Raghav is a current dental student at the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. He pursued this mentorship role because he vividly remembers how isolating the pre-dental journey felt — the lack of clear guidance, the unanswered questions, and the frustration of navigating a process with very few people who had actually been through it.
Having now completed the full CA dental school application cycle — including in-person interviews and Kira Talent — Raghav brings both the experience and the empathy that most pre-dental resources can't offer. He went through the same anxiety, the same confusion, and came out the other side with concrete answers.
Raghav was accepted to USC as an out-of-state applicant — a meaningful distinction. Breaking into California's competitive dental school landscape without the in-state advantage requires a sharper strategy and a stronger application overall. Raghav navigated that process successfully and can offer guidance specifically tailored to students applying from outside California.
Raghav has a strong research background — he's been involved in research throughout his academic career and knows firsthand how to identify opportunities, make contact with PIs, and build a competitive research profile from scratch. He's also developed practical systems for DAT prep and academic performance, having navigated the same science-heavy courseload that makes or breaks pre-dental applicants.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the timeline, confused by the requirements, or stuck on the parts that no YouTube video explains clearly — Raghav is exactly who you want in your corner.
Raghav knows how to land research opportunities — from cold-emailing PIs to building a research narrative that strengthens your dental school application.
Not just what to study — but how to study. Raghav has developed section-specific strategies for the subjects that knock most applicants out.
Raghav has been through both in-person and Kira Talent interviews and can give you the honest prep that makes the difference on the day of.
Raghav was accepted to USC from out of state — a harder path. He can speak directly to what it takes to be competitive as a non-CA resident applicant.
Pre-dental prep is a marathon with an unclear finish line. Raghav helps you build a realistic plan that accounts for coursework, shadowing, and DAT prep simultaneously.