Vivian Ngo: What do you do when asked a question you do not know the answer to? You Google it! As an incoming freshman interested in dentistry with no connections in the dental field, my big question was “How do I get more exposure to dentistry?“. After a quick Google search, I found my answer: the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP).
According to its official website, SHPEP is a free summer enrichment program focused
on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. With SHPEP’s goal to provide career development to its scholars and set the stage for a successful application and matriculation to health professions school, I knew I had to apply to the program. While I initially applied to SHPEP to get more exposure to dentistry, the program answered questions I did not even know I had.
How can I become a stronger applicant? Am I capable of pursuing dentistry? What aspects of myself can I improve? Who will have my back when I face obstacles? Most importantly, why dentistry? These are just a few of the questions that my experience at SHPEP answered, and I would not be the person I am today if I did not apply to this program. I share this transformative impact with my fellow peers who also participated in the SHPEP, so keep on reading to learn more about their experiences. At the end of the article, learn about the benefits of the program and how to stand out as an applicant from Dr. Spears, the UTHealth’s SHPEP Lead Investigator.
I share this transformative impact with my fellow peers who also participated in the SHPEP, so keep on reading to learn more about their experiences. At the end of the article, learn about the benefits of the program and how to stand out as an applicant from Dr. Spears, the UTHealth’s SHPEP Lead Investigator.
How has SHPEP aided and prepared you during your pre-dental journey?
Armig Kalustian: Despite feeling strongly passionate towards pursuing a career in dentistry, I inevitably found myself feeling lost during my first year of undergrad. As my peers began to talk about taking the DAT, going to shadow, and applying to dental school, stress began to loom over me. The mix of having no family within healthcare in addition to lacking friends pursuing dentistry crafted the perfect recipe for confusion within my pre-dental journey. To fill this gap, I sought out programs that could provide support and resources regarding dentistry. Through this search, I
stumbled upon the Summer Health Professions Education Program and began to craft my application. Being accepted into SHPEP and attending the program became a turning point within my pre-dental journey as it gave me reliable mentors, friends with similar passions, and resources to be successful during dental interviews or DAT. SHPEP also gave me the opportunity to confirm my interest within dentistry as participants were able to immerse themselves as temporary dental students by attending classes and being in the lab.
Lily Tran: Starting my first year at college, I knew I wanted a future in healthcare but I had my reserves on which career could be the most sustainable for me. While dentistry was a prominent option, I considered many different options until I applied to the SHPEP program, hoping to get some clarity on which pathway would suit me best. Once completing this six week program, the unforgettable experiences and opportunities given through SHPEP confirmed my passion in dentistry. The SHPEP program offered many priceless opportunities such as mock interviews, personal statement workshops, and one-on-ones with a dental student who served as my mentor. While I had just finished my first year in college and it was bit early to start thinking about dental school interviews and crafting my personal statement, it was nice to have the opportunity to at least see the structure of interviews and test the waters when asked certain interview questions. The mentorship we had throughout the internship was also priceless as it was comforting to talk to someone who was just in my shoes about my future timeline.
Tiffany Nguyen: SHPEP was most definitely an enriching experience as it has aided and prepared me throughout my pre-dental journey, giving me the opportunity to explore the field of dentistry even further. Through this program, I was able to participate in more hands-on activities such as waxing and shadowing dental students for restorative dental procedures. I gained more insight in regard to the application process and dental school in a holistic viewpoint through current dental students and faculties. Without a doubt, I can say that being in this program further solidified my desire to pursue in dentistry.
What is the most valuable lesson you learned from SHPEP?
Armig: The most valuable lesson I learned from SHPEP was to always be proactive in your goals. If you want to know something, ask! If you need help, reach out to someone who is more experienced. Being your own biggest supporter is essential in maintaining your self confidence, discipline, and motivation within your pre-dental journey.
Lily: The biggest takeaway I learned from SHPEP was the importance of interprofessional collaboration among different healthcare providers. Starting this internship, I walked in knowing that the healthcare field truly contains amazing superheroes, but it was fascinating to how interconnected each career in the healthcare was. The theme of interprofessional collaboration was further emphasized throughout the program as my entire SHPEP class that was divided in three cohorts (nursing, dental, medical) always sat through lecture and performed stimulation labs together.
Tiffany: Surprisingly, the most valuable lesson that I’ve learned from SHPEP is to not compare myself with others as everyone has their own story and journey to pursue. As easy as this may sound, it was actually very difficult for me to truly believe this statement as I always found myself comparing to others. Every single time I compared myself to others, I felt as if I wasn’t doing enough or that I wasn’t capable of getting into dental school if others are doing better than me. During SHPEP, I was able hear a variety of dental students’ journey to dental school, and it showed how different everyone’s pre-dental pathway was and they still ended up at the same goal to dental school. Not everyone is that perfect cookie-cutter student with a long list of achievements and amazing stats, and I just had to learn to believe in myself to pursue my dreams.
What is your favorite SHPEP memory?
Armig: My favorite SHPEP memory is being able to build long lasting friendships with other passionate students. Despite SHPEP being an academic program, there is plenty of time to explore the city you are in with new friends and partake in fun activities!
Lily: My favorite SHPEP memory has to be going to the gym and making late night boba runs with my friends! While I gained valuable insight on the dentistry and its interconnections with other healthcare careers through SHPEP, the friendships I made will always stand as a core memory on my journey to dentistry. I have never been surrounded by such dedicated and passionate individuals who I know will be my lifelong colleagues and supporters.
Tiffany: My favorite memory of SHPEP was honestly the friendships that I’ve made. I was
blessed to be roommates with five other pre-dental students who are all extraordinary in their own ways. I remember having late night talks and laughing for hours everyday with them. I genuinely believe that these friendships shaped my experience in SHPEP. At the end of the program, we even performed a dental rap as a group to our SHPEP cohort, and it was definitely a memorable experience with my friends. I am glad to say that I am still in touch with my SHPEP roommates to this day, and I can’t wait to see what our futures hold for us. (sending love to my 204 roomies <3).
Dr. Spears:
What makes SHPEP stand out from other summer programs?
SHPEP is a true interprofessional experience. For our program, we bring dental, medical and nursing students together. Everyone learns the same curriculum, which includes aspects of exposure to the professional school environment as well as health policy and a culture of health and well-being. We also focus on preparation for professional school through understanding how to navigate the admissions process, doing mock interviews, writing personal statements and resumes, clinical experiences, financial planning, and career development, just to name a few. These opportunities allow each student in the program to get a better feel for what dental
school is about and what is expected. You get to meet students and faculty at the school, work in the preclinical laboratory, shadow in the clinic, and in a small way live the life of a dental student. Each person finds out what it is like to balance a full day schedule of being involved from 8-4, and that includes basic science instruction, small group activities, and preparation for the application process.
How does SHPEP prepare you for grad school?
The connections that you make with both faculty and students are a great aide in your
pathway. As a dental school, we know who you are and look forward to helping you and seeing your application when it comes into the process. Our professional preparation activities are a great aide to your potential future success, and you come out of the program knowing what dental schools want to see and expect in a strong applicant.
Additionally, the connections you
make continue on even after the program has ended, as we still help you with answering any
questions that may arise, help further with your personal statements and interviews, and
anything else that you might need.
What can applicants do to be more competitive?
The applications for SHPEP aren’t as detailed as what you will be completing for dental
school, but they are vital to your success in being accepted into the program. We only have twenty spots available for the dental cohort, and we are required to take applicants from all over the United States. So, it is vital that you really delve into how you see the SHPEP program helping you to be a stronger candidate for dental school. Also, how do you meet the aspects of the guiding principles of the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and the SHPEP program what they are focused on. Lastly, ensure that you are getting someone who will not only write you a letter of recommendation, but will write you a strong letter telling us why you would be a great fir
for the program.
Vivian: Hopefully, this article gave insight on how SHPEP aids its scholars to reach their goals and how it can benefit you as well! Let SHPEP be your stepping stool to pursue the career that is right for you. Good luck to those applying, and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have!
