Katelyn Cass '18: The Hard Work Pays Off

Katelyn Cass of Frewsburg, NY, studied finance at the University of South Carolina before coming to Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. The first inkling that she might enjoy dentistry came to Katelyn in high school...in a ceramics class.  
 

Why did you choose to become a dentist?  

Originally, the plan for my life had entailed becoming a surgeon, like my grandfather. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school when I enrolled in an elective ceramic art class that I decided I was interested in dentistry.  I really enjoyed working with my hands as well as the artistic and creative components.  When I was in college, studying finance, I had to interview and shadow someone in the field I was interested in and I chose a local orthodontist near campus in Columbia, SC.  From there, it was a sure thing that I wanted to be a dentist with hopes of eventually specializing and doing orthodontics. Now, about to graduate, I am so excited to start this new adventure that I decided on at a time that feels like so long ago. 

What advice do you have for future dental students? 

Keep up the hard work and persistence; it really pays off.  It would be a lie to say that dental school doesn’t come with any frustrations and setbacks, but at the end of the day you are going to be an awesome clinician.  For me, I found that a lot of my greatest accomplishments were ones that I really had to strive in order to get the back work done, but it was incredibly worth it.  Just keep your head up, be persistent, and keep plugging along and before you know it you will be at the finish line, and you won’t even know where the four years went! 

What’s next for you? 

I’m headed back down south for a few years to attend the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill for orthodontics.  

Is there anything else you want to say to your classmates and the greater community?'

 To the class of 2018, congratulations! It has been an honor to be your classmate, friend, and colleague right until the very end and I hope to keep in touch with y’all in the future.  To the faculty and administration, thank you so much for everything that you have done for me over the last four years.  I really value our relationships and I’m grateful to have met all of you.  To the upcoming classes, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you and I am so excited to see how you are going to affect the school. I have seen so many wonderful changes affect the Columbia environment, and you all just continue to impress. Things may get difficult sometimes, but just remember to keep going, you are going to make it through, and I commend you on all of your hard work and dedication thus far and I cannot wait to congratulate you when you get to the other side!!