Academic experiences and motivations for enrolling at University of Maryland

¶ … people ask did I always want to be an orthodontist, I say no. Until my senior year in high school I was a generic student. School was pleasant, not too difficult, and the social life was okay. However, you could say that is when I started to grow up, and that is when I realized that high school was about getting ready for my future. Schoolwork became less of a chore and I started to enjoy classes, a couple more than others. For example, I found that the things I learned in biology class really excited my curiosity and made me interested in learning more.

I was also lucky enough to have two exceptional teachers who helped me see that learning was fun. One in particular showed me how to see each class as an opportunity, as a door that I needed to pass through. Since then, whenever I take a class that I'm not sure I will get an A or B. in, I remember her telling me "Yes, Mary, that's the only way to get to the things you want that are on the other side." That kind of thinking helps keep me motivated. It's one of the most important things I've learned so far.

Experiences like that during my last year of high school convinced me that I wanted to attend college and have an opportunity to learn other interesting subjects. I still was not sure what I wanted to major in, so I attended Prince George's Community College. My goal at first was to take classes that would count towards a degree. I realize now that I was hoping for a good foundation while I decided on the next step to take to further my education.

My decision to attend community college worked out well. Academically speaking, I have developed more confidence about taking the classes I need and believing I can succeed and do well. Prince George's Community College helped me grow in some other important ways too. I learned how to manage my time and how to prepare for term papers and exams. Also a counselor at Prince George's Community College introduced me to their Dental Assistant program. This program was my first exposure to the field of dentistry. Learning about patient care gave me an opportunity to see how much dentists help people. Being able to help someone have a more confident smile or helping them feel better after having a painful condition is really rewarding. I enjoy working with people, and knowing that I helped someone heal or feel better is the career choice for me. I am ready to keep growing in this field.

The next step for me is attending the University of Maryland and enrolling in your pre-dentistry program. From what I've learned so far, the University is the right choice for me. Actually I believe it is the right choice for both the University and me. I like challenges and I want to learn dentistry. I understand that the University has an excellent dental school and that you want students who want to excel. That's exactly what I intend to do.

Dentistry is an exciting occupation now, with so many changes in technology and advances in patient care. I am really excited about all the possibilities that the University of Maryland has to offer, especially the wide range of dentistry programs. I am leaning towards Orthodontics, but I am also interested in pediatric dentistry and oral maxillofacial surgery. I really like knowing that the University of Maryland will expose me to various specialties and give me exposure to the entire field on dentistry.