Showing kindness can make a significant impact to better the world. Even if unasked but needed help is provided, it can make a great difference in other's lives. I strive to embody selflessness on a day-to-day basis. All people deserve compassion and happiness, which is one of the main reasons I am pursuing dentistry. Braces and my orthodontist gave me self-confidence, which ignited my desire to pursue dentistry. I would love to transform my patients’ lives through positive care to achieve their dream smiles. I am passionate about volunteering in dental programs for disadvantaged communities and plan to help make an impact as a dentist. My experiences as a low-income, first-generation student and having Asperger's Syndrome, have given me motivation, the desire to transform lives, and empathy throughout my life. As a dentist, I want to advocate for oral health through compassion. Although I have had many volunteer opportunities, recently my support was unexpectedly needed. I graduated from Rowan University last year, and I kept in touch with close faculty members. They were kind and supportive and I wanted to share my journey to becoming a dentist. Recently, my evolution professor, Dr. Bealor was admitted to the hospital. He knew that I had cats and kindly asked if I would come to the hospital for his keys and look after his cat while away. No one else would because they were either too far away or did not have experience with cats. I immediately said yes and drove over to the hospital. Afterward, I went to his house and made sure his cat was fed and cared for. The next day I brought his laptop so he could post final exams online. I came to the hospital with his things, and to my surprise, Dr. Bealor asked me if it was too awkward to help him and see him in pain since he was my professor. I sympathetically told him that it did not change anything because he was my professor, all that mattered was he needed my help. I brought in one of my cats who is a trained Emotional Support Animal to cheer him up. In tears, he happily petted my cat, hugged me, and thanked me. At that moment, I realized how much of a difference kindness can make. For almost a week, I took care of and spoiled Dr. Bealor’s cat with play sessions and walks. I took pictures of his cat so he could worry less. I also wanted to make sure he came home relaxed by cleaning his house, washing laundry, and putting away the dishes. I visited him at the hospital daily for company and he loved hearing about my dental school plans. When Dr. Bealor came home, he was overjoyed in tears to see his cat he desperately missed, and his cleaned home. I went shopping for the groceries he asked for since he was not in the condition to go himself. Dr. Bealor offered payment, but I declined stating that if you bring good things to the world good things come back to you. He was greatly appreciative of all of my help, but for me, it was a simple act of kindness. Dr. Bealor told me he loved me and would always be there if I needed him. It took him several days to stop choking up when thanking me and now is now my close friend and extended part of my family. My experience taught me that it does not matter what the circumstance is, if a person needs help then that all is needed to change their life.

Artistry is a creative skill to transform something into a beautiful design. Dentistry is a form of art that requires focus, manual dexterity, and visual acuity to notice minor imperfections. Photography and sewing are very similar to dentistry, skills I have developed since I was young. My orthodontic experience in transforming my smile ignited my desire to pursue art through dentistry. From my first appointment as a patient, I was engrossed in the complexity of my dental treatment. Every visit fascinated me, whether it was x-rays, placing brackets, or adjusting my teeth. Dr. Shah treated me with kindness and encouragement, which made me feel truly cared for. Once my braces were removed, I was in awe of the complete transformation. Dr. Shah used wires and instruments as her art tools and my teeth as her canvas. Combining art and science allows a dentist to beautify teeth while restoring them to normal function. When leaving the orthodontic office, I realized that I would not forget my experience; instead, I would reconstruct and create oral compositions like Dr. Shah and become a dentist. In my pursuit of learning more about the art of dentistry through shadowing, I learned the value of patient care. I worked as an assistant for Dr. Luong, who made his patients feel genuinely cared for with his empathetic approach. I continued to work on creating positive experiences by volunteering for Special Smiles - Special Olympics of New Jersey, which is a program that helps athletes receive proper dental care. I have autism, so I understand a person's obstacles while living with a disability. My disability is not a setback; it is a source of motivation. Without autism, I would not have the perseverance and compassion that I have learned throughout my life. Volunteering for Special Smiles allowed me to embrace my disorder and give the athletes a judgment-free, enjoyable experience where they could be themselves. The significance of empathy and collaboration I learned from Dr. Luong and Special Smiles will allow me to make a difference in my patients’ lives through memorable and positive care. As a dentist, I want to advocate for better oral health in disadvantaged communities. Volunteering gives me a sense of purpose and a desire to better the lives of special needs communities and all those who are underserved. As a current and future advocate for enhanced oral health in low-income and underprivileged communities, I can positively impact the world through dentistry. Demonstrating empathy and understanding while having a great passion for my career will allow me to improve my patients' experience. As a leader in oral care, I want to promote a diverse community of patients who entrust me with their health. Through compassion and exceptional treatment, I would love to transform my patients’ lives through positive and memorable care that allows them to achieve their dream smiles. My experiences confirmed my desire to become an active member of dentistry while keeping the memory of receiving a beautiful smile I can never forget.

As a first-generation college student, my life goals are quite different from those of my family members. Many of my female relatives get a job, start a family, and do not have college in mind. My parents worked heavy labor jobs earlier in life and became permanently disabled, which makes our circumstances difficult since their income is insufficient for our necessities. I knew from an early age that I wanted to better my life as well as my family’s through my education. The experience I had with my orthodontist ignited my desire to pursue dentistry because of the self-confidence she gave me through braces. I worked hard throughout my undergraduate studies alongside my twin sister and received support from faculty and my family which allowed me to achieve my goals. Even though my parents did not graduate with a degree, I was able to attain a dedicated support system from them and others around me. Last May, I graduated from Rowan University with my Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biological Sciences. Completing my degree was a huge accomplishment and a milestone in my career. I have been shadowing and assisting dentists, volunteering, participating in research, presenting in symposiums, and earning academic achievements to prepare for and apply to dental school. In December, I was accepted into Temple University School of Dentistry which is a confirmation that if I work hard, I can achieve anything I want in life. As a first-generation college student, I was unsure if I would be able to accomplish my goals due to the lack of success in my family’s history. Completing my bachelor's degree and getting accepted into Temple, gave me the confirmation that through support and perseverance, I can achieve my career aspirations. Although my journey in dental school will be difficult, I will have my friends and family to support me. Demonstrating empathy and understanding while having a great passion for my career will allow me to improve my future patients' experience. Through compassion and exceptional treatment, I would love to transform my patients’ lives through positive and memorable care that allows them to achieve their dream smiles. I plan to provide exceptional dental care for patients in my office and to give back to underserved communities through volunteering. My experiences confirmed my desire to become an active member of dentistry while keeping the memory of receiving a beautiful smile I can never forget. My education will allow me to have an amazing and fulfilling career where I can change the lives of my patients and the history of my family of struggling to make ends meet. My dream is to pursue a career in dentistry by earning my DMD. Earning this scholarship will help offset some education costs which will allow me to achieve my dream of becoming a dentist and succeed in my future career. Dental school tuition is expensive and every scholarship I gain will make me one step closer to graduating debt-free. I can have more financial freedom, prioritize other monetary goals, and get a headstart in my career instead of paying off student loans. Earning this scholarship will not only benefit me in the future but help give my family a better life. A part of my ambition is to be able to give back. With less debt, I can help my community earlier on after graduation. I have had direct experience with several volunteer opportunities, and I have gained a passion for serving others. My personal life experience and understanding of patients from diverse backgrounds will allow me to become a better oral healthcare provider.

Experiences in life have a unique way of shaping your future aspirations. Coming from a low-income background, I have a strong understanding of what being underserved means. My parents were not as fortunate as I have been to receive good dental care early in life. I have directly seen how it negatively affected them personally. I am proud of my smile and want to transform my patients’ lives as a dentist. The experience I had with my orthodontist ignited my desire to pursue dentistry because of the self-confidence she gave me through braces. As a dentist, I want to advocate for better oral health in disadvantaged communities by serving those who are underserved. My diverse background will allow me to have empathy and compassion to transform the lives of my future patients. I have had many experiences collaborating with underserved communities. One experience in particular that stood out to me is volunteering for Special Smiles - Special Olympics of New Jersey. I have Asperger’s Syndrome, so I understand a person's obstacles while living with a disability. My disability is not a setback; it is a source of motivation. Without Asperger’s, I would not have the perseverance and compassion that I have learned throughout my life. Volunteering for Special Smiles allowed me to embrace my disorder and give the athletes a judgment-free, enjoyable experience where they could be themselves. This experience not only gave me a desire to help the special needs community but all those who are underserved. My participation gave me new insight into the disadvantaged population in dentistry, patients with special needs. I had the opportunity to collaborate with a pediatric dentist, Dr. Timothy McCabe, who treats patients with disabilities. I have learned that special needs patients are often turned away due to their accommodations which makes them underserved. Many dentists have difficulty treating patients with disabilities who are often fearful due to a lack of early intervention or previous traumatic dental experiences. I want to be a dentist like Dr. McCabe who advocates for the better health of the community while giving them a positive experience. During Special Smiles events, I assisted dentists with charting patients’ oral decay and treatment plans, finding providers in their area, and educating proper oral hygiene. It was disheartening that most athletes had a high amount of oral decay because of the discrimination these athletes face. It is exciting and fulfilling that my participation can broaden the impact of treating patients with disabilities to reduce this health disparity. Volunteering gives me a sense of purpose and a desire to better the lives of special needs communities and all those who are underserved. As a current and future advocate for enhanced oral health in low-income and underprivileged communities, I can positively impact the world through dentistry. Demonstrating empathy and understanding while having a great passion for my career will allow me to improve my patients' experience. As a leader in oral care, I want to promote a diverse community of patients who entrust me with their health. Becoming a dentist will allow me to advocate for those who are underserved. My experiences in life will allow me to become a better provider and have a strong understanding of patients from diverse backgrounds. Through compassion and exceptional treatment, I would love to transform my patients’ lives through positive and memorable care that allows them to achieve their dream smiles. My experiences confirmed my desire to become an active member of dentistry while keeping the memory of receiving a beautiful smile I can never forget.

Artistry is a creative skill to transform something into a beautiful design. Dentistry is a form of art that requires focus, manual dexterity, and visual acuity to notice minor imperfections. Photography and sewing are very similar to dentistry, skills I have developed since I was young. The skills I have acquired through art are those I have seen in my dental experiences. My orthodontic experience in transforming my smile ignited my desire to pursue art through dentistry. From my first appointment as a patient, I was engrossed in the complexity of my dental treatment. It amazed me how my orthodontist could notice the minuscule deviations in my teeth. Every visit fascinated me, whether it was x-rays, placing brackets, or adjusting my teeth. Dr. Shah treated me with kindness and encouragement, which made me feel truly cared for. Once my braces were removed, I was in awe of the complete transformation. I reflected on my experience and realized dentistry is a work of art. Dr. Shah used wires and instruments as her art tools and my teeth as her canvas. Combining art and science allows a dentist to beautify teeth while restoring them to normal function. When leaving the orthodontic office, I realized that I would not forget my experience; instead, I would reconstruct and create oral compositions like Dr. Shah and become a dentist. In my pursuit of learning more about the art of dentistry through shadowing, I learned the value of patient care. I shadowed and worked as an assistant for Dr. Luong, who made his patients feel genuinely cared for with his encouraging approach and empathy. Compassionate care can directly affect a patient’s experience. I continued to work on creating positive experiences by volunteering for Special Smiles - Special Olympics of New Jersey, which is a program that helps athletes receive proper dental care. I have autism, so I understand a person's obstacles while living with a disability. My disability is not a setback; it is a source of motivation. Without autism, I would not have the perseverance and compassion that I have learned throughout my life. Volunteering for Special Smiles allowed me to embrace my disorder and give the athletes a judgment-free, enjoyable experience where they could be themselves. The significance of empathy and collaboration I learned from Dr. Luong and Special Smiles will allow me to make a difference in my patients’ lives through memorable and positive care. As a dentist, I want to advocate for better oral health in disadvantaged communities by partnering with other compassionate professionals to improve the lives of my future patients. Volunteering gives me a sense of purpose and a desire to better the lives of special needs communities and all those who are underserved. As a current and future advocate for enhanced oral health in low-income and underprivileged communities, I can positively impact the world through dentistry. Demonstrating empathy and understanding while having a great passion for my career will allow me to improve my patients' experience. As a female leader in oral care, I want to promote a diverse community of patients who entrust me with their health. Becoming a dentist will allow me to continue to be creative by designing dental works of art and promoting oral health within my community. Through compassion and exceptional treatment, I would love to transform my patients’ lives through positive and memorable care that allows them to achieve their dream smiles. My experiences confirmed my desire to become an active member of dentistry while keeping the memory of receiving a beautiful smile I can never forget.

I am majoring in dentistry at Temple to earn my DMD. I am a volunteer for Special Smiles - Special Olympics of New Jersey. I have Asperger’s Syndrome, so I understand a person's obstacles while living with a disability. My disability is not a setback; it is a source of motivation. Without Asperger’s, I would not have the perseverance and compassion that I have learned throughout my life. Volunteering allows me to embrace my disorder and give the athletes a judgment-free, enjoyable experience where they can be themselves. My experience volunteering for people with disabilities gave me insight into an underserved population in dentistry, patients with special needs. When I first began volunteering for Special Smiles, I empathized with this often-overlooked community. Participating allows me to help athletes receive dental care, but many have a high amount of oral decay due to the difficulty of finding professionals who treat them. As a future dentist, I plan to help this community by becoming a pediatric dentist to treat patients with special needs. I would not only limit my care to children but all patients with disabilities. As an advocate for enhanced oral health, I can positively impact the world through dentistry.

Ever since I was young, I have had issues with communication. Due to being born prematurely, I had delays in development and speech. Even with previous therapy, communication has always been a weakness. Throughout grade school, I lacked friends and did not speak, only to my family. It was not until middle school that my twin sister and I had significant issues, which directed our parents to homeschool us. It was around this time we were diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Although homeschooling helped me academically, it did not improve my communication. My parents decided to help me find an extracurricular activity that involved improving my social skills. It was the first day that I tried a karate class that changed my life. Before my training in martial arts, I did not make eye contact or start conversations. Over time, I became comfortable with the instructors, and they taught me values to better myself. I was encouraged to speak confidently and have the motivation to succeed. After four years, I achieved my first-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. Before karate, I would give up on anything and it amazed me that I could accomplish this goal. I learned the mindset that I can achieve anything and lead others to better themselves as my instructors had done for me. Currently, I have been training for ten years and have a third-degree black belt. I now can talk to others, make friends, and have the perseverance to achieve my goals because of karate. I am a first-generation college student, and I have experience with being low-income because of my family’s background. My parents are disabled due to their previous heavy labor jobs which makes our income insufficient for necessities. From an early age, I wanted to better my family’s life through my education. I knew I found a career for myself when I met my orthodontist because of the self-confidence I obtained through braces. I have a strong understanding of what being underserved means with my diverse background. I want to advocate for better oral health in disadvantaged communities by serving those areas as a dentist. I am motivated to pursue higher education because it will allow me to have an amazing career where I can change the lives of my patients and the history of my family struggling to make ends meet. I am a good candidate for this scholarship because my disability does not prevent me from achieving my dreams. I have volunteered for several programs for people with special needs. I have Asperger’s Syndrome, so I understand a person's obstacles while living with a disability. My disability is not a setback; it is a source of motivation, and I would not have the perseverance and compassion that I have learned throughout my life without it. The values I learned from karate and the support from my family have allowed me to achieve greater success than I thought possible. Throughout the last year, I have worked hard to prepare for dental school. In December, I was accepted into Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry and will start in August. 3,000 applicants apply to Temple every year and only 140 students get accepted. Both my twin sister and I were accepted, which is confirmation that if we work hard, we can achieve anything we want in life. My experiences not only gave me a desire to help the special needs community but all those who are underserved as a dentist. My diverse background will allow me to have empathy and compassion to transform the lives of my future patients.

Artistry is a creative skill to transform something into a beautiful design. Dentistry is a form of art that requires focus, manual dexterity, and visual acuity to notice minor imperfections. Photography and sewing are very similar to dentistry, skills I have developed since I was young. Organization and precision are necessary to perform sutures after an extraction, which is like sewing. Photography requires attention to detail, like perceiving imperfections in a tooth. The skills I have acquired through art are those I have seen in my dental experiences. My orthodontic experience in transforming my smile ignited my desire to pursue art through dentistry. From my first appointment as a patient, I was engrossed in the complexity of my dental treatment. It amazed me how my orthodontist could notice the minuscule deviations in my teeth. Every visit fascinated me, whether it was x-rays, placing brackets, or adjusting my teeth. Dr. Shah treated me with kindness and encouragement, which made me feel cared for and respected. Once my braces were removed, I was in awe of the complete transformation. I reflected on my experience and realized dentistry is a work of art. Dr. Shah used wires and instruments as her art tools and my teeth as her canvas. Combining art and science allows a dentist to beautify teeth while restoring them to normal function. When leaving the orthodontic office, I felt upset that I was departing such an exciting part of my life behind me. I then realized that I would not leave my experience; instead, I would reconstruct and create oral compositions like Dr. Shah and become a dentist. In my pursuit of learning more about the art of dentistry through shadowing, I learned the value of patient care. I shadowed and worked as an assistant for Dr. Luong, who made his patients feel genuinely cared for with his encouraging approach and empathy. Compassionate care can directly affect a patient’s experience. I continued to work on creating positive experiences by volunteering for special events for special kids (SE4SK), which is a program that creates fun events for children with disabilities. I have autism, so I understand a person's obstacles while living with a disability. My disability is not a setback; it is a source of motivation. Without autism, I would not have the perseverance and compassion that I have learned throughout my life. Volunteering for SE4SK allowed me to embrace my disorder and give the kids a judgment-free, enjoyable experience where they could be themselves. I could cooperate with other volunteers and form an exciting environment through creativity. The significance of empathy and collaboration I learned from Dr. Luong and SE4SK will allow me to make a difference in my patients’ lives through memorable and positive care. Demonstrating empathy and understanding while having a great passion for my career will allow me to improve my patients' experience. As a woman leader in oral care, I want to promote a diverse community of patients who entrust me with their health. Becoming a dentist will allow me to continue to be creative by designing dental works of art and promoting oral health within my community. Through compassion and exceptional treatment, I would love to transform my patients’ lives through positive and memorable care that allows them to achieve their dream smiles. My experiences confirmed my desire to become an active member of dentistry while keeping the memory of receiving a beautiful smile I can never forget.

As a female first-generation college student, my life goals are quite different from those of my family members. Many of my female relatives go to high school, get a job, start a family, and do not have college in mind. They often have difficulty making ends meet or work multiple jobs. Even when I was first starting my bachelor’s degree, some of my cousins discouraged me from my degree in biological science I was working towards because it is a difficult major. My parents worked heavy labor jobs earlier in life and became permanently disabled, which made our circumstances more difficult. Their income is insufficient for our necessities and monthly bills. I knew from an early age that I wanted to better my life as well as my family’s through my education. I began working towards my mission by researching careers where I could make a decent salary as well as enjoy my work. It was not until I met my orthodontist that I found the perfect career for me. My orthodontic experience in transforming my smile ignited my desire to pursue art through dentistry. Before braces, I hated smiling and lacked self-confidence. Once my braces were removed, I was in awe of the complete transformation. I reflected on my experience and realized dentistry is a work of art. Dr. Shah used wires and instruments as her art tools and my teeth as her canvas. When leaving the orthodontic office, I realized that I would not leave my experience; instead, I would reconstruct and create oral compositions like Dr. Shah and become a dentist. This past year, I graduated from Rowan University with degrees in Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biological Science. Completing my degree was a huge accomplishment and a milestone in my career. Recently, I was accepted into Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry and will start in August. 3,000 applicants apply to Temple every year and only 140 students get accepted. This is confirmation that if I work hard, I can achieve anything I want in life. As a first-generation college student, I was unsure if I would be able to accomplish my goals due to the lack of success in my family’s history. Completing my bachelor's degree and getting accepted into Temple, gave me the confirmation that through hard work, support, and perseverance I can achieve my career aspirations. Although my future journey in dental school will be difficult, I will have my friends and family to support me. Demonstrating empathy and understanding while having a great passion for my career will allow me to improve my future patients' experience. As a leader in oral care, I want to promote a diverse community of patients who entrust me with their health. Becoming a dentist will allow me to continue to be creative by designing dental works of art and promoting oral health within my community. Through compassion and exceptional treatment, I would love to transform my patients’ lives through positive and memorable care that allows them to achieve their dream smiles. I plan to provide exceptional dental care for patients in my office and to give back to my community in underserved communities through volunteering. My experiences confirmed my desire to become an active member of dentistry while keeping the memory of receiving a beautiful smile I can never forget. My education will allow me to have an amazing and fulfilling career where I can change the lives of my patients and the history of my family of struggling to make ends meet.

Artistry is a creative skill to transform something into a beautiful design. Dentistry is a form of art that requires focus, manual dexterity, and visual acuity to notice minor imperfections. Photography and sewing are very similar to dentistry, skills I have developed since I was young. The skills I have acquired through art are those I have seen in my dental experiences. My orthodontic experience in transforming my smile ignited my desire to pursue art through dentistry. From my first appointment as a patient, I was engrossed in the complexity of my dental treatment. It amazed me how my orthodontist could notice the minuscule deviations in my teeth. Every visit fascinated me, whether it was x-rays, placing brackets, or adjusting my teeth. Dr. Shah treated me with kindness and encouragement, which made me feel truly cared for. Once my braces were removed, I was in awe of the complete transformation. I reflected on my experience and realized dentistry is a work of art. Dr. Shah used wires and instruments as her art tools and my teeth as her canvas. Combining art and science allows a dentist to beautify teeth while restoring them to normal function. When leaving the orthodontic office, I realized that I would not forget my experience; instead, I would reconstruct and create oral compositions like Dr. Shah and become a dentist. In my pursuit of learning more about the art of dentistry through shadowing, I learned the value of patient care. I shadowed and worked as an assistant for Dr. Luong, who made his patients feel genuinely cared for with his encouraging approach and empathy. Compassionate care can directly affect a patient’s experience. I continued to work on creating positive experiences by volunteering for Special Events for Special Kids (SE4SK), which is a program that creates fun events for children with disabilities. I have autism, so I understand a person's obstacles while living with a disability. My disability is not a setback; it is a source of motivation. Without autism, I would not have the perseverance and compassion that I have learned throughout my life. Volunteering for SE4SK allowed me to embrace my disorder and give the kids a judgment-free, enjoyable experience where they could be themselves. The significance of empathy and collaboration I learned from Dr. Luong and SE4SK will allow me to make a difference in my patient’s lives through memorable and positive care. Demonstrating empathy and understanding while having a great passion for my career will allow me to improve my patients' experience. As a leader in oral care, I want to promote a diverse community of patients who entrust me with their health. Becoming a dentist will allow me to continue to be creative by designing dental works of art and promoting oral health within my community. Through compassion and exceptional treatment, I would love to transform my patients’ lives through positive and memorable care that allows them to achieve their dream smiles. My experiences confirmed my desire to become an active member of dentistry while keeping the memory of receiving a beautiful smile I can never forget. This scholarship will help me on my path toward becoming a dentist because my family is low-income and struggles to make ends meet every month. There are many fees associated with my dental school acceptance that my family cannot afford. Financial aid does not start until after dental school starts and we are finding it difficult to get money to pay for school uniforms, deposits, and rent of a future apartment. I would use this scholarship to ease the financial burden on my family.

A legacy is a significant impact or actions that have occurred as a result of the past. This is what legacy means to me because of a person that influenced my career. I have been training in Tang Soo Do and Aiki Jujutsu for ten years and have met many amazing people during my time. One person in particular, an instructor at my karate school Karen, was an inspiration to me. Over the years, she became my mentor and friend, and I now call her my family. Before my experience with martial arts, I would not make eye contact, start conversations, or have any independence due to my disability Asperger’s Syndrome. Karen and my karate masters changed my life. I now can start conversations, present myself in front of others, and have the perseverance to achieve the goals I set for myself. One important aspect of my relationship with Karen is the influence she had on my career. She is a retired dental hygienist, and I had the opportunity to meet her husband Bruce who was a retired dentist. They were both always so kind and told me stories about their careers which piqued my interest in exploring dentistry. When Bruce was a dentist, he was very kind and made sure his patients felt cared for and made them laugh. He was also an amazing mentor, friend, and family member. He always encouraged me and believed I could always do better. As time passed, I had several experiences as an orthodontic and dental patient, further gaining my interest in the field. In high school, I decided I wanted to be a dentist and went to college to study biological sciences which had the prerequisites needed for dental school. When Bruce found out my intentions, he was proud of me and believed I would change the world. This year, I applied to eight dental schools with my twin sister Jasmine. My sister has the same experiences and career aspirations as I do. We both received the same five interviews from Rutgers, Temple, Howard, Maryland, and VCU. In September 2023, our mentor Bruce died from heart issues. We were completely heartbroken; he was our mentor and family who significantly touched our lives. We wanted him to see us get accepted into dental school and attain our goal of becoming a dentist. After receiving the interview invitation for Temple, we were set on trying our hardest to get accepted because Bruce graduated from the Class of 1977. We mentioned him in our interviews, thank you letters, and letters of intent to showcase our strong desire to become a student. On December 15, we were accepted into Rutgers, Howard, and Temple. We want to continue Bruce’s legacy by attending his school and becoming a dentist. His strong compassion, enthusiastic energy, and the impact he had on our lives and others will be forever part of our careers to better oral health and inspire the community that we will serve.

My name is Amber Mott, I am a twin sister, I love cats, and I have Asperger’s Syndrome. I lacked self-confidence and communication skills before my training in martial arts and my karate masters gave me the confidence and motivation to succeed in college and life. I want to help people like my karate masters have supported me through dentistry. I love helping others and dentistry will allow me to use my compassion and empathy from having a disability to better my future patients’ oral health. I am applying for dental school this cycle with my twin sister. We have done everything in our lives together including our career aspirations. We have both applied to the same eight schools and have gotten the same five interviews. We are both so excited to be closer to our dream career with dental school acceptances starting December 15! Volunteering for my community is a huge passion of mine and my favorite way of giving back. I love that I can continuously find new opportunities to help others. Currently, I am volunteering for Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures which provides free dental care and hygiene products to low-income children. I plan on becoming a dentist in the future to better the oral health of my community. It is so exciting to participate in the various events that Colgate BSBF has available. I assist dentists in performing screenings by charting information about the patient and handing out hygiene bags. Through Colgate, my volunteering is not only limited to my local community but also communities far around me. As a martial artist and pre-dental student, I can use my skills in leadership and passion for dentistry to promote oral health in low-income communities. At many of the scheduled Colgate BSBF events, I noticed the coordinator was having difficulty finding dentists to screen children. As a pre-dental student, I have had the privilege to shadow and work as an assistant at various dental practices. A huge part of dentistry is networking and communication and I am always eager to learn and gain new perspectives from all the people I meet. Any time I volunteer, I strive to find dentists who are willing to participate in events. I am so amazed and appreciative that many of the dental contacts I have made eagerly volunteer. Without my assistance, several events would not have dentists to screen the children. It is so fulfilling that my participation can broaden the impact that Colgate can have. I plan to positively impact the world as a dentist, striving to help low-income communities achieve good oral health. As a current volunteer for Colgate BSBF, I understand the importance of their program and I strive to make the program better. Colgate does screenings, provides a list of dentists, and limits their treatment to children, but there are no actual procedures performed. Although it is a great program, many low-income patients are unable to afford any kind of dental treatment. Providing a list of dental professionals only helps those with the finances to pay for procedures. As a future dentist, I can advance this initiative by increasing awareness and donations. This way treatments will not only be limited to screenings and children but expand to adults and full procedures such as root canals, fillings, and extractions. Often low-income communities have poorer oral health than others and I want to improve this health disparity. As a current and future advocate for better oral health in low-income and all communities, I can positively impact the world through dentistry.

Volunteering for my community is a huge passion of mine and my favorite way of giving back. I love that I can continuously find new opportunities to help others. Currently, I am volunteering for Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures which provides free dental care and hygiene products to low-income children. The program has a dental van with hygiene chairs to screen children at various locations. I plan on becoming a dentist in the future to better the oral health of my community. It is so exciting to participate in the various events that Colgate BSBF has available. I assist dentists in performing screenings by charting information about the patient and handing out hygiene bags. Through Colgate, my volunteering is not only limited to my local community but also communities far around me. I love that I can help children achieve strong oral health by providing them with local dentists who care for low-income patients. As a pre-dental student, I have had the privilege to shadow and work as an assistant at various dental practices. A huge part of dentistry is networking and communication. Volunteering at various dental community programs and shadowing has allowed me to connect with many dental professionals. I am always eager to learn and gain new perspectives from all the people I meet. Often Colgate BSBF has trouble finding professionals to volunteer for their program. Any time I volunteer, I strive to find dentists who are willing to participate in events. I am so amazed and appreciative that many of the dental contacts I have made eagerly volunteer. Without my assistance, several events would not have dentists to screen the children. It is so fulfilling that my participation can broaden the impact that Colgate can have. I plan to positively impact the world in the future by continuously trying to better the oral health of others in my community. I want to especially focus on those who cannot afford care or have difficulty financing it. Dental schools provide various opportunities for dental students to become involved in their community and promote oral health. I plan to be active in several community outreach programs in dental school such as Mission of Mercy (MOM) which provides free care to the surrounding community. I plan to make a greater contribution when I graduate from dental school. As a current volunteer for Colgate BSBF, I understand the importance of their program and I strive to make the program better. Colgate does screenings, provides a list of dentists, and limits their treatment to children, but there are no actual procedures performed. Although it is a great program, many low-income patients are unable to afford any kind of dental treatment. Providing a list of dental professionals only helps those with the finances to pay for procedures. As a future dentist, I can advance this initiative by increasing awareness and donations. This way treatments will not only be limited to screenings and children but expand to adults and full procedures such as root canals, fillings, and extractions. Often low-income communities have poorer oral health than others and I want to improve this health disparity. As a current and future advocate for better oral health in low-income and all communities, I can positively impact the world through dentistry.

Ever since I was born, I have had issues with social communication. Due to being born prematurely, I had delays in development and speech. Although I was involved in several therapies, communication has always been a weakness. Throughout grade school I would not talk to anyone or make friends, only my sister and my parents. It was not until middle school that I had significant issues. The students at our school bullied me and my sister, which directed my parents to homeschool us. It was around this time I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Although homeschooling helped me with less distraction during academics, it did not help with social communication. My parents decided to help me find an extracurricular activity that involved talking to others. It was the first day that I tried a karate class that changed my life. Before my training in martial arts, I was very timid and did not make eye contact or attempt to start a conversation. The instructors were very overwhelming at first because I was not used to being around people who spoke loudly and with intent. Over time, I became very comfortable with them, and they taught me values and skills to better myself. I was encouraged to speak more confidently, have confidence talking in front of large groups, and have the motivation to succeed. After four years of training, I achieved my first-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. Before my experience in karate, I would give up on anything and it amazed me that I could accomplish this goal. I learned the mindset that I can achieve anything and lead others to better themselves as my instructors had done for me. Currently, I have been training for nine years and have a third-degree black belt. I now can talk to others, make friends, and build a career for myself because of my training in martial arts. When I was sixteen, I became an orthodontic patient. Before braces, I lacked self-confidence in my smile and refrained from smiling. After my experience, I was in awe of the complete transformation. I reflected on my experience and realized dentistry is a work of art. My orthodontist used wires and instruments as her art tools and my teeth as her canvas. Combining art and science allows a dentist to beautify teeth while restoring them to normal function. I now have confidence in my smile and want to transform the lives of others through dentistry. I am currently in the process of applying for dental school in either D.D.S. or D.M.D. programs. I believe that I deserve this scholarship because I am a first-generation college student and I want to change my family’s lives through my education. Both of my parents are permanently disabled and had to stop working early in life. It is a great struggle for us to afford necessities, monthly bills, and food. Financing my education through scholarships will ease the burden on my family and allow me to succeed in my future career. I want to contribute to the STEM community by advocating for better treatment methods for patients. A huge part of dentistry is innovative technology and research. Dentistry is moving more towards digital methods rather than traditional treatments. I want to play a part in the advancement of technology in dentistry by participating in research to invent new ways of treating patients or improving current methods. I look forward to enhance overall patient experience by making a significant impact on the field of dentistry and the STEM community.

Ever since I was born, I have had issues with social communication. Due to being born prematurely, I had delays in development and speech. Although I was involved in several therapies, communication has always been a weakness. Throughout grade school I would not talk to anyone or make friends, only my sister and my parents. It was not until middle school that I had significant issues. The students at our school bullied me and my sister, which directed my parents to homeschool us. It was around this time I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Although homeschooling helped me with less distraction during academics, it did not help with social communication. My parents decided to help me find an extracurricular activity that involved talking to others. It was the first day that I tried a karate class that changed my life. I started training in Tang Soo Do and Aiki Jujutsu nine years ago. This experience has transformed my personality and developed me into the person I am today. Before training, I would give up and I lacked the confidence to perform tasks that challenged me. I learned significant values and skills that have benefited me in my academics and will continue to give me an advantage in my future career. My karate instructors demonstrated qualities in themselves that they instilled in me. I learned discipline, respect, perseverance, integrity, and self-confidence. My training has completely changed my perspective on achieving goals and taught me the skill to lead others. Martial arts have significantly transformed my social skills. I learned the mindset that I can achieve anything and lead others to better themselves as my instructors had done for me. I now can talk to others, make friends, and build a career for myself because of my training in martial arts. I wish to help my community in the future by volunteering. My career goal is to attend dental school to become a dentist. I want to make a difference in the lives of others through better oral health. Through volunteering, I learned the importance of collaboration, serving others, and respect. My experiences gave me the compassion and desire to transform my patients' lives. As a leader in oral care, I want to promote a diverse community of patients who entrust me with their health. I plan to do this by continuing to volunteer for two programs that I am involved in, Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures and Special Smiles at the Special Olympics. Both of these programs are great ways to better oral health and lessen health disparities. Another significant way I can better my community’s oral health is by opening a dental office in a rural area. Often there is a lack of dental practitioners in these communities, and I believe that I will be able to make a significant contribution to the lives of those I treat. In martial arts, I have had significant leadership roles to support and encourage me throughout my academic career. The values I learned will help me in dental school and beyond. I want to contribute to my community by empowering others to become leaders and advocate for better oral health. Volunteering will be a way for me to fulfill my desire to transform the lives of others, better my community’s oral health, and become the best version of myself.

My future career aspirations are to attend dental school in a D.M.D. or D.D.S. program, match to a residency program in either pediatric dentistry or orthodontics, serve in the military, open a dental office with my twin sister, and volunteer in my community to promote oral health. The combination of art and science in dentistry captivated my interest. I love that I will be able to use my future knowledge of science in dentistry with my passion for artistry to transform my patients’ smiles and give them a positive experience they can remember. One significant experience that contributed to my career choice is my orthodontist. Before braces, I hated the appearance of my teeth and often did not smile. During my appointments, I was engrossed in the complexity of my dental treatment. I found it amazing that my orthodontist could notice minuscule deviations and adjust my teeth accordingly. Once my braces were removed, I was in awe of the complete transformation. I reflected on my experience and realized dentistry is a work of art. Dr. Shah used wires and instruments as her art tools and my teeth as her canvas. Combining art and science allows a dentist to beautify teeth while restoring them to normal function. I knew after my experience I wanted to construct and create oral compositions like my orthodontist and become a dentist. In my pursuit of learning more about the field of dentistry, I found amazing volunteer opportunities. I have shadowed several general dentists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, and periodontists. Although these experiences have given me significant insight into the profession, what captivated me the most is having the opportunity to volunteer in my community. At the Special Olympics of New Jersey, I volunteered as a dental student in the Special Smiles program. This was a great way for me to network with other dental professionals and help underserved people. Athletes have special needs and often do not receive the proper care they deserve. This is often due to pediatric or general dentists not wanting to treat adults or children with special needs. My experience gave me a new perspective and strengthened my desire to become a dentist and volunteer in my community. After shadowing and volunteering in the dental profession, I learned the importance of collaboration, serving others, and respect. My experiences gave me the compassion and desire to transform my patients' lives. However, I felt like I could do something greater beyond my future dental practice. The insight I gained not only affected my career choice in dentistry but also contributed to my aspiration to serve my country as a member of the Army Dental Corps. I have trained in martial arts for nine years and had significant leaders to guide my path. After having the opportunity to have strong leaders to direct my path in life, I now can be that person. After dental school, I plan on making a significant impact on the lives of my patients and the field of dentistry through the military. Demonstrating empathy and understanding while having a great passion for my career will allow me to improve my patients' experience. As a leader in oral care, I want to promote a diverse community of patients who entrust me with their health. I know that my strong compassion, desire to impact the lives of others, and leadership skills will allow me to make a significant contribution to the oral profession. My experiences confirmed my desire to become an active member of dentistry while keeping the memory of receiving a beautiful smile I can never forget.

Ever since I was born, I have had issues with social communication. Due to being born prematurely, I had delays in development and speech. Although I was involved in therapies, communication has always been a weakness. Throughout grade school I would not talk to anyone or make friends, only my sister and my parents. It was not until middle school that I had significant issues. The students at our school bullied me and my sister, which directed my parents to homeschool us. It was around this time I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Although homeschooling helped me with less distraction during academics, it did not help with social communication. My parents decided to help me find an extracurricular activity that involved talking to others. It was the first day that I tried a karate class that changed my life. Before my training in martial arts, I was very timid and did not make eye contact or attempt to start a conversation. The instructors were overwhelming at first because I was not used to being around people who speak loudly with intent. Over time, I became comfortable with them, and they taught me values and skills to better myself. I was encouraged to speak more confidently, have confidence talking in front of others, and have the motivation to succeed. After four years of training, I achieved my first-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. Before my experience, I would give up on anything and it amazed me that I could accomplish this goal. I learned the mindset that I can achieve anything and lead others to better themselves as my instructors had done for me. I now can talk to others, make friends, and build a career for myself because of my training in martial arts. I plan to further my education by becoming a dentist. I am currently in the process of applying for dental school in either D.D.S. or D.M.D. programs. I loved majoring in biology as my undergraduate, and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my education in my future career. After pursuing my higher education, I plan to give back to my community and support others as people have done in my life. I was fortunate enough to enjoy going to the dentist with a disability and did not have issues. However, this is not the case for many which leads to a lack of dental care. Often pediatric dentists do not want to treat children with special needs or treat children but not the adults who need it. General dentists come across this issue, which can be concerning for access to dental care. I want to promote oral health for people with special needs in my future career in dentistry. Although communication is still a weakness, I work hard every day to better myself. I present in front of others, make friends wherever possible, and continue to search for volunteer opportunities to support people with disabilities. I recently had the opportunity to volunteer for Special Smiles at the Special Olympics to help athletes have access to dental care. While this is a great initiative to increase access to care, special needs patients still do not have proper oral health. I plan to reduce these disparities in oral health in my future career by creating a program to train and educate dentists to treat patients with disabilities. I know that my experience in leadership and compassion will allow me to fulfill my desire for better oral health. Through dentistry, I know I will support, transform, and inspire patients that I treat with special needs.

Healthcare is essential, it is a valuable resource that all people should have access to. However, this is not the case for many which results in health disparities. Professionals that strive to make a difference in the care of others can change the future of healthcare. I plan to be an up-stander to increase diversity and even out health disparities in dentistry, my future career. Dentistry is such a crucial field of healthcare because one issue can over time dramatically affect someone’s physical and oral health. After completion of dental school, I plan to advocate for change in oral health in my community and beyond. Often low-income and rural communities do not have the access to care that they desperately need. I have personally seen communities lacking care and I am intensely passionate to make a change. I plan to open a dental office in this type of area to start the process of increasing good oral health. Although opening a dental clinic in a specific area may help that community, it is only a part of my mission as a future dentist. I want to extend my care beyond my dental office to a vast array of communities. As a volunteer of many programs, I understand the significance small acts of kindness can have to others. Through volunteering, I had the opportunity to promote diversity and inclusion. One significant program is Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures (BSBF). This program aims to eliminate health disparities by increasing children’s oral health in low-income communities. A dental van is brought to these areas with hygiene chairs and oral health supplies. As a promoter of this program, I was able to recognize the importance of children receiving dental hygiene products as well as care. Often children in these areas share toothbrushes with siblings and parents because their families cannot afford to pay for products themselves. I found this very disheartening, and I know I want to continue to volunteer for Colgate BSBF as a future dentist. Through Colgate, I can advocate for an increase in oral health in my local area. I know as a future dental practitioner I want to expand my skills beyond communities nearby. I want to transform oral health outside of my community by becoming an officer in the United States military. As an officer, I will have the opportunity to lead others to advance oral health even further. I will strongly benefit from the integration of knowledge and skill from various dentists across the country. The insight I learned from volunteering directly contributes to my aspirations to become a member of the military. The skills I will learn from dental school and in the military will allow me to deliver exceptional care to my future patients. My strong compassion, desire to help others, and ambition to become a dentist will allow me to make a significant impact on the lives of the patients that I treat. I want to transform people’s smiles into something that they can be proud of whether or not they can afford treatment. By opening a dental office in a low-income area, volunteering to provide free dental care, and serving the U.S. military, I will extend my care to others with a great passion to advance oral health in my community and beyond.

Artistry is a creative skill to transform something into a beautiful design. Dentistry is a form of art that requires focus, manual dexterity, and visual acuity to notice minor imperfections. Photography and sewing are very similar to dentistry, skills I have developed since I was young. Organization and precision are necessary to perform sutures after an extraction, which is like sewing. Photography requires attention to detail, like perceiving imperfections in a tooth. The skills I have acquired through art are those I have seen in my dental experiences. My orthodontic experience in transforming my smile ignited my desire to pursue art through dentistry. From my first appointment as a patient, I was engrossed in the complexity of my dental treatment. It amazed me how my orthodontist could notice the minuscule deviations in my teeth. Every visit fascinated me, whether it was x-rays, placing brackets, or adjusting my teeth. Dr. Shah treated me with kindness and encouragement, which made me feel cared for and respected. Once my braces were removed, I was in awe of the complete transformation. I reflected on my experience and realized dentistry is a work of art. Dr. Shah used wires and instruments as her art tools and my teeth as her canvas. Combining art and science allows a dentist to beautify teeth while restoring them to normal function. When leaving the orthodontic office, I felt upset that I was departing such an exciting part of my life behind me. I then realized that I would not leave my experience; instead, I would reconstruct and create oral compositions like Dr. Shah and become a dentist. In my pursuit of learning more about the art of dentistry through shadowing, I learned the value of patient care. I shadowed and worked as an assistant for Dr. Luong, who made his patients feel genuinely cared for with his encouraging approach and empathy. Compassionate care can directly affect a patient’s experience. I continued to work on creating positive experiences by volunteering for special events for special kids (SE4SK), which is a program that creates fun events for children with disabilities. I have autism, so I understand a person's obstacles while living with a disability. My disability is not a setback; it is a source of motivation. Without autism, I would not have the perseverance and compassion that I have learned throughout my life. Volunteering for SE4SK allowed me to embrace my disorder and give the kids a judgment-free, enjoyable experience where they could be themselves. I could cooperate with other volunteers and form an exciting environment through creativity. The significance of empathy and collaboration I learned from Dr. Luong and SE4SK will allow me to make a difference in my patients’ lives through memorable and positive care. Demonstrating empathy and understanding while having a great passion for my career will allow me to improve my patients' experience. As a leader in oral care, I want to promote a diverse community of patients who entrust me with their health. Becoming a dentist will allow me to continue to be creative by designing dental works of art and promoting oral health within my community. Through compassion and exceptional treatment, I would love to transform my patients’ lives through positive and memorable care that allows them to achieve their dream smiles. My experiences confirmed my desire to become an active member of dentistry while keeping the memory of receiving a beautiful smile I can never forget.