Eighteen learners join DDS Class of 2028 through UMN PASS
The School of Dentistry welcomed eighteen new international learners to the DDS Class of 2028 through the Program for Advanced Standing Students this January.
The University of Minnesota’s Program for Advanced Standing Students (PASS) is a 29-month program for graduates of dental schools outside of the United States and Canada. Graduates earn their Doctor of Dental Surgery to practice general dentistry in the United States. PASS is one of the only programs that prepares graduates to take the dental board examinations so graduates can practice dentistry in Canada as well. A total of 18 students are admitted each year.
Incoming learners join the 106 students in the Class of 2028 to pursue their degree together. The average age of incoming PASS learners is 33, with ages ranging from 27 to 43.
Learners come from nine countries: Brazil, China, Honduras, India, Iran, Nigeria, Philippines, South Korea and the United States. They attended dental school in ten unique countries: Brazil, China, Colombia, Honduras, India, Iran, Nigeria, Philippines, Romania and South Korea.
Nine incoming learners bring at least one advanced degree to the program, with a total of ten advanced degrees. This includes 2 Masters of Dentistry in Oral Pathology and Surgery, 2 Masters in Healthcare Administration, and one each of a Master in Public Health, a Master of Dentistry in Periodontics, a Master of Medicine in Clinical Stomatology, a Diploma in Health Management, a Master of Dentistry in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a PhD in Applied Life Science.
Eight learners identify as first-generation students. The class brings an average GPA of 3.21 (with a range of 2.39-3.82) and an average TOEFL of 106 (with a range of 97-116).
Sushan Zhang joins the class bolstered by eight years of research. Following a family legacy of oral health and medical care that began with her grandparents, first-generation doctors, Zhang is “ready to transition from being a dental researcher to a clinician again, and to devote myself fully to the diverse and meaningful work of patient care.”
Zhang chose the School of Dentistry based on the program’s collaborative, integrated design that “fully prepares dentists for the US clinical environment.” She’s excited to engage with the school’s “unparalleled clinical opportunities” and continue her research through the many opportunities available to DDS students.
Over the next 29 months, Zhang is excited to “refine my patient-centered care within our distinguished program."
“My goal is to become a clinician-scientist, an outstanding practitioner who can also investigate unsolved diseases,” she said. “With my background in research and my passion for connecting with patients, I see the University of Minnesota as the ideal place to merge these paths. I look forward to building a career that seamlessly integrates compassionate care with scientific inquiry, and I believe our PASS program is the perfect foundation for that journey
Congratulations and welcome to all the members of the PASS Class of 2028!