Megan Raiber '14

 

Megan R. Picture

Name: Megan Raiber

Graduating Class: Class of 2014

Major: Biology

Minor: Religion

Your Story:

Hi! My name is Megan Raiber and I am a current senior at Gustavus Adolphus College. I am originally from the small town of Litchfield, MN.

I toured many schools during my senior year, trying to find the one that fit best. After my first tour at Gustavus, I knew it was the school I wanted to call home. It sounds cliché, but I really did get the feelings of “I can just see myself here. This feels like home” instantly when I arrived on campus. After learning more about the amazing science departments, campus organizations, and getting to meet with some of the professors who have now helped me grow into the student I am, I was sold. Gustavus was the only option for me.

While still in high school I knew that I wanted to enter the healthcare field in some way. Initially, I thought pre-med would be the path for me. However, after becoming a licensed nursing assistant I learned that medicine wasn’t the right field for me. I began shadowing any and all healthcare professionals that would let me tag alongside them. Around this same time, I experienced the immense confidence boost that getting your braces off gives you. This wonderful experience along with a growing interest in the field from shadowing numerous dentists and orthodontists is what ultimately lead me to decide dentistry was the right path for me.

This past January Gustavus helped make it possible for me to receive credit for studying healthcare in Honduras and traveling there on a pre-dental mission trip. I spent around 10 days in Honduras shadowing an amazing dentist (Gustie alumni!) and getting to interact with patients in a clinical setting. The experience was nothing short of amazing and has completely ensured me that I chose the right field.

My Class Schedule (click to view PDF)

Top Five Activities/Experiences:

  • Big Partner Little Partner
  • Gustavus Dental Club (Co-director)
  • January Interim trip to Honduras
  • Elders Program
  • Volunteer at St. Peter Childcare Center

Advice:

Try to think of three things.... you wish you would have known or would encourage others to do....

  • If you can, try and shadow more than just the general dentist! See if you can shadow an orthodontist, endodontist, etc. You might find out that you really, really love a specialty in the field!
  • Do not be afraid to get involved. I know it’s scary looking at all of the requirements and recommendations dental schools ask for… but you WILL have time to be involved in organizations and groups outside of dental related things!
  • Be involved in things that you’re passionate about. Don’t find joy in doing laboratory research? Don’t just do it because you think it will look good on your application. Your lack of passion will be noticeable. Love working directly with people or patients? Volunteer in clinics, find jobs or internships where you get to experience these relationships… do what you enjoy doing!

Future Plans:

Attending the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, starting Fall 2014.

 

Updated 7/3/2014 HB