Alina Rizvi, a member of the class of 2024 at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, on Instagram mentoring, the benefits of the American Student Dental Association and the relative merits of the Sunshine State versus the Garden State.

WHY DENTISTRY?
I was pre-med for a while but wanted to switch to dentistry because I wanted a more personal field—the patient-to-practitioner connection and continuity of care are what drew me. In dentistry, patients come in for checkups every six months instead of once a year or when something is wrong. Growing up, I was surrounded by dentists—my mom, aunt and cousin—so it was always on the back burner. It also merges my love for science and art.

Q: What prompted you to share your dental-school experiences on Instagram at @alinadoesdental?
When I was pre-dental, I searched for other dental students and mentors to look up to and see what they were going through.
I started sharing my journey on Instagram because I knew it would help people see different methods of studying. I found a community of other students who uplift others, all while working toward the same goal. I try to be as transparent as possible, sharing both the highs and the lows of the experience.

Q: Ever felt like you’ve had legitimate impact on a follower?
People message me looking for interview advice and [dental admission test] advice, or pre-med people who want to know why I switched to dental. One girl who constantly messages me with questions reached out and told me she got into dental school. She told me I was a pivotal part of her journey. It made me so happy—it’s one of the reasons I continue to help.

Q: What are your postgraduate plans?
I’m only 20 years old right now, so I’m still thinking about it. I have the time to specialize if I want to. I was interested in orthodontics for a while, but now I’m focusing on keeping my grades up and participating in research over the summer to keep my options open. After getting a taste of New Jersey, I know I want to move back to Florida.

Q: What programs are you active in at Rutgers?
I serve as an active member of [the American Student Dental Association], the Muslim Dental Association and the Aesthetics Club. I haven’t had the opportunity to go to a national ASDA meeting yet, but I want to soon. ASDA gives me the chance to look beyond myself and the school bubble to see how dentistry affects the world. It provides a more worldly view of the work I’m doing.

Q: What prompted you to share your dental-school experiences on Instagram at @alinadoesdental?
When I was pre-dental, I searched for other dental students and mentors to look up to and see what they were going through. I started sharing my journey on Instagram because I knew it would help people see different methods of studying. I found a community of other students who uplift others, all while working toward the same goal. I try to be as transparent as possible, sharing both the highs and the lows of the experience.

Q: Ever felt like you’ve had legitimate impact on a follower?
People message me looking for interview advice and [dental admission test] advice, or pre-med people who want to know why I switched to dental. One girl who constantly messages me with questions reached out and told me she got into dental school. She told me I was a pivotal part of her journey. It made me so happy—it’s one of the reasons I continue to help.

Q: What are your postgraduate plans?
I’m only 20 years old right now, so I’m still thinking about it. I have the time to specialize if I want to. I was interested in orthodontics for a while, but now I’m focusing on keeping my grades up and participating in research over the summer to keep my options open. After getting a taste of New Jersey, I know I want to move back to Florida

Q: What programs are you active in at Rutgers?
I serve as an active member of [the American Student Dental Association], the Muslim Dental Association and the Aesthetics Club. I haven’t had the opportunity to go to a national ASDA meeting yet, but I want to soon. ASDA gives me the chance to look beyond myself and the school bubble to see how dentistry affects the world. It provides a more worldly view of the work I’m doing.

I found a community of other students who uplift others, all while working toward the same goal.”

Q: What advice would you give to a dental-school applicant?
Never give up. Keep believing in yourself and your capabilities. While applying, it’s so easy to go online and compare your stats, research, extracurriculars and shadowing hours to others’. But while applying, remember that everyone has a unique story. I graduated from high school with 100 college credits and nee­ded only one semester to graduate. I took the DAT when I was 18 and started dental school at 19. People have reached out to me, worried that they’re too young or too old for dental school and wondering if it’s worth it. Regardless of age, you are capable and worth it no matter your circumstances. [Whether you’re] 19 or 35, you can achieve your goals. It’s your life, and you should have the satisfaction that you did this for yourself.