Sahil Patel

Major: Bioengineering
Class of 2009
Career Goal: Dentist

Why did you choose UCSD?
As a bioengineering student, UCSD is the perfect place to conduct one's studies. My decision to attend this university was heavily influenced by the great things my sister had to say about her experience while she was an undergrad in bioengineering. The program at UCSD is top-ranked, and as a public institution, residents receive the added benefit of in-state tuition. As a student of the Jacobs School of Engineering, I have had the opportunity to mingle with and get to know world-renowned faculty on formal and informal bases. The professors here were very welcoming when I decided to pursue undergraduate research, and I was able to join a project in the Cartilage Tissue Engineering (CTE) lab under Dr. Robert Sah. Such opportunities have set me up for my future endeavors in research and clinical work.

What makes UCSD so special?
The Jacobs School of Engineering is comprised of faculty whose passions transgress the divide between research and academia. They truly bring their love for research to the courses they instruct. The instructors' respective areas of research always substantiate the theory taught in engineering. This is paramount in ensuring that students are exposed to the real-world applications of the textbook knowledge they acquire. Bioengineering, in particular, is unique in that the curriculum covers a breadth of courses taken through multiple engineering departments. This is why UCSD has such a well-rounded bioengineering program that sets itself apart from others in the nation.

At UCSD, there are endless opportunities for student involvement in academics and extracurricular activities. As a member of Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honors Society, I have been fortunate to be able to acquire many professional skills and hone my leadership abilities. All of these opportunities, combined with the willingness of professors to help me succeed, have become my stepping-stones to becoming a student at the UCLA School of Dentistry next year. I look forward to using the bioengineering background I acquired at UCSD as a tool in helping to advance the dental field in the future. UCSD has done an excellent job in preparing me for my graduate studies.