Sarah Baker, DDS
Sarah Baker, DDS
Working multiple jobs made prioritizing school difficult for Sarah. Her scholarship meant she could finally focus on her studies.
I am proud to call myself Dr. Sarah Baker. and resident in prosthodontics at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University.
Growing up, my family was on Medicaid, and any dental procedures I had were quick and infrequent. Those negative experiences as a child piqued my interest and led me to study dentistry.
I chose to attend Ohio State because of the DentPath Program that serves underrepresented and underserved students. I was nervous about attending a large university, but I immediately found a community and support system. I worked several jobs as an undergrad and I couldn’t prioritize my schoolwork. The incredible opportunity to retake the prerequisite courses through the DentPath Program set me up for success.
The admissions counselors at the College of Dentistry supported and guided me throughout the application process, and they continued to push me academically after I was accepted. Despite COVID-19 challenges, my faculty, Drs. Joyce Palik and James Stone, created safe clinic experiences and made sure we completed all of our educational requirements.
“Not having to worry about where my next meal would come from or if my electricity would be shut off was the greatest gift.”
There are many financial barriers to entry for dental school, and I had to take out loans to purchase study materials for the entrance exam and application fees. The scholarship support I received gave me a pathway for success. Once I got to Ohio State, focusing on school and not having to worry about where my next meal would come from or if my electricity would be shut off was the greatest gift. Donor support didn’t just allow me to survive, it allowed me to thrive.
I’m eternally thankful to donors for removing a large portion of the financial burden of dental school. Because of this community and the opportunities I’ve had at Ohio State, my life has changed in ways I could never have imagined.
In firm friendship,
Sarah Baker ’21 DDS
Support Scholarships
By supporting scholarships, you become an integral part of creating vibrant futures for Buckeyes like Sarah.