About Me

My name is Kelsey Arvidson, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Southern California on the pre-dental track, pursuing a B.A. in Health and Human Sciences with a minor in Ceramics. I entered the field of dentistry with relatively no STEM background, which has made my journey both unconventional and deeply meaningful. This challenging transition required dedication, resilience, and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone, as I continue to work towards my goals.

Since I decided to pursue dentistry, I have fully immersed myself in the field. I have shadowed dental professionals, trained and worked alongside dental assistants, volunteered with dental-related organizations, attended workshops, and consistently sought insight and guidance from dental students and practicing dentists. These experiences, combined with working to complete dental school prerequisite courses, have strengthened my foundation and reinforced my commitment to dentistry.

I bring strengths in attention to detail, empathy, customer service, adaptability, and dependability, all of which shape how I approach patient care and professional environments. Coming from a humanities background gives me a unique perspective, as I value the artistic and human-centered sides of dentistry. My ceramics minor and eight years if experience has also helped develop strong hand skills, fine motor control, and an appreciation for working with tools, which were significant factors in drawing me to the field, in addition to my observation of the ceramic aspects of dentistry.

Service and community have always been important to me. Through volunteering and experience in the service industry, I have learned how to support people from diverse backgrounds with patience, empathy, and care. These roles, along with my past and current leadership positions, have helped me build strong abilities in delegation, organization, communication, and teamwork. I intentionally strive to understand both leadership and supportive roles, as this balance will be essential as I plan to run my own general dentistry practice.

Additionally, studying abroad broadened my understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and languages, further shaping my ability to connect meaningfully with others.

My ultimate goal is to attend dental school and practice general dentistry, applying everything I have learned throughout my undergraduate and future post-graduate experiences. Although my path has been untraditional, I am fully dedicated to this dream. I value commitment, and I am determined to continue working with persistence, passion, and curiosity, no matter the challenges, to achieve my goals and serve others through dentistry.