My best back-to-school advice would be to develop a routine. This is important for students of all ages. In my recent experience, college is very difficult without a routine. Setting time aside to eat, sleep, study, exercise, relax, and more is super important. Furthermore, the habits we develop at the beginning of the school year stick with us throughout the rest of the year. Therefore, it's very important and useful to develop good habits. Instagram: anantya.k

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare. As a freshman, I pushed myself into honors classes even though I was not prepared. I felt pressured by my higher-level peers and friends. However, that was the best decision I ever made. After taking challenging courses, I realized that obstacles were only opportunities for personal and academic growth. Although I struggled at first, my hardships taught me self-resilience and the value of hard work. As a senior, I am now taking almost all AP courses. Though it is tough at times, I’ve learned to persevere and work smarter. Overall, I've adopted more efficient study methods, a better work ethic, and a more positive attitude. Additionally, I have always continued pursuing my personal goals in extracurricular activities like badminton, Carnatic music, karate, and Future Business Leaders of America. Although balancing academics with all of these was strenuous at first, my schedule allowed me to master the arts of time management and prioritization. As a freshman, I would have never pictured myself where I am now. I believe these skills will serve me well in college and my future career. With the tools that I learned through academic struggles, I can push myself to become a better student and individual. Alongside academic battles, I had personal hardships of my own. Being one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way Engineering class sophomore year, I realized the gender gap for women in STEM was a more pertinent issue than I knew. I was constantly mansplained to by my male peers and was frightened by the idea of speaking up. By further researching and connecting with girls that held similar interests to me, I expanded my network to find other prospective women in STEM. My involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and healthcare, artificial intelligence, and consumer economics in their careers. My newfound interest and passion for advocating for minorities in STEM opened my eyes to brand new opportunities that had been in front of me all along. Throughout junior year and this past summer, I actively participated in organizations that encouraged women in STEM and utilized social media as my guide to furthering my knowledge of the topic.

By pursuing a B.S. degree in Computer Science, I aspire to develop my future career as a software engineer in the healthcare industry. My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

By pursuing a B.S. degree in Computer Science I aspire to develop my future career as a software engineer in the healthcare industry. My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I saw the technology used to collect data and the way my dad would analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. These courses reinforced my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on deep learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. Alongside academic battles, I had personal hardships of my own. Being one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way Engineering class sophomore year, I realized the gender gap for women in STEM was a more pertinent issue than I knew. I was constantly mansplained to by my male peers and was frightened by the idea of speaking up. By further researching and connecting with girls that held similar interests to me, I expanded my network to find other prospective women in STEM. My involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and healthcare, artificial intelligence, and consumer economics in their careers. My newfound interest and passion for advocating for minorities in STEM opened my eyes to brand new opportunities that had been in front of me all along. Throughout junior year and this past summer, I actively participated in organizations that encouraged women in STEM and utilized social media as my guide to furthering my knowledge of the topic. Throughout my high school career, I was fortunate enough to experience a sense of belonging in the world. I channeled academic and personal passions into bettering myself and becoming more knowledgeable about the world around me. In the future, I hope to continue pursuing these activities to shape the development of my career as well. I hope to become someone who is passionate about their job, advocates for minorities in the STEM field, and has a curiosity that fuels their active learning.

Puzzles, patterns, pointers, problem-solving, and predictions. These are all aspects of true crime and murder mysteries that captivate me. My curiosity for true crime stories began during my junior year of high school when I began to watch my favorite Youtuber, Kendall Rae. At first, I held a strong reluctance to watch true crime videos when a friend recommended them to me. But one intriguing video later, I was drawn to the numerous factors of solving these cases. For instance, the advancement of DNA sampling and databases helped identify and arrest the infamous Golden State Killer. Or the involvement of blood spatter analysts who use the laws of physics to assess a crime scene. I became truly invested in the true crime community and the way that Youtubers, authors, and podcasts analyzed aspects of each case to raise awareness for lost lives. I was so fascinated by the way each case was solved that I began to watch more and more videos each day. Throughout the summer before senior year, I read a total of six mystery books. Every time I read a new book, I found myself instinctively predicting the outcome and making my own observations. At first, I was puzzled as to why I was captivated by the aspects of true crime and murder mysteries. What was it that kept me so engaged? Why did I keep going back to watch, read, or listen to more? I soon realized that the problem-solving and analytical aspects of each case intrigued me. Not only was I able to put the pieces of the puzzle together, but I also observed the role of technology in each discovery. How was each piece of evidence processed? And more importantly, I realized that the caring acts of raising awareness for lives lost in true crimes had connected with me at a much deeper level. My newfound interest in these aspects of true crime drove me to further research the use of technology in forensics and solving crime. I found that most cases followed a similar pattern: medical examiner’s ruling, crime scene investigation, evidence-data analysis, court cases, and so forth. The use of technology has greatly sped up the process of crime scene investigations and has even reopened past cases. Software developed by computer scientists and forensic specialists can efficiently assess the details of a crime scene or even manage data on the specifics of suspects/victims. The core principles of being an avid true crime enthusiast are predominantly problem-solving, critical thinking, and analysis. The technologies included in forensics such as DNA fingerprinting and microscopy to scan electrons specifically fascinate me. The software developed in these areas to improve efficiency and accuracy can positively impact true crime cases. I soon found that combining informatics software with forensic science mirrored my investigative thinking. These technologies and sciences are developed to make solving cases more structured and my ideas are synonymous with them. I have continued to pursue my interest in true crime and murder mysteries by exploring the applications of science and technology used to solve these cases. I found myself particularly captivated by businesses like Starlims, an informatics company that develops forensic LIMS software to log, analyze, and manage evidence-related forensic data. As I strive to learn more, I also turn to the bigger true crime community: a network of those spreading awareness and researching cases to help families all around the world.

As a computer science major, I will work to actively pursue my academic interests and explore the use of technology in healthcare. My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I saw the technology used to collect data and the way my dad would analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. These courses reinforced my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on deep learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. By collaborating with my peers and networking, I believe I can become an advocate for minorities in STEM. As a representative of South Indian culture and being a woman, I am passionate about establishing a community for underrepresented groups in STEM, and specifically computer science. My goals to help bridge the gender and racial gap in STEM can be advocated for with the help of my peers and community.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

As a freshman, I pushed myself into honors classes even though I was not prepared. I felt pressured by my higher-level peers and friends. However, that was the best decision I ever made. After taking challenging courses, I realized that obstacles were only opportunities for personal and academic growth. Although I struggled at first, my hardships taught me self-resilience and the value of hard work. As a senior, I am now taking almost all AP courses. Though it is tough at times, I’ve learned to persevere and work smarter. Overall, I've adopted more efficient study methods, a better work ethic, and a more positive attitude. Additionally, I have always continued pursuing my personal goals in extracurricular activities like badminton, Carnatic music, karate, and Future Business Leaders of America. Although balancing academics with all of these was strenuous at first, my schedule allowed me to master the arts of time management and prioritization. As a freshman, I would have never pictured myself where I am now. I believe these skills will serve me well in college and my future career. With the tools that I learned through academic struggles, I can push myself to become a better student and individual. Alongside academic battles, I had personal hardships of my own. Being one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way Engineering class sophomore year, I realized the gender gap for women in STEM was a more pertinent issue than I knew. I was constantly mansplained to by my male peers and was frightened by the idea of speaking up. By further researching and connecting with girls that held similar interests to me, I expanded my network to find other prospective women in STEM. My involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and healthcare, artificial intelligence, and consumer economics in their careers. My newfound interest and passion for advocating for minorities in STEM opened my eyes to brand new opportunities that had been in front of me all along. Throughout junior year and this past summer, I actively participated in organizations that encouraged women in STEM and utilized social media as my guide to furthering my knowledge of the topic. Throughout my high school career, I was fortunate enough to experience a sense of belonging in the world. I channeled academic and personal passions into bettering myself and becoming more knowledgeable about the world around me. In the future, I hope to continue pursuing these activities to shape the development of my career as well. I hope to become someone who is passionate about their job, advocates for minorities in the STEM field, and has a curiosity that fuels their active learning.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

As a freshman, I pushed myself into honors classes even though I was not prepared. I felt pressured by my higher-level peers and friends. However, that was the best decision I ever made. After taking challenging courses, I realized that obstacles were only opportunities for personal and academic growth. Although I struggled at first, my hardships taught me self-resilience and the value of hard work. As a senior, I am now taking almost all AP courses. Though it is tough at times, I’ve learned to persevere and work smarter. Overall, I've adopted more efficient study methods, a better work ethic, and a more positive attitude. Additionally, I have always continued pursuing my personal goals in extracurricular activities like badminton, Carnatic music, karate, and Future Business Leaders of America. Although balancing academics with all of these was strenuous at first, my schedule allowed me to master the arts of time management and prioritization. As a freshman, I would have never pictured myself where I am now. I believe these skills will serve me well in college and my future career. With the tools that I learned through academic struggles, I can push myself to become a better student and individual. Alongside academic battles, I had personal hardships of my own. Being one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way Engineering class sophomore year, I realized the gender gap for women in STEM was a more pertinent issue than I knew. I was constantly mansplained to by my male peers and was frightened by the idea of speaking up. By further researching and connecting with girls that held similar interests to me, I expanded my network to find other prospective women in STEM. My involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and healthcare, artificial intelligence, and consumer economics in their careers. My newfound interest and passion for advocating for minorities in STEM opened my eyes to brand new opportunities that had been in front of me all along. Throughout junior year and this past summer, I actively participated in organizations that encouraged women in STEM and utilized social media as my guide to furthering my knowledge of the topic. Throughout my high school career, I was fortunate enough to experience a sense of belonging in the world. I channeled academic and personal passions into bettering myself and becoming more knowledgeable about the world around me. In the future, I hope to continue pursuing these activities to shape the development of my career as well. I hope to become someone who is passionate about their job, advocates for minorities in the STEM field, and has a curiosity that fuels their active learning.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I saw the technology used to collect data and the way my dad would analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. These courses reinforced my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on deep learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. Moreover, students can develop skills through the thorough and meticulous study of computer science. Professors can connect with students and establish connections with them. I am positive that I can improve my work ethic as a student through collaboration and project-oriented classes. I am particularly drawn to student organizations such as the Association for Computing Machinery, which allows students to network and collaborate with their peers. ACM also hosts initiatives that promote student collaboration and teamwork. Many of my interests are synonymous with organizations like Women in Computer Science (WiCS). WiCS supports and enriches women in STEM. My passion for encouraging women in technology is supported by the campus atmosphere and would help me pursue my interests further.

By pursuing a B.S. degree in Computer Science, I aspire to develop my future career as a software engineer in the healthcare industry. My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare. Students can develop skills through the thorough and meticulous study of computer science. Professors have the ability to connect with students and establish connections with them. I am positive that I can improve my work ethic as a student through collaboration and project-oriented classes. I am particularly drawn to student organizations such as the Student Association for Computing Machinery, which allows students to network and collaborate with their peers. SACM also hosts research symposiums which are particularly appealing to me. Many of my interests are synonymous with organizations like Girls Who Code. Campus organizations like Girls Who Code support and enrich women in STEM. My passion for encouraging women in technology is supported by the campus atmosphere and would help me pursue my interests further. With access to outstanding academics, resources, and organizations, I will work to interact with peers who have similar interests and better myself as an individual.

Puzzles, patterns, pointers, problem-solving, and predictions. These are all aspects of true crime and murder mysteries that captivate me. My curiosity for true crime stories began during my junior year of high school when I began to watch my favorite Youtuber, Kendall Rae. At first, I held a strong reluctance to watch true crime videos when a friend recommended them to me. But one intriguing video later, I was drawn to the numerous factors of solving these cases. For instance, the advancement of DNA sampling and databases helped identify and arrest the infamous Golden State Killer. Or the involvement of blood spatter analysts who use the laws of physics to assess a crime scene. I became truly invested in the true crime community and the way that Youtubers, authors, and podcasts analyzed aspects of each case to raise awareness for lost lives. I was so fascinated by the way each case was solved that I began to watch more and more videos each day. Throughout the summer before senior year, I read a total of six mystery books. Every time I read a new book, I found myself instinctively predicting the outcome and making my own observations. My newfound interest in these aspects of true crime drove me to further research the use of technology in forensics and solving crime. I found that most cases followed a similar pattern: medical examiner’s ruling, crime scene investigation, evidence-data analysis, court cases, and so forth. The use of technology has greatly sped up the process of crime scene investigations and has even reopened past cases. Software developed by computer scientists and forensic specialists can efficiently assess the details of a crime scene or even manage data on the specifics of suspects/victims. The core principles of being an avid true crime enthusiast are predominantly problem-solving, critical thinking, and analysis. The technologies included in forensics such as DNA fingerprinting and microscopy to scan electrons specifically fascinate me. The software developed in these areas to improve efficiency and accuracy can positively impact true crime cases. I soon found that combining informatics software with forensic science mirrored my investigative thinking. These technologies and sciences are developed to make solving cases more structured and my ideas are synonymous with them. I have continued to pursue my interest in true crime and murder mysteries by exploring the applications of science and technology used to solve these cases. I found myself particularly captivated by businesses like Starlims, an informatics company that develops forensic LIMS software to log, analyze, and manage evidence-related forensic data. As I strive to learn more, I also turn to the bigger true crime community: a network of those spreading awareness and researching cases to help families all around the world. My experience helped me explore and realize that investigative problem-solving and the caring acts of raising awareness captivate, inspire, and connect with me. In the future, I would like to raise awareness for lives lost because of crime and utilize forensic sciences and informatics technologies to unravel the countless true crime mysteries occurring often in the world today.

Puzzles, patterns, pointers, problem-solving, and predictions. These are all aspects of true crime and murder mysteries that captivate me. My curiosity for true crime stories began during my junior year of high school when I began to watch my favorite Youtuber, Kendall Rae. At first, I held a strong reluctance to watch true crime videos when a friend recommended them to me. But one intriguing video later, I was drawn to the numerous factors of solving these cases. For instance, the advancement of DNA sampling and databases helped identify and arrest the infamous Golden State Killer. Or the involvement of blood spatter analysts who use the laws of physics to assess a crime scene. I became truly invested in the true crime community and the way that Youtubers, authors, and podcasts analyzed aspects of each case to raise awareness for lost lives. I was so fascinated by the way each case was solved that I began to watch more and more videos each day. Throughout the summer before senior year, I read a total of six mystery books. Every time I read a new book, I found myself instinctively predicting the outcome and making my own observations. My newfound interest in these aspects of true crime drove me to further research the use of technology in forensics and solving crime. I found that most cases followed a similar pattern: medical examiner’s ruling, crime scene investigation, evidence-data analysis, court cases, and so forth. The use of technology has greatly sped up the process of crime scene investigations and has even reopened past cases. Software developed by computer scientists and forensic specialists can efficiently assess the details of a crime scene or even manage data on the specifics of suspects/victims. The core principles of being an avid true crime enthusiast are predominantly problem-solving, critical thinking, and analysis. The technologies included in forensics such as DNA fingerprinting and microscopy to scan electrons specifically fascinate me. The software developed in these areas to improve efficiency and accuracy can positively impact true crime cases. I soon found that combining informatics software with forensic science mirrored my investigative thinking. These technologies and sciences are developed to make solving cases more structured and my ideas are synonymous with them.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare. By collaborating with my peers and networking, I believe I can become an advocate for minorities in STEM. As a representative of South Indian culture and being a woman, I am passionate about establishing a community for underrepresented groups in STEM, and specifically computer science. My goals to help bridge the gender and racial gap in STEM can be advocated for with the help of my peers and the community at my university. The diversity of the school will allow me to step out of my comfort zone and motivate me to challenge myself to merge my personal and academic goals. These skills will shape my future by guiding me through the college experience and helping me in my life beyond college.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. In addition, my involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and marketing, money, and consumer economics in their careers. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

As a freshman, I pushed myself into honors classes even though I was not prepared. I felt pressured by my higher-level peers and friends. However, that was the best decision I ever made. After taking challenging courses, I realized that obstacles were only opportunities for personal and academic growth. Although I struggled at first, my hardships taught me self-resilience and the value of hard work. As a senior, I am now taking almost all AP courses. Though it is tough at times, I’ve learned to persevere and work smarter. Overall, I've adopted more efficient study methods, a better work ethic, and a more positive attitude. Additionally, I have always continued pursuing my personal goals in extracurricular activities like badminton, Carnatic music, karate, and Future Business Leaders of America. Although balancing academics with all of these was strenuous at first, my schedule allowed me to master the arts of time management and prioritization. As a freshman, I would have never pictured myself where I am now. I believe these skills will serve me well in college and my future career. With the tools that I learned through academic struggles, I can push myself to become a better student and individual. Alongside academic battles, I had personal hardships of my own. Being one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way Engineering class sophomore year, I realized the gender gap for women in STEM was a more pertinent issue than I knew. I was constantly mansplained to by my male peers and was frightened by the idea of speaking up. By further researching and connecting with girls that held similar interests to me, I expanded my network to find other prospective women in STEM. My involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and healthcare, artificial intelligence, and consumer economics in their careers. My newfound interest and passion for advocating for minorities in STEM opened my eyes to brand new opportunities that had been in front of me all along. Throughout junior year and this past summer, I actively participated in organizations that encouraged women in STEM and utilized social media as my guide to furthering my knowledge of the topic. Throughout my high school career, I was fortunate enough to experience a sense of belonging in the world. I channeled academic and personal passions into bettering myself and becoming more knowledgeable about the world around me. In the future, I hope to continue pursuing these activities to shape the development of my career as well. I hope to become someone who is passionate about their job, advocates for minorities in the STEM field, and has a curiosity that fuels their active learning.

When I first think of the word 'pie' my mind immediately associates it with the dessert. But the second thing that comes to mind is a pie chart. The pie chart that my dad drew for me when I was a preteen to explain financial freedom to me. Little did I know that this chart would forever be engrained in my memory. The first quarter of the chart was basic costs: groceries, gas, shopping, etc. One quarter of my earnings was to be used for this, and more if necessary. The second quarter was educational savings: tuition, student loans, textbooks, etc. This quarter was especially important to save for. The third quarter was fun savings: to be used for trips, outings, or extra expenses. This would come in handy for getting started in life. The last quarter was charity. My family always valued charity and giving as much as you could to the less fortunate. Whether this was a sixth or even eight of your salary, it was an important cause. This pie chart was the first and most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received. I have always looked up to my dad and his management of finances. I take pride in knowing I have someone to guide me through my initial years of financial freedom.

Being one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way Engineering class sophomore year, I realized the gender gap for women in STEM was a more pertinent issue than I knew. I was constantly mansplained to by my male peers and was frightened by the idea of speaking up. By further researching and connecting with girls that held similar interests to me, I expanded my network to find other prospective women in STEM. My involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and healthcare, artificial intelligence, and consumer economics in their careers. My newfound interest and passion for advocating for minorities in STEM opened my eyes to brand new opportunities that had been in front of me all along. Throughout junior year and this past summer, I actively participated in organizations that encouraged women in STEM and utilized social media as my guide to furthering my knowledge of the topic. Throughout my high school career, I was fortunate enough to experience a sense of belonging in the world. I channeled academic and personal passions into bettering myself and becoming more knowledgeable about the world around me. In the future, I hope to continue pursuing these activities to shape the development of my career as well. I hope to become someone who is passionate about their job, advocates for minorities in the STEM field, and has a curiosity that fuels their active learning.

I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

My interests in technology and economics encouraged me to investigate the applications of computer science in economics. I explored the field of computer science when I joined a research program called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM this past summer. As I crafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I elaborated on drawbacks such as the collection of patient data and analysis of it with respect to patient privacy. In addition, my involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and marketing, money, and consumer economics in their careers. These personal experiences in the research program have truly piqued my interest in the field of computer science and my involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference have solidified my passion for the merging of computer science and economics.

I intend to finance my education with the help of my parents and the financial aid I receive. By applying to numerous scholarships, I hope to cover a large portion of my tuition cost with merit scholarships. Additionally, I have applied for need-based financial aid which can also aid my financial needs. Overall, my goal of completing my bachelor’s degree without student debt is something I hope to accomplish by the use of merit scholarships, need-based financial aid and scholarships, and the contribution of my parents. As a computer science major, I will work to actively pursue my academic interests and explore the use of technology in healthcare. My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I saw the technology used to collect data and the way my dad would analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. These courses reinforced my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on deep learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. Moreover, I am enthralled by the student life and academic culture of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Students can develop skills through the thorough and meticulous study of computer science. Professors can connect with students and establish connections with them. I am positive that I can improve my work ethic as a student through collaboration and project-oriented classes.

As a freshman, I pushed myself into honors classes even though I was not prepared. I felt pressured by my higher-level peers and friends. However, that was the best decision I ever made. After taking challenging courses, I realized that obstacles were only opportunities for personal and academic growth. Although I struggled at first, my hardships taught me self-resilience and the value of hard work. As a senior, I am now taking almost all AP courses. Though it is tough at times, I’ve learned to persevere and work smarter. Overall, I've adopted more efficient study methods, a better work ethic, and a more positive attitude. Additionally, I have always continued pursuing my personal goals in extracurricular activities like badminton, Carnatic music, karate, and Future Business Leaders of America. Although balancing academics with all of these was strenuous at first, my schedule allowed me to master the arts of time management and prioritization. As a freshman, I would have never pictured myself where I am now. I believe these skills will serve me well in college and my future career. With the tools that I learned through academic struggles, I can push myself to become a better student and individual.

The applications of computer science and technology to address societal challenges today is key in developing holistic solutions. Knowing how to organize, manage, & interpret data is critical in making astute business decisions. I am particularly attracted to the data science/analytics pathway that the Department of Information Sciences provides. Following this route would allow me to understand how to interpret large amounts of data, uncover trends, and utilize my analytical thinking to solve challenges that people face. Pursuing information sciences would allow me to apply my computing and informatics knowledge to assist people in healthcare, which I have been particularly passionate about ever since I first learned about it. Equipped with such a background, I would be able to make a positive difference as a data/IT analyst in the healthcare industry towards making efficient and effective decisions.

As a freshman, I pushed myself into honors classes even though I was not prepared. I felt pressured by my higher-level peers and friends. However, that was the best decision I ever made. After taking challenging courses, I realized that obstacles were only opportunities for personal and academic growth. Although I struggled at first, my hardships taught me self-resilience and the value of hard work. As a senior, I am now taking almost all AP courses. Though it is tough at times, I’ve learned to persevere and work smarter. Overall, I've adopted more efficient study methods, a better work ethic, and a more positive attitude. Additionally, I have always continued pursuing my personal goals in extracurricular activities like badminton, Carnatic music, karate, and Future Business Leaders of America. Although balancing academics with all of these was strenuous at first, my schedule allowed me to master the arts of time management and prioritization. As a freshman, I would have never pictured myself where I am now. I believe these skills will serve me well in college and my future career. With the tools that I learned through academic struggles, I can push myself to become a better student and individual.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

As a freshman, I pushed myself into honors classes even though I was not prepared. I felt pressured by my higher-level peers and friends. However, that was the best decision I ever made. After taking challenging courses, I realized that obstacles were only opportunities for personal and academic growth. As a senior, I am now taking almost all AP courses. Though it is tough at times, I’ve learned to persevere and work smarter. Overall, I've adopted more efficient study methods, a better work ethic, and a more positive attitude. Additionally, I have always continued pursuing my personal goals in extracurricular activities like badminton, Carnatic music, karate, and Future Business Leaders of America. Alongside academic battles, I had personal hardships of my own. Being one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way Engineering class sophomore year, I realized the gender gap for women in STEM was a more pertinent issue than I knew. I was constantly mansplained to by my male peers and was frightened by the idea of speaking up. I expanded my network to find other prospective women in STEM. My involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and healthcare, artificial intelligence, and consumer economics in their careers. My newfound passion for advocating for minorities in STEM opened my eyes to brand new opportunities that had been in front of me all along. Throughout my high school career, I was fortunate enough to experience a sense of belonging in the world. I hope to continue pursuing these activities to shape the development of my career as well. I hope to become someone who is passionate about their job, advocates for minorities in the STEM field, and has a curiosity that fuels active learning.

Industrial engineering incorporates business aspects into engineering. My interests in communication, management, and problem-solving are synonymous with characteristics of industrial engineering. By pursuing this field, I would not only be well-equipped to work in numerous business fields, but would also be well-versed in economics, data analysis, and management. I would also be able to specialize in economics and finance as an industrial engineering track. More specifically, the efficient use of technology, money, and time inspires me. I admire the work of industrial engineers as they eliminate the need for unnecessary materials and processes by blending engineering principles and social sciences. As an industrial engineer, my goals would be to make the design process of products more economical and cost-effective. This career path synchronizes my interests for industrial technology and the economic world.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. I also thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

As a freshman, I pushed myself into honors classes even though I was not prepared. I felt pressured by my higher-level peers and friends. However, that was the best decision I ever made. After taking challenging courses, I realized that obstacles were only opportunities for personal and academic growth. Although I struggled at first, my hardships taught me self-resilience and the value of hard work. As a senior, I am now taking almost all AP courses. Though it is tough at times, I’ve learned to persevere and work smarter. Overall, I've adopted more efficient study methods, a better work ethic, and a more positive attitude. Additionally, I have always continued pursuing my personal goals in extracurricular activities like badminton, Carnatic music, karate, and Future Business Leaders of America. Although balancing academics with all of these was strenuous at first, my schedule allowed me to master the arts of time management and prioritization. I believe these skills will serve me well in college and my future career. With the tools that I learned through academic struggles, I can push myself to become a better student and individual. Alongside academic battles, I had personal hardships of my own. Being one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way Engineering class sophomore year, I realized the gender gap for women in STEM was a more pertinent issue than I knew. I was constantly mansplained to by my male peers and was frightened by the idea of speaking up. By further researching and connecting with girls that held similar interests to me, I expanded my network to find other prospective women in STEM. My newfound interest and passion for advocating for minorities in STEM opened my eyes to brand new opportunities that had been in front of me all along.

1. Because I can use it to buy a car duh 2. Um probably just having fun in college and figuring it out later! 3. Oh my gosh, one time I couldn't find my curling iron so I had to curl my hair with a straightener!

The well-rounded atmosphere and academic culture that the world offers will allow me to solidify my leadership skills, one of the most important qualities I hope to gain. By collaborating with my peers and networking, I believe I can become an advocate for minorities in STEM. As a representative of South Indian culture and being a woman, I am passionate about establishing a community for underrepresented groups in STEM, and specifically computer science. My goals to help bridge the gender and racial gap in STEM can be advocated for with the help of my peers and the community around me. The diversity of the environment will allow me to step out of my comfort zone and motivate me to challenge myself to merge my personal and academic goals. These skills will shape my future by guiding me through the college experience and helping me in my life beyond college.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I observed the technology used to collect diagnostics data and the way my dad would organize and analyze that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. Additionally, I began coding apps this year in the project-oriented class, AP Computer Science Principles. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on machine learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field. My experience solidified my passion for the applications of computer science in healthcare.

I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on deep learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field.

The pairing of economics with computer science is the key to technological developments of the next generation. With an economic aspect, computer science becomes more relevant to the world and accessible to more people. With the accumulation of big data from the current generation, the data management and analytical aspects of CS + economics become crucial in making meaningful business decisions in the future. I am particularly attracted to the computer science disciplines including machine learning that allow for better outcomes in the online market. Overall, the applications of computer science in economics will allow me to pursue my passion for data science and analytics. CS + economics will guide me to apply my computer science skills to the financial world. With a background in both fields, I will be able to pursue a career in software development and data science, both of which merge my personal and academic interests.

As a freshman, I pushed myself into honors classes even though I was not prepared. I felt pressured by my higher-level peers and friends. However, that was the best decision I ever made. After taking challenging courses, I realized that obstacles were only opportunities for personal and academic growth. Although I struggled at first, my hardships taught me self-resilience and the value of hard work. As a senior, I am now taking almost all AP courses. Though it is tough at times, I’ve learned to persevere and work smarter. Overall, I've adopted more efficient study methods, a better work ethic, and a more positive attitude. Additionally, I have always continued pursuing my personal goals in extracurricular activities like badminton, Carnatic music, karate, and Future Business Leaders of America. Although balancing academics with all of these was strenuous at first, my schedule allowed me to master the arts of time management and prioritization. As a freshman, I would have never pictured myself where I am now. I believe these skills will serve me well in college and my future career. With the tools that I learned through academic struggles, I can push myself to become a better student and individual. Alongside academic battles, I had personal hardships of my own. Being one of three girls in my Project Lead the Way Engineering class sophomore year, I realized the gender gap for women in STEM was a more pertinent issue than I knew. I was constantly mansplained to by my male peers and was frightened by the idea of speaking up. By further researching and connecting with girls that held similar interests to me, I expanded my network to find other prospective women in STEM. My involvement with the GirlCon Tech Conference centered in Chicago allowed me to listen to numerous female speakers who successfully merged technology and healthcare, artificial intelligence, and consumer economics in their careers. My newfound interest and passion for advocating for minorities in STEM opened my eyes to brand new opportunities that had been in front of me all along. Throughout junior year and this past summer, I actively participated in organizations that encouraged women in STEM and utilized social media as my guide to furthering my knowledge of the topic. Throughout my high school career, I was fortunate enough to experience a sense of belonging in the world. I channeled academic and personal passions into bettering myself and becoming more knowledgeable about the world around me. In the future, I hope to continue pursuing these activities to shape the development of my career as well. I hope to become someone who is passionate about their job, advocates for minorities in the STEM field, and has a curiosity that fuels their active learning.

The pairing of economics with computer science is the key to technological developments of the next generation. With an economic aspect, computer science becomes more relevant to the world and accessible to more people. With the accumulation of big data from the current generation, the data management and analytical aspects of CS + economics become crucial in making meaningful business decisions in the future. I am particularly attracted to the computer science disciplines including machine learning that allow for better outcomes in the online market. Overall, the applications of computer science in economics will allow me to pursue my passion for data science and analytics. CS + economics will guide me to apply my computer science skills to the financial world. With a background in both fields, I will be able to pursue a career in software development and data science, both of which merge my personal and academic interests.

My passion for computer science stems from my admiration for my father. My dad would often bring me to his workplace at Abbott Laboratories as a software engineer. I saw the technology used to collect data and the way my dad would organize that data using software developed for medical purposes. His area of work inspired me to further explore the use of technology in the healthcare industry. As a freshman in high school, I joined the Project Lead the Way Engineering program. Throughout high school, I explored languages such as ROBOTC and JavaScript. These courses confirmed my love for computer science. I was able to merge my passions for computer science and healthcare when I joined a research program the summer before senior year called Talaria, created by ATHENA WomenInSTEM. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Mingchen Gao, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Buffalo. Throughout my experience as a mentee, I learned about the various subfields of computer science. After further researching technology and medicine, I drafted a literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. During this process, I learned about medical imaging analysis and how it could transform medicine on a larger scale in the future. In my review, I thoroughly explored the benefits and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence to improve healthcare. Focusing on deep learning, I summarized the results of previous trials in areas such as neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology. Furthermore, I elaborated on drawbacks like patient privacy, limitations of image processing, and data confidentiality. By examining the future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare, I broadened my knowledge about machine learning and deep learning in the medical field.

When I first think of the word 'pie' my mind immediately associates it with the dessert. But the second thing that comes to mind is a pie chart. The pie chart that my dad drew for me when I was a preteen to explain financial freedom to me. Little did I know that this chart would forever be engrained in my memory. The first quarter of the chart was basic costs: groceries, gas, shopping, etc. One quarter of my earnings was to be used for this, and more if necessary. The second quarter was educational savings: tuition, student loans, textbooks, etc. This quarter was especially important to save for. The third quarter was fun savings: to be used for trips, outings, or extra expenses. This would come in handy for getting started in life. The last quarter was charity. My family always valued charity and giving as much as you could to the less fortunate. Whether this was a sixth or even eight of your salary, it was an important cause. This pie chart was the first and most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received. I learned that managing your finances is the first step to adulthood. I have always looked up to my dad and his management of finances. I take pride in knowing I have someone to guide me through my initial years of financial freedom.

When I was nearing the end of third grade, my parents made the decision to move to India. Forever. Having lived in Gurnee, Illinois since birth, I didn’t understand what it meant to move to a different country. I didn’t realize until we got there. We left with a few unfinished days of third grade. As we drove away, I watched my home travel further and further away from me. Something didn’t feel right, but I couldn’t understand why. My father’s plan was to let us adjust before leaving his work permanently, so he didn’t come with us. After arriving at my grandparents house in India, I realized that my father had been remotely constructing a large house in the area. We were going to live in this expensive house and attend an expensive school for international students. My father spent a large amount of his savings to ensure that our life there would be no less, but my transition to the environment was harsh regardless. I cried everyday and refused to attend school and didn’t speak to anyone and teachers would never leave my side in fear that I would cry again. I was too young to fathom the change in environment, but too old to not know what was going on. After three months of enduring this torture and crying, my father made the decision to bring us back. I remember begging him on the phone everyday, in tears. I remember feeling like my father abandoned me. My lack of understanding of what moving meant may have resulted in this reaction as well. My father, selflessly, shifted us back home despite spending so much money on our potential life in India. If it weren’t for his caring and loving self, would I be where I am today? The trauma that I endured in India often feels invalid because I was surrounded by loving and encouraging family, friends, and teachers. I feel guilty for wasting time and money when I look back on it. But in a way, my dad saved me by moving us back here. As I apply to computer science programs and aim to become a software engineer, I often look back at this experience. These memories made me realize how much I value family and togetherness. I hope to utilize my personal values in my career to show my full potential.

Waking up early, staying up late, and rushing to work after school. These are all circumstances high school students must endure when employed part-time. Their weekends are taken up by the duties and responsibilities of the job that was given to them. It is important to have balance between work and school in order to maintain a healthy environment in both places. But what happens when there is no balance? When my bestfriend got a job at a restaurant, I was ecstatic for her. She was able to get work experience as well as a salary. But at what cost? She would always show up to school tired from working late nights and barely had time to participate in extracurricular activities. Her weekends were so busy that we would only be able to see her if we visited her work. After a while, her grades dropped and she made the decision to quit and focus more on school. Part-time employment for high-school students has many negative effects, as the balance between school and work can easily be thrown off. This drove me to interview my peers on their jobs and experiences at work. Most of my classmates were working long hours for low wages and being neglected by their managers. I aspire to spearhead an initiative to aid high school students find sufficient and trusting jobs as well as help them balance work-life with school.

Adults should be aware of pre-pandemic stressors in teens. Aside from the negative effects of the pandemic, teenagers also have everyday, time-consuming tasks in their life. The effects of the pandemic are coupled with pre-pandemic stressors such as academics, body image, and self-confidence. Most teenagers deal with such issues daily and do not open up to their parents about them. If teenagers already dealt with several problems before the pandemic, how are they surviving with additional stressors? The identification of pre-existing mental health issues or lower self-confidence by parents would greatly alleviate such problems that teens face. Many adults invalidate teen relationships or prohibit them altogether. Parents’ judgments can be harmful because they cause teens to push away. This makes it extremely difficult for teenagers to open up to their parents and talk about their feelings. Unfortunately, this aspect of privacy can be detrimental to their mental health. During the pandemic, teens in relationships have been struggling to connect with their partners. When parents initiate a conversation regarding relationships, it can prevent teens from keeping their emotions bottled up. Even if teenagers prefer to keep their relationships private, communication with parents can prevent deterioration of physical and mental health.

Adults should be aware of pre-pandemic stressors in teens. Aside from the negative effects of the pandemic, teenagers also have everyday, time-consuming tasks in their life. The effects of the pandemic are coupled with pre-pandemic stressors such as academics, body image, and self-confidence. Most teenagers deal with such issues daily and do not open up to their parents about them. If teenagers already dealt with several problems before the pandemic, how are they surviving with additional stressors? The identification of pre-existing mental health issues or lower self-confidence by parents would greatly alleviate such problems that teens face. Many adults invalidate teen relationships or prohibit them altogether. Parents’ judgments can be harmful because they cause teens to push away. This makes it extremely difficult for teenagers to open up to their parents and talk about their feelings. Unfortunately, this aspect of privacy can be detrimental to their mental health. During the pandemic, teens in relationships have been struggling to connect with their partners. When parents initiate a conversation regarding relationships, it can prevent teens from keeping their emotions bottled up. Even if teenagers prefer to keep their relationships private, communication with parents can prevent deterioration of physical and mental health.

When I first think of the word 'pie' my mind immediately associates it with the dessert. But the second thing that comes to mind is a pie chart. The pie chart that my dad drew for me when I was a preteen to explain financial freedom to me. Little did I know that this chart would forever be engrained in my memory. The first quarter of the chart was basic costs: groceries, gas, shopping, etc. One quarter of my earnings was to be used for this, and more if necessary. The second quarter was educational savings: tuition, student loans, textbooks, etc. This quarter was especially important to save for. The third quarter was fun savings: to be used for trips, outings, or extra expenses. This would come in handy for getting started in life. The last quarter was charity. My family always valued charity and giving as much as you could to the less fortunate. Whether this was a sixth or even eight of your salary, it was an important cause. This pie chart was the first and most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received. I have always looked up to my dad and his management of finances. I take pride in knowing I have someone to guide me through my initial years of financial freedom.

Childhood books or stories can be ingrained in your memory forever, shaping your personality as an adult. For me, the book was called Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. I particularly remember sitting in my dad’s lap as he read the story to me in the living room as a toddler. The calming voice in which my parents read to me provided me with comfort, and I remember it very well. The boy in the story, Harold, has the magical ability to draw two-dimensional worlds with his purple crayon. The objects Harold draws are things he wants or likes. He has an empowering imagination and is creative beyond words. Harold represents every child, in the way that he is a creator and a person of action. The adventures he takes in the book are captivating to the reader, like the excitement of a new toy to a baby. He endures both triumphs and difficulties throughout his journey. Out of all the books I've read as a child, I still have a vivid memory of this one. Recently, I found and read the book again for the first time in many years. I still find myself connecting to Harold and his imagination. Growing up, I was shy and timid, but there was always a lot going through my head. This book made me feel like I was heard. The simplicity of the book reminded me that a good children’s book doesn’t need to have numerous characters or bright colors. Literature is a candy store for kids; there are numerous things to explore. Various aspects of the story are left up to the reader’s imagination which makes the book that much more amazing. The story represents my creative perception and active thoughts.