Fenesy Kim E, DeCastro Jeanette E
Department of Diagnosis Sciences, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Dental School, NJ, USA.
J Dent Educ. 2008 May;72(5):593-9.
In June 2000, during a period of declining applications to dental school both locally and nationally, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-New Jersey Dental School (NJDS) initiated the Gateway to Dentistry (GTD) program. Its overall goal was to increase applications from qualified applicants interested in the health professions but uncertain of dentistry as their ultimate choice. Participants learned about dental school and the profession during a two-week internship that provided hands-on experiences; exposure to various disciplines and career options within dentistry; a glimpse of student life through interactions with a dental student mentor; an understanding of the application process; and individualized assistance in educational and career planning. As the overall applicant pool increased nationally and at NJDS, the program proved valuable in attracting a diverse and highly qualified student body. The program is currently offered twice per year to thirty students per session from a pool of approximately 300 applicants from throughout the country. Close to 40 percent of the program participants have been accepted to NJDS, and one-fourth of current incoming classes are GTD participants. Program participants' evaluations have been consistently positive, citing the value of hands-on activities and interactions with enthusiastic faculty volunteers.
2000年6月，在当地和全国范围内申请牙科学院的人数呈下降趋势期间，新泽西医学与牙科学院（UMDNJ）下属的新泽西牙科学院（NJDS）启动了“通往牙科之路”（GTD）项目。其总体目标是增加那些对健康职业感兴趣但不确定是否最终选择牙科的合格申请者的申请人数。参与者在为期两周的实习中了解牙科学院和该职业，实习提供了实践经验；让他们接触牙科领域的各个学科和职业选择；通过与牙科学生导师互动来初步了解学生生活；了解申请流程；并在教育和职业规划方面获得个性化帮助。随着全国范围内以及NJDS的总体申请人数增加，该项目在吸引多样化且高素质的学生群体方面被证明是有价值的。该项目目前每年提供两次，每次从来自全国各地的约300名申请者中选拔30名学生。近40%的项目参与者被NJDS录取，且目前入学班级中有四分之一是GTD项目的参与者。项目参与者的评价一直是积极的，他们提到了实践活动以及与热情的教师志愿者互动的价值。
