When I first came into school, my career goal was pretty much set. I always wanted to be a dentist. I really can't tell you where it started. Ever since I was maybe 10 or 11, I just had a passion for-- I don't know, just helping people. And I feel like being a dentist would be enough to help people.

My main reason for probably working for the Red Cross after graduating from school is I feel like I can help more people on a global scale versus just getting a regular dentistry office, seeing my usual patients. I can travel the world and help people who obviously couldn't afford proper dental care. I just want to help people overall.

In addition to taking these classes, I also need to have a certain amount of volunteer hours. Currently, Monday through Wednesday, I shadow a dentist. I also work at a pharmacy. So I'm taking several steps into the medical field.

I attend multiple dentistry conventions, just trying to learn all I can about it so I'm not really lost when it's time to apply for school. My motivation for doing all this, I know it's not going to happen in a couple weeks, couple days. Theoretically speaking, I have seven and a half more years of school left, but I'm really passionate about it, and I don't really count the time that I have left. I just enjoy the time that I'm here now. So I just live it day by day and keep going with it.

Knowing that I need a 3.8 GPA is one of the main things that keeps me motivated for getting into dentistry because this is not an option. This is a requirement. So that keeps me motivated with my classes.