Profile: Bryar Moore: A Student’s Journey to Dental School
Sat in the student union, Bryar Moore, a biology major at OU, received a call from an unknown number.
At first confused, Moore soon realized the call was coming from Kirksville, Missouri, the home of A.T. Still University, one of the dental schools he had applied to. Knowing this meant he either got in or did not, he answered the phone. It was good news.
In a public place, Moore had to keep his composure, but he was ecstatic, immediately running out to call his family, who were just as excited. With an acceptance rate of less than five percent for dental students, Moore’s admission into A.T. Still meant all of his hard work had paid off.
The path to become a dentist is a long one; it takes at least eight years of higher education. All the while, students need to balance tough lectures, gain valuable hands-on experience and endure many late nights, according to Moore. He recommends any aspiring dentists start preparing as soon as they can.
“It’s better to start in high school by shadowing or getting involved at your local practice,” Moore said. “In college you will be busy; spread your classes out over the summers and it will pay off eventually.”
Moore knew he wanted to be a dentist in grade school. Being family friends with his pediatric dentist got him interested, and in high school, Moore got to shadow him. Moore’s dream continued to follow him into college.
While shadowing his childhood dentist, Moore learned about the old-school technology. In contrast, he also got the opportunity to shadow another dentist during his junior year in university who used newer techniques. Dentists are still required to know both ways as they are still used.
“It seems boring at times, because you are just watching the dentist,” Moore said. “It is really about the relationship you build with the dentist you are shadowing and what information and techniques you learn from them.”
After knocking out his general education courses, Moore’s next hurdle was the Dental Admission Test or the DAT, an entrance exam comparable to the ACT. The test is graded on six different subjects with a top mark of 30 for each. To have any hope of continuing his journey, Moore would have to score well. After a 10 week training course and two attempts, Moore was content with his score.
“It was not fun,” Moore said. “A lot of studying–at least two to three hours a day. It felt like a relief when I finally got a good score.”
Moore cites the most demanding part of his journey thus far as his final year in undergrad, working on applications, interviewing and visiting schools while maintaining his grades. With mounting excitement to begin the next chapter in his life, Moore pushed through.
“The hardest part of the process has been the last year,” Moore said. “Having to take the test, submit applications, write essays, just all the stuff that goes along with applying to dental school was the most stressful part, but it was worth it.”
While in undergrad, Moore made sure to form good relationships with his professors, including Lawrence J. Weider, Professor, School of Biological Sciences. Weider teaches Adaptation and Climate change, the Capstone course on Moore’s degree sheet, or the final class he will need to complete in his undergraduate studies.
“Bryar was an engaging student in my recent Capstone class, Adaptation & Climate Change, and I wish him well in dental school and his future career in dentistry,” Weider said.
Weider has also taught other pre-dental students in the past. He knows about the intense work ethic aspiring dentists need in order to succeed.
“Like most students preparing for a career in either dentistry or other biomedical sciences, one has to be well-organized and has to prioritize meeting deadlines,” Weider said. “In dentistry, having a meticulous work ethic, having shadowing experience, and having the opportunity to hone fine motor skills are critically important, in my opinion.”
In teaching biology, Weider has taken on the responsibility of ensuring the next generation of dentists are adequately prepared for their career. He hopes to give his students the experience they need in his class.
“During their time in my lab, [pre-dental students] were able to hone their fine motor skills by working with microscopes, watchmaker forceps and other precision instruments, as they studied my model organism, the small aquatic microcrustacean, Daphnia (a.k.a. water fleas),” Weider said.
Finally finished with undergrad, Moore will soon find himself in Kirksville. Dental school will be different from undergrad in many ways including quicker courses and more hands-on labs. Moore is excited to be taking classes that only pertain to dentistry.
“Every single class will feel important and actually matter instead of feeling like I am just taking a blow-off class because my degree requires it,” Moore said.
Moore’s first semester will span from July to December. During that time, his course load will include mostly lectures. His classes, which he will take one at a time, only last between two and three weeks. On top of this, he will be taking one course spanning the entire semester.
His next semester will last from January to June, meaning dental students barely get a month off in between sessions. The fast-paced nature of dental school means Moore will have to focus even harder on his studies and he fears his social life will struggle as a result.
After dental school, Moore can choose to specialize in a certain type of dentistry, like Endodontics–a focus on root canals. This will require more schooling (between two to four years at a third university) and therefore more money, however specialists tend to make more money as well. Moore originally thought he wanted to specialize, but has chosen not to after shadowing.
“I was considering it, then after shadowing a specialist, I realized I would be doing the same thing everyday, only doing root canals over and over, for instance,” Moore said.
Once he graduates from dental school, Moore will take the board exam to become a licensed dentist in whatever state he wants to practice in. He hopes to buy into a practice and become a partial business owner. As well, he is considering working for a chain dental practice to begin his career.
Moore mentioned the price of dental school, stating that he expects to be over $400,000 in debt by the time he graduates. Moore is unsure where he will choose to get his license, however the average salary for a dentist in Oklahoma City is roughly $240,000 per year, according to Indeed.com.
“It will be interesting to see how it goes after I graduate,” Moore said. “It feels like I at least have a few options.”
Both the number of students accepted into dental school each year and the number of dental school graduates are up from the prior years statistics, according to the American Dental Association. This is good news as the ADA also reports nearly one third of the dental assistant and dental hygienist workforce plan to retire in the next five years.
Moore’s journey to become a dental school student has been rough at times and it is not over yet. Many long nights await, but the payoff is worth it. To follow Moore’s journey follow him on Instagram and to learn more about the University of Oklahoma’s pre-dental program visit the school’s website.
Travel Article: How to Spend Your Time in London
Should you find yourself across the pond in London, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer size of the city and its many things to see and do.
London, although similar in population to New York at just over 8 million people, is double the area of Empire City. The North, South, East and West have different cultures and cuisine dating back thousands of years.
I was able to experience the Big Smoke–a nickname given to Londone because of the notorious smog that frequents the city– through a tour curated by Rick Steves, a popular travel personality. However, if you want a little more freedom in your travels, here are some things you must do in London.
When first arriving, you will want to get acquainted with the London Underground. This subway system will likely be your main mode of transportation through the city other than your own two feet–London is a very walkable city when compared to its American equivalents. Your first destination should be the historical Tower of London where you can see the crown jewels. After visiting the Tower, walk along the River Thames until you arrive at the London Bridge.
By now you might be looking for a meal. Cross the London Bridge to wind up at the Borough Market, the oldest and most popular outdoor market in the UK. Continue to the South Bank as you explore more of London’s downtown and take an evening ride on the London Eye overlooking the Thames and Big Ben.
London’s food is both diverse and unmistakably British. Staples like fish and chips and full English breakfasts can be found at most hole in the wall diners. East London has a larger assortment of cuisine like Indian and Italian. I would recommend Aladdin Indian Restaurant in East End’s Brick Lane for its award-winning curry.
If you want more of the city’s deep history, visit the British Museum. Just by walking through the city you will get acquainted with the Roman influence still visible in architecture and infrastructure. You could also go to the Churchill War Rooms to learn more about Britain’s role in World War II.
A replica of Shakespear’s Globe Theater beacons any thespians to come see a live performance. Soho, another district of London, offers more entertainment like magic shows and plays. There is also no lack of nightlife in London, with bars and clubs open throughout the night.
I was able to see a magic show called The Illusionists while in Soho. The event took place at an impressive theater with a second story and balconies overlooking the entire venue; nothing less than what you would expect from a city as grand as London.
If London becomes too much, take a trip to the nearby city of Windsor. Wander around the relatively small town and end up at Windsor Castle. Here you will see the oldest and largest occupied castle. While you are still in Windsor, visit St. George’s Chapel.
This is not even scratching the surface of what London has to offer. There are countless parks, cathedrals and castles with unique history and beauty. I only had a week in the city, but you would need a lot more than that to explore everything. Hopefully your travels are not as gloomy as the city itself.
Q&A: Kasi Shelton on Jewish College Life
Kasi Shelton, executive director of Hillel at the University of Oklahoma, keeps the Jewish community at OU vibrant and safe.
During her time as executive director, she recalls heated debates with colleagues in the Jewish community about the war in Israel and antisemitism. She has had emotional conversations with students regarding their safety and the fears they have enforcing her motivation to create an inclusive environment.
Hillel, a Jewish student organization, exists across many college campuses throughout the country. Its goal is to enrich the lives of Jewish college students by offering fellowships, cultivating a comprehensive community, and giving students the chance to experience Israel thanks to programs like Birthright, an all-expense paid trip.
As Executive Director, Shelton organizes events such as a weekly Shabbat dinner, collaborates with like-minded organizations like Stand With Us, and helps students connect with others in the Jewish community. She cites impacting students and watching them become leaders and adults as her true passion.
Shelton received a master’s in nonprofit management from OU after moving to Oklahoma from New York City. She has been a member of the board at Hillel and was an educator at a local synagogue in Oklahoma City, B’nai Israel. In an uncertain and frightening time for Jews due to unrest in the Middle East and rising antisemitism in America, she remains an advocate for education and active listening.
Shelton answered some questions about her career and some of the trends related to the Israel-Palestine conflict and the rise in antisemitism throughout the country.
Jack: What is the most rewarding part of your job and why?
Shelton: The most rewarding part of this job comes from the relationships you build with the students we serve. Getting to know them as individuals, watching them determine who they want to be, and to be a small part of their life’s journey is one of the greatest gifts. We get to be their partners helping them find what they love about being Jewish and how that can be a part of their adult life and identity.
Jack: On the other hand, what are some of the challenges that accompany dealing with sensitive topics like antisemitism, especially given recent events?
Shelton: Prior to October 7th it was still acceptable to address antisemitism, but once Hamas militants massacred Israeli citizens, and others, and Israel fought back, this topic and others related to Judaism or Israel have become taboo. Our students and staff no longer feel safe having openly Jewish gatherings on campus.
Jack: Speaking of the Israel-Palestine conflict, how have recent events in the Middle East impacted your job here in Oklahoma?
Shelton: The recent events in the Middle East have without a doubt made my job more complicated. The dramatic rise in anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism across the country changed the way our students and community interact with those around them, including long standing interfaith relationships and our sense of safety and security. All of our Jewish organizations had to increase security including having armed officers at all events, not just Shabbat services.
We have watched pro-Palestinian groups verbally and physically attack Jewish students, spread false information, chant phrases that call for the death of all Jews (and other groups) living in Israel, and determine all Jews regardless of their stance on Israel deserve to live in fear.
Jack: What do you think about the recent wave of antisemitism with Kanye West and other big celebrities like Kyrie Irving and Donald Trump being more forward with their antisemitism?
Shelton: Antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments are something that has never and will never go away. Depending on what is going on in the world, it just becomes more or less acceptable openly. What happens once upon a time happens all the time.
Jack: What are your thoughts on some of the recent protests that have been happening on campus such as the “mysterious package” and the walkout last semester?
Shelton: With the current Israel-Hamas war, there is so much pain and loss on both sides and people deal with it in very different ways. Our students wanted to come together to mourn and try to process what had happened – the largest loss of Jewish lives in a single day since the Holocaust and that never again had happened.
If protesting is how others feel their efforts are best served and that this is how they can make a difference, as long as they are peaceful it is understandable. Slogans like “from the river to the sea…” that call for the death of all people living in between those areas though are unacceptable. We tell our students to avoid the area as nothing good will come from engaging protestors.
The package is harder for me to accept as if it was protest art, why did they not just inform OUPD or student affairs instead of scaring faculty and students in Gaylord, having to call in a bomb squad, and evacuating a building for hours? Protest art is acceptable but instilling fear in people should not be.
Jack: What do you think are some solutions to this problem and how can students make a difference?
Shelton: Right now, I don’t know how to solve the issues that we are seeing on campuses across our country. The pain for all involved is still too raw to try to come together, recognize each is suffering, and find ways to support each other. Relationships were built over years and in one day they have been shattered and it will take a lot of time to start to build them again. I do know that as long as Jewish students are being attacked and made to fear being openly Jewish, we are moving further away from any solution.
Shelton commits to bettering her community and making a difference in the lives of students at OU as she continues her work at Hillel.
Profile: From Flunking to Teachnig: Tim Willert
Tim Willert hates the weather in Portland, Oregon, where he attended university after graduating
high school.
The city was a stark contrast from his hometown of La Jolla near San Diego, California. To
combat his homesickness, Willert began drinking and partying, habits he would bring with him
to the University of Oklahoma. Underperforming academically, Willert was asked to leave OU
after three semesters.
However, his passion for writing, journalism, and sports never left him. Willert wrote for his high
school paper and magazine and even wrote for the OU Daily while at the university. After stumbling
around for a bit, Willert quit drinking in 1985 and began working at various publications from
San Diego to Las Vegas. Eventually, he ended up back in Norman, working at The
Oklahoman for about 10 years after moving from Houston, Texas.
“At some point my desire to be a reporter, to do this for a living, kind of took over. Once I started
working I really started enjoying it and I knew this was my calling,” Willert said.
Many students can relate to Willert’s story, coming to college with the wrong mindset and
putting social life before academics. At a daunting time in their lives, many students struggle to
find balance.
After almost 40 years as a writer, Willert came back to OU in 2018, this time as a professor.
Willert would teach in the mornings before going to his job at The Oklahoman. By sharing his
experiences, Willert hopes to mentor his students and keep them on the right path.
“I want to try to be helpful and of service to other people, to help other kids that may be in a
similar situation,” Willert said. “I know for a fact there are a lot of kids here with any number of issues, it may not be drinking or drug use, it may be mental, emotional, spiritual, who knows; hopefully I can
help you guys become better writers based on my experiences,” Willert said .
Willert briefly left OU, taking a job as an editor at The Norman Transcript in 2022. After doing
that for about a year, Willert turned to freelancing, which he had done throughout his career,
while also coming back to teaching.
“ …it’s not always easy to stay in the journalism profession. And he keeps going. He’s dedicated
because he knows how important solid journalism is to a community,” associate professor and
executive director of Oklahoma scholastic media Melanie Wilderman said.
Willert’s experiences as a college student uniquely qualify him to teach the next generation of
dedicated journalists. Having struggled himself in college, Willert not only knows how difficult
it can be for students to manage their time, but also how to overcome those challenges.
“Tim has the know-how and patience for [teaching]. From what I have seen he is patient and
makes his students feel like they can approach him for help,” said Wilderman.
Willert also eventually received his bachelor’s degree in communications from California State
Northridge in 2006 at the age of 46. His story shows that focus and dedication can mend a
broken past and help people find success.
How-To: How to Cook the Perfect Steak
Is it a special night? Want to impress your significant other? Cooking a restaurant quality steak is
easy and all you need is a stove top and 15 minutes.
Instead of paying upwards of $100 or more at a fancy steakhouse, cooking your own cuts is more
rewarding for your mouth and your wallet. There are many ways to cook your steaks from
simply using a pan on the stove to sous vide, which requires expensive equipment and a lot of
time.
If you do not have the time or money to try out some of the more froufrou methods, there are
options for you. Some cheaper cuts include the sirloin and the flat iron. These will cost around
$10-12 per pound. If you are willing to spend a little more, the ribeye is definitely worth it. Even
on a college budget and schedule, you can cook an impressive steak.
Ingredients:
● Your steak cut of choice
● Salt and pepper
● Butter or olive oil
Utensils:
● Pan
● Spatula or tongs
Start by seasoning your steak. Do not be afraid to over season because some of the salt and
pepper will be lost while cooking. Apply the salt first and let the steak rest. The longer you can
wait, the more flavorful your steak will be. If you are really feeling patient, leave the salted steak
uncovered in the fridge overnight for the absolute best results.
Season with pepper right before putting your steak in the pan. Heat your pan on medium high
heat. If you are using butter, add the butter as your pan is heating up; adding it before the pan
gets too hot, ensures that it will not burn. If you are using oil, wait until your pain is sufficiently
hot before adding.
If there are large enough caps of fat on your cut, start by searing those in the hot pan. To do this,
simply cook the steak on the fat until it melts. Otherwise, start by cooking your steak on one
side. Do not move the steak in order to get a nice crust on the outside. This should take about
three to five minutes per side, says elizabethkarmel.com.
After your steak has developed a crust, flip it to repeat on the other side. Continue flipping the
steak periodically (although not too much) until it is at your desired temperature. For a rare steak,
touch your thumb to your index finger, then press the area of your hand just below your thumb.
This should be about the firmness of your steak when you touch it, says healthline.com. For a
medium steak, touch your thumb to your ring finger, and for a well-done steak, touch your thumb
to your pinky finger.
Once your steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the pan and let it rest for about 10
minutes. The steak will continue to cook a little as heat that is trapped inside is released. Resting
the steak also allows it to retain more juices and therefore more flavor.
If you are serious about mastering the art of cooking a steak, you should invest in a meat
thermometer. They can be found for under $10 on Amazon and will ensure your stakes are
always cooked to the perfect temperature.
All that’s left to do now is enjoy the fruits of your labor knowing you saved time and money as
well as learned a thing or two about cooking.
Personal Experience: How I Navigated College Not Knowing What I Wanted to Do
“I’m lost. I don’t know what I’m doing or where I’m going.”
Common thoughts among young college students, these feelings cause stress and anxiety at a
time when students should be having fun, myself included.
Like many students, I did not know what I wanted to do coming into college. Throughout my
college journey, I bounced between three majors. I began as a computer science major in 2020.
Independence from my parents, bad habits from high school and a global pandemic proved too
much to handle as my grades and attendance tanked.
With a GPA below 2.5, I got desperate and thought the business degree plan looked less
intensive. With some catch-up needed due to my poor first year, I took on a heavy course load,
and it did not take long for me to hate my business classes.
Eventually, I stopped attending classes or doing any work. My GPA dropped below a 2 and I was
put on academic probation (I’m still surprised I wasn’t kicked out). I also lost my academic
scholarship. This was the lowest I have ever felt.
Thankfully, my parents wanted to see me succeed, and with their help I was able to get another
chance. After a long process, we got my scholarship back.
I had always loved writing, but never excelled at it in high school. With nothing more to lose, I
decided to give journalism a chance. I finally discovered a career path that spoke to me. I felt like
I could help people and their communities, unlike in computer science. I enjoyed what I was
doing, unlike business.
I remember one of my professors, Mike Boettcher, referencing one of his past students. The
student wrote a story that ended up getting some sidewalks restored in their community. They
told Mike they were unhappy they could not make a bigger impact. Influencing those small
changes and bettering the community bit by bit is what really got me hooked on the major.
I had finally found something I enjoyed. My GPA started to rise and I actually wanted to go to
my classes. I began going out more and was able to find balance between my social and school
life as I was no longer dreading any part of it. I had stumbled in the past, but finally found my
footing.
My advice to those coming into college would be to not declare a major until you have to. Even
if you think you know what you want to do, you never know until you try. It may take a few
semesters, or it may take a few years, but finding something you love to do is worth it.
Also keep in mind, many people do not even use their degree. My neighbor has a bachelor’s
degree in business, yet just retired as a pilot. My mom has a degree in public relations, but does
interior design. For some companies, a degree simply shows your commitment and work ethic,
according to indeed.com.
College can offer many great opportunities to connect with people in your field, which I have
found to be the real benefit. Although a crucial step for many careers such as doctors and
lawyers, as the internet makes education more and more accessible, it might be worth
considering if college is right for you.
Whatever you are doing, remember to learn from your lowest moments. Eventually, it will all work out.