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<\/a>hat drove you to pursue a career in science?<\/b><\/p>\nScience was always secondary to dentistry. <\/span>From as far back as I can remember I have wanted to be a dentist, and naturally, I found myself interested in science. <\/span>Growing up, I had a strong relationship with my own pediatric dentist and orthodontist, and I really admired him. <\/span>When it came time to attend college, I decided to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with the goal to pursue a career in dentistry. <\/span><\/p>\n Why did you choose to come to Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM)?<\/b><\/p>\n I was really hoping to go to dental school following my senior year of college, but for various reasons, it did not work out that way. <\/span>While I had a solid Dental Admissions Test (DAT) score and plenty of experience shadowing in the field, I didn\u2019t have the strongest undergraduate GPA. <\/span>I knew I might have to get a Master\u2019s degree before applying again, and started looking for programs. <\/span>When I found the BUSM Oral Health Sciences (OHS) Track, I almost thought it was too good to be true! <\/span>The program was exactly what I needed, and it seemed like it would prepare me well for dental school. <\/span><\/p>\n Can you tell me a little about the program you are in?<\/b><\/p>\n UNC is a huge school, so to come into a program with only seventeen other students was what initially attracted me to this program. <\/span>The OHS program is a track within the MA in Medical Sciences program where students take half of their classes with the first-year dental students at the BU Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM). <\/span>These classes are a unique characteristic of the program because they give the OHS students a real chance to experience the rigor of dental school courses. <\/span>OHS also provides a lot of support to their students. The program director, Dr. Theresa Davies, is so enthusiastic about helping her students achieve their goals. <\/span>This support system was not something I had in undergrad, and it has really helped me progress through the program.<\/p>\n What are your plans after completing the program?<\/b><\/p>\n I officially graduate in September 2013, but I will be walking in the May Commencement ceremony. <\/span>This fall, I will attend BUGSDM as a dental student. <\/span>Because I am in the OHS program, I will have already taken a few of my first semester classes, so my schedule will be a little lighter than the other first-year dental students. <\/span>I hope this extra time will allow me to really focus on my other courses and to explore all my options. <\/span>After dental school, I want to pursue a specialty in pediatric dentistry or orthodontics. <\/span><\/p>\n