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Finding My Path: From First-Generation to Future Dentist
Being a first generation student often felt like taking steps on a path that was not paved for me. What began as a lost pre-dental student has transformed into a dental school applicant in the middle of interview season. Reflecting on the past four years, I can see how this rigorous yet graceful journey shaped me. I am no longer bound by the label of “first-generation student.” I am resilient, confident, and walking with purpose.
FACING THE UNKNOWN
My journey began with filling out FAFSA, applying for scholarships, and registering for classes on my own. These tasks may sound simple, but for someone without a roadmap, they felt monumental. In my Hispanic household, lifelong plans let alone college were never a topic of discussion. Out of curiosity, not pressure, I chose to pursue dentistry and taught myself every step.
I spent countless hours shadowing, balancing heavy course loads, working, and volunteering. My parents, who never had access to education themselves, often struggled to understand the time and energy I was investing. This misunderstanding was discouraging, but I realized it was not a lack of support, it was simply as new to them as it was to me.
There were moments when the lack of resources left me feeling like I was running a marathon with no fans to cheer me on. But that was also the moment I decided to break barriers not only for myself, but for my family.
FINDING MY WAY
Along the way, mentors stepped in to change my life. My personal dentist, also a first-generation student, became my role model. For the first time, someone fully understood my sacrifices and treated me as a future colleague. Through his guidance, I learned to embrace mistakes as lessons. I may have stumbled countless times, but I always got back up.
ASDA also became a turning point in my journey. The community welcomed me, offered workshops, and created volunteer opportunities that built both my confidence and connections. By letting others in, I realized I wasn’t alone and that there were people invested in helping students like me succeed.
One of my proudest moments came while preparing for the DAT alongside four lab-heavy classes. That period tested my perseverance more than anything else. When doubts crept in, I reminded myself:
“If I have made it this far, what can stop me now?”
Even if my parents didn’t fully understand my struggles, I knew they would one day look back and see the chains I was breaking.
WHERE AM I NOW
Today, I am a 2025 dental school applicant navigating interviews with confidence. This time, mentorship and community have made the process smoother. I am also on track to graduate in May 2026 with a Bachelor’s in Biology and a minor in Public Health.
Perhaps the most rewarding outcome is that my own perseverance inspired my mother to return to school to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse. That full-circle moment reminds me that breaking barriers is never just for ourselves, it's for the generations watching us.
I am thrilled to share that just one month after submitting my application, I received my first dental school interview. This milestone reinforced an important truth. It is not about where you come from, but where you’re determined to go.
ADVICE FOR OTHER PRE-DENTALS
To those walking a similar journey; It is okay to feel alone, discouraged, or uncertain. Seek mentorship, ask questions, and use every resource available to you. Stay rooted in your why. For me, that meant becoming a voice in healthcare for my family and my community, who grew up underserved and often mistreated in the healthcare system.
Understand that failure is inevitable but what defines you is how you respond to it. I had to retry and restart many times, but each attempt made me stronger. What ultimately stood out in my application was not just grades or scores, it was resilience. It was the decision not to let adversity defeat me.
CONCLUSIONS AND CALL-TO-ACTION
If you are a first-generation student starting your pre-dental journey, remember that while the road may look lonely, you are not walking it alone. Seek out mentors, join organizations like ASDA, and never be afraid to pave your own path. Use adversity not as an anchor, but as fuel to cultivate unbreakable stamina.
I hope my story portrays that being first-generation is not a limitation but a strength. I dream of returning to my predominantly Hispanic hometown as the first Hispanic dentist in my community, serving as a role model to young students, and motivating them to pursue their dreams. Empowerment and empathy are the foundation for the future of dentistry and it starts with us.
This Article was written by Savannah Fernandez:
My name is Savannah Fernandez, I come from a tight knit community known as Bay City. I come from a family of five and I am the middle child. In my free time I offer softball pitching lessons, I am a certified CMA/pharmacy technician/RDA, and I have a corgi named Kaizen and a husky named Lobo.
My blog topic was inspired by a desire to shine light on those that feel disqualified and discouraged. I hope to demonstrate empathy and a new spark of hope in my peers pre-dental journey through my personal experiences as a first generation.
