Future Dental Students: Hard Work Meets Success

On December 13, 2024, the anticipation and hard work of countless aspiring dental professionals culminated in Dental School Decision Day—a significant milestone marking the beginning of acceptance notifications from dental schools across the nation. For Seton Hall University students Tanvi Patel '23 and Erin Barno '25, this day was a celebration of dedication, resilience and achievement.

A Journey to Success Through ADEA AADSAS

The road to Dental School Decision Day is both rigorous and rewarding. Applicants navigate the American Dental Education Association’s Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS), a process that demands exceptional academic performance, compelling personal statements and perseverance through months of waiting.

Director, Chantal Vergara, of Seton Hall’s Pre-Professional Advising Center (PPAC), emphasized the significance of this day for pre-dental students: "This is an exciting but nerve-wracking day for our pre-dental students,” she said. “I couldn’t be prouder of Tanvi and Erin. Their acceptances are a testament to their hard work and determination.”

Tanvi Patel: Realizing a Dream at UPenn

For Tanvi Patel, Dental School Decision Day was the culmination of years of academic excellence and focused preparation. Tanvi’s impressive list of acceptance offers included Temple University, Rutgers University, Touro College, NYU and the University of Pittsburgh. However, her heart was set on the University of Pennsylvania, where she will join the prestigious Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program.

During her time at Seton Hall University, Tanvi majored in biology and minored in medical humanities, setting a strong and well-rounded academic foundation for her future career in healthcare. She was a proud recipient of the Women’s Guild scholarship throughout her studies and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Tanvi discovered her drive for dentistry while serving as Brigade Leader on a medical and dental service trip to Honduras through Global Brigades. Her passion further deepened when she joined KinderSmile Foundation, a dental non-profit, and her commitment to community outreach earned her a position on the organization’s Junior Board. One of her most rewarding roles at KinderSmile involves conducting oral health education (OHE) for hundreds of students across underserved schools in NJ to spread awareness about preventative dental care. Additionally, Tanvi served as co-founder and president of Girl Up at Seton Hall, a United Nations initiative dedicated to empowering women locally and globally. She also expanded her academic pursuits by conducting research and co-authoring a paper on the association of COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s Disease.

As Tanvi explored the dental field, and worked with the P-PAC - Director Vergara introduced and supported Tanvi in applying to the Gateway to Dentistry program at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, which provided her significant insights into dental school and valuable hands-on preclinical experience. In her message to the PPAC, Tanvi expressed heartfelt gratitude: “I am so grateful for the help and support I have received. I truly could not have done it without you!” She also shares her appreciation of the SHU faculty and pre-health committee members that supported her. 

Erin Barno: Embracing Opportunities for a Bright Future

Erin Barno also had much to celebrate on Decision Day. She received acceptance offers from Temple University and Touro College of Dental Medicine. After much consideration, Erin has decided to continue her education in the Touro College of Dental Medicine’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program, where she will spend two years studying on the campus of New York Medical College before embarking on a two-year clinical education in TCDM’s new Albuquerque clinic.

Erin upholds that her time as an undergraduate at Seton Hall was critical to this success. As a Chemistry and Religion double major and member of the Honors program, Erin feels that the diverse and rigorous coursework offered at Seton Hall has been instrumental in preparing her for professional schooling and a career in the dental field. Her work as an undergraduate teaching fellow and researcher in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has also continued to foster a love of education in Erin and has provided her with a variety of technical and team-building skills, equipping her for a future career in the healthcare field.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Erin also feels the community and extracurriculars at Seton Hall have helped to shape her into a future dental professional. While at Seton Hall, Erin served as both Secretary and President of the Pre-Dental Society, an organization which she holds close to her heart. She is also a proud sister of the Gamma Phi chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi, where she has served as both the Director of Ritual Education and Vice President of Membership Experience during her time as a collegiate member. As a member of the fraternity, Erin has learned the importance of advocacy in the healthcare field through their philanthropic efforts on behalf of both the Arthritis and Epilepsy Foundations. Erin also serves in the Campus Ministry community as a student cantor during Sunday mass.

Erin expressed her deep gratitude to the PPAC, stating, “Your help and support have been invaluable throughout this process. Thank you so much for all you have done to help me reach this goal and for all you continue to do.” She also extended her appreciation to her research mentor, Wyatt R. Murphy Jr., Ph.D., and the members of the Murphy Lab for their unwavering support during her undergraduate journey. With her strong academic achievements and steadfast dedication, Erin is well-prepared for a successful and fulfilling career in dentistry.

Congratulations

Tanvi and Erin’s successes are a reflection of their determination and the collaborative efforts of Seton Hall’s Pre-Professional Advising Center. The PPAC offers personalized advising, skill-building workshops, and support for students as they navigate the complexities of preparing for and applying to professional schools.

“These moments, when we see our students achieve their dreams, are the most rewarding part of our work,” said Director Vergara.

As Tanvi Patel and Erin Barno prepare to embark on their dental school journeys, their accomplishments inspire their peers and underscore the importance of resilience and determination. The PPAC celebrates their success and looks forward to their bright futures as leaders in the field of dentistry.

Congratulations, Tanvi and Erin—your Seton Hall community is cheering you on!

Categories: Health and Medicine