I wanted to start off by thanking you for taking me into consideration for your scholarship. I am attending Penn State University Park in the fall of 2025, majoring in Biobehavioral health. My drive for success led me to get a head start on my degree, so I started dual enrollment summer after my sophomore year. Since then, I have completed eleven classes and will have a total of forty-one college credits by the end of my senior year. Post undergrad, I plan to attend medical school with the intention of working in the surgical field. I have always been interested in the medical field and knew I wanted to pursue a career that helps others. Over the past few years I have found a passion in the department of surgery through my love for anatomy, biology, and hands-on labs. My drive for success has motivated me to always put my best into everything I do. I believe that giving back to your community is important for personal growth. Whether that be through volunteering at my local animal shelter or being involved in my school, I take passion in my extracurriculars and truly enjoy the time I spend on them. I have firsthand seen that a small action can make a huge impact and I wish more people could understand this. I feel as though they would be more willing to get out and try new things without having those huge expectations. From a young age my parents have taught me the value of hard work. I got my first job at 14 working in a pizza shop, as it was the only place in my community that would hire that young. I stayed there until I was 16, which I then moved to a cafe in AleCraft Brewery. In January of 2024, I left the brewery and started at my current job which is a tanning and hair salon. Through my work experience, I have developed a range of valuable life skills, including a strong work ethic, effective time management, and exceptional customer service abilities. I also enjoyed having my own money and not having to rely on my parents to buy me everything. It gave me a sense of responsibility and independence that I believe is great for any teenager. Medical school, on top of undergrad, can quickly add up in cost. While I’m really grateful for everything my parents have worked hard to achieve and the opportunities we have, it’s frustrating that I am ineligible for so many scholarships because of their income. I am personally funding my college and the current scholarship system does not account for the fact that their income does not directly contribute to my educational expenses. I wish the system were structured in such a way that it better reflects the individual circumstances of students, allowing greater access to financial support based on personal need rather than family income. This scholarship will help me reach my goals of becoming a surgeon and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Thank you again for your thoughtful consideration of my application for this scholarship.

I wanted to start off by thanking you for taking me into consideration for your scholarship. I am attending Penn State University Park in the fall of 2025, majoring in Biobehavioral health. My drive for success led me to get a head start on my degree, so I started dual enrollment summer after my sophomore year. Since then, I have completed eleven classes and will have a total of forty-one college credits by the end of my senior year. Post undergrad, I plan to attend medical school with the intention of working in the surgical field. I have always been interested in the medical field and knew I wanted to pursue a career that helps others. Over the past few years I have found a passion in the department of surgery through my love for anatomy, biology, and hands-on labs. Medical school, on top of undergrad, can quickly add up in cost. While I’m really grateful for everything my parents have worked hard to achieve and the opportunities we have, it’s frustrating that I am ineligible for so many scholarships because of their income. I am personally funding my college and the current scholarship system does not account for the fact that their income does not directly contribute to my educational expenses. I wish the system were structured in such a way that it better reflects the individual circumstances of students, allowing greater access to financial support based on personal need rather than family income. This scholarship will help me reach my goals of becoming a surgeon and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Thank you again for your thoughtful consideration of my application for this scholarship.

I left my hair straightener plugged in, and now my house will burn down. You've already checked it three times. My car isn't in park. That's impossible; you would have noticed. My mom's location paused, so she got into a car accident. She's safe and at home. My heart is racing, and my lungs feel like they are fighting. You're okay; just breathe. In elementary school, I would wash my hands in fear of germs until they were cracked and bleeding. If they had any smell or residue, I would scrub them until I no longer felt contaminated. When I prayed at night, I had to list every person that came to my mind, or else I feared something terrible would happen, and it would be my fault. When middle school came, COVID took over the world just towards the end of my seventh-grade year. Due to my fear of germs and need for routine, I opted to do my eighth-grade year entirely online while all my friends returned to being in person. I felt isolated and out of touch with my friends, but at least I had my routine. High school's stress and responsibility only added to my list of obsessions. Small things that usually people wouldn't think twice about would linger in my head for months or years. As college was quickly approaching, I had a reality check. I was growing up, and things were starting to get real. I knew I needed to learn how to manage my thoughts before I transitioned into adulthood. You have OCD. My diagnosis meant two things to me. Part of me feared this lifetime of being held down by the constraints of my mind, but somehow, it made me feel at peace. It meant that I wasn't crazy, and all these thoughts I had dealt with my whole life were suddenly validated. For the first time, I had hope that I would one day be able to regain control of my mind. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be exhausting. It is a series of unwanted thoughts and worries that lead to repeated behaviors. It can feel like you are stuck in a brain that never stops; you can never catch a break. As my high school years went by, I still struggled with different aspects of my life, but something changed. I no longer viewed my OCD as a burden. I have shifted my perspective to see the positives that come with it. Rather than letting it tear me down and giving up, my OCD has shaped into motivation for me to be the best version of myself. Since I doubt myself and need to check everything multiple times, I am doing everything to the best of my ability. My fear of hurting others or messing up turns into drive for me to carefully think about what I say and do. The high expectations I set for myself are the reasons for my success. Through therapy and support from my family and friends, I can now confidently say that I have learned how to take control of my thoughts, so they no longer consume my every move. I spent so much time fixating on the things that were impossible to control that I forgot to take a minute and realize my success. My grades are excellent, my bedroom is always clean, I am involved in my school, and I have 28+ college credits under my belt as a senior in high school, but that doesn't mean my journey was easy, and that's okay.

I left my hair straightener plugged in, and now my house will burn down. You've already checked it three times. My car isn't in park. That's impossible; you would have noticed. My mom's location paused, so she got into a car accident. She's safe and at home. My heart is racing, and my lungs feel like they are fighting. You're okay; just breathe. In elementary school, I would wash my hands in fear of germs until they were cracked and bleeding. If they had any smell or residue, I would scrub them until I no longer felt contaminated. When I prayed at night, I had to list every person that came to my mind, or else I feared something terrible would happen, and it would be my fault. When middle school came, COVID took over the world just towards the end of my seventh-grade year. Due to my fear of germs and need for routine, I opted to do my eighth-grade year entirely online while all my friends returned to being in person. I felt isolated and out of touch with my friends, but at least I had my routine. High school's stress and responsibility only added to my list of obsessions. Small things that usually people wouldn't think twice about would linger in my head for months or years. As college was quickly approaching, I had a reality check. I was growing up, and things were starting to get real. I knew I needed to learn how to manage my thoughts before I transitioned into adulthood. You have OCD. My diagnosis meant two things to me. Part of me feared this lifetime of being held down by the constraints of my mind, but somehow, it made me feel at peace. It meant that I wasn't crazy, and all these thoughts I had dealt with my whole life were suddenly validated. For the first time, I had hope that I would one day be able to regain control of my mind. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be exhausting. It is a series of unwanted thoughts and worries that lead to repeated behaviors. It can feel like you are stuck in a brain that never stops; you can never catch a break. As my high school years went by, I still struggled with different aspects of my life, but something changed. I no longer viewed my OCD as a burden. I have shifted my perspective to see the positives that come with it. Rather than letting it tear me down and giving up, my OCD has shaped into motivation for me to be the best version of myself. Since I doubt myself and need to check everything multiple times, I am doing everything to the best of my ability. My fear of hurting others or messing up turns into drive for me to carefully think about what I say and do. The high expectations I set for myself are the reasons for my success. Through therapy and support from my family and friends, I can now confidently say that I have learned how to take control of my thoughts, so they no longer consume my every move. I spent so much time fixating on the things that were impossible to control that I forgot to take a minute and realize my success. My grades are excellent, my bedroom is always clean, I am involved in my school, and I have 28+ college credits under my belt as a senior in high school, but that doesn't mean my journey was easy, and that's okay.

I left my hair straightener plugged in, and now my house will burn down. You've already checked it three times. My car isn't in park. That's impossible; you would have noticed. My mom's location paused, so she got into a car accident. She's safe and at home. My heart is racing, and my lungs feel like they are fighting. You're okay; just breathe. In elementary school, I would wash my hands in fear of germs until they were cracked and bleeding. If they had any smell or residue, I would scrub them until I no longer felt contaminated. When I prayed at night, I had to list every person that came to my mind, or else I feared something terrible would happen, and it would be my fault. When middle school came, COVID took over the world just towards the end of my seventh-grade year. Due to my fear of germs and need for routine, I opted to do my eighth-grade year entirely online while all my friends returned to being in person. I felt isolated and out of touch with my friends, but at least I had my routine. High school's stress and responsibility only added to my list of obsessions. Small things that usually people wouldn't think twice about would linger in my head for months or years. As college was quickly approaching, I had a reality check. I was growing up, and things were starting to get real. I knew I needed to learn how to manage my thoughts before I transitioned into adulthood. You have OCD. My diagnosis meant two things to me. Part of me feared this lifetime of being held down by the constraints of my mind, but somehow, it made me feel at peace. It meant that I wasn't crazy, and all these thoughts I had dealt with my whole life were suddenly validated. For the first time, I had hope that I would one day be able to regain control of my mind. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be exhausting. It is a series of unwanted thoughts and worries that lead to repeated behaviors. It can feel like you are stuck in a brain that never stops; you can never catch a break. As my high school years went by, I still struggled with different aspects of my life, but something changed. I no longer viewed my OCD as a burden. I have shifted my perspective to see the positives that come with it. Rather than letting it tear me down and giving up, my OCD has shaped into motivation for me to be the best version of myself. Since I doubt myself and need to check everything multiple times, I am doing everything to the best of my ability. My fear of hurting others or messing up turns into drive for me to carefully think about what I say and do. The high expectations I set for myself are the reasons for my success. Through therapy and support from my family and friends, I can now confidently say that I have learned how to take control of my thoughts, so they no longer consume my every move. I spent so much time fixating on the things that were impossible to control that I forgot to take a minute and realize my success. My grades are excellent, my bedroom is always clean, I am involved in my school, and I have 28+ college credits under my belt as a senior in high school, but that doesn't mean my journey was easy, and that's okay.

I left my hair straightener plugged in, and now my house will burn down. You've already checked it three times. My car isn't in park. That's impossible; you would have noticed. My mom's location paused, so she got into a car accident. She's safe and at home. My heart is racing, and my lungs feel like they are fighting. You're okay; just breathe. In elementary school, I would wash my hands in fear of germs until they were cracked and bleeding. If they had any smell or residue, I would scrub them until I no longer felt contaminated. When I prayed at night, I had to list every person that came to my mind, or else I feared something terrible would happen, and it would be my fault. When middle school came, COVID took over the world just towards the end of my seventh-grade year. Due to my fear of germs and need for routine, I opted to do my eighth-grade year entirely online while all my friends returned to being in person. I felt isolated and out of touch with my friends, but at least I had my routine. High school's stress and responsibility only added to my list of obsessions. Small things that usually people wouldn't think twice about would linger in my head for months or years. As college was quickly approaching, I had a reality check. I was growing up, and things were starting to get real. I knew I needed to learn how to manage my thoughts before I transitioned into adulthood. You have OCD. My diagnosis meant two things to me. Part of me feared this lifetime of being held down by the constraints of my mind, but somehow, it made me feel at peace. It meant that I wasn't crazy, and all these thoughts I had dealt with my whole life were suddenly validated. For the first time, I had hope that I would one day be able to regain control of my mind. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be exhausting. It is a series of unwanted thoughts and worries that lead to repeated behaviors. It can feel like you are stuck in a brain that never stops; you can never catch a break. As my high school years went by, I still struggled with different aspects of my life, but something changed. I no longer viewed my OCD as a burden. I have shifted my perspective to see the positives that come with it. Rather than letting it tear me down and giving up, my OCD has shaped into motivation for me to be the best version of myself. Since I doubt myself and need to check everything multiple times, I am doing everything to the best of my ability. My fear of hurting others or messing up turns into drive for me to carefully think about what I say and do. The high expectations I set for myself are the reasons for my success. Through therapy and support from my family and friends, I can now confidently say that I have learned how to take control of my thoughts, so they no longer consume my every move. I spent so much time fixating on the things that were impossible to control that I forgot to take a minute and realize my success. My grades are excellent, my bedroom is always clean, I am involved in my school, and I have 28+ college credits under my belt as a senior in high school, but that doesn't mean my journey was easy, and that's okay.

I left my hair straightener plugged in, and now my house will burn down. You've already checked it three times. My car isn't in park. That's impossible; you would have noticed. My mom's location paused, so she got into a car accident. She's safe and at home. My heart is racing, and my lungs feel like they are fighting. You're okay; just breathe. In elementary school, I would wash my hands in fear of germs until they were cracked and bleeding. If they had any smell or residue, I would scrub them until I no longer felt contaminated. When I prayed at night, I had to list every person that came to my mind, or else I feared something terrible would happen, and it would be my fault. When middle school came, COVID took over the world just towards the end of my seventh-grade year. Due to my fear of germs and need for routine, I opted to do my eighth-grade year entirely online while all my friends returned to being in person. I felt isolated and out of touch with my friends, but at least I had my routine. High school's stress and responsibility only added to my list of obsessions. Small things that usually people wouldn't think twice about would linger in my head for months or years. As college was quickly approaching, I had a reality check. I was growing up, and things were starting to get real. I knew I needed to learn how to manage my thoughts before I transitioned into adulthood. You have OCD. My diagnosis meant two things to me. Part of me feared this lifetime of being held down by the constraints of my mind, but somehow, it made me feel at peace. It meant that I wasn't crazy, and all these thoughts I had dealt with my whole life were suddenly validated. For the first time, I had hope that I would one day be able to regain control of my mind. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be exhausting. It is a series of unwanted thoughts and worries that lead to repeated behaviors. It can feel like you are stuck in a brain that never stops; you can never catch a break. As my high school years went by, I still struggled with different aspects of my life, but something changed. I no longer viewed my OCD as a burden. I have shifted my perspective to see the positives that come with it. Rather than letting it tear me down and giving up, my OCD has shaped into motivation for me to be the best version of myself. Since I doubt myself and need to check everything multiple times, I am doing everything to the best of my ability. My fear of hurting others or messing up turns into drive for me to carefully think about what I say and do. The high expectations I set for myself are the reasons for my success. Through therapy and support from my family and friends, I can now confidently say that I have learned how to take control of my thoughts, so they no longer consume my every move. I spent so much time fixating on the things that were impossible to control that I forgot to take a minute and realize my success. My grades are excellent, my bedroom is always clean, I am involved in my school, and I have 28+ college credits under my belt as a senior in high school, but that doesn't mean my journey was easy, and that's okay.

I left my hair straightener plugged in, and now my house will burn down. You've already checked it three times. My car isn't in park. That's impossible; you would have noticed. My mom's location paused, so she got into a car accident. She's safe and at home. My heart is racing, and my lungs feel like they are fighting. You're okay; just breathe. In elementary school, I would wash my hands in fear of germs until they were cracked and bleeding. If they had any smell or residue, I would scrub them until I no longer felt contaminated. When I prayed at night, I had to list every person that came to my mind, or else I feared something terrible would happen, and it would be my fault. When middle school came, COVID took over the world just towards the end of my seventh-grade year. Due to my fear of germs and need for routine, I opted to do my eighth-grade year entirely online while all my friends returned to being in person. I felt isolated and out of touch with my friends, but at least I had my routine. High school's stress and responsibility only added to my list of obsessions. Small things that usually people wouldn't think twice about would linger in my head for months or years. As college was quickly approaching, I had a reality check. I was growing up, and things were starting to get real. I knew I needed to learn how to manage my thoughts before I transitioned into adulthood. You have OCD. My diagnosis meant two things to me. Part of me feared this lifetime of being held down by the constraints of my mind, but somehow, it made me feel at peace. It meant that I wasn't crazy, and all these thoughts I had dealt with my whole life were suddenly validated. For the first time, I had hope that I would one day be able to regain control of my mind. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be exhausting. It is a series of unwanted thoughts and worries that lead to repeated behaviors. It can feel like you are stuck in a brain that never stops; you can never catch a break. As my high school years went by, I still struggled with different aspects of my life, but something changed. I no longer viewed my OCD as a burden. I have shifted my perspective to see the positives that come with it. Rather than letting it tear me down and giving up, my OCD has shaped into motivation for me to be the best version of myself. Since I doubt myself and need to check everything multiple times, I am doing everything to the best of my ability. My fear of hurting others or messing up turns into drive for me to carefully think about what I say and do. The high expectations I set for myself are the reasons for my success. Through therapy and support from my family and friends, I can now confidently say that I have learned how to take control of my thoughts, so they no longer consume my every move. I spent so much time fixating on the things that were impossible to control that I forgot to take a minute and realize my success. My grades are excellent, my bedroom is always clean, I am involved in my school, and I have 28+ college credits under my belt as a senior in high school, but that doesn't mean my journey was easy, and that's okay.