I remember attending the Pre-Dental Society’s first meeting of the year as a nervous first-semester freshman. I knew I wanted to go to dental school, but was intimated by the pre-dental journey ahead of me. As soon as I walked into the meeting, I was immediately welcomed into a tight-knit, supportive, and like-minded community who put my worries at ease.
Now, three years later, I can confidently say that the Pre-Dental Society has been the most important aspect in shaping my pre-dental journey. With every meeting I attended, I learned something new about this incredibly multifaceted field which made me more excited to pursue dentistry. I participated in a variety of volunteering activities (like Operation Toothbrush) and practiced my manual dexterity by carving soap! I was able to network with dentists, dental students, and dental school admissions counselors, which opened doors to incredible opportunities from mentorship to a job offer. Most importantly, I found a family within this club. The friends I’ve made here have guided and supported me throughout my time at ASU and I cannot wait to call them my fellow colleagues!
I wholeheartedly believe that I would not have been prepared to apply to dental school without the support of the Pre-Dental Society. I encourage you all to embrace every opportunity that this club provides you, and please reach out to me if you have any questions about anything! Welcome to the Pre-Dental Society – I am so excited for this upcoming semester with you all!
-Amar Hammad
Messages from previous presidents
Welcome to the Pre-Dental Society at ASU! I am so excited to welcome you to such an incredible organization. This club has played a pivotal role in helping me find peers with the same goals and drive as me. Being a member of this club has also provided me with an abundance of resources I need as I go about my dental journey. You will find that our organization will give you the best tools to succeed as a pre-dental student. We host several meetings throughout the semester where our members get to; learn steps about the application process, meet dental professionals, hear from current dental students, practice their manual dexterity skills, and many more. Not only that but we also attend events like after-school programs where we teach kids about the importance of oral health with our program Operation Toothbrush and many volunteering events with organizations like Feed My Starving Children, St. Mary’s Food Bank, and others. The Pre-Dental Society will make your college experience one of a kind with as many opportunities possible to help you succeed. As president, I am here to support you in every single way possible and encourage all of you to use all the resources our organization provides. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions and I am so excited for what we will achieve this year.
-Alec Mathew, Barrett ’24
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine Class of 2028
I remember when I first stepped foot on campus, entirely lost and unsure of what to expect. My sister, a former student at ASU, recommended I check out the Pre-Dental Society. Ever since my first attended meeting in my freshman year, I took notice of the passion, knowledge, and care all of the members exhibited. The club provided resources necessary for me, as well as my peers, to succeed as a pre-dental student. From volunteering opportunities to dental experiences, to DAT preparations, to networking with dental professionals, the knowledge and experience one could obtain within the organization are truly limitless. Within every meeting, I learned something new about the pre-dental journey that has helped me along the way. This club was created to aid you in succeeding in your mission of being accepted into dental school. I highly encourage you all to take advantage of the resources and experiences provided by this wonderful organization!
-Ryan Nia, Psychology ‘21
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona Class of 2025
In my second semester of Freshman year I received an e-mail from my counselor containing a variety of pre-professional groups to join, which ended up truly changing my life. Upon learning about and joining the Pre-Dental Society I found myself shocked with the helpful, passionate, and caring members who took me in and taught me new things each and every meeting. What I found in the Pre-Dental Society wasn’t just a club, but a family which has supported me and taught me more than I could have ever asked for. I can’t begin to describe how beneficial the meetings with dental students, dental admissions, DAT preparations, volunteer events, and dental connections I have made through this club. This organization was created for you, and to provide the information, connections, and support you will need along your pre-dental path.
-Kunal Mansukhani, Barrett ’19
OHSU School of Dentistry Class of 2023
I began attending Pre-Dental Society meetings during my Freshman year of college. As you can imagine, I tucked away the stress of dental school applications. I thought I had plenty of time.
Just by attending meetings I began to understand the ins and outs of the application process. I was able to plan a timeline for my prerequisite classes, started to thinking about my DATs, and got connected to people that supported me along my journey. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t started early.
Beyond just the advice and support I have received, this club has helped me make connections in dentistry that few undergrads can dream of. It has taught me leadership and public speaking, boosted my self-confidence, and given me a great sense of honor and value in pursuing a career in dentistry. It also gave me a family within the greater ASU.
-Gitika Virdee, Barrett ’18
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine Class of 2022
The Pre-Dental Society at ASU enormously contributed to my acceptance into dental school. It is an amazing community of like-minded individuals who have fun and collaborate toward a common goal. Throughout my time as a member and officer in the club, I learnt and grew so much and simultaneously made many memories, friends, and mentors. Although I have moved on from ASU, I still stay in touch and get updates on the club every now and then. I’m glad I was able to give back to such a special organization through my service as a board member. I remember my experience fondly.
-Austin McHenry, Barrett ’16
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Class of 2020
Even a few years out from ASU, I know that the Pre-Dental Society is still the most valuable resource for aspiring dentists on campus. Not only can you find answers to all your questions, but the organization also opens up so many doors for experiences (volunteering, research, etc.). Aside from all those perks, the community of pre-dents is an incredible group. I was fortunate enough to meet many individuals who would become my friends and I look forward to the day where I can greet them all as my dental colleagues. Best of luck to all of you on your journey toward an exciting career!
-Blake Colling, Barrett ’14
UCLA School of Dentistry Class of 2019