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How Juniata Helped Me Get into Dental School
When I was in high school, I realized that I wanted to be a dentist. However, I did not have the slightest clue how I was going to get there. The journey to become a dentist involves a variety of steps. Dental schools are competitive, looking for well-rounded, compassionate, insightful candidates. Before you plan to matriculate into dental school, you must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), score in the competitive range, and apply to schools of interest. If a school likes your application and feels that you are qualified, they will offer you an interview to determine if you are the right ‘fit’ for that particular school. Once admitted, you must complete another 4+ years of schooling in order to become a dentist. Daunting, right? As a high schooler, I was overwhelmed.
At Juniata College, I was fortunate to receive ample guidance which made this process simpler. In my first semester, I met with Dr. Jim Borgardt who was assigned as my academic advisor. Dr. Borgardt advises all of the pre-dentistry students at Juniata, which means that he knows a lot about the admissions process for dental school. We meet every semester, helping to track my progress and keep me on pace for my goals. He also is an awesome guy who has made my overall experience at Juniata a great one.
(more…)Thank You, Juniata
As a senior, my time as a Juniata College student is quickly coming to an end. As I prepare for my next steps in life, I wish to reflect on all that Juniata has given me.
Firstly, I have received a comprehensive, quality education. When searching for a college, I was looking for an academically focused institution. As an aspiring dentist, I wanted to go somewhere that would prepare me for professional school. Through my visits at Juniata, I felt assured that this was the right place to continue my education. I knew that I would be challenged intellectually while having opportunities to explore my own curiosities and interests. My experience has exceeded all of my expectations. The faculty members at Juniata have expressed their genuine interest in my success, which has allowed me to thrive in this educational environment. I feel confident and exceptionally prepared moving forward, and hope to find the same cohesive, supportive environment in dental school.
(more…)11 Ways to Survive College during a Global Pandemic
When I used to dream about what college would be like, a pandemic was never a part of the picture. However, we now find ourselves adapting to a new, COVID-19 world. College can be difficult, and a pandemic doesn’t make it any easier. So, here are my 11 tips for surviving college during a global health crisis:
1. Treat your personal hygiene and safety as a top priority.
Our top priority is to stay on campus. Without hygiene and masking, this is impossible. So, protect yourself while protecting others. We’re all in this together!
(more…)Undergraduate Research at Juniata
At Juniata, there are many opportunities to conduct research. Almost every department has opportunities for students to explore their passions. I have been doing research at Juniata since the summer after my freshman year. I was eager to learn more about biology in an in-depth manor, so I applied to work in Dr. Jason Chan’s lab. I have since been working on an in-depth study related to the extension of health in our aging population and the prevention of age-related disease.
(more…)My Juniata Athletics Experience
When I made the decision to continue my education at Juniata College, I also decided to end my career in sports. I had played sports since the fourth grade and continued to play soccer, softball, and basketball throughout my high school years. However, in college I wanted to focus solely on academics and keep my options open to other extracurricular activities. I thought about taking up dance, as I had when I was younger, or finding a new passion. During my freshman year, I stayed true to this plan. I delved into my schoolwork and found some new hobbies. I took up some intramural sports.
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