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Help Celine Become a Dentist: A Story of Grit, Faith, and Giving Back
Hi, my name is Celine Dailey, and I’m raising funds to apply to dental school—a dream built through resilience, faith, and an unwavering desire to serve.
Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. But that dream was tested when my parents divorced and I became the sole caretaker of my father during repeated hospitalizations due to multiple end stage illnesses. I was working full-time retail jobs to pay back bills while managing the legal and medical logistics of his care—all while trying to stay in school. My grades slipped, and after graduating college, I felt defeated.
Everything changed when my unofficial adoptive sister Ciara—who was originally my niece—passed away after succumbing to homelessness. Her loss broke my heart. Statistically, I wasn’t supposed to make it this far. I come from a cycle where teen pregnancy spanned four generations of women before me. But I had made it—and I knew I had a responsibility to keep going. So I picked myself up and started over.
I enrolled in community college while working as a home health aide and medical scribe. I was rejected from several post-bacc programs, but I didn’t give up. When Cal State Fullerton accepted me, I dove in. I’ve since maintained a 3.85 GPA in my post-baccalaureate program, balancing school with work, teaching, and volunteer commitments.
I became a neurosurgery research intern at Cedars-Sinai, studying glioblastoma treatments, and I teach Saturday STEM classes at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science to inspire kids in underserved communities to believe in their potential. I also volunteer with the LadyLike Foundation, a faith-based nonprofit that mentors young girls in Los Angeles to pursue higher education and live with purpose. My faith gives me the strength to carry on.
In the midst of all this, I underwent life-changing jaw surgery to correct a severe bite issue. That experience opened my eyes to the transformative power of dentistry—especially oral surgery—where I could blend science, empathy, and hands-on skill to restore both function and confidence. I now dream of becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a career that requires both dental and medical school. It’s a long road—but I am more than ready to walk it.
Why I’m Asking for Help
Applying to dental school is incredibly expensive. With DAT fees, application costs, secondaries, transcripts, and potential travel, the total is over $3,000–$4,000. I plan to apply broadly to schools like UCLA, UCSF, USC, Tufts, Boston University, Howard, and many more.
Your donations will help cover:
❤️ How You Can Help ❤️
If you’ve ever believed in someone who beat the odds—who chooses to rise, again and again—I hope you’ll believe in me. I plan to one day open a nonprofit that gives back to youth like me, offering mentorship, dental education, and scholarships. Your support doesn’t just help me apply to dental school—it helps me change lives. Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for being part of my journey. With gratitude and faith, Celine Dailey
Hi, my name is Celine Dailey, and I’m raising funds to apply to dental school—a dream built through resilience, faith, and an unwavering desire to serve.
Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. But that dream was tested when my parents divorced and I became the sole caretaker of my father during repeated hospitalizations due to multiple end stage illnesses. I was working full-time retail jobs to pay back bills while managing the legal and medical logistics of his care—all while trying to stay in school. My grades slipped, and after graduating college, I felt defeated.
Everything changed when my unofficial adoptive sister Ciara—who was originally my niece—passed away after succumbing to homelessness. Her loss broke my heart. Statistically, I wasn’t supposed to make it this far. I come from a cycle where teen pregnancy spanned four generations of women before me. But I had made it—and I knew I had a responsibility to keep going. So I picked myself up and started over.
I enrolled in community college while working as a home health aide and medical scribe. I was rejected from several post-bacc programs, but I didn’t give up. When Cal State Fullerton accepted me, I dove in. I’ve since maintained a 3.85 GPA in my post-baccalaureate program, balancing school with work, teaching, and volunteer commitments.
I became a neurosurgery research intern at Cedars-Sinai, studying glioblastoma treatments, and I teach Saturday STEM classes at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science to inspire kids in underserved communities to believe in their potential. I also volunteer with the LadyLike Foundation, a faith-based nonprofit that mentors young girls in Los Angeles to pursue higher education and live with purpose. My faith gives me the strength to carry on.
In the midst of all this, I underwent life-changing jaw surgery to correct a severe bite issue. That experience opened my eyes to the transformative power of dentistry—especially oral surgery—where I could blend science, empathy, and hands-on skill to restore both function and confidence. I now dream of becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a career that requires both dental and medical school. It’s a long road—but I am more than ready to walk it.
Why I’m Asking for Help
Applying to dental school is incredibly expensive. With DAT fees, application costs, secondaries, transcripts, and potential travel, the total is over $3,000–$4,000. I plan to apply broadly to schools like UCLA, UCSF, USC, Tufts, Boston University, Howard, and many more.
Your donations will help cover:
- Dental school application fees
- DAT registration and prep costs
- Secondary applications and interview travel
- Any remaining funds will go toward initial tuition costs
If you’ve ever believed in someone who beat the odds—who chooses to rise, again and again—I hope you’ll believe in me. I plan to one day open a nonprofit that gives back to youth like me, offering mentorship, dental education, and scholarships. Your support doesn’t just help me apply to dental school—it helps me change lives. Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for being part of my journey. With gratitude and faith, Celine Dailey
Organizer
