Simple Studies Scholarship

The effects of my sister’s perinatal ischemic stroke include impairments to her hearing and vision, learning disabilities, and mild cerebral palsy. The differences I have observed between my sister and I growing up have prompted my interest in neuroscience and psychology from a young age as I began questioning how her brain functioned and processed stimuli differently. The most important takeaway I have learned from Emily came from what she said before her recent strabismus surgery. “I’m stronger than my disabilities.” She’s right. Physicians must work to allow patients to reach their full potential and live a meaningful life despite the data on their chart. My calling is to do just that. Pursuing a major in neuroscience and a minor in psychology is both enticing and practical for me. The way the brain works has captivated me throughout my whole life. When I was about six, I would watch physical therapists do activities with my sister and wonder how each activity was designed to stimulate her brain. At the audiologist, I questioned how Emily’s brain processed sound differently than mine although we were hearing the same noises. I have always been interested in how the stroke has affected her and have learned more as we have grown. Because of this, I have developed a fascination with how different people’s actions reflect the happenings of their brains and the effects that certain neurological disorders have on both someone’s brain chemistry and their personality. Considering that neuroscience and psychology not only intertwine perfectly with one another but also align with my passions and interests, it was a no-brainer to pursue these two. As for these fields of study being practical, they give me a wide variety of possible careers to fall back on. I have known I want to be a physician since I was in seventh grade and have done beyond my fair share of research regarding the profession. I am no stranger to the fact that most pre-med students do not end up as doctors, most do not even make it to medical school. As strongly as I believe this will not be me, I must not turn a blind eye to the possibility. Should I choose to stray off the path to medical school, a Bachelor’s Degree in neuroscience opens up the possibility of jobs in forensic science, which would also be an exciting career. With a neuroscience degree, I could continue my education to pursue a Master’s Degree and become a physician’s assistant if I happen to find that medical school is more than I can commit to. The brain works wonders that so many will never get to fully understand. I will not let myself be one of those people. I live a life driven by a desire to learn more about everything around me and inside me. I aspire to study neuroscience and psychology to gain an in-depth understanding of the human brain so that I can use my knowledge to help others as a physician.