Questions

what was the last book you've read? do you read

"the politics of resentment: rural consciousness in Wisconsin and the rise of Scott walker " I forgot who its by, it was written by a professor at UW-Madison, one of my classmates was talking about it and I found her description of it interesting so I decided to read it -the author continuously travels to rural areas in Wisconsin to try to understand how Scott walker was reelected in Wisconsin despite the protestors at capitol square

who has been a role model in your life? not family

- MLK? physical therapist? dance teacher Jen (coach/teacher)

"How do you earn someone's trust?"

Being dependable, following through with what you say you'll do, being honest with the person at all times, and communicating effectively and being able to admit when you're wrong. I think trust takes time, but it can be earned, and its especially important with your relationship with your patient

are you passive or confrontational

I honestly think it depends on what I'm talking about and whom I'm talking to I would say I can tend to be confrontational when I'm comfortable speaking up, especially when I'm confident in their viewpoints -but many other times i can be easygoing and passive especially if its something I don't know much about or don't feel comfortable about the topic being discussed

If a boy came into your office and did not have dental insurance, what would you do?

I would greet them in a friendly and open manner without judgement and without assuming the patient won't be able to pay for their treatment. Lets say the patient explains that they dont have insurance and they're unable to pay for their treatment plans I would have my office contact social service agencies to determine if my patient qualifies for government funding at some level. I can also suggest my patient contact a nearby dental school for treatment, as patients are often seen at low or no cost as part of dental student training. My primary concern is for the well being of my patient, but I must also be certain to provide equitable care to all my patients and make decisions that allow for the viability of my practice. If none of these options offer a solution for my patients in a timely manner, I will provide the most suitable and costs effective treatment to resolve the most immediate issues without charge. Ill be certina to treat the patient with the same respect, care, and empathy by my entire staff as every other patient we treat

why Marquette?

I'm drawn to your comprehensive patient care program, I think its really beneficial that you have students assigned to these groups to help develop these patient skills thats so imperative once I become a dentist and a reminder that the focus is on the patients total dental needs, not just a single procedure. I find it valuable that both D1 and D2 years have the opportunity to get this exposure in the clinic through assisting the other D3 and D4 students, I even read that students get to work in a real dental clinic their first week which is amazing to me. I also find intriguing that D1 & D2 students get to shadow rotations in specialty clinics (the amount of on-site clinics you have also draws me to your school) and D3 and D4 students get to go on community dental rotations which I would love to be apart and really makes me want to attend Marquette. I also find the DDS and MS program offering very appealing and I think this is something I would definitely look into if I had the opportunity to attend your program. Having this opportunity to customize my own education and earn lets say a masters of science degree through your graduate school while enrolled in dental school is a unique aspect that makes me want to attend your program. *I briefly looked at both the public service, education, and business management* And honestly, I just love the state of Wisconsin. I remember telling people when I was younger that my favorite state was WI even though I grew up in MN. My dad grew up in Wisconsin so he kinda brainwashed me when I was a kid to be a badgers, packers, fan, I became a huge cheesehead...hence why I chose to go to UW-madison for my undergraduate. I think all these components are why I'm so drawn to Marquette.

What makes you a good leader?

I've had leadership experience before with work being a head server at a restaurant I work at as well as in a dance hip hop club i'm in being the financial coordinator and dance instructor. Personally I think I'm a good leader because I have a good work ethic and I am able to bring out people's strengths and help, support, and encourage them to excel in order to do their best. I know how to oversee a team and make sure the people around me are succeeding, and I'm able to make hard decisions when necessary especially if I know this decision will benefit the team in the long run. I think I do well being able to acknowledge the success as well as the weakness and always seek to improve

current trends in dentistry

Ive read that the global 3D printing market is expanding and dental practices will have greater access to these 3D printing technologies...potential to improve precision and efficiency define -teledentistry (online consultation virtually) expanding, obviously cover-19 played a big role in this,, so I think this is something that will be interesting to keep track of as time goes on and if it's here to stay or not -easier for patient sometimes -I also read that there's a proposal right now in congress to expand medicare part B to include dental benefits, which from what my opinion is physician focused and doesn't take into consideration the differences between physician offices and dental offices...wouldn't best serve older patients seeking access to health care -oppose the legislative proposal contacting congress -thought this was interesting since I kinda talked about the differences between dentists and other physicians and how this is a current event going on now

what does leadership mean to you? who is a leader to you?

Leadership means supporting, encouraging, and helping others around you to excel and do their best. I think great leaders aren't doing everything for the people around them, but they're doing their best to make sure the team and the people around them are succeeding -they're trying to bring out peoples strengths -I think great leaders can delegate tasks and make hard decisions when necessary especially when they know this decision will benefit the team in the long run ... they're able to acknowledge the success as well as the weakness and always are seeking to improve -A leader is someone you can look up to and motivates other individuals -one prominent leader in American history would be Martin Luther King Jr. I think its inspiring how he basically was the leader of the civil rights movement -but I wasn't alive when he was, and someone I can call a leader to this day is my older sister. She embodies everything a great leader should be and I know she is someone I can always look up to and teach me how to be strong, independent, hard-working and a leader myself

"Who is your role model? If you could eat lunch with 2 people from history who would they be?"

MLK jr civil rights movement & Micheal Jackson I love music and think he was before his time & a musical genius

do you see yourself at marquette

Yes, I do see myself at Marquette. I would love to stay in the state of Wisconsin, I absolutely love it here and was kinda brainwashed by my dad throughout my childhood to love this state since he grew up here, hence why UW-Madison was my dream school for my undergrad. I would even love to have a job here and start a family here in Wisconsin, and I think attending Marquette would be the best to put me in the opportunity to do so. I would also really love to attend Marquette and can see myself attending to have the opportunity to do shadow rotation in specialty clinics during my D1 & D2 years and then be able to be apart of community dental rotations during my D3 & D4 years. I also find the DDS and MS program offering very appealing and I think this is something I would definitely look into if I had the opportunity to attend your program. Having this opportunity to customize my own education and earn lets say a masters of science degree through your graduate school while enrolled in dental school is a unique aspect that makes me want to attend your program. I'm also drawn to your comprehensive patient care program, I think its really beneficial that you have students assigned to these groups to help develop these patient skills thats so imperative once I become a dentist and a reminder that the focus is on the patients total dental needs, not just a single procedure. I find it valuable that both D1 and D2 years have the opportunity to get this exposure in the clinic through assisting the other D3 and D4 students and this is something I want to be apart of.

"What does access to dental care mean to you?"

access to dental care means anyone and everyone should be able to access affordable dental care -I think this is a big problem we're currently facing is that not everyone is getting access to affordable dental care -whether its insurances not covering it and/or poor legislation, or even certain people not being able to lets say drive to a dental facility the needs aren't being met -It could even be misconceptions about oral health in general -theres these barriers between the people and getting the oral care they need and so far thats what I think I know about access to dental care but I still have a lot to learn about it

"Name one word that describes you. One that doesn't."

describes me: genuine doesn't describe me: conceited

"Tell us about test tube teeth."

honestly dont know much and I can take a guess that it has to do with possibly engineering biomechnical teeth in a test tube

what are your hobbies

if im at home I like to play the piano especially to relax or if im bored, I love listening to music and choreographing dances, I also love hanging out with my sisters and do pretty much anything with them, during the summer you'll pretty much find me on the lake every day whether thats paddle boarding, wakeboarding, or jet skiing, I also love lifting weights and working out, and probably playing card games with my family

intelligence or intellect?

im trying to think of the difference between the two intellegence intellect important to an extent intelligence is a term used to refer to an individual's ability to acquire and then apply skills and knowledge (curious, open-minded, enticed with deep talks) intellect is defined as the faculty of understanding and reasoning objectively, especially regarding abstract matters (thinks based on reasoning, looks for facts, takes calculated risks). Inborn, objective..."hallmark of human thinking" **I think its important to be able to learn new things and be able to reason with others whereas I think intellect is more like a genius and think strategically and very smart which is good, but if you're not able to communicate with others

"whats better integrity or intellectual"

integrity could be smart & lie

"What is a the social responsibility of a dentist?"

keep updated on the trends and news in dentistry, continue to address problems in the field of dentistry like access to care, volunteer some of my time and providing care to others outside of the dental office, promote policies that ensure equitable distribution of available resources

"What are your top three schools that you applied to?"

marquette, Iowa, and Minnesota

"What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?"

talk to my classmate, tell them to turn themselves in to a professor and lets say they don't go through with it or believe they weren't in the wrong, then I would go and talk to the administration or professor of that respective course, I would do this without having the intentions of doing evil but I think they might even learn from this mistake in the future and I think cheating is unfair and shows disrespect for the students working hard and being honest in their work. in the end, when you're evaluating and treating patients there is no cheat sheet, so you might as well learn the correct way now

biggest pet peeve

when people are late and you planned to be someplace at a certain time or slow drivers

"How would you handle a situation where your patient isn't taking your advice and is getting upset or angry because you won't consider their suggestion?"

yeah so I think there's inevitably gonna be times where the patient doesn't agree with everything I say. in these situations, the best thing I think I could do is try to consider their suggestion and if I think something is ineffective or false I will throughly explain & break down my reasoning behind it in order for them to understand where im coming from. I want an open and safe conversation to occur with me & my patient. It is best if I continue to stay calm & respectful of their thoughts and decisions. I would try to calm the patient down and if they still continue to disagree with me or not consider my suggestions I could ask them if they would want another doctor's opinions on the matter that we're talking about -I want to build that trust with my patient and want them to feel comfortable expressing their needs and concerns to me

"Have you ever not gotten something you really wanted?"

yes dog

"Have you ever been in a situation in which you didn't want to complete a task but you were forced to complete it anyhow?"

yes, I would say

Is diversity important to a dental school?

yes, diversity and dentistry go hand in hand, as I've seen during my shadowing experience. Diversity within your patient base is very profound, as you will be treating people of all ages, all races, all economic statuses, people with special needs, people with diverse oral health needs and circumstances. I think cultural competency and being able to understand and interact with people from different backgrounds as me is imperative in the dental field. I think its important to embrace diversity as a dentist and to be able to adapt leadership and communication skills in order to accomodate people of different backgrounds, identities, and abilities. This can stem from the dental school you attended. I think it is very important to attend a dental school that cares about diversity and emerges me in diversity whether thats the school itself or the community I'm around. I think going to a diverse school in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, & culture has the potential to infuse my education with another level of learning and understanding

"Have you had any leadership experience?"

yes, head server, financial coordinator, (look on app), instructor for dances leading and teaching a dance to others, even high school captain of sports Yes, I've had leadership experience before with work being a head server at a restaurant I work at as well as in a dance club I'm in on campus being the financial coordinator and dance instructor. My leadership even started in high school with being captain of the sports I was in. I feel I am comfortable and know how to be a successful leader and I'm always seeking to improve both myself as well as the people I'm leading or the team I'm apart of.

why dentistry/ what led you to dentistry

-First off throughout my whole education I always had a fondness for the science and biological studies, even when I was younger. I was also exposed to both my parents who were both physicians and looked up to them on a daily basis. So ever since I was younger I always knew I for sure wanted to be in the medical field. Throughout high school and some time in college I had multiple knee surgeries and grew a great relationship with both my orthapediatc surgeon and physical therapist. Throughout these experiences it solidified my decision that the medical field was for me, even though I wasn't necessarily drawn to their specific occupations. I desire to help and aid someone on a daily basis like those 2 did for me which I owe so many thank yous to. This is also something that appeals to me about dentistry versus other healthcare professions is how fast a dentist can make a diagnosis and do a procedure. A dentist can start working relatively quickly and make a difference for the patient right away...like they can even leave that day feeling 10X better than they had come in. I want to make this change for as many patients as I can and is something I find so rewarding about dentistry. I also shadowed 2 podiatrists and realized their occupations weren't for me either which in the end I'm very grateful I was exposed to so many different medical fields, cus it made my decision for dentistry that much easier. Lastly, I remember shadowing a dentist the first day and saw a tooth extraction and was in awe. It seriously was so cool to me I couldn't get enough of it. I was actually studying for the DAT during this time too, and every time I came home from shadowing it motivated me even more to study longer and harder to do even better cus I knew this was this path I wanted for my life. This is kinda cliche but I have always loved going to the dentist, and I feel that its the most common healthcare place where people dont enjoy going to as much and I really want to be this change an dmkae my patients feel safe and enjoy their experience as much as possible. I am confident that I want to become a dentist and will continue to pursue this dream until its a reality.

"What are 3 reasons why you want to become a dentist?"

-I aspire to help people and make a difference in peoples lives & I think dentistry of all professions is one where I can be fulfilled doing this...when I shadowed I really got to understand just how many people you can help a day & you can make diagnosis and start treatment in a relatively quick amount of time compared to any other medical profession -I also knew I always wanted to be part of the medical field, I always loved learning about the sciences more than any other class & have been exposed to the healthcare system throughout my past. then shadowing a dentist was really a pivotal moment that ensured me that dentistry is what I want to purse -lastly, I have always loved going to the dentist, and I feel that its the most common healthcare place where people dont enjoy going to as much and I really want to be this change an dmkae my patients feel safe and enjoy their experience as much as possible

If you observed a friend cheating what would you do?

-I would definitely talk to my friend and maybe ask what the situation was and why they did and if theres anything I could do to help them if they're struggling with a certain class - I would encourage them to tell their professor or faculty member about the scenario that happen and think they could even learn a valuable lesson from this. I would make sure my friend would know that I will be there for them throughout the whole time and hope that our friendship is strong enough to overcome this barrier and that they can understand why I confronted them about it. I think cheating is unfair and shows disrespect for the students like myself who work hard and show honesty in their academics -cant cheat when you'r treating and evaluating a patient in the office ,, so why now

"A woman comes into your clinic with perfectly healthy teeth, and wants them all extracted. What do you do?"

-I would explain the benefits of having all your teeth in your mouth versus having dentures or implants or fake teeth & why its good to maintain oral health bc it allows you to eat properly and so on...try to explain that its important to maintain your teeth for as long as you live -I would not treat the patient, they could go somewhere else but I wouldn't treat them

Tell me about yourself

-Madison lake MN -grew up with family, very close with and a good support system -love outside, both summer on lake and snow skiing during winter -dance was a big part of life...loved being part of a team -had multiple knee injuries and surgeries caused hindrances -gave me experience with the healthcare system and having parents work in the field gave me exposure throughout childhood -firsthand experience witnessing difference a healthcare provider can make -I shadowed a podiatrist and a physical therapist, didn't fall in love -ever since little loved going to dentist, good relationship so decided to shadow -fell in love with it and aspire to become one myself I'm from Madison Lake in Minnesota which is like an hour south from the cities (Minneapolis) and grew up with my parents and my 2 older sisters. I'm very close family especially my sisters and I definitely go to them for support throughout my childhood and even to this day with balancing sports, extracurriculars, and my schoolwork. Dance was a big part of my life while growing up I learned to love being part of a team to work together to perform for an audience. Having multiple knee injuries and surgeries caused many hindrances to my dancing abilities but this made me appreciate my health even more and not take it for granted. It also gave me a lot of experience with the healthcare system and having both my parents work in the field gave me even more exposure. Having this firsthand experience I was able to witness the difference that a healthcare provider can make for a person which definitely peaked my interest. I did shadow a podiatrist and a physical therapist and although they were interesting I didn't fall in love with what I was witnessing... ever since I was younger I knew I loved going to the dentist and had always developed a personal relationship with my dentists so I decide to shadow a few and truly fell in love with it and aspire to become one myself and I believe I would be an excellent candidate for your program

what accomplishments are you most proud of

-after my first two knew surgeries I set a goal to complete a triathlon in the following summer and I remember my dad helping me train, helping me recovery in order to accomplish this goal. the following summer I was able to reach that goal and mine and successfully complete a triathlon even after having two knee surgeries -another accomplishment I'm proud of is getting nominated to be team captain of my schools dance team even though during the year they nominated me I was unable to dance due to my knee surgeries. I didn't even know if I was allowed to be nominated becuase I wasn't apart of the team that year I just kinda volunteered and helped out backstage during their performances, but they did it behind my back & surprised me when they announced I was a captain. they had enough faith in me and trusted me to be their captain for the next year and that's a moment ill always remember

why dentistry and not any other medical field?

-are similarities b/t dentist and medical professions -working w patients...dentist can make diagnosis and treat right away and make an instant difference in a short amount time -treat multiple patients a day whether issue or preventative is something I find appealing -patient-doctor relationship different than other medical doctors -same patients over years, build connection and trust , long term relationships -love that every day is gonna be unique in itself -yes repetition in name of procedure, but each unique based on their problem -exp: every filling different based on tooth decay -variety keep on my feet -these are all component I value and would want to surround myself with in my future profession and is why im pursuing the path to become a dentist. There ArE many similarities between a dentist and other medical professions. For example working with and treating patients. The thing that appeals to me about dentistry in this example is a dentist can make a diagnosis and start working on a patient in a relatively very short amount of time compared to other medical doctors. A dentist can make a difference very quickly...a patient can even leave the dental facility and have their issue pretty much over with. Being able to do this treat multiple patients a day whether they have an issue or being able to do something to prevent an issue is something I find super appealing. Another reason I want to pursue dentistry is due to the patient-doctor relationships that get built...and I think they're so different than any other medical doctor relationship. You have the ability to see the same patients for many years, sometimes even over different generations from a family. In other medical occupations you just kinds see the doctor as you need...I noticed this when I had my knee surgeries and I built a good relationship with both my orthopedic surgeon and my physical therapist...and maybe thats just cus of how many surgeries I've had ahhaha...but it's nothing like a dentist cus once my problem was fixed I don't really need to see them again. with the dentists I shadowed I learned that most of them had retained their patients over time and built these long term relationships. I also think this is important for building my patients trust in my dental abilities over time. Building these connections with others seems very fulfilling to me. Overall these are all component I value and would want to surround myself with in my future profession and is why im pursuing the path to become a dentist. this is kinda a sidenote, but I saw that there's a proposal right now in congress to expand medicare part B to include dental benefits, which from what my opinion is physician focused and doesn't take into consideration the differences between physician offices and dental offices...wouldn't best serve older patients seeking access to health care -oppose the legislative proposal contacting congress -thought this was interesting since I kinda talked about the differences between dentists and other physicians and how this is a current event going on now

describe your perfect dental school to me

-definitely one that is in somewhat of a close proximity to my family, I definitely don't want to be a flight away from them, I want to be able to drive to see them when I want. -I also want a school that cares about giving back to the community around me and gives me that hands on expeerience serving people in order to best prepare me for when I start practicing in real life after school -one that teaches me about specialties and exposes me to them...if I decide to specialize or not I thinker's important for me to be well rounded in every aspect of dentistry -lastly, my perfect dental school would be one that cares about diversity and emerges me in diversity whether thats the school itself or the community I'm around I think going to a diverse school in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, & culture has the potential to infuse my education with another level of learning and understanding

"What factors will affect your decision to choose a dental school."

-let's say I get in to multiple schools the first thing I would think about is proximity to my hometown, I definitely want to go to a school thats in somewhat close proximity to my family, I definitely don't want to be a flight away from them, I want to be able to drive to see them -I also want a school that cares about giving back to the community around me and gives me that hands on experience serving people in order to best prepare me for when I start practicing in real life after school. I also think its important that I care about the community around me and/or the state I'm in because I know I will be giving back to them -want a school that teaches me about specialties and exposes me to them...if I decide to specialize or not I think it's important for me to be well rounded in every aspect of dentistry

"What question were you hoping we'd ask?"

-probably about my gpa last year and kinda give me an opportunity to explain that, something im not proud of but I know I have to address it -anything about my knee surgeries, being able to overcome that -strengths and weaknesses ? -why dentistry and not a medical doctor -*remember any questions from this list*

"Name three challenges you'll face in dental school."

-the overall increased course load from undergrad to graduate school and learning how to balance this type of schedule -another challenge then would be having less free time because I know I will have that increased course load which will require me to study more hence less free time -being away from family/saying goodbyes, but I did this during my undergrad and being at Madison I am confident I can continue to do this though in the moment it is a challenge for me while saying goodbye

how do you plan on handling the course load in dentistry and/or what happened in this class during undergrad

-what did I do to improve during undergrad or difficult class, how changed lifestyle or study habits, how its gonna prove effective cus of the last couple of semest3ers -managing time effectively, like to create a schedule

"Talk about a time you experienced a difficult situation while in a leadership role."

Difficult situation in leadership role was at work, I'm a lead server at the restaurant I work at & I was made aware by some of my coworkers that a certain coworker was making them feel uncomfortable by the comments he was making towards them and some of his actions. I hadn't experienced these things that my friends had and I was friends, or at least coworker friends, with this guy who they were talking about. I had to share this information to my manager to make her aware of the situation so she could take further steps.

what would be a reason to not report a student that has cheated?

Hm, I don't think there ever would be one, possibley if they're in a really really negative space mentally..and maybe at this point they shouldn't even be taking the course load...in that case I would encourage them to even see someone like a therapist to talk to... -I would definitely talk to the student and maybe ask what the situation was and why they did what they did and encourage them to tell their professor or faculty member the scenario that had happened. I don't think there would be many situations where it would be acceptable for someone to cheat however, if they decided not to tell themselves I think I would have consider reporting it myself. I would also try to explain how they might even learn from this mistake in the future and I think cheating is unfair and shows disrespect for the students working hard and being honest in their work

where do you see yourself in 10 years

I definitely see myself living in Wisconsin and starting a family, but not really sure what city yet...I really like where I grew up when I was younger, so I'm more appealed to living in an rural area. I'll probably be done with my education whether I specialized or not and I'll either be practicing for a corporation or owning my own private practice. I will love my job and working with and helping people every day to make a change in this world one step at a time. Hopefully by then I will be able to go on a few dental mission trips as well. Overall,, I'm really open to a lot of things and am just looking forward to what life brings me.

where do you want to practice/where do you see yourself practicing after you graduate dental school?

I definitely want to live as well as pracitce in Wisconsin, but not really sure what city yet...I really like where I grew up when I was younger, so I'm more appealed to living in an rural area. I'll either practice for a corporation or own my own private practice, but I'm not set one one for sure yet. I'm really open to a lot of things and am just looking forward to what life brings me.

when is it okay to break the rules

I don't think it ever would be okay to break the rules..im trying to think. -I feel like something that you can do is to question the rules, but not break them. I think questioning them is okay especially if you, lets say, disagree with them. possibly the rules are incorrect or they need to be updated, but I dont think its really ever okay to break them.

How do you handle criticism?"

I handle criticism well, I like to think I use it constructively and try to process what they said and how I can use it to better myself. I think for it to be productive both sides need to express themselves respectfully. I know for the most part especially if its coming from someone I know they're only telling me cus they care about me, so I would also express gratitude and appreciation toward them. then in the future I would work towards bettering myself with the advice and criticism they gave me

tell me about your past academic history

I have a very strong work ethic when it comes to school. I tend to work very hard and long hours in order to succeed. I enjoy learning and have taken a well-rounded course load in college. I am organized with my study schedule to avoid procrastination I basically live by my planner hahah. I give 100% to my education and that has been and always will be my number 1 priority. I think the one time where I struggled would be my junior year of college when we all were affecting by the Covid-19 pandemic and classes were all switched to online which I struggled with from time to time just staring at a computer screen all day. I definitely enjoy being back in person and have a daily routinely schedule and having that hands on experience

do you want to specialize

I have been interested in this but also can't say yes or no right now because I haven't gone through dental school yet, so I don't really know for example what an endodontist entails and the ins & outs of that -right now im definitely open to it I love going to school & being in school as long as I can, but we'll see where dental school takes me first, and see how the courses are and maintain good grades and keep all doors open

what do you know about dental school

I know that its a heavy course load and you're gonna be studying a lot and be challenged along the way -I know it's gonna be expensive and im gonna have to take out loans to pay for my schooling -I also know that I'm gonna build a community with the people around me and other future and current dentists -I know that faculty members and others around me want me to succeed. I know that its gonna take a lot of work and effort, but it'll eb worth it in the end

what hand coordination experience you have/prove to me that you have manual dexterity to become a dentist

I played the piano for 8 years and even played basketball for a few years throughout my younger childhood before my knee injuries. -I was involved in competitive dancing which require very exquisite hair styles and I would do them by having a mirror both in front of my and behind me and I would look through the front mirror in order to see my hands indirectly behind me in order to do my hair. -I also know how to knit, crochet, and sew (scarves, hats, and hot pads before)

"How did you study for the DAT?"

I started studying for my DAT towards the end of the school year last year and then all throughout the summer. I did use the online DAT bootcamp as well as some resources my sister had from taking the MCAT -I kinda put myself through a strict study schedule just cus I knew the only way I would feel somewhat okay going into to taking the exam is if I just continue to study -so I would wake up each day around 7 maybe 8ish and study, go through flashcards, practice problems and exams until basically dinner time sometimes even after dinner I would do some more stuff, I would obviously take some breaks in between and I also did work on the weekends so that was also a nice study break for myself. but. I put a lot of time and effort into studying and I know my score isn't outstanding, but it defiantly reflects hard work more than anything else

"How would you define success after a 15 year career?"

I think if I'm still happy and taking pride in the work I do, have loyal patients who trust my work and building these relationships with them, being able to accomplish goals I set for myself at work as well as goals my team sets for ourselves, and continuing to adapt to the changing needs of dentistry as a whole and continuing to educate ourselves then I would define that as successful

why do you think so many people want to be dentists

I think its a great medical field to go into and a respected field by many. A lot of people go to the dentist more regularly than possibly any other health care provider so theres more exposure to the field for many people and they become interested in it -It's a great occupation to have and I think people will always need dentists to take care of their oral health - I also think being a dentist provides a good balance between your work and life outside of work I mean who wouldn't wanna be a dentist hahah :)

if a person shows up at your clinic in a lot of pain and it's the end of the day and you're backed up, how would you handle it?"

I think its my responsibility to stay and treat the patient...yes I may be working late, but I was the one who decided to pursue this career... and I decided to pursue it because I wanted to help people and make a difference in peoples lives. I also understand that this isn't going to happen every single day, so when It does I will be okay with it. It's my duty to serve my patients, be loyal to them as they are to me, and treat them so they have proper oral health -I would assess the situation and if it's something that needed to be treated right away I would proceed with that, and if it didn't need to be treated right away I would find an appointment for as soon as possible or even fit the person in my schedule for the next day

"How does knowledge of other cultures help you in the office? "

I think knowledge of not only other cultures, but other genders, races, disabilities, languages, and just diversity in general helps me in the office. I want to be able to emphasize with another person from a completely different background than mine and make them feel welcomed, included, and feel that they're understood and accepted in my office. I think emerging myself in diversity has the potential to infuse my education with another level of learning and understanding I think overall this type of knowledge only enhances the overall atmosphere of your office and makes people feel welcomed and safe

After completing DDS will you go for a private practice or work in a hospital?

I think right now I would want to start out more at a hospital or corporate owned practice, especially to see how an actually office and facility is ran, and get tips and tricks. from there, I would be open to owning my private practice but I'm not sure if this is something I would 100% want to do yet. So, I'm really open to both but would like to get some corporate practice in to see what I like and dislike

when struggling in a class, how did you switch your study habits

I took a step back, reflected on what I was doing and how well it was or wasn't working for me. I specifically remember doing this after my first exam with my physics class which I found challenging. I ended up going to office hours and talked to my professor about my exam and what I had done to study. I also talked to my older sister who was majoring in civil engineering and had taken many physics classes...she actually helped like "tutor" me throughout the class and would help break down concepts for me. I took more time out of my week to study for the class since I knew I was struggling with it

Why should we accept you over another dentistry student with the same qualifications?

I want to provide access to everyone should have access to oral care

"What will you do if you do not get through this inteview? "

I will finish my undergraduate degree and strive for good grades to bring my GPA up. I will apply again during the next cycle, possibly go on a dental mission trip and/or work at a dental office throughout that time. I would also reach out to people whether its fellow students or faculty or admission members and ask what they want to see from me and what I can do to better myself for the next application cycle

"How will you transition from undergrad to dental school?"

I will have to learn how to balance this increased course load schedule and diligently plan out my study time. I think its a learning curve with this new type of schedule -I will continue to put forward 100% in school as I have been doing in the past. I also think it's realy important to be open to all of the new experiences that I will be having there, and to form relationships with my classmates and professors to facilitate the learning process.

what did your work experience teach you

I work at a restaurant as both a server and a bartender and It definitely enhanced my interpersonal skills and being able to communicate with others and carry on a conversation with someone I just met -it also taught me stress management and the importance of prioritizing things...working in a fast paced environment with a lot of things to juggle at once you learn to work swiftly and proactively while maintaining good communication with both my coworkers as well as the people I'm serving -it also has taught me how to problem solve and think on my feet...lets say we ran out of one thing or a certain food item we would quickly has to work together as a team to find a solution -also, being a head server/bartender I learned how to maintain this professional relationship yet still be friends with my coworkers though sometimes I would have to make tough decisions

how do you deal with frustration

I workout I absolutely love working out and lifting weights, can release all my stress and frustration, and I know every time I leave the weight room I always end up in a better mood than I had come in before, so I know this almost always works for me -if I dont have the opportunity to workout I try to take a step back, take a few deep breaths and think about the bigger picture -I also a lot of the times will call one of my family members of FaceTime them just to get my mind off things

how do you decompress

I workout I absolutely love working out and lifting weights, can release all my stress, and I know every time I leave the weight room I always end up in a better mood than I had come in before, so I know this almost always works for me -even just being outside or going for a walk -I also a lot of the times will call one of my family members of FaceTime them just to get my mind off things a bt

how would you react if a student asked you to cheat

I would be taken a back at first and tell them that I would not participate. I know I work very hard for my grades and take pride in my work, and do not tolerate cheating...I think it shows disrespect for students like me who do work hard and show honesty in their academics. I would explain how cheating shows a lack of integrity an dhow unethical it is. I would not want to affiliate myself with them. if I ever caught them in the act of cheating I would also talk to them again, encourage them to turn themselves in & if they dont do so then I would talk to faculty myself

"You are running a clinic on a very busy day, and a man comes in in severe pain, who you have never seen but needs immediate care. You already have a room full of patients waiting to be seen. What do you do?"

I would continue seeing the patients that are already in the rooms waiting for me. & if it was an emergency and this person needed immediate care I would put them in the next room that becomes available. I would have my staff notify patients waiting for me that I am running late and that I apologize for any inconvenience and if any of them decide to reschedule I will respect their decision -I would see this patient who needs immediate care as soon as I could. I would treat this new patient with the same respect and care as any other patient of mine, evaluate them, see if they need X-rays, and try to address the issue. If it can be solved right away I will follow through and do so, but if the problem can wait and/or what the patient decides to do, I could reschedule them for a different time

"If a patient of your could not afford dental treatment what should you do?"

I would greet them in a friendly and open manner without judgement and without assuming the patient won't be able to pay for their treatment. Lets say the patient explains that they dont have insurance and they're unable to pay for their treatment plans I would have my office contact social service agencies to determine if my patient qualifies for government funding at some level. I can also suggest my patient contact a nearby dental school for treatment, as patients are often seen at low or no cost as part of dental student training. My primary concern is for the well being of my patient, but I must also be certain to provide equitable care to all my patients and make decisions that allow for the viability of my practice. If none of these options offer a solution for my patients in a timely manner, I will provide the most suitable and costs effective treatment to resolve the most immediate issues without charge. Ill be certina to treat the patient with the same respect, care, and empathy by my entire staff as every other patient we treat

"What would you do if all oral diseases were cured and there was no need for dentists? "

I would probably be a surgeon, I would still be able to help others and be in the medical field which I know I would fine fulfillment in that A surgeon...manual dexterity, helping others, health care

what is your pre dental club like

I would say its a very well organized and helpful club -its a student led organization helping students interested in the field of dentistry plan towards a career in dental medicine. -In order to be an active member, one must obtain a certain number of points in the categories of general member meetings, volunteering events, fundraising events, and social events. -We've had meetings with students who have been accepted into dental school, admissions staff, as well as practicing dentists (I've been active member 4 semesters out of the past 3 years)

describe a time when your work was criticized

I would say my personal statement, I had just finished my writing my first draft and I knew it was pretty rough. I had my boyfriend read it and he criticized it pretty roughly. at first I was a little embarrassed but I knew what he was saying was all true and everything was coming from a place of love. him of all people just want me to succeed and he'll ensure that he could do anything to help me. I handled the criticism well, I used it constructively and try to process what he said and how I can use it to better myself. I think for it to be productive both sides need to express themselves respectfully. I know for the most part especially if its coming from someone I know they're only telling me cus they care about me, so I would also express gratitude and appreciation toward them. then in the future I would work towards bettering myself with the advice and criticism they gave me

what inspires you

I'm inspired by my family, my parents and my sisters wanting to make them proud in life and do the best I can to make their lives better. I'm inspired by people who feel enthusiastic about their jobs and/or just life in general...I think I feed off peoples enthusiasm and good energy. being with others who are passionate about what they do make me feel good and are an example to me. I feel I saw this in the dentists I shadowed especially dr. hulwi. I'm also inspired to help others and do good in this world and actually make a difference in peoples lives. I think I find the most joy when I give, whether its a physical gift or just putting a smile on someones face that continues to inspire me each and every day. being that light in someones life is a blessing and I aspire to be that for others.

"What was your hardest class in undergrad and how did you find success in that class?"

My hardest class during undergrad was physics, it was so hard for my brain to grasp and understand the concepts of it. In order to find success in that class I took a step back, reflected on what I was doing and how well it was or wasn't working for me. I specifically remember doing after my first exam which I found challenging. I ended up going to office hours and talked to my professor about my exam and what I had done to study. I also talked to my older sister who was majoring in civil engineering and had taken many physics classes...she actually helped like "tutor" me throughout the class and would help break down concepts for me. I took more time out of my week to study for the class since I knew I was struggling with it

Who is an influential leader in your life? What is a quality you admire in a leader?

My older sister is an influential leader in my life. She embodies everything a great leader should be and I know she is someone I can always look up to and teach me how to be strong, independent, hard-working and a leader myself A quality I admire in a leader is their ability to support, encourage, and help others around them excel and do their best. I think great leaders aren't doing everything for the people around them, but they're doing their best to make sure the team and the people around them are succeeding -they're trying to bring out peoples strengths -I admire that they're able delegate tasks and make hard decisions when necessary especially when they know this decision will benefit the team in the long run ... they're able to acknowledge the success as well as the weakness and always are seeking to improve

have you ever cheated

No, not that I can ever remember of, im trying to think back to high School even and I don't believe there was a time that I actually cheated -I feel like I know this off hand because it bothers me when I think about how hard I have worked for something, lets say an exam, and thinking about others cheating makes me frustrated thinking about -I remember last year when all my classes were online I did struggle and have that temptation, but I did have honorlock for some of my classes even so that helped me and I just remembered what I value and how important my morals are to me...

"What is one quality that you do not possess that you wish you did?

One quality I would like to improve about myself is my public speaking and presentation skills. Majoring in biology, though is important to learn about the basic sciences in order to pursue a dentistry career, I wish I would have taken more classes that involved presentations to improve this skill of mine. However, I am currently enrolled in an English 201 class that has group and individual presentations which will continue to help me with my public speaking

if you could, what is one thing you would change about yourself

One thing I would change about myself is improve my public speaking and presentation skills. Majoring in biology, though is important to learn about the basic sciences in order to pursue a dentistry career, I wish I would have taken more classes that involved presentations to improve this skill of mine. However, I am currently enrolled in an English 201 class that has group and individual presentations which will continue to help me with my public speaking

"Name a time when you where in a leadership role and had to make an unpopular decision."

So I work at a restaurant and I'm a lead server there and I feel like there's been times where it's the end of the night and most of the servers want to go home or "get cut" which basically just means they're done working. In some of these cases im in charge of sending servers home and cutting them if and when the work is done. being friends with most all my coworkers they still come up to me and explain how badly they wanna go home or ask to be cut. Theres been a few times where we could all be done, but we also could portion more sauces to ensure we would be ready for the weekend and better prepare ourselves. In this scenario, I keep the servers on even though its an unpopular decision and make sure we all work together to finish portioning the sauces and when we all stay on it gets done quicker and I know that I can confidently tell my manager that we are ready for the weekend rush

"Tell me about a time you made a decision that someone disagreed with."

So I work at a restaurant and I'm a lead server there and I feel like there's been times where it's the end of the night and most of the servers want to go home or "get cut" which basically just means they're done working. In some of these cases im in charge of sending servers home and cutting them if and when the work is done. being friends with most all my coworkers they still come up to me and kinda complain about how badly they wanna go home or ask to be cut. Theres been a few times where we could all be done, but we also could portion more sauces to ensure we would be ready for the weekend rush. I have to make the decision to keep the servers on even though they might disagree with me & think the sauces could be portioned tomorrow morning or a different time, I make sure we all work together to finish portioning the sauces and when we all stay on it gets done quicker and I know that I can confidently tell my manager that we are ready for the weekend rush

what are your strengths and weaknesses

Strengths: empathetic, diligent & organized and on top of planning/scheduling things, I might not be the smartest but I'll bet I'll work harder than most any other people, hard-working and goal orientated, I'm enthusiastic and positive most people especially the people I work with would say I always have a smile on my face Weaknesses: public speaking and presentation skills I would say these are things I still get really nervous for and anxious about; however, I am currently enrolled in an English 201 class that has group and individual presentations which will continue to help me with my public speaking. I also think sometimes I struggle with putting my thoughts into the right words in an organized manner to paint the correct picture the same way I'm thinking about it in my head...if that makes sense my point proven while im trying to explain this. I need to think and comprehend what I need and want to say before I say it

what do you think are the most important qualities of a leader/ what do you respect in a leader

The most important qualities in a leader is that they're able to support, encourage, and help others around them to excel and do their best. I think great leaders aren't doing everything for the people around them, but they're doing their best to make sure the team and the people around them are succeeding -they're trying to bring out peoples strengths -I think great leaders are able to delegate tasks and make hard decisions when necessary especially when they know this decision will benefit the team in the long run ... they're able to acknowledge the success as well as the weakness and always are seeking to improve -A leader is someone you can look up to and motivates other individuals

what dont you like about dentistry

access to care, there are certain barriers to patients getting the proper dental treatment that they need, whether its not enough dentists in a certain area, or difficult for patients to get a ride to a dental office cus theres not a dentist in their area where they live, or insurance problem (GOOGLE access to care) -access to dental care means anyone and everyone should be able to access affordable dental care -I think this is a big problem we're currently facing is that not everyone is getting access to affordable dental care -whether its insurances not covering it and/or poor legislation, or even certain people not being able to lets say drive to a dental facility the needs aren't being met -It could even be misconceptions about oral health in general -theres these barriers between the people and getting the oral care they need and so far thats what I think I know about access to dental care but I still have a lot to learn about it

how does diversity relate to dentistry

diversity and dentistry go hand in hand, as I've seen during my shadowing experience. Diversity within your patient base is very profound, as you will be treating people of all ages, all races, all economic statuses, people with special needs, people with diverse oral health needs and circumstances. I think cultural competency and being able to understand and interact with people from different backgrounds as me is imperative in the dental field. I think its important to embrace diversity as a dentist and to be able to adapt leadership and communication skills in order to accomodate people of different backgrounds, identities, and abilities.

what is diversity/ what does diversity mean to you

diversity means that you're able to learn from people from all different walks of life. I think its being able to accept and appreciate each individuals uniqueness and respect every person no matter who they are. its bringing all these differences and different perspectives together and I think this even enhances peoples learning -I think something important to me about being emerged in a diverse setting whether its the classroom, the school or the city & having these different aspects like race, gender, ethnicity, culture surrounding me has the potential to infuse my education with another level and learning and understanding

"Name a time when you went above and beyond"

double shift during COvid-19 pandemic working bartending all day outside where there is no other bartender so its all on me- no break to sit down and/or eat really -same workplace after I clock out I still basically work until I leave the restaurant Its weird being there knowing thats my work place and not helping out when they need it. thats just my decision to help out tho I always wanna help my manager she I the sweetest and deserves the world so I always try to help out when I can and I know she truly appreciates it

"How would your friends describe you in 5-6 adjectives?"

empathetic, organized and on top of planning/scheduling things, hard-working, caring, enthusiastic and positive most people especially the people I work with would say I always have a smile on my face, and adaptable

3 words that describe you

genuine, goal-orientated, & a leader

"What would keep you from going to your in-state school over Marquette?"

honestly I love the state of Wisconsin, I remember telling people when I was younger that my favorite state was WI even though I grew up in MN. My dad grew up in Wisconsin so he kinda brainwashed me when I was a kid to be a badgers, packers, fan, I became a huge cheesehead...hence why I chose to go to UW-madison for my undergraduate. still to this day I even tell people I wanna end up in Wisconsin to live, practice, and start a family. I know these are all considerations I have to think about when determining what school I want to go to I'm drawn to your comprehensive patient care program, I think its really beneficial that you have students assigned to these groups to help develop these patient skills thats so imperative once I become a dentist and a reminder that the focus is on the patients total dental needs, not just a single procedure. I find it valuable that both D1 and D2 years have the opportunity to get this exposure in the clinic through assisting the other D3 and D4 students, I even read that students get to work in a real dental clinic their first week which is amazing to me. I also find intriguing that D1 & D2 students get to shadow rotations in specialty clinics (the amount of on-site clinics you have also draws me to your school) and D3 and D4 students get to go on community dental rotations which I would love to be apart and really makes me want to attend Marquette. I also find the DDS and MS program offering very appealing and I think this is something I would definitely look into if I had the opportunity to attend your program. Having this opportunity to customize my own education and earn lets say a masters of science degree through your graduate school while enrolled in dental school is a unique aspect that makes me want to attend your program. *I briefly looked at both the public service, education, and business management*

what made you choose the schools you applied to

honestly the first factor that narrowed down a lot was distance from where I'm from and where my family lives. I know I don't wanna be a flight away from them, as long as I can drive to the school from my hometown that was my biggest concern at first -I've always known about certain schools for example Marquette because I go to Madison for undergrad and being apart of my prudential society club I remembr Brian tereck coming in my freshman year giving us a presentation about Marquette. then obviously I knew about university of Minnesota twin cities because im from Minnesota and I actually know a few of my sisters friends who've attended there -after that, I researched the schools themselves and only applied to ones I genuinely wanted to go to and could see myself going there

"How cut throat are you on a scale of 1-10?"

maybe like a 1, even a 0? I feel like I'm not cut-throat, or that cut throat isn't the right word to describe myself..like yes I am competitive and want to be successful in the things I do I just feel like cut throat has more of a negative connotation with it and that a person who's cut throat would go behind someones back in order to better themselves and thats not me at all.

Are your scores a result of natural intelligence or hard work?

my scores are definitely a result of hard work. I can say that I know I probably wont be the smartest in dental school, but I can guarantee I will work harder than almost anyone else. I have a great work ethic and discipline especially when it comes to school. of course there is some natural intelligence in there, but my DAT scores defeinily showcase my hard work. I remember studying during the summer every day for like 8 hours I would wake up at 7 or 8 start studying, do some practice problems and go over my flashcards till basically dinner time obviously with some breaks in between but I never felt settled enough and I knew the thing that would calm me down is to just keep studying

who is your hero and why

my two older sisters -they both have accomplished so much throughout their lives and have taught me how to be a leader and to continue pushing to reach my goals through hard work and determination. -my oldest sister Danielle has taught me how to push through the hards times and keep going and try to see the positives in every aspect of life, continue thinking about the goal I'm reaching for and keep that in mind throughout the hard times to ensure that it'll payoff in the end -My other sister chantal has taught me how to be selfless and how to give without expecting anything in return. she does a good job of this and looking up to her my whole life I have learned so much

Describe a time when you were presented with a challenge and what did you?

over the years I've had multiple knee surgeries & h ave faced many obstacles regarding them. My biggest challenge was probably my very first knee surgery where I had fractured my patella, my kneecap, and they attached it back & also did a reconstruction of my hamstring. my kneecap started to move in a whole different groove than what I originally had, it was like learning how to use a new knee it felt so different to me. I would say physical therapy and recovering from this injury was the hardest part. I tried to stay motivated even though I did struggle sometimes especially whenever a set back happened. I pushed through it & kept going, stay determined and set small goals for myself every week with something I wanted to get better at and with the support and help from my family I was able to overcome this obstacle in my life. I stayed on track with my physical therapy exercises and I actually distracted myself at some points by doing thing I normally wouldn't do cus I didn't think I had the time for.

"If you were in a Parallel universe and there was no need for health care or dental care, what would you do?"

probably a veterinarian but I guess thats still kinda healthcare just for animals so I would probably say hmmm thats a good question, maybe I would be a personal trainer and/or like athletic trainer

What do you want the admissions committee to know about you thats not in your file?

probably how much I love my family hahah family means everything to me -I also think my hard work shows more than my intelligence...my work is defienilty a result of my hard work & work ethic

why the dip in grades

so last year when everything was completely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I also had a knee surgery and had to live at home for physical therapy and I physically like couldn't walk or do a lot of stuff by myself, I was highly dependent on my parents. I would sit all day at school on my computer, and then maybe go to physical therapy and its not like I really could do much more exercise which is one thing that keeps me motivated and feel good about myself, I definitely struggled during this time and lost track of some motivation...I had hindrances both physically and mentally

describe a time where you were in a situation where no one else was like you, and how did you deal with it /"When was a time where you were the minority/alone and how did it feel?"

throughout my dance career I feel like I have never really been the same as everyone else...starting in middle school and throughout high school I wore knee braces every time I danced since I had dislocating kneecaps with both my knees, whether it was at practice or even dance competitions. no one else around me wore knee braces especially with dancing when the shape of your body and your physique is held to high standards, having two braces around my knees I felt very different than anyone else around me. I remember going to dance competitions and people would look at me and my knee braces. Even to this day when I dance with my dance team there are certain dance moves or techniques that I physically can't do and have to modify when I perform dances...this makes me stick out compared to anyone else -throughout the years I've delt with it by embracing that I was different than others around me. It took me a bit but I learned to accept that people will form opinions and stressing about what others think of me isn't worth it.... there are some things I can't change about myself and that makes me unique. -learned to love myself and become more confident

"What does professionalism mean to you?

to me, professionalism is about attitude and how I conduct myself on the job. It is about treating customers and coworkers with respect and walking into work with a positive attitude and mindset. Its also about how I get the job done. This means completing my tasks in an ethical manner. I think it means being reliable and consistently meeting high standards you set for yourself both visibly and behind the scenes, showing that you care for every aspect of your job

did you ever consider MD

yes, there was a time where I thought about it and even shadowed a few different physicians, but ultimately wanted dentistry and I found out through these shadowing opportunities that MD was not for me. I also think there are many similarities between a dentist and other medical professions, but the thing that appeals to me about dentistry is a dentist can make a diagnosis and start working on a patient in a relatively very short amount of time compared to other medical doctors. A dentist can make a difference very quickly...a patient can even leave the dental facility and have their issue pretty much over with. Being able to do this treat multiple patients a day whether they have an issue or being able to do something to prevent an issue is something I find super appealing. I also think the patient-doctor relationship is different in dentistry than a medical doctor relationship. You have the ability to see the same patients for many years, sometimes even over different generations from a family. In other medical occupations you just kinds see the doctor as you need...I noticed this when I had my knee surgeries and I built a good relationship with both my orthopedic surgeon and my physical therapist...and maybe thats just cus of how many surgeries I've had ahhaha...but it's nothing like a dentist cus once my problem was fixed I didn't really need to see them again. with the dentists I shadowed I learned that most of them had retained their patients over time and built these long term relationships.Building these connections with others seems very fulfilling to me. these are all component I value and would want to surround myself with in my future profession and is why im pursuing the path to become a dentist. and not a medical doctor