Dentistry was not part of Hyunsoo Kim’s original plan when he first arrived at the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC). At the time, his world revolved around music, creativity, and storytelling.

“I had a strong passion for music and dreamed of becoming a music producer,” he says. That passion led him to major in Film & Media Arts, a field where he could explore creative expression while learning how to communicate ideas and emotions through different forms of media.

What Hyunsoo didn’t know then was that those same creative skills would later shape an entirely different—but deeply connected—path.

Starting at UAC: Building Confidence Before the Leap

Beginning his university education in Korea required adjustment, but it soon became an advantage. UAC offered Hyunsoo a supportive academic environment where he could develop essential skills—writing, communication, and classroom professionalism—within a U.S. university system.

UAC gave me the foundation I needed to succeed at the home campus,”

he reflects. The smaller class settings and close interaction with faculty helped him gain confidence early, making the eventual transition to the Salt Lake City home campus smoother and less intimidating.

Rather than feeling limited by where he started, Hyunsoo found that starting at UAC prepared him to adapt quickly when academic expectations increased.

A New Direction: Expanding His Path Beyond the Arts

While continuing his Film & Media Arts studies, Hyunsoo began to think more deeply about how he wanted to use his creative strengths.

“I realized I wanted to use my abilities to connect with others more directly and contribute to their well-being,” he explains.

That shift in perspective led him to dentistry—a field where science, hands-on care, and human connection intersect. Importantly, this was not a departure from the arts. Instead, Hyunsoo chose to build on his creative foundation, adding Biology as a second major while continuing his Film & Media Arts studies to complete pre-med and pre-dental coursework.

For Hyunsoo, creativity was no longer just about expression—it became a tool for empathy, communication, and care.

Preparing for Dental School: Lessons from the Process

Hyunsoo decided to pursue dentistry about a year after transferring to the home campus, where exposure to peers preparing for medical and veterinary careers helped clarify his goals. From there, the preparation process demanded long-term planning and resilience.

Looking back, he identifies three elements that mattered most in his dental school applications:

• Unique experiences: His background in Film & Media Arts, music composition, and student activities allowed him to present himself as more than just a science-focused applicant.
• Academic commitment: Challenging pre-dental coursework built the foundation necessary for the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and dental school rigor.
• Communication skills: Building strong relationships with professors and dentists led to meaningful letters of recommendation and reflected his readiness to work with patients.

One message he emphasizes for current students is simple but critical: start early.

“U.S. professional schools evaluate much more than grades,” he notes. For international students especially, understanding requirements early makes time management more effective and reduces unnecessary stress later.

When the First Attempt Doesn’t Work

Hyunsoo’s journey was not without setbacks. After his first dental school application cycle did not result in an acceptance, he experienced a period of self-doubt.

“It was difficult, and I questioned myself,” he admits. “But instead of losing confidence, I reflected honestly on where I was lacking and worked to strengthen those areas.”

Preparing for the DAT, securing dental shadowing opportunities—hands-on observational experiences in dental clinics—and refining interview skills proved especially challenging as an international student navigating language and cultural barriers.

What mattered most wasn’t where I started, but how I grew,”

he says.

Advice for Students—and Parents

For students who worry they may not be “good enough,” Hyunsoo offers reassurance grounded in experience.

“Early in my undergraduate years, I felt lost and didn’t perform as well academically,” he shares. “But growth matters more than where you begin.”

To parents and prospective students, Hyunsoo also offers a clear perspective on why starting at the University of Utah Asia Campus can be a strong choice.

One of UAC’s major strengths, he explains, is that it gives students early access to rigorous, U.S.-style academic preparation—often difficult to experience at traditional Korean universities—while providing a smooth transition to advanced coursework at the Salt Lake City home campus. From the beginning, students are exposed to professional learning environments and high academic expectations.

“For example, after transferring to the home campus, students can take anatomy courses that include detailed cadaver-based learning,” he notes. “That level of hands-on experience is rarely available at many general universities in Korea.”

He adds that the same standard applies to creative disciplines. In Film & Media Arts courses at UAC, students work with industry-grade equipment and learn directly from experienced professionals, creating an environment that closely reflects real-world practice.

What makes UAC especially valuable is that students can begin this U.S. university pathway earlier through UAC before transitioning to the home campus. Compared to enrolling directly at a U.S. university from the start, this pathway offers academic continuity and financial advantages, allowing students to receive a high-quality education in a more cost-effective way.”

For parents, he emphasizes that while the Pre-Med and Pre-Dent path requires persistence and resilience, it is absolutely achievable with proper preparation and guidance. Encouraging students to seek advice from mentors and alumni who understand the process can make a meaningful difference.

For high school students considering UAC, Hyunsoo offers a reminder not to limit themselves too early.

“University is a place to explore and change direction,” he says. “Feeling uncertain is not a weakness—it’s part of discovering what you truly want to pursue.”

Looking Ahead

As he prepares to matriculate into dental school in 2026, Hyunsoo’s long-term goal is to become a skilled and compassionate dentist who serves underserved communities and helps improve access to quality dental care.

He hopes to remain connected with UAC by continuing to mentor students interested in Pre-Med and Pre-Dent pathways—and by showing them that creativity, persistence, and growth can coexist in unexpected ways.

 

At UAC, discovering your path doesn’t mean leaving parts of yourself behind. Sometimes, it means learning how to bring them together.