From my original post, I was asked what I have learned from four application cycles. I definitely can't put all of the things that I have learned here, but I will try to narrow down some things that might be applicable. I will list some dental-related lessons and a few life-related lessons.
Dental-school preparation
-Numbers aren't everything, but if I am lacking the numbers, it doesn't matter what else is on my application, because it won't get looked at.
-Everyone is capable of achieving good grades, they simply need hard work, discipline, and priorities. There are very few geniuses - most of the top students have simply learned to be successful students; they aren't necessarily smarter than their peers.
-School can be fun
-Sometimes, regardless of how much you do to improve your application, the process is still a crap shoot, and you may not get in.
-If dentistry is sincerely what you want to do, then be committed to it. It may take some time and a lot of work, but that is part of what makes it so meaningful and rewarding.
-Get to know your professors. They can largely influence your dental admissions and your educational experience.
-Dentistry provides a great service opportunity to other people - it isn't only about me!
-Get as much dental experience and exposure as possible. I spent an entire summer observing and assisting. By the end of the summer, I had learned so much about dentistry, and I was so excited to become a dentist.
-Even if you plan on specializing, make sure that you will be happy as a general dentist, before you enter dental school. The opportunity to specialize may not be there, when you approach the end of dental school.
-Have a hobby. There are times when you will need to do something other than study.
-When studying for long durations, I found it effective to study for 50 minutes, then take a 10 minute break. If I am committed to this approach, then I am able to spend an entire day studying, without burning out.
-I learn better, when I sit towards the front of the class. I know that I am a nerd, but it makes a difference for me.
Life (I am an unusual applicant, in several ways, and my life has taken some atypical turns. Some of my experiences are: D-1 track athlete, cancer survivor, chemo patient, multiple major surgeries, husband, father, grad student, D-1 track coach). I have learned so many lessons over the past few years, but I will limit this list to things that are somewhat applicable to this forum.
-When I become selfish, I become miserable, and life becomes hard. As a chemo patient, I got extremely sick. During my second week (of nine), I got a really high fever, I had sores all over in my mouth, I was nauseous, my body ached horribly, my muscles were contracting uncontrollably, my eyes couldn't focus, and I was laying in bed shaking, and miserable. It was at that moment that I thought to myself, "it would be easier if I were to just die right now, so I don't have to endure this for another seven weeks." As I was thinking that selfish thought, my sweet wife walked into the room to comfort me and place a cool, wet rag on my burning forehead. She told me that she loved me, and then turned to leave the room. I realized at that moment that I had been focusing on myself, and it was wrong of me to do that. From then on, I was fighting for my life, so I could be there for my wife and daughter. Whenever I was overcome with the difficulty of the moment, I thought of them, and my burden was eased. Every time I started feeling miserable, I realized that it was because I was feeling sorry for myself. Although I continued to get sicker, I never hit bottom like that again.
-No matter how bad things are, they could always be worse. When I couldn't sleep at night, during my chemo treatment, I would get up and read. I read the story of Job, from the Old Testament. That gave me perspective and helped me realize that things could definitely be worse.
-Don't let your tongue speak harshly; you never know what might happen. It just isn't worth it to fight with other people, even if they really make you mad. Life is fragile, and anything can happen. You don't want to have the last thing you said to someone be hurtful.
-Worldly things are over-rated.
-Be nice to everyone, regardless.
-There are things that I can give and ways that I can help others, even when I don't have money.
-I am never too busy to help someone or spend time with my family.
-No one can ruin my day, except me.
-The true measure of a person isn't what hardships they endure but how they choose to deal with their challenges.
-No one else is in control of your fate. My oncologist (the same Dr. that treated Lance Armstrong) told me that I would not be able to run until about a year after finishing chemotherapy. It was my senior season, and I couldn't just roll over and quit, so I decided that I was going to run. I ran in my first track meet (400m hurdles and 4x400m relay), 2 weeks after finishing chemotherapy. I puked for about 20 minutes after running. My times weren't anywhere close to my personal bests, but I ran. I ran again the next week, and the next. I ended up qualifying for the PAC-10 championships, a month after finishing chemo. Although I didn't record any amazing marks, I didn't roll over and let someone else limit my potential. Similar things were told to me about becoming a dentist, and now I am preparing to enter my first year of dental school.
-A quote that became meaningful to me is, "When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." -Charles Beard
Why didn't you get in the first three attempts?
It just wasn't in the cards. At the time, I really wanted to get accepted, but the way things have worked out is simply amazing. If I had been accepted during my first year of applying, I would have needed to drop out, because I was fighting cancer. Also, my wife and I wouldn't have been able to adopt my daughter or son. I am thankful that I wasn't accepted that year. During my second year, I needed another major surgery, to remove a tumor, which would have made me miss 8 weeks of dental school. In my third year, I was cancer free, and I was really wanting to begin dental school, but I just didn't get accepted. I don't know why. I choose to believe that God knows what is happening. He has taken care of me thus far, and I am confident that He will continue. I am just glad that I am in now.
Great work!
