First-year predoc students detail their path to dental school
All three hail from the same community
From Harrison County to Higher Ed
Three first-year predoctoral students at West Virginia University School of Dentistry, hailing from the same community, shared details about their path to dental school with Jonathan Weaver, staff writer, with The Bridgeport News.
His story on the 2018 and 2019 graduates of Bridgeport High School details the undergraduate programs Rachel Reppert, Katelyn Pinti and Hafsa Sabbagh completed to prepare them for professional health programs.
“I did toy around with a few different undergraduate majors — I didn’t know which I would like the best — but exercise physiology was a good stepping stone to get into the health profession, a really good route. It offered a solid science and physiology background and prepared me extremely well.”
Katelyn Pinti
Choosing Dentistry
“I was always interested in the health professional field, but I really like that dentistry is a cause-and-effect relationship. A patient can come into the office for something as simple as a toothache or need oral surgery, and they leave with an entirely new smile that boosts their confidence and really transforms their self-esteem.”
Rachel Reppert
Discovering Dentistry
“I explored different careers, but thought dentistry fit the most for me. I tried on my own to research. When we had the opportunity for research projects and had the choice of what to research, I’d always choose something dental related. I like a challenge, being hands-on.”
Hafsa Sabbagh
