A Circuitous Path to Dentistry :: Dentistry Admissions Essays

A Circuitous Path to Dentistry   I could hardly keep myself from staring at the girl the right posture of her face was misshapen and bigger than the odd. Only later did I notice that Cheryl, about nine at the metre, had light brown hair, lively brown eyes, and a captivating smile. When she walked into the candy shop where I worked six years ago, Cheryl told me she was a student of my former fourth grade teacher with whom I had kept in contact. We talked then and spent time talking each time she visited. She became a very special friend of mine, one whom I admire greatly. At the time we met, I was taking honors and AP classes, working about twenty hours a week, and feeling sorry for myself. Cheryls outgoing confidence and good cheer put my situation in perspective. Cheryl was strong, kind, and surprisingly hopeful. She never focused on her facial deformities, but always on the anticipated improvement in her appearance. Her ability to find strength inside herself inspired me to become a stronger person. It motivated me to pursue a career where I could help those like Cheryl attain the strength that she possesses.   At the time, my initial chase turned toward psychology. Impressed with Cheryls outlook, I overlooked the source of her strength she knew that treatment will improve her appearance. Focusing on the emotional aspects of her illness, I volunteered at the neuropsychiatric Institute. There, I supervised the daily activities of pre-adolescents, played with them, and assisted them in getting dressed. I worked with crack babies, autistic children, and children who had severe behavioral problems. I enjoyed interacting with the children, but I often became frustrated that I was not able to help them. For instance, a young autistic boy frequently hit himself. No one was permitted to keep back this child. We had to turn away and allow him to continually strike and hurt himself until he tired.   I was increasingly disappointed with the lack of p rogress I saw in my volunteer work at NPI, but my job again pushed me in the right direction. During the fall quarter of my junior year in college, I left the candy shop where I had worked for nearly five and a half years, and I began working as a senior clerk in the Anesthesiology abode Program. Ironically work, which frequently made study difficult, helped me find the right