Going to college is a significant milestone for me, representing the opportunity to fulfill my dreams and make a meaningful impact in my chosen field. College is more than just a chance to expand my knowledge; it’s a place to build the skills, relationships, and experiences that will enable me to create positive change in the world. I see it as an environment where I can learn deeply, grow personally, and prepare myself to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges. Through my education, I am committed to building a career that addresses real-world issues, particularly those at the intersection of healthcare and technology. I am passionate about using engineering principles to contribute to fields that have the power to improve lives, such as biotechnology and bioengineering. College offers me the resources and opportunities to understand how I can use science and technology to develop innovative solutions to medical disparities, enhance diagnostics, and improve treatments. By gaining both technical skills and a foundation in research, I’ll be better equipped to address these critical needs with a well-rounded approach. Beyond academics, college provides an opportunity for personal growth. In this diverse and challenging environment, I am learning the value of resilience, time management, and collaboration. The interactions I have with professors, mentors, and peers are invaluable, as they allow me to expand my perspective and build a strong network of support. Being in a community of driven individuals motivates me to push myself harder and to be part of something greater than myself. Another key aspect of my college journey is my commitment to community engagement and mentorship. As I work to achieve my goals, I am also committed to lifting others as I climb. Through my experiences in leadership and mentoring younger students, I have discovered the joy of helping others find their strengths and pursue their own dreams. I hope to continue this work throughout my career, as I believe that true success is measured not just by individual achievement but by the impact we have on those around us. Looking to the future, my education is a stepping stone toward making meaningful contributions in underserved communities. I am driven by the vision of a more equitable world, where everyone has access to effective and personalized healthcare. College is helping me acquire the expertise, values, and determination I need to make that vision a reality. In summary, going to college means much more to me than earning a degree. It’s a chance to realize my potential, contribute to solutions for pressing societal issues, and build a foundation that allows me to give back to others. Through my education, I am not only preparing for a career in science and technology but also committing myself to a path that fosters growth, resilience, and a dedication to positively impacting lives.

I always knew I was going to college. My parents and grandparents both went to college, and it was an expectation that I would as well. I have been blessed to have attended a prestigious preparatory high school and I attend college on a partial scholarship as well. This was not the case for the students that I was able to mentor, a few months ago. Last spring break, I participated in a university community service project in which I was able to stay in Philadelphia for about a week to talk to and mentor students from kindergarten through high school. My group went to a few of the most underserved school districts in West and East Philadelphia and we taught the younger students about leadership and science, technology, mathematics, and engineering, and we talked to the older students about college and specifically Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The younger students were excited and literally fell out of their chairs to participate; however, as we started interacting with the older students, we struggled to get them to participate or listen. When we did small group discussions with the older students I struggled to connect. At my high school, almost everyone was going to college and most people were able to focus on that, but what I noticed was that at these high schools many of the older students seemed to have lost hope on a bright future and felt as though the adults around them had given up on them as well. Many of the juniors and seniors had little to no plans for a secondary education or trade school due to the financial burden and a lack of belief in themselves. It was upsetting to see the change between how excited the kindergarten students were for their futures and then as these smart and talented students grew older in a school system that frankly didn’t care about their success, they became disheartened and disillusioned. However, it was uplifting that eventually as I started to discuss with the older students their activities outside of school; I was able to identify some of their real interests and point out some career opportunities that they didn’t even know existed. I was able to even leave some other opportunities and resources to help them, but I do not bring up my impact, because I think it is significant, but more so because more needs to be done to help these students succeed. As a society, it is vital that America makes its education system equitable in its resource distribution. The schools that we went to were severely underfunded, and it was clear that the students were not receiving the emotional and academic support to reach their goals. How are you supposed to see success for yourself when the adults in your life do not see success for you? In only a week, we were able to make the students we talked to curious and excited about the opportunities available to them, but we had to leave. Having a more supportive environment for these students, while it won’t fix all their problems, it would allow them to see a life of success for themselves and their families. Maybe they will even grow up knowing that they are going to college.