The Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental ScholarshipScholarship Recipients
The 2027 award applications will be accepted from June 2026 through January 2027. If you are a college junior or senior enrolled in a U.S. accredited college or university, and are engaged in pre-dental studies with a 3.3 GPA or better by the end of your sophomore year, you are eligible to apply for this one time $1500 scholarship.
Send us a copy of your school transcript along with an essay of 750 words or less stating, “Why you would like to become a dentist?”
Join our growing list of applicants and don’t forget, applications are due by January 31st your junior or senior year!
Check back here every year to see our winners, the year they were awarded our scholarship, and the college/university they attended.
Arnold School of Public Health University of South Carolina
Itzeli Cruz
The 2026 Dr. Michael Krochak Pre Dental Scholarship recipient impressed us with her powerful extended metaphor, comparing dental instruments to the values and experiences that shaped her calling to dentistry. Itzeli Cruz-Salinas uses the mirror to represent honesty and transparency, the explorer for curiosity and courage, the scaler for service that removes hidden burdens, the suction for listening, the forceps for steady leadership, and the handpiece for restoration; the tool that captures her ultimate purpose.
Through her service as a Public Health Ambassador, FFA chapter president, and leader in the Latino Caucus of Public Health and First-Generation Student Advisory Board, Itzeli discovered oral healthcare disparities in her community. From playing violin at senior homes to organizing community cleanups and volunteering at the campus food pantry while working two jobs and attending school full-time, Itzeli demonstrates that true leadership lifts others up. She concludes her essay stating, "Every instrument on the tray is a reason I want to be a dentist, because each one reflects who I already am and who I hope to become."
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Logan Coe
The 2025 Dr. Michael Krochak Pre Dental Scholarship recipient impressed us by his creativity in his essay, comparing the various types of teeth and their functions to the various reasons he wants to be a dentist. Raised by two artists, he was quickly drawn to dentistry due to its "symbiotic relationship between the arts and sciences." Logan also recognized the role of teeth to the full function of one's body and health. He further recognized the power of a smile to one's confidence as well as the close relationships dentists form with their patients. He concludes in his essay stating, "Through a combination of empathy, a yearning for challenges, a devotion to the duality of the arts and sciences, and a hope to establish a special relationship with my patients, my practice will meet and hopefully exceed my own expectations along with those of my community."
Rutger’s University
Durgha Natrajan
The 2024 Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental Scholarship recipient inspired us with her passion for serving her community and commitment to dentistry. Dr. Michael Krochak is pleased to award our scholarship to Durgha Natrajan, a student at Rutger’s University. Check out a snippet from her essay below!
“Growing up, my grandfather’s smile was an object of great fascination to me. It was a nearly toothless grin that managed to convey warmth, humor, and wisdom all at once. I spent countless summers visiting my grandfather in the small village of Nagercoil in the corner of Tamil Nadu, India. During these visits, my grandfather and I shared hearty foods and late night stories. As the years passed, the foods we ate turned mushier and the stories became harder to understand as my grandfather lost more and more of his teeth.”
University of Pacific in San Francisco
Jessica Chen
The 2023 Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental Scholarship recipient inspired us with her passion for serving her community and commitment to dentistry. Dr. Michael Krochak is pleased to award our scholarship to Jessica Chen, a student at University of Pacific in San Francisco. Check out a snippet from her essay below!
“Invigorated by the impact of dentistry, I started volunteering at the community center the summer of my senior year. I utilized my trilingual skills to bridge the cultural gap and explain the importance of oral health to the local elders, many of whom were Chinese immigrants. Even simple acts, such as teaching how to brush, brought me great joy. However, I sought to create a more global impact by joining an inactive pre-dental club in college. As president, I successfully revived Operation Smile in the midst of COVID-19 and raised over $1000 for children with cleft lips & palates in developing countries. Wherever I train to be a dentist, I will continue my work to mitigate both local and global oral health inequities.”
Palomar College Yanet Olvera
The 2022 Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental Scholarship recipient inspired us with her passion and commitment to the field of dentistry. Dr. Michael Krochak is pleased to award our scholarship to Yanet Olvera, a student at Palomar College. Check out a snippet from her essay below!
“Many times, I have thought about why I want to go to dental school and the reason is, I am passionate about inspiring, educating, and helping my community.”
“Working in the dental field has allowed me to gain skills that will be particularly important in dental school such being detail oriented, practicing my tactile skills, and professionalism.”
Virginia Commonwealth University Victoria Tran
The 2021 Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental Scholarship recipient inspired us with her courageous story and her passion for dentistry. Dr. Michael Krochak is pleased to award our scholarship to Victoria Tran, a student at VCU. Check out a snippet from her essay below!
“It was paramount to me to find something that brought me satisfaction and I was excited to follow dentistry, regardless of the investment needed to see it through”. “The adversities I faced as a child served as the precursor for my fascination in dentistry and how I will shape and take control of my future”.
The Ohio State UniversityLillian O'toole
Congratulations to our 2020 scholarship recipient, Lillian O’toole! Lillian’s essay blew us away. Her passion for dentistry and desire to have a positive impact in our field was evident while reviewing her essay. Check out a highlight below!
“I want to be a part of the future of dentistry. The future that combats inequality, inaccessibility, and unaffordability. The future that advocates for diversity in a field that overwhelmingly lacks it. The future that challenges it to shift toward a preventative and equitable health care system—ways in which it has seldom been challenged. But how can I be a part of this future, if I cannot even make it to that point in the first place? Receiving Dr. Krochak’s pre-dental scholarship would uplift me in unimaginable ways and would allow me to further my inexplicable desire to pursue a career targeting oral health of vulnerable populations.”
