
Hobbies and interests
Politics and Political Science
Reading
Leadership
I read books daily
Aicha Traore
1,355
Bold Points1x
Finalist
Aicha Traore
1,355
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
I am a recent graduate with a deep passion for medicine. From a young age, I’ve always felt a strong desire to help others, but this calling became even stronger after going through a difficult personal journey, including the loss of a loved one. These experiences taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of making a difference in people’s lives. My goal is to become a doctor, not only to provide medical care but also to bring hope to those who need it most. I am hardworking, determined, and truly motivated to continue my studies so I can give back to my community and positively impact the lives of others.
NO FASFA
UNDERGRADUATE-FIRST YEAR
NURSING/HEALTHCARE
Education
La Salle University
Master's degree programMajors:
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
- Medicine
Minors:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Newark Central High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
Career
Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Doctor
Public services
Volunteering
Afaho — Traduction and orienting African people2024 – Present
Future Interests
Politics
Volunteering
Entrepreneurship
New Beginnings Immigrant Scholarship
University represents everything I’ve worked toward. Its strong focus on innovation,
diversity, and making a difference in the community deeply aligns with my values and goals. What
truly excites me is university cooperative education program, which offers early, hands-on
experience in the healthcare field. This kind of real-world learning will not only prepare me for
medical school but also give me the tools I need to become a skilled and compassionate doctor.
More than just achieving my own dreams, I’m driven by a deep desire to have a real impact on
other people’s lives. I want to take the pain I’ve experienced and turn it into healing for myself and
for those still waiting for the care, support, and respect they need. I truly believe I have the
empathy and determination to make that happen. To me, becoming a doctor isn’t just a personal
goal it feels like a calling, a path that fits perfectly with the purpose I feel in my heart.
In addition to the personal and academic challenges I’ve faced, my immigration status has added
another layer of uncertainty. Currently, I hold Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and am in
the process of applying for asylum. While I await the outcomes of these legal proceedings, I’ve
made a conscious decision not to let time slip away. I want to continue my education without
delay, recognizing the significance of each year in shaping the future I envision.
Despite not yet being eligible for certain federal benefits or programs, I remain resolute in pursuing my university studies with the same dedication I’ve demonstrated throughout high school. I firmly
believe that investing in my education now, even amidst the uncertainties, is the most prudent way
to honor my aspirations, my background, and the individuals I aspire to serve as a future doctor.
Growing up, I watched my father face an incredibly painful and difficult fight against kidney failure.
Even though he was strong, loving, and determined to stay with us, the unreliable medical care in
our area made each day an uphill battle. Treatments that might have helped him live longer were
either out of reach or way too expensive. As a kid, I couldn’t understand why someone’s chances
of surviving depended so much on where they lived or how much money they had. It felt deeply
unfair.
Losing my father at such a young age left a permanent scar on my heart. But it also sparked a
powerful drive in me to understand how medicine works, to help stop other families from going
through what mine did, and to become the kind of doctor my father never had a chance to meet.
Moving to the United States gave me the hope and opportunity to chase that dream. I threw myself
into my studies, finished high school, and took the SAT all while learning a new language, adjusting
to a new culture, and navigating an unfamiliar legal system. There were many challenges, but I
stayed focused on one goal: to help others through medicine, especially people in communities
like the one I came from.
Dr. Michael Paglia Scholarship
Growing up, I watched my father face an incredibly painful and difficult fight against kidney failure. Even though he was strong, loving, and determined to stay with us, the unreliable medical care in our area made each day an uphill battle. Treatments that might have helped him live longer were either out of reach or way too expensive. As a kid, I couldn’t understand why someone’s chances of surviving depended so much on where they lived or how much money they had. It felt deeply unfair.
Losing my father at such a young age left a permanent scar on my heart. But it also sparked a powerful drive in me to understand how medicine works, to help stop other families from going through what mine did, and to become the kind of doctor my father never had a chance to meet.
Moving to the United States gave me the hope and opportunity to chase that dream. I threw myself into my studies, finished high school, and took the SAT all while learning a new language, adjusting to a new culture, and navigating an unfamiliar legal system. There were many challenges, but I stayed focused on one goal: to help others through medicine, especially people in communities like the one I came from.
This scholarship represents everything I’ve worked toward. Its strong focus on innovation, diversity, and making a difference in the community deeply aligns with my values and goals. What truly excites me to go to college is cooperative education program, which offers early, hands-on experience in the healthcare field. This kind of real-world learning will not only prepare me for medical school but also give me the tools I need to become a skilled and compassionate doctor.
More than just achieving my own dreams, I’m driven by a deep desire to have a real impact on other people’s lives. I want to take the pain I’ve experienced and turn it into healing for myself and for those still waiting for the care, support, and respect they need. I truly believe I have the empathy and determination to make that happen. To me, becoming a doctor isn’t just a personal goal it feels like a calling, a path that fits perfectly with the purpose I feel in my heart.My determination doesn’t only come from losing my father at a young age — it comes from a deeper need to prove to myself that his absence didn’t leave me broken. Studying medicine has become a source of strength and motivation, helping me move forward. Even when I see others enjoying moments with their loved ones, I stay focused, knowing that my journey is my way of turning pain into purpose.