1. While my high school experience was unlike many of my peers, I shared interests in many extracurriculars and clubs supported by my high school. Throughout my time at Mercersburg, I was a member of the chess club, stock trading club, BSU, spikeball club, and ski club to name a few. While golf has been a dominant part of my life, it is not the only interest of mine and as a result I have experiences that reach beyond my athletic circles. 2. My parents tell me that I entered the world with my eyes wide open as if searching the universe for answers. It is true, I am naturally curious and there is not a science class that I have ever found uninteresting. Of all the great innovations and experiments in human history, however, there is none more fascinating to me than the inner workings of the human body. As an aspiring physician in sports medicine, I plan to not just understand the mechanics of the greatest machine ever created but also its inspiration, vulnerabilities, and its potential. Specifically, I have every intention of becoming a physician with the skills and mindset of a professional golfer who may opt to dabble in both if the opportunities intersect. I excel in the sciences and have been accepted into the PreMed program of my choice at a Division 1 school where I will also be a member of the golf team. Through my discipline, studies, mentorships and first-hand experiences learning on the sidelines alongside Rutgers University’s medical staff serving student athletes, as well as Johnson & Johnson medical research which partners with the school, I will be well positioned to achieve my goals of becoming a physician serving athletes of all shapes and sizes. 3. Balancing academics and community commitments have become a bit of a specialty for me. I was raised to know that I stand upon the shoulders of others so reaching out to encourage or even lift someone by inspiring them to believe is second nature. Specifically, when choosing a university, I selected Rutgers because it has the academic rigor I require and an excellent reputation strengthening neighboring communities through a variety of partnerships. I was immediately impressed with the community health initiatives which provide high-quality medical care in underserved communities of color. As an aspiring physician, my goal is to empower people to actualize their healthier selves and as a student I am confident that I can leverage my experience in the lab and classrooms to reach other young men of color specifically, but people in general who have felt misunderstood or overlooked. Coupling my health care goals with what I plan to contribute to the local First Tee chapter which is hosted at Rutgers University’s golf course, I aim to help coach the next generation not just in golf but in life. Truth be told, being around the little kids in First Tee reminds me to stay humble, focused and ready to lend a hand because there is always room for growth. 4. To say that the expenses of college have outpaced even my parents' aggressive savings plan to help supplement my savings from summer jobs to get me through medical school is an understatement. While my family has carefully tried to plan for the known costs, we anticipate there will be the miscellaneous expenses that come with playing Division 1 golf while maintaining a full academic load to ensure a successful transition to medical school. I am committed to studying, working hard (smart) and playing fair. My parents have romanticized their own college struggles of living on Ramen noodles and mayonnaise sandwiches and not wanting to call their own parents(my grandparents) knowing that finances were already tight at home. And I am preparing myself for similar decisions and meal plans even( if it comes to it!) because the last thing I want to do is request even more from the people who have sacrificed virtually every material comfort so I may pursue my dreams. Having access to scholarship funds which will help me to say THANK YOU TO MY PARENTS and help offset many of the unknowns. Mainly, it can also allow me to fully test prep for MCATs and other “expensive” but necessary investments to ensure my future in medicine.