My world fell apart when I turned sixteen. Stuck in my tiny room during COVID lockdown, I watched my grades tank while anxiety and depression took over. Late one night, I found my dad hunched over our wobbly kitchen table, grinding through spreadsheets for his low-paying job. This was the same man who grew up dirt poor in rural India, walking barefoot to school, studying under dim oil lamps. Yet here he was, still fighting for a better life for me. Something clicked in that moment. If he could overcome all that, I had no excuse. Going back to school wasn't easy. When I graduated high school, I was riddled with self-doubt and a transcript full of mediocre grades. Instead of giving up, I enrolled in community college and it was through preparing for and competing in the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) that I found my second chance. Community college became my lifeline. When I signed up for CCIC, everything changed. For the first time, I had mentors who actually believed in me. I threw myself into computer science classes with everything I had. Those late nights debugging code, building prototypes, and perfecting our CCIC pitch didn't just transform my study habits. They reminded me why I loved solving problems in the first place. My GPA went from embarrassing to exceptional. I even started tutoring intro programming courses, helping kids who were struggling like I used to. Now I'm at Texas A&M, and honestly? I can't believe how far I've come. Transferring from community college to a top research university taught me that your starting point doesn't determine your finish line. Every time I face a new challenge, I think about my dad's calloused hands and how he never quit on me. He showed me that education isn't a given. It's something you earn. These days, I'm all about paying it forward. I mentored the next year's Dallas College CCIC team and helped them secure 3rd place, sharing everything I learned from my own journey. I'm also mentoring community college students trying to break into STEM through GitHubs All In Fellowship program. That's why I need this scholarship. It's not just about helping me finish my degree (though trust me, the financial relief would be huge). It's about giving me the resources to reach more students who think they don't belong in tech because of where they come from. My journey from failing high school student to TAMU computer science major taught me that setbacks aren't endings. They're setups for comebacks. With your support, I'll continue pursuing my passion for research at the intersection of economics and data science, using computational methods to solve real-world problems. Because the most innovative solutions come from people who understand struggle firsthand.

One thing I've always held pride in was my ancestry. Unlike most Indian immigrants in the US, my parents didn't come from a family of government officials nor were they of a high caste. My dad had to overcome numerous challenges and obstacles to escape poverty and succeed in his education, starting as the son of a poor farmer in a third-world country. I’ve always been fascinated by my dad's journey from humble beginnings to achieving success in education, and the stories of his struggles and determination have been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me. Through his example, I've come to understand the transformative power of hard work and perseverance, and the impact it can have on our lives and the lives of those around us. The COVID-19 pandemic hit at the end of my Freshman year of high school, and I struggled to adapt to online learning. My grades began to suffer, and the isolation and loneliness brought on by the pandemic greatly impacted my mental health. I withdrew from my friends and social activities, and I felt like I had lost my sense of purpose and direction. I felt ashamed and frustrated with myself for not being able to keep up with my schoolwork. My parents took notice of my plummeting grades and were understandably concerned. One day, my dad took off work to talk with me. Instead of lecturing or getting mad at me, he told me a story from his youth. My dad grew up in a poor farming family with four siblings, two sisters and two brothers. All of them dropped out of school to help on the family farm, leaving my dad to shoulder the burden of getting an education. As a result, he faced numerous challenges and obstacles in his pursuit of education. He had to work hard to balance his schoolwork with his responsibilities on the farm, and he often went without food or adequate sleep. When he was in 10th grade, his mother gave him an ultimatum: either quit school and help on the farm or starve. For two days, my dad was not given any food, except for some curdling yogurt that he managed to sneak out of the kitchen. Despite these struggles, my dad was determined to continue his education, and after his parents saw his conviction, they allowed him to continue. I remember my dad's story vividly to this day, and it has always been a source of motivation and inspiration for me. After hearing his story, I switched from online to in-person classes and worked hard to improve my grades. In contrast to the difficult times I experienced during the pandemic, junior year was a time of growth and renewal for me. I was able to focus on my studies and my relationships, and I felt more motivated and optimistic about my future.

As a student studying engineering at Texas A&M, I'm fully engaged in a program that provides a strong foundation, across various engineering disciplines. This ranging exposure is crucial as I consider specializing in either mechatronics or computer science. What truly fascinates me about mechatronics is its nature combining electrical engineering with computer science. Similarly, the profound influence of computer science in shaping today's world from algorithms to software development has captivated my interest. What excites me the most is the application of these fields to solve real-world problems. Whether it involves developing groundbreaking robotics in mechatronics or creating software solutions in computer science the potential to contribute significantly to advancements is incredibly thrilling. Choosing to pursue these passions, at Texas A&M amplifies my excitement further. The university's esteemed reputation, coupled with its state-of-the-art facilities and expert faculty members offers an experience. Not only does Texas A&M provide excellence but also fosters a community where innovative ideas can flourish.