February 2020

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Why dentistry?

I chose dentistry because I love working with people and have a passion for helping the marginalized through medical missions. After shadowing several dentists, I learned that dentists can help relieve patients of pain relatively quickly. I also liked that dentistry is hands-on and that there is an aesthetic aspect to dentistry that is tailored to each individual patient.

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How did you prepare for the DAT?

First, I watched Chad’s videos, and took detailed notes. Second, I went through DAT bootcamp which helped me get used to the types of questions that would be asked on the real DAT. The key was to go over the questions I got incorrect and review why I got it wrong so that I don’t make the same mistakes again. Third, I went through the DAT Destroyer books for Math and Organic Chemistry for practice. The notes I took while going through Chad’s videos were very helpful while answering questions.

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Did you take any gap years, and if so what did you do during that time?

I did the Dental Post-Baccalaureate program at Temple Dental for a year right after college and before dental school. I got a lot of dental assisting experience and learned how to take radiographs. This experience was helpful both didactically and clinically before matriculating at dental school. It was also nice to get to know some of the students and doctors.

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Did you work, volunteer, or do any extracurricular activities that prepared you for dental school?

I was an active member of my church, so I participated in multiple children’s and youth retreats as a volunteer. I also worked at a nail salon in college, which helped with patient management skills, teamwork skills, as well as my manual dexterity

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What would you say your interview was like at Temple University? 

I had a video interview in which I had to prepare a short speech about why I chose dentistry and why I wanted to go to Temple Dental. Then there was a section where I had to place pegs on a board with one hand. Lastly, they asked an ethics question.

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How would you describe your dental school experience at Temple Univeristy so far?

Honestly speaking, dental school has been the hardest four years of my life. The amount of studying I had to do exceeded anything I’ve ever had to do prior to dental school. There were some social challenges, as well, while trying to navigate a balance between studying and finding a community that can help me stay sane throughout dental school. However, on the bright side, things always somehow turned out okay in the end. I now have five months left until graduation and have gotten so much more clinical experience than I could have imagined. I feel that Temple Dental has prepared me well clinically. I have met some great faculty members and staff here, and definitely made several life-long friends.

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What advice would you give applicants or those considering dental school?

Dental school is a lifestyle that applicants need to be prepared for mentally, physically, and emotionally. Do not be alarmed if you feel stressed or don’t get the grades you are used to getting. If you need help, ask. And most importantly, find a good group of friends you can rely on and help keep you accountable. It’s important to keep a good balance between school and your health. 

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Why dentistry?

My brother was in dental school at the time and convinced me that it was the best career choice. I am somewhat similar to my brother and thought I would love dentistry, too.

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How did you prepare for the DAT?

I purchased a subscription for DAT Bootcamp and now believe it is the most similar to the real DAT of any study material. The ultimate resource, really.

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Did you take any gap years, and if so what did you do during that time?

No, I was considering taking a gap year because I thought I wasn't academically prepared or "mature" enough for dental/graduate school. I was convinced that going straight into dental school was the right choice for me if I knew that it was my career path. I definitely do not regret starting sooner than later... also do not undermine who you are and what you can do. If you got accepted into dental school, you can do it!

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Did you shadow before applying to dental schools?

Yes. I highly recommend learning to assist and finding a dentist that has a love for teaching others. It is not incredibly helpful to shadow to a dentist that does not speak to you during a procedure.

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What would you say your interview was like at Temple University?

Lots of sweating and panic. I will not elaborate. I will say it was the only school I interviewed at that made me feel like I belong.

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What advice would you give applicants or those considering dental school?

At the end of the day, it's all about patient satisfaction. You need to like interacting with people and resolving their issues. It's extremely rewarding when you get hugs because patients are happy with your work. It's not so rewarding when patients leap out of the chair and don't look back when you've spent hours obliterating their hard calculus.

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Why dentistry?

Dentistry is the perfect balance of art and science. I have always been intrigued by the human body so I knew I definitely wanted a career in the healthcare field; but I also like art and esthetics. Additionally, the social aspect of practicing dentistry really appealed to me, I love interacting with people across different ages, personalities and cultures.

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How did you prepare for the DAT?

I spent 90% of my time doing practice problems, and 10% reviewing the topics I kept getting wrong. I used mainly DAT destroyer and dat bootcamp.

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Did you take any gap years, and if so what did you do during that time?

I took one gap year after undergrad. I worked as a R&D engineer for biotech start-up company.

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Did you work, volunteer, or do any extracurricular activities that prepared you for dental school?

Even though unrelated to dentistry, I learned a lot during my gap year. First, I learned the importance of good communication, taking responsibility for my actions and not being afraid to ask for help when I needed it. Second, by working a 9 to 5 job sitting behind a computer most of the day, I realized I didn’t want to do this for the next 50 years of my life. It made me look really forward to becoming a dentist.

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What would you say your interview was like at Temple University?

The interview at Temple was not as stressful as my other interviews. I liked how the actual interview was short (5 mins) and straight to the point.

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How would you describe your dental school experience at Temple Univeristy so far?

My experience at Temple was nothing but good so far. I haven’t had issues with anything. I really like my classmates, there’s definitely a lot of diversity. The other thing I really like is the amount of time spent in lab and the emphasis on hands-on experience. Compared to other schools, we were almost always ahead in preclinic.

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What advice would you give applicants or those considering dental school?

Try to relax and enjoy your summer before dental school as much as you can! You worked hard to get this far, you deserve a break. You also want to avoid burnout. Dental school can be stressful at times, but you can easily have a good social life and still do good in school. Balance is key!