Paige Reiners '20
Name: Paige Reiners
Graduation Year: 2020
Major: Chemistry and Music
Your Story: Hey there! My name is Paige and I am from Stillwater, MN. I came to Gustavus knowing I wanted to be a dentist through talking to family friends in dentistry and through some shadowing experiences. I have some Gusties in my extended family, but the reason I chose to come to Gustavus was because of the opportunities it offered in both the sciences and music.
Although dentistry has always been my career goal, music has always been my passion. As a classical pianist, I use music as my creative outlet during the day, and knew I had to continue this passion throughout college. I chose to double major at Gustavus in Chemistry and Music and it was the best decision I’ve ever made! As a Chemistry major, I was able to focus on my dedication to science and learn from other pre-dental students and professors. As a Music major, I was able to continue my passion in music and explore different areas of involvement on campus such as choir. The best thing about this experience was that Gustavus made it easy to do both.
As I approached the start of the application cycle, I focused more of my energy on dentistry by continuing to volunteer at Regions Hospital (St. Paul, MN) and The Mayo Clinic (Mankato, MN), shadowing many dentists over the summer, and preparing for the DAT and written application components. I am beyond excited to start my career in dentistry and am so thankful I chose Gustavus because of the many opportunities it gave me.
Top Five Activities/Experiences: (in no particular order)
1. Gustavus Choir and the European International Tour in 2019
2. Gustie Greeters
3. Shadowing various dental and specialty offices
4. Volunteering at Regions Hospital in the Mental Health Department
5. Studying piano in Italy through a summer program (International Music Festival of the Adriatic)
Advice:
1. Don’t try to fit the “pre-health mold”. Many pre-health students fall into the temptation of becoming involved in something simply because “it’ll look good on my application”. Definitely follow the requirements and guidance from the pre-health advisors, but make sure you pursue your passions on campus. It is beneficial to “stand out” from other applicants, and you can do that easily by showing your involvement in your unique passions.
2. Take advantage of the Career Development Office and Specialists for the Health Professions we have at Gustavus - they are amazing! I could not have successfully navigated the application process if it wasn’t for their guidance. They are here to help YOU succeed!
3. Make sure to enjoy your four years on the hill. It’s easy to get too focused on grad school when you’re a pre-health student (trust me, I know!), so try to slow down and trust that you are on track. Dive deep into the opportunities Gustavus gives you and don’t be afraid to say YES to things like studying abroad! Most experiences you have on campus will strengthen your application - even if it’s not related to dentistry.
Future Plans: I will be attending the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry starting August of 2020 for their DDS program. I am hoping to continue in the program to specialize in Orthodontics, but I’m taking it one step at a time!
Updated 4/16/2020 HB