, concise, and easy to read. Consider asking a friend, mentor, or teacher to review your answer and provide constructive feedback.

Conclusion: The Importance of Nailing the "Why This Dental School?" Question

The "Why This Dental School?" question is an essential part of the dental school application process. It provides admissions committees with insight into your motivation, passion, and knowledge of the institution. By taking the time to research the dental school, crafting a thoughtful answer, and polishing your response, you can stand out from other applicants and successfully demonstrate why you're a perfect fit for the dental school of your dreams.

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• About ADEA GoDental
• Our Mission

Why be a dentist?

Is dentistry right for you, need for diversity, preparing for dental school, the admissions process, application to dental school, 2024–25 application cycle updates, application instructions, refund policy, re-applicants, school-specific deadlines, dental school interview, new student video stories, customer service, cost of attendance, financing options, educational debt, applying for aid, international students, practice or residency, advanced dental education programs, practice options, advanced education in general dentistry, hear from practitioners, words from your peers, financial aid advice, advice from admissions officers, tips from current d.d.s./d.h. students, health professions advisor views, upcoming events, enrichment programs calendar, past events, writing a personal statement for your dental school application.

The personal statement is one of the most important parts of the ADEA AADSAS ® (ADEA Associated American Dental School Application Service) application. It gives a dental school’s admissions committee the opportunity to assess your motivations and decide if you will be extended an invitation to interview. Often, it takes a long time to write it, and individuals may feel lost on how to approach it. I will help guide you on the path to successfully writing an effective personal statement. 

You should be very clear on the statement’s purpose. Apart from being clear on the dental or dental hygiene program and/or university’s mission focus, you should also be aware of and communicate what you want to achieve by becoming a health care provider. Ask yourself these questions:

• What drives you to be a dentist or dental hygienist?
• What will you achieve by becoming a dentist or dental hygienist?

These questions are important and should be answered within the personal statement. If you have clear answers, you will have a clear vision of the content of your personal statement’s purpose.

The next step is to define the content before you start writing the essay. It should revolve around your personal story, which could start from anywhere you like. For example, you could start when you chose to pursue this profession, or you can start from the present and explain how you’re investing time in and outside of school into building yourself into a better future dentist or dental hygienist. The beginning should be impactful , but do not sit on the beginning statement too long. Rereading and editing will help you get there. Sometimes, you might need to write the whole essay to identify a clear beginning statement.

After a decent beginning, focus on the rest of the story. Remember, it is a personal statement and it should be personal. Convey your story in an interesting manner. Project your personality. The admissions committee knows your GPA and have your CV/resume. What they want to know is who you really are. Add anecdotes from the journey that brought you to dentistry/dental hygiene. Add experiences from your personal life that highlight certain qualities essential to being a successful health care provider. If there were any dentists that you admired, shadowed or worked for who encouraged you to follow suit into dentistry, make sure you highlight the characteristics you admired in them.

Concluding statements are important, too. There should be a delightful epilogue to your essay summarizing the intent, while throwing light on the future and how completing the dental program will put you in a better position to help the community overall.

Use of Language

Judging the quality of your grammar is not the admissions committee’s goal when they read personal statements, but it serves to your advantage if you are meticulous with the words you choose. Certain avoidable grammatical or syntax errors may shift the focus of the reader from the message to the mistakes. It is important to reread and edit out such mistakes. Doing so also conveys your sincere efforts toward making a successful application.

Sentence structure is also important in making a script that flows well and keeps the reader’s attention. Small, interrupted sentences may not allow the reader to follow your thoughts through the punctuation marks, while long, complicated sentences may leave the reader stranded and confused with no closure. We often do not realize these mistakes as we write because the focus is not on sentence structure but on the content. Make sure you go back and read the essay thoroughly to make it easy for others to read. Follow up by using the most suitable conjunctions and transitional words and phrases.

Give yourself plenty of time for the writing process. Always try to start the personal statement early and do not leave it for last. Take a day off, sleep well, focus and write the first draft of the personal statement. At this point, do not think of the word limits and grammar—simply put your heart on paper and then, forget about it. Reread and edit it, afresh. Repeat the process three to four times and then seek help from an advisor or your friends and family. Let at least three to four trusted people read it and ask them to give their opinions and criticisms. Make sure they understand what you are trying to convey in the first place, then consider all their suggestions. Make edits per your liking and, at this stage of editing, lock down the major content of your essay. If your reviewers’ suggestions are contrasting and confusing, it is okay to make two separate drafts and elect to use the one that appeals to you the most. Edit and re-edit the draft you like the best and ask the reviewers to review the new version(s) again. You can always get new people to review it as well.

After you are happy with the content, focus on the language and presentation. Ask the reviewers to read it again and submit it after you feel confident about it. While taking suggestions from others, remember it is your personal statement, so stay true to yourself and do not sway from being yourself to impress others.

Good luck! 

About Anirudha Agnihotry, B.D.S., D.D.S.:

Anirudha Agnihotry, B.D.S., D.D.S.

General Dentist/Clinical Researcher

Private Practice, California

Dr. Agnihotry graduated from Manipal College of Dental Sciences with a Bachelor's in Dental Surgery (B.D.S.) degree in 2012. After a one-year clinical internship, he joined the faculty in the Operative Dentistry and Endodontics Department in Mahatma Gandhi Dental College, where he also maintained a faculty practice. After that, he moved to Divya Jyoti College of Dental Sciences and Research in the Public Health Dentistry. There, Dr. Agnihotry worked setting up community outreach clinics and school oral health programs as well as training dental students. In 2014, Agnihotry moved to the United States and completed a post-graduate certificate training in Restorative Dentistry and following that, worked as a researcher in the same department at the University of California, Los Angeles. After that, he enrolled in an intense accelerated program to obtain his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in two years, graduating in 2018. He is currently practicing general dentistry in California.

Dr. Agnihotry has been in dentistry for 12 years, as a student and a teacher at times. He has published 12 international scientific research papers, presented in international conferences, is a referee for six international scientific journals and has also written a textbook chapter. His focus is patient-centered outcomes and secondary research with clinical outcomes in focus. Apart from dentistry, he enjoys swimming, playing squash, running, biking, barbecuing and takes a keen interest in all art forms.

• Dental Hygiene
• Community Health
• Dental School
• Post-doctoral Education
• Summer 2022
• Spring 2022
• Winter 2020
• Spring 2020
• Summer 2018