For as long as I can remember, I have loved going to school. School has always been a place in which I have flourished and done well. Although one thing I have never been is a morning person, once I am in my seat, and adjusted to the time, everything is splendid. Up until middle school, I loved school just because I liked being in a learning environment. When I started fifth grade there was a slight shift that would continue to alter my interests into what they are today, little by little. My classes got more detailed and more difficult, as they should as you progress through the educational system. Starting in sixth grade, “Science Class” branched out into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. I have always found myself gravitating towards science, but this split allowed me to pinpoint what it was that I loved so much about my previous science classes, and it was Chemistry. Chemistry is everything and anything, in the simplest terms. It enables the widening of your horizons on an array of topics. I love this subject for this very reason. I have a hard time with the other sects of science due to the inability to prove the things I am learning myself. Not only is Chemistry an application of math, another area I particularly enjoy, but it fulfills my eager urge to know as much as possible. Skepticalness is a key quality for a scientist or scientist-to-be. The labs that go along with Chemistry help me draw my own conclusions on the topics at hand. I find the fluidity of science exhilarating because there will always be more to know and always be more to learn. I admire that drive that scientists portray in their field, always aspiring to be better and dive deeper into the unknown to provide more information to the members of our world. Along with all of this, Chemistry is just pure fun. Seeing as it covers a spectrum of several research topics, there’s something for everyone. I’m fond of the adaptability it proves time and time again. This subject can explain the reasons why your soda bubbles and foams up when you shake it to why certain foods make you itch when you consume them. I have aspirations of becoming an Obstetrician and Gynecologist. To reach that goal, my college education is essential to the difference I wish to see in the world. I specifically would like to focus on the science of fertility. The female reproductive system is such a phenomenal creation that it’s almost magical. I believe that every woman who would like to conceive and carry her own child should have the ability to do so. And I want to be the one to follow through on that belief. This is what my college education will be able to do for my community. I will be able to alleviate the pain that barren women all over the world have felt for centuries. African American women have some of the highest childbirth mortality rates in America, a statistic we cannot overlook. If we want our race to grow healthily, we need our black mothers caring for our black children. I have an intent to improve women’s pre and post-pregnancy health overall but with a focus on populations of women of color. Throughout my training to become a medical doctor, I will have the opportunity to make connections and find resources that will bring me closer to the breakthrough I need to meet my goals.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved going to school. School has always been a place in which I have flourished and done well. Although one thing I have never been is a morning person, once I am in my seat, and adjusted to the time, everything is splendid. Up until middle school, I loved school just because I liked being in a learning environment. When I started fifth grade there was a slight shift that would continue to alter my interests into what they are today, little by little. My classes got more detailed and more difficult, as they should as you progress through the educational system. Starting in sixth grade, “Science Class” branched out into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. I have always found myself gravitating towards science, but this split allowed me to pinpoint what it was that I loved so much about my previous science classes, and it was Chemistry. Chemistry is everything and anything, in the simplest terms. It enables the widening of your horizons on an array of topics. I love this subject for this very reason. I have a hard time with the other sects of science due to the inability to prove the things I am learning myself. Not only is Chemistry an application of math, another area I particularly enjoy, but it fulfills my eager urge to know as much as possible. Skepticalness is a key quality for a scientist or scientist-to-be. The labs that go along with Chemistry help me draw my own conclusions on the topics at hand. I find the fluidity of science exhilarating because there will always be more to know and always be more to learn. I admire the drive that scientists portray in their field, always aspiring to be better and dive deeper into the unknown to provide more information to the members of our world. Along with all of this, Chemistry is just pure fun. Seeing as it covers a spectrum of several research topics, there’s something for everyone. I’m fond of the adaptability it proves time and time again. This subject can explain the reasons why your soda bubbles and foams up when you shake it to why certain foods make you itch when you consume them. I have aspirations of becoming an Obstetrician and Gynecologist. I specifically would like to focus on the science of fertility. The female reproductive system is such a phenomenal creation that it’s almost magical. I believe that every woman who would like to conceive and carry her own child should have the ability to do so. And I want to be the one to follow through on that belief. This is what my college education will be able to do for my community. I will be able to alleviate the pain that barren women all over the world have felt for centuries. African American women have some of the highest childbirth mortality rates in America, a statistic we cannot overlook. If we want our race to grow healthily, we need our black mothers caring for our black children. I have an intent to improve women’s pre and post-pregnancy health overall but with a focus on populations of women of color. Throughout my training to become a medical doctor, I will have the opportunity to make connections and find resources that will bring me closer to the breakthrough I need to meet my goals.

I have always been a person who is dedicated to helping others. From being a Girl Scout to school tutor, community service is a part of who I am, and continuing my life of service is the right path for me. I know for a fact that being a physician is what I want to spend my life doing. I have developed a true affinity for science; I love Chemistry. I want science in every second of work I accomplish, and I am eager to learn everything there is to know about the science of the human body. As a physician, I would have the ability to apply the things that I’ve learned to benefit and help heal human life, an honorable undertaking that I want to experience. Attending high school in an urban area opened my eyes to common societal issues like homelessness, drug addiction, and poverty. As a doctor I want to work towards eradicating these socioeconomic determinants of health and bridge the gap in healthcare for the underserved, and while in the process seeing my work directly improve someone’s life. I would be able to bless someone’s life every day. There’s no satisfaction greater than restoring hope to those who think there is none. I want to heal those through my passion so that they may continue to participate in theirs. I have aspirations of becoming an Obstetrician and Gynecologist. I specifically would like to focus on the science of fertility and I plan to do extensive research surrounding infertility to find the root of the issue. The female reproductive system is such a phenomenal creation that it’s almost magical. I believe that every woman who would like to conceive and carry her own child should have the ability to do so. And I want to be the one to follow through on that belief. This is what my college education will be able to do for my community. There are so many women I know personally who have struggled with starting a family and witnessing that suffering is too great. I will be able to alleviate the pain that barren women all over the world have felt for centuries. African American women have some of the highest childbirth mortality rates in America (up to 5 times as likely to die in childbirth in comparison to our white counterparts according to the CDC), a statistic we cannot overlook. If we want our race to grow healthily, we need our black mothers caring for our black children. I have an intent to improve women’s pre and post-pregnancy health overall but with a focus on populations of women of color. Throughout my training to become a medical doctor, I will have the opportunity to make connections and find resources that will bring me closer to the breakthrough I need to meet my goals.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved going to school. School has always been a place in which I have flourished and done well. Although one thing I have never been is a morning person, once I am in my seat, and adjusted to the time, everything is splendid. Up until middle school, I loved school just because I liked being in a learning environment. When I started fifth grade there was a slight shift that would continue to alter my interests into what they are today, little by little. My classes got more detailed and more difficult, as they should as you progress through the educational system. Starting in sixth grade, “Science Class” branched out into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. I have always found myself gravitating towards science, but this split allowed me to pinpoint what it was that I loved so much about my previous science classes, and it was Chemistry. Chemistry is everything and anything, in the simplest terms. It enables the widening of your horizons on an array of topics. I love this subject for this very reason. I have a hard time with the other sects of science due to the inability to prove the things I am learning myself. Not only is Chemistry an application of math, another area I particularly enjoy, but it fulfills my eager urge to know as much as possible. Skepticalness is a key quality for a scientist or scientist-to-be. The labs that go along with Chemistry help me draw my own conclusions on the topics at hand. I find the fluidity of science exhilarating because there will always be more to know and always be more to learn. I admire the drive that scientists portray in their field, always aspiring to be better and dive deeper into the unknown to provide more information to the members of our world. Along with all of this, Chemistry is just pure fun. Seeing as it covers a spectrum of several research topics, there’s something for everyone. I’m fond of the adaptability it proves time and time again. This subject can explain the reasons why your soda bubbles and foams up when you shake it to why certain foods make you itch when you consume them.

As a black woman in the STEM field, it is imperative that I be resilient. Being a minority twice over puts me in a vulnerable position to continuously be overlooked for roles that I am very well qualified or even overqualified for. My steadfastness and faith in God in my purpose motivates me to keep keeping on. I have a strong familial bond from which I draw strength when I feel like my goals may not be for me. I am very determined. When there's something I want to achieve, I will do everything in my willpower to achieve it especially in the face of adversity. I have always been a person who is dedicated to helping others. From being a Girl Scout to school tutor, community service is a part of who I am, and continuing my life of service is the right path for me. I know for a fact that being a physician is what I want to spend my life doing. I have developed a true affinity for science; I love Chemistry. I want science in every second of work I accomplish, and I am eager to learn everything there is to know about the science of the human body. As a physician, I would have the ability to apply the things that I’ve learned to benefit and help heal human life, an honorable undertaking that I want to experience. Attending high school in an urban area opened my eyes to common societal issues like homelessness, drug addiction, and poverty. As a doctor I want to work towards eradicating these socioeconomic determinants of health and bridge the gap in healthcare for the underserved, and while in the process seeing my work directly improve someone’s life. I would be able to bless someone’s life every day. There’s no satisfaction greater than restoring hope to those who think there is none. I want to heal those through my passion so that they may continue to participate in theirs. I have aspirations of becoming an Obstetrician and Gynecologist. I specifically would like to focus on the science of fertility. The female reproductive system is such a phenomenal creation that it’s almost magical. I believe that every woman who would like to conceive and carry her own child should have the ability to do so. And I want to be the one to follow through on that belief. This is what my college education will be able to do for my community. There are so many women I know personally who have struggled with starting a family and witnessing that suffering is too great. I will be able to alleviate the pain that barren women all over the world have felt for centuries. African American women have some of the highest childbirth mortality rates in America (up to 5 times as likely to die in childbirth in comparison to our white counterparts according to the CDC), a statistic we cannot overlook. If we want our race to grow healthily, we need our black mothers caring for our black children. I have an intent to improve women’s pre and post-pregnancy health overall but with a focus on populations of women of color. Throughout my training to become a medical doctor, I will have the opportunity to make connections and find resources that will bring me closer to the breakthrough I need to meet my goals.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved going to school. School has always been a place in which I have flourished and done well. Although one thing I have never been is a morning person, once I am in my seat, and adjusted to the time, everything is splendid. Up until middle school, I loved school just because I liked being in a learning environment. When I started fifth grade there was a slight shift that would continue to alter my interests into what they are today, little by little. My classes got more detailed and more difficult, as they should as you progress through the educational system. Starting in sixth grade, “Science Class” branched out into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. I have always found myself gravitating towards science, but this split allowed me to pinpoint what it was that I loved so much about my previous science classes, and it was Chemistry. Chemistry is everything and anything, in the simplest terms. It enables the widening of your horizons on an array of topics. I love this subject for this very reason. I have a hard time with the other sects of science due to the inability to prove the things I am learning myself. Not only is Chemistry an application of math, another area I particularly enjoy, but it fulfills my eager urge to know as much as possible. As a college student, I can officially call myself a Chemist seeing that I am pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry. Chemistry will be with me forever. I love Chemistry and it loves me.

The most important way I stay true to myself is by knowing my limits. My life for forever has been go, go, go! Since the pandemic, I've been able to really slow my life down and figure out who I am. I've realized that I can't be on autopilot all the time, it's nice to smell the roses sometimes. In college, it's easy to get overwhelmed with all the responsibilities there are and holding yourself accountable. I make lists every day to keep myself on track, but also to allow myself to feel accomplished. Every time I check one thing off my list whether it's simply going to class or making sure I wash my clothes, I'm able to collect a bit of joy for myself. It makes me feel like I have a purpose and that the things I'm doing are moving towards something larger. I'm able to divide up my work into manageable chunks, so that I am meeting all my deadlines, attending all my meetings, and staying grounded. This is how I stay my truest self every single day.

My experience as a black woman is one that was perfectly described in Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise." The verse that stands out to me the most is "Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries?" Everything I do is with excellence, yet I always seem to be underestimated and given the hardest time. I'm expected to make myself smaller so that my peers can feel bigger and more important. Always having to work the hardest with less and never celebrated the magnitude of my successes. A memory that comes to mind is from my junior year in AP Composition. My English teacher, a white man, was discussing the writing assignment we had recently completed. He was reflecting on the responses he had read out loud to the class. For some reason, he had focused on me and my essay and the faults of it, but the details he was recalling were actually not from my paper. I didn't know what he was talking about. I tried to explain that, but it wouldn't hear me. It turns out the paper he was recalling belonged to my white male classmate, who in fact got the highest score on that particular paper. I couldn't help but wonder why I was persecuted, publicly embarrassed for work that had it come from me would have been subpar and downright terrible, but since it came from my white peer it was considered the standard. This double standard is what so many of us black women go through, in all areas of our lives: work, home, love lives, and so much more. As a pre-medicine Chemistry and African American studies double major, I plan to use my experiences to help alleviate the disparities black women experience in maternal health. As an OBGYN I'd be an integral part of the conversation about black women suffering from white coat syndrome especially when pregnant. So many black women die in childbirth because their pain and concerns are not taken seriously. Black children need their mothers and I intend to make sure that they keep them.