A Future of Smiles by Justise

A Future of Smiles by Justise - February 2019 Scholarship Essay

As a student, chemistry, biology, and anatomy have always been interesting subjects. Trying to think of a career was not a difficult decision, the medical field was the way to go. It was just a matter of which profession to pursue. I knew it didn't have steady hands to be a surgeon but I also wanted to be doing something other than sitting in simple doctor appointments. My final decision, with some influence, was the dental field, specifically an orthodontist.

A smile is not just a smile, it is one of the first impressions people see. An orthodontist helps people with their best smiles and builds confidence. As an orthodontist, I can help the community, which is another reason why I would want to become a dentist, such as donations to sports teams and kids organizations. They also can participate in dentists without boarders helping other communities.
Another great thing about dentistry is that there are other fields that you can go into. These include orthodontist, endodontist, maxi and facial surgeon, and more. If I wanted to continue my education, that option is always open. Some people may think that people only want to become a dentist so they can make a lot of money. I'm not saying that making money bad but that is not the only reason I would want to become a dentist. Becoming a dentist gives you financial stability and in the world, everything is going up in prices.

My entire life I have worked hard and stayed involved. These attributes are part of my core and will continue throughout my life. As such, my short and long term goals are simple and will help me to make a difference while in school.

Several short term goals are on my radar. These goals include starting my education at Utah State University, since they have a fantastic undergrad program and high placement rates into dental school. I also plan on maintaining good grades, getting involved in campus activities, connecting with the Logan, UT community as soon as possible, and obtaining Utah residency. While in high school, I was chosen to participate in a student leadership program. This program gave me skills in planning, prioritizing and overall leadership. Specifically, I will utilize these skills when it comes to prioritizing between classes and activities. Once available, I plan to join the pre-dental club and any intermural sports leagues available for soccer or basketball, and/or other clubs of interest. Lastly, I plan to obtain a job or internship in the dental industry as soon as possible to continue to gain valuable experience.

The long term goals I have are to get accepted into dental school and then specialize in orthodontics. To accomplish these goals, I must maintain my high level of grades and involvement. Meeting my short term goals will also assist me in meeting the long term goals.