Unknown number. Of course, I rarely screen my calls, but that’s just because I’m curious. This one, however, calls you at somewhat inopportune times of the evenings asking you to, you guessed it, donate back to your school. I had barely graduated with over $250,000 in debt, and now I’m being asked to donate thousands back to my alma mater. The conversation usually escalates to a haggling process ultimately resulting in “no contribution at this time, but maybe in the future.” Understandably, as I will be paying off the debt for the next few decades of my life, timing just wasn’t right to start making monetary contributions to my school as I’m already on the 20-year payback plan. Someday, but just not now.
But I did donate to ASDA, and here’s why…
Last month, ASDA’s 
As a dental student and former congressional aide, it is easy to explain why I am going to National Dental Student Lobby Day for the first time; to provide dental students and dentistry a voice on Capitol Hill. It is the one time of the year that we get to relate to our congressional leaders how current issues affect us both professionally and personally. This is our opportunity to explain how the burden of student debt impacts our future career choices or how the medical device tax can ultimately increase the cost of our patients’ dental treatment. Our voice is critical and deserves to be heard…
