Jake Luong’s journey to dental school didn’t come easy, but he was determined to make it happen. Now, he is the first student to graduate from the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) through the Master of Science in Modern Human Anatomy (MHA) Pathway to Dentistry program.
“Getting into dental school has been both challenging and rewarding,” Luong said. “It’s a demanding path, but the opportunity to help people with their oral health makes it fulfilling.”
Jake Luong (DDS ’27) receives his white coat, presented by Stephanie H. Kaufmann, DDS ’97, CU Dental grad and Vice Regent from the International College of Dentists.
A tale of perseverance and not giving up on your dreams
Luong’s grandfather, a dedicated dentist, inspired him to pursue dentistry. “Seeing how he gave back to our local community by providing dental care to those in need left a lasting impression on me,” Luong said. “A fond memory was when he skillfully and kindly pulled out my baby tooth, instilling in me the desire to follow in his footsteps and make a positive impact on people’s oral health and well-being.”
However, as a young father, Luong had to prioritize his family obligations over academic pursuits. His university career was uneventful and his grades suffered, so he put his dreams on hold.
Jake Luong (center) proudly wears his white coat alongside his brothers. |
Years later, he moved to Colorado to be closer to his two younger brothers (who are both dentists) and to resume his dental journey. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Metropolitan State University while working full-time as a dental assistant so he could finish his degree and support his family.
When he took the Dental Admission Test (DAT) for the first time, Luong was unsuccessful in obtaining a score that would make him a competitive applicant for dental school. In the next attempt, he greatly improved his score from 16 AA to 21 AA (the national average is 18 AA). Thinking this would give him a better chance, he applied to a bunch of schools. He received interviews and several waitlisted positions, but was not accepted.
“That was the lowest point of the trip for me,” Luong said. “I thought I had done everything right. I studied hard and improved my score. But I think overall it was my GPA early in my academic career that made it difficult for me to get in.”
After interviewing at CU SDM and not being accepted, Luong received a call from Assistant Professor and Director of Diversity Programming Amisha Singh, DDS ’15, who told him about the MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program.
“This program is built for passionate students like Jake who have faced a challenging path to dentistry,” Singh said. “This would give him another chance to perform in a graduate environment with additional support and resources for professional and academic development.” This would also allow him to earn a new GPA and show an upward trend.
Luong took this advice, applied and received his acceptance in 2022. Recalling the moment, he said, “I couldn’t believe that my childhood dream was finally coming true.”
A path to success
The MHA Pathway to Dentistry program provides academic and clinical preparation, mentoring, and a pathway to success for students traditionally underrepresented in dental school through the MHA curriculum. Students admitted to the pathway program receive a reserved seat in the DDS program, pending successful completion of all requirements. After the one-year MHA program, students move on to the four-year DDS program while working on their capstone project. After graduation, they receive DDS and MS degrees. |
The first year of the MHA Pathway to Dentistry Program is spent entirely on the MHA curriculum. Luong said, “The master’s program was difficult. It made me a better student.” Luong is passionate about innovation in patient care and wants to develop his MHA capstone project around the use of technology in dentistry.
Associate Director of Admissions and Student Engagement Nicole Dole said the MHA pathway program was designed for students like Luong. The academic rigor of the MHA curriculum has prepared her to excel in dental school, while also training her to be a class leader. Jake’s exceptional work ethic and resilience will guide him well into the next chapter of his dental education.”
After persevering and facing all his obstacles, Luong began his dental school career in 2023. The transition was full of mixed emotions. He finally succeeded.
“My family has been an unwavering source of strength throughout this journey,” he said. “Their constant encouragement during challenging moments and hearty celebrations of my achievements have fueled my determination.”
Luong and his classmates received their white jackets during an important ceremony, marking the transition from student to patient care provider. “It was an incredible feeling — a mixture of pride and excitement,” Luong said. “Putting on that white coat felt like an incredible achievement and a huge responsibility at the same time. It symbolized the true beginning of my career in dentistry.”