|
Winston Churchill once said, "I have nothing
to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat." The same could be said by many
of the students in the incoming class who have worked very hard to make
their dream of entering the dental profession come true. The University of
the Pacific School of Dentistry has one of the largest applicant pools in
the nation. Out of the 1,846 applicants who applied to Pacific this year, one
hundred thirty-eight matriculated on Friday, July 13, 2001. They are the
Class of 2004, another class of
outstanding individuals that make up a well-rounded student body.
Nationwide, the number of people applying to dental schools has declined
since the most recent peak in 1997 (8,602 applicants in 1997, 6,362 in
2001). The caliber of students joining the Pacific family is as high as ever.
In the Class of 2004, there are fifty females (36%) and eighty-eight
males; sixty-four Caucasians, forty-five Asian-Pacific Islanders, nine
Hispanics, four African Americans, no Native Americans, and thirteen who
chose not to disclose their ethnicity. The nine Hispanic and four African
American students represent the largest incoming class of underrepresented
minority students to enter Pacific. Students range in age from nineteen to
forty-one, with an average age of twenty-five. The majority (71%) call
California home; however, 25% were born abroad, representing twelve
different countries. Thirty-five of the students have a parent who is a
dentist, which is the highest percentage of sons and daughters of dentists
in the last five years.
GPAs and DAT scores are very similar to last year's class and remain
strong. According to the American Dental Association's survey of the
fifty-five predoctoral dental education institutions, we rank fourth in the
country in perceptual aptitude (PAT) and fifth in dental aptitude academic
average (AA).
Our primary undergraduate feeder schools continue to be the University of
the Pacific, UC Davis, Brigham Young University, and other UC schools. Of
the twenty-two new students who attended Pacific for undergraduate studies,
thirteen participated in the honors programs, either in the 2+3, 3+3, or 4+3
curriculum (a program that allows students to take two, three, or four years
of undergraduate predental courses at our main campus in Stockton and then,
if they achieve specified levels in grades and DAT scores, are interviewed
at the Pacific School of Dentistry).
We are proud that the Class of 2004 is among the best and brightest in
the nation. Dr. Arthur Dugoni is well known for saying, "At Pacific we build
people-along the way they become dentists." Although the Class of 2004 is
statistically among the top in the nation; it's not the statistics that make
up a class, it's the people. Allow me to introduce you to a few of them.
|
 Edgar Mendieta
We first met Edgar Mendieta last summer when he took the initiative to
visit all five California dental schools in preparation for his upcoming
dental school application. After careful investigation Edgar chose Pacific
because he "found no other place in the country where a student could get
the support Pacific offers from administrators and faculty alike." After
graduating from high school in Apple Valley, California, Edgar attended an
accredited post-secondary school at a private institution in Salamanca,
Spain, where he traveled extensively (Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, and
Morocco) and became fluent in Spanish. Returning to the States, Edgar
enrolled in UCLA as a biology major. He led a full life at UCLA, balancing
his academics, volunteer work in the orthodontic clinic, research in
fighting cancer and the HIV virus, and being a member of UCLA's crew team.
When asked who influenced his drive and determination, Edgar points to
his mother. "My mother has inspired me in everything I do. She has
demonstrated discipline and instilled a hard work ethic in me. At the same
time she overcame the adversity of raising two kids as a single parent
immigrant who did not speak English and had a remedial education. Throughout
my life she has inspired me to never lose hope and to have faith in my
dreams and to persevere through trying situations." Edgar is the first in
his family to go to college and earn a degree. His family is very proud of
him and he has quickly become a role model and mentor to many of his younger
cousins. Edgar plans to receive his DDS degree in 2004 and then specialize
in orthodontics. Ultimately, he would love to practice in California, after
a one-year internship in a foreign country, that he hopes would allow him
"to grow, build tolerance, and fulfill my desire to see and experience the
world."
 Ruchi Nijjar
There are some applicant essays that capture our admissions committee's
attention immediately. Deepinder "Ruchi" Nijjar's essay did just that. Her
passion for people and dentistry was conveyed in the first few paragraphs:
In the small village of Dhudike, India, lived a woman whom the villagers
called, "Doctor Sahib." She was my Bhua Ji (my grandfather's sister) and was
as beautiful as the peacocks that graced her roof. On the first day I met
her, she taught me a valuable lesson when she introduced me, a fascinated
ten-year-old girl, to two majestic creatures that roamed her roof on summer
mornings. One had no feathers, and when I gave it a perplexed look, Bhua Ji
laughed and pointed to the other side. "Ruchi, look. One has closed itself
to the world, not allowing anyone to see its feathers. However, the other we
enjoy because it is showing us its beautiful plumes. You too, Ruchi, can be
just as beautiful. Just open yourself up to the possibility," she explained.
I learned that day that I could be just like her. Watching her heal the
villagers enlivened me. She had helped so many people; I wanted to do the
same.
Ruchi was so committed to reaching her goal that she applied and was
accepted to the University of the Pacific's dental honors program, allowing
her to complete her predental and dental education in five years (two years
of undergraduate work at our main campus in Stockton and three years at the
dental school in San Francisco). In Stockton, Ruchi was the vice-president
of the predental club, working closely with Jamie Sahouria, who was the
president of the predental club last year and is also a member of
the Class of 2004. Together, they lead one of the most active and passionate
predental clubs in the country and we expect them to bring their enthusiasm
and leadership to the dental school. Ruchi is now on pace to be a dentist at
age twenty-two.
She chose Pacific because of its clinical emphasis, stating that she "can
study hard and learn facts at any university, but from the experience of
talking to so many different dentists and students," she heard that "Pacific
graduates are some of the best-skilled clinicians in California." Ruchi
looks forward to getting involved with the Pacific community as much as
possible. She states, "I don't believe in leaving room for regrets in life,
but instead I believe in living life as if each day is a blessing. I want to
learn from everyone around me as much as I can (that includes fellow
students), and give whatever I can in return."
 Michael Payne
Michael Payne approached us on Matriculation Day with a big smile on his
face, asking if we thought he should change his last name. I suggested he
use it to his advantage and come up with a slogan like "no pain with Dr.
Payne." Dr. Craig Yarborough, associate dean for institutional advancement,
recommended that Michael change his middle name to "No" so his full name
would be, "Michael No Payne." Either way, we believe Michael Payne will be a
great dentist as well as a wonderful asset to the dental profession. Michael
comments, "As a member of an underrepresented group, I will be an asset to
my classmates, the profession, and the school by sharing my background and
experiences, which will come in handy for those who plan on practicing in
such a diverse place like California. I believe that in order to really make
a difference in the dental profession, it is essential that dental
professionals understand and be able to communicate with the people in the
community that they will serve."
Michael grew up in Los Angeles and attended UCLA. His father, who taught
him the importance of integrity, raised him to believe that one's work is a
reflection of oneself. Michael invests all he is into his work and refuses
to take shortcuts. He chose dentistry because it combines all of his
passions, which include art, problem solving, and health care, as well as
the opportunity to interact with people.
Michael dreams of the future, "I plan on one day owning my own practice
and also starting a nonprofit 'dentist on wheels' program in which I will
attempt to get other dentists interested in providing a free, mobile dental
clinic to low-income communities." Michael is also an avid snow skier so
don't be surprised if you run into him on the slopes.
 Paul Sauget
Paul Sauget's lifelong dream is to become a dentist and serve the people
of his home island of Guam. His older brother, Earl Sauget, graduated from
our orthodontic program in 1995 and has been a role model to Paul ever
since. Paul is a man of many talents. He was a business
management/biomedical science student at Marquette University; played
Division I varsity tennis at the University of the Pacific and at Marquette;
and was in the top five hundred tennis players in the world, is a black belt
in kempo karate, and is a lead guitarist and founded a band "Karma" that
still performs in Guam today.
When asked what he hopes to contribute to the Pacific student body, he
comments, "Besides feeble attempts at comic relief, I would like to
participate in any position that can improve the class's representation or
delegation in organizational activities." Paul also hopes to participate in
an Ironman triathlon race after graduation and "perhaps come out of
retirement in tennis to help represent Guam in international competition
again."
 Jennifer Terry
When interviewing an applicant, one of the areas that our faculty members
evaluate is the applicant's "fire in the belly," the level of motivation the
student possesses for a career in dentistry. Jenni Terry was ranked
"excellent" in this category, top 2%. Her passion is conveyed in the first
paragraph of her applicant essay:
Within me burns the same fire that motivates any health care provider-the
desire to help others achieve and maintain a healthy existence. For me,
there is no question as to what specific area of health care to which I
would devote my life. Having been fascinated with the form and function of
teeth since the age of eight, and being one with a penchant for creative
expression, it is truly serendipitous for me that the field of dentistry
exists-a field that embraces the confluence of science end art.
Jenni has worked very hard to get to where she is today. She recently
graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor's degree in
biology, and throughout college she worked full-time as a legal secretary.
In the summer months, she volunteered at UCSF's Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery Clinic and in the office of Dr. Jeffrey Katz. Jenni explains, "It
has taken me a long time to get here. I was not born with a silver spoon in
my mouth and thus had to work throughout college to support myself. My
dreams are finally coming to fruition, and it has been worth all the work,
time, and effort I've put in. When all is said and done, I think having
worked so hard for what I want will make me a better dentist.
 Dr. Camilo
Riano
The dental school also has an International Dental Studies (IDS) program
for foreign-trained dentists. We receive hundreds of inquiries from all over
the world. This year we had 173 applicants apply to this unique program.
However, we were able to accept only fifteen. This year's new students
represent the following countries: Brazil, China, Colombia, Iran/France,
India, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, and Russia.
Camilo Riano comes to us from Bogota, Colombia. He received his DDS
degree from the Universidad Javeriana in June 1991. The Colombian government
requires a one-year internship in a community hospital or a six-month
internship in a violent area of the country. These areas are poor, without
access to technology and lack proper materials or instruments. He did his
government required six-month internship in a small town fifty miles south
of Bogota. He treated between ninety and one hundred patients a week in this
rural practice. After the internship, the Universidad faculty then selected
Camilo to start a project to establish the first genetic map of the
indigenous populations of Colombia. Afterwards he served in the military.
In 1993, Camilo earned his MS in orthodontics from the Universidad
Militar in Bogota and then went into private practice. While in private
practice, he taught genetics at the Universidad Javeriana, was an assistant
in orthodontic diagnosis preclinic, taught clinical photography, and
authored two chapters in a book, America Negra, published by Universidad
Javeriana.
Camilo has a wife, Anne, and a daughter and brought his family to the
United States to start a new life away from the violence and problems that
at times plague a troubled Colombia. He would like to eventually have an
orthodontic practice somewhere here in the United States.
In a curious twist of fate Camilo discovered on Matriculation Day at Pacific
that Sherry Caraveo, a first-year student, is also from Bogota.
Snapshots in Excellence
Adam, Edgar, Ruchi, Michael, Paul, Jennifer of the class of 2004 and IDS
student Camillo are only a few of the school's outstanding students. They
are snapshots of the excellence, passion, motivation, and enthusiasm that
embody this class. Pacific's newest family members were accepted to an average
of three other dental schools (twelve students were accepted to USC, eleven
to UCSF, and nine to UCLA) but reported that they chose to attend Pacific
because of our clinical excellence, superb facility, three calendar
year (four academic years) curriculum, humanistic teaching model, and
distinguished faculty. Additionally, 48% of the class said they found out
about Pacific from alumni, 41% from friends, 39% from family, and 25% from
current Pacific students. Our alumni have paved the way and current students are
is honored to take up the charge of continuing the tradition of excellence
that was begun more than a hundred and five years ago. |
Adam Haws