How Pre-Dental and Pre-Veterinarian Students Navigate Career Pathways at Brown
Every year many Brown University students aim for careers in healthcare. While medical school remains a familiar path, several pursue less conventional routes such as dentistry and veterinary science.
This academic year, at least sixteen students from Brown are applying to dental schools and five to veterinary schools, according to Associate Dean of the College for Preprofessional Advising Ginger Fisher.
“Health Careers Advising wants students to think broadly about the ways they can pursue a career in health care,” Fisher wrote in an email to The Herald. “While an MD is one path to a fulfilling career supporting the health of others, it is really just one of many such careers.”
Community Building Among Pre-Dental Students
Student Matthew Fang ’28 shared that he originally believed dental school might be an easier option than medical school. Through his experience, he discovered that the application process is equally demanding.
“I thought it would be an easier route compared to medical school,” Fang wrote. “But the dental school application process is pretty intense.”
Both dental and medical programs at Brown require students to complete similar science courses, participate in research, volunteer work, and gain clinical exposure. This shared academic foundation helps pre-dental and pre-veterinarian students connect and support one another as they advance toward professional training.
Summary
Each year Brown students explore health careers beyond medicine, finding challenge, purpose, and community in pre-dental and pre-veterinary pathways.