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Yvette Arana
Year of graduation: 2004
Previous position held in PDS: Fundraising coordinator
Status: UCSF post-baccalaureate
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Abbi Dekker
Year of graduation: 2004
Previous position held in PDS: Secretary
2003-2004
Advice: 1.) Take your GPA very seriously from the beginning.
2.) Go to office hours and get to know your instructors! 3.) Before
you apply, get some experience in a dental office.
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Kimberly Liao
Year of graduation: 2004
Previous position held in PDS: President 2003-2004
Advice: Get everything done early (when it comes to applications)!
There is life beyond school!
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Rebekka Swanson
Year of graduation: 2004
Previous position held in PDS: Activity coordinator
Advice: Club to meet people as well as learn about dentistry. |
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Linda Yip
Year of graduation: 2004
Previous position held in PDS: Member 2002-2004, Publicity
officer 2003-2004
Advice: The whole process of applying to dental school
may seem overwhelming, but my advice is to just start it and things
will start to pick up. Network with other members, they're your best
support and are there to help.
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Gloria
Khoo
Year
of graduation: 2003
Previous
position held in PDS: Activities
coordinator (2002-2003)
Status: 1st
year at UCSF School of Dentistry
Advice: "Try
to apply early and keep checking with AADSAS to see if they get all
of your materials. Once you make it to the interviews, just relax
and be yourself."
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Mike
Lu
Year
of graduation: 2003
Previous
position held in PDS: webmaster
(2001-2003), secretary (2002-2003)
Status: 1st
year at UB School of Dental Medicine (New York)
Webpage: www.geocities.com/kaede177
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Daniel
Martin
Year
of graduation: Fall
of 1998
Previous
activities at UCD: While
at Davis I had no idea I wanted to become a dentist. I was pretty
set on the Med school track for the first couple of years because
I was fairly nerdy in the science world and liked people (blah, blah...the
same thing we all write in personal statements). Needless to say
I did not hold an official PDS position. I was very active with Outdoor
Adventures and rose through the guide ranks fairly quickly-- in fact
I'm teaching beginning guide training right now-- and I also raced
with the UCD Alpine Ski Team and served as pre-season dryland coach
for a season. After school I was employed as a river guide and a
ski patroller for a few years. As a river guide I met plenty of dentists,
who as it turns out have the time and money to go on rafting trips.
The more I talked with them, the more enchanted I became with the
dental world. I hung out with a few of them in their offices and
the deal was sealed.
Status: 5'10" 2nd
year student at UOP, Student Body Treasurer Legislative Liaison (ASDA
position) PR guy for our community outreach program (SCOPE) active
in cleft lip/palate research
Advice: yikes!
I kinda took a different path to the dental school world. Though,
I imagine most in the PDS are chompin at the bit to dive into dental
school, I would tell everyone to take a year or two off before jumping
into more school. Dental school is rigorous and I think our minds
and souls all deserve a little break. I think it also helps with
dealing with patients and probably looks good to the admissions folks,
provided you spent your time out of prison.
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Iman
Sadri
Year
of graduation: 2003
Previous
position held in PDS: Vice-President
(2002-2003)
Status: First year dental student at New York University.
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Christallyn
Tan
Year
of graduation: 2003
Previous
position held in PDS: Activities
coordinator (2002-2003)
Status: 1st
year at UCLA School of Dentistry
Advice: "If
you fail, try and try again; never give up on your dream." Thien
(Sam) Trang Year graduated from UC Davis: 2002 Previous Position
held in PDS: Treasurer (2001-2002) Status: 1st year at UCLA School
of Dentistry Advice: Apply very early and score no lower than a 20
on all sections of the DAT. Check out forums.studentdoctor.net for
moral support, a wakeup call, or just to some info. If I can get
in, you surely will be able to get in.
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Jenny
Vassilian
Year
of graduation: 2003
Previous
position held in PDS: Fundraising
coordinator (2002-2003)
Status: 1st
year at UCSF School of Dentistry
Advice: "Hey
future dentists! Yes I was once in your shoes- freaking out about
admissions and the DATs. What I learned looking back on it all is
that UCD prepared you well. One piece of advice: Be confident (but
not conceited- there's a fine line). Confidence shows throughout
your application and interviews. It shines through and makes an impression
on people. Not just in the application process, but in all aspects
of life. I mean, who wants a dentist who isn't confident in themselves?
I'll be at UCSF so if any of you join me, keep in touch!!!"
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Aurora
Patino
Year
of graduation: 2003
Previous
position held in PDS: Activities
coordinator (2002-2003)
Status: 1st
year at UOP School of Dentistry
Advice: "Don't
worry guys, you will get in and you will be a great dentist!" |
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Larry
Lau
Year
of graduation: 2003
Previous
Position held in PDS: member
Status: Currently
a postgraduate researcher in the Center for Neuroscience (South Davis).
He is currently in the dental application process for Fall 2004 admission.
Good luck, Larry!
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Jeffrey
Leong
Year
of graduation: 2002
Previous
position held in PDS: Vice-President
(2001-2002), Activities Coordinator (2000-2001)
Status: 2nd
year at UCSF School of Dentistry
Advice: "Study
hard and play hard. Work hard at school by trying your best at all
times. UCD prepares you extremely well for the vigorous didactics in
dental school and learning the material now will prepare you for the
long run. Play hard by getting involved with PDS, seeking out dental
internships, helping out with the community. Remember there is no such
thing as failure, learn from your mistakes and stive to make improvements
everyday. It is only failure if you give up. Good luck and I wish you
all the best!" |
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Thien
(Sam) Trang
Year
of graduation: 2002
Previous
position held in PDS: Treasurer
(2001-2002)
Status: 1st
year at UCLA School of Dentistry
Advice: Apply
very early and score no lower than a 20 on all sections of the DAT.
Check out forums.studentdoctor.net for moral support, a wakeup call,
or just to some info. If I can get in, you surely will be able to get
in. |
