Becoming a father at 19 introduced me to challenges that many students do not face. Balancing the demands of fatherhood with my academic goals taught me the value of perseverance and focus. These qualities have driven me to become the first in my family to earn a degree and have fueled my passion for helping others live healthy lives, regardless of their circumstances. My desire to attend medical school stems from a deep commitment to practicing family medicine, uniquely combining primary and psychiatric care. Growing up in an underserved community, I witnessed how financial constraints, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare created significant barriers to well-being. These experiences shaped my determination to bridge systemic gaps in healthcare. I will use my experiences, cultural understanding, and shared language to connect with patients and address their needs. Healthcare disparities are a reality to me and have deeply impacted my family. My ACL injury left me struggling to access quality care, my mother’s diabetes went unmanaged for years, and my brother battled substance abuse with little support from the healthcare system. When my grandmother’s health declined, the lack of comprehensive and compassionate care took a profound emotional toll on our family. These moments fueled my determination to advocate for equitable, integrated healthcare. Volunteering in rural Honduras and Belize reinforced this commitment. I met patients who endured long journeys for medical attention, often addressing physical illnesses while their mental health needs remained unmet. One patient, recovering from a mastectomy and oophorectomy, struggled with untreated depression. Her inability to access prescribed hormonal therapy highlighted the barriers faced by underserved populations and the critical need for holistic care. I believe medical school will give me the tools to address these challenges. By training in family medicine, I can develop the skills to provide integrated care that considers physical and mental health. My vision includes advocating for initiatives like mobile clinics or partnering with community centers to create accessible environments where patients feel safe addressing all aspects of their health. Integrated care improves outcomes and builds trust in the healthcare system. Integrated care builds a foundation for lasting change and healthier lives. My life experiences have shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities and my commitment to addressing them. Through medical school, I aim to turn these experiences into action, becoming a physician who provides comprehensive care and advocates for equity in the communities that need it most.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve. With the money from the scholarship, I can worry less about my undergraduate loans and focus more on my graduate student loans.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve. With the money from the scholarship, I can worry less about my undergraduate loans and focus more on my graduate student loans.

My aspiration to attend medical school originates from a deep desire to serve underserved communities like the one I grew up in, where financial constraints, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are common. I aim to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare system, drawing from my personal experiences and those of my family members. I understand the needs of these communities not only from my own experiences but also through my family’s struggles. My ability to connect through language and shared experiences enhances my understanding and commitment to serve. Having faced challenges accessing healthcare myself, I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for a healthy life through mobile clinics that alleviate transportation barriers. I will bring the resources to these communities. I understand that not everyone seeks help, but for those who do, I am committed to being there for them. This desire for accessible care was reinforced during my experiences in rural areas of Honduras and Belize, where I witnessed the extreme lengths individuals go to for medical care. Some go years without seeing a doctor, traveling great distances to receive treatment. I found this opportunity to connect with patients profoundly enriching. While I had various responsibilities, the most impactful was serving as a translator for the psychologist in our brigade. One patient, who had undergone a mastectomy, was suffering from depression and had never seen a psychologist. Despite having no indications of malignant cells, she had undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as a precautionary measure. The doctor prescribed hormonal therapy to help address her depression, but we unfortunately did not have that medication with us. The patient would need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain it. This experience underscored how psychological issues like depression often go undiagnosed and untreated, deepening my appreciation for the healthcare resources we have and fueling my passion for increasing access to care. Through my medical training, I aim to join a compassionate healthcare team that prioritizes communication and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. My own experiences, including my mother’s struggle with diabetes, my brother's struggles with substance abuse, and my grandmother’s final days, have shown me the profound impact of effective communication in healthcare. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities but have also instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that every patient, particularly those in underserved communities, receives the compassionate and effective care they deserve. With the money from the scholarship, I can worry less about my undergraduate loans and focus more on my graduate student loans.

I am a father to a fourteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to the University of California Riverside was one of my goals. The most significant challenge I have faced in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. There were several times I could no longer attend classes and had to withdraw late in the semester. In 2015, I received an opportunity to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and we will do homework together. I can get my schoolwork done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her schoolwork more in-depth. I take classes during the day when my daughter is at school. We usually spend the afternoons together, but when I have things to attend to, I use the resources available to parents/students. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the UCR. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. I will provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I want to prove to my daughter that all her goals are attainable. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I want to help my daughter and others the same way. No matter what life has thrown at me, hard work and dedication have helped me get to the position I am in today.

At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. Her first doctor wanted to dry one eye using a saline solution because she was losing sight. She then found a doctor who spoke Spanish. They discussed how to save her eye and went forward with a new treatment. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. Seniors, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family that suffer from the same challenges. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. Elders, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. Seniors have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life. Financial aid has been in the form of loans, just enough to cover tuition. The little money left is for fuel and other expenses. I was able to qualify for the Calfresh program, which helps ease the burden of buying food. I know this time of sacrifice is worth the lifetime benefits that higher education can bring. I have worked for a long time to get to this moment. I will find a way to continue persevering. This scholarship will help make that dream a reality.

Growing up in south Montebello, being raised by a war refugee from El Salvador as a single parent, and having a daughter at the age of 19 exposes you to challenges that not every student faces. Staying focused on academics and setting goals has allowed me to persevere through life’s challenges and put me in a position to become the first in my family to earn a degree. I want to provide my daughter with a better future and opportunities. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and transferred full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. Her first doctor wanted to dry one eye using a saline solution because she was losing sight. She then found a doctor who spoke Spanish. They discussed how to save her eye and went forward with a new treatment. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. Seniors, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family that suffer from the same challenges. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. Elders, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. Seniors have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

I have to work while also taking classes. I get flexible hours for my academic priorities. I work in the mornings; the rest of the day, I attend classes, meet with professors, study and spend time with my daughter. I am a father to a fourteen-year-old. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals. Transferring to the University of California Riverside was one of mine. The most significant challenge in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. Her first doctor wanted to dry one eye using a saline solution because she was losing sight. She then found a doctor who spoke Spanish. They discussed how to save her eye and went forward with a new treatment. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. Seniors, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family that suffer from the same challenges. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. Elders, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. Seniors have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life. Financial aid has been in the form of loans, just enough to cover tuition. The little money left is for fuel and other expenses. I was able to qualify for the Calfresh program, which helps ease the burden of buying food. I know this time of sacrifice is worth the lifetime benefits that higher education can bring. I have worked for a long time to get to this moment. I will find a way to continue persevering. This scholarship will help make that dream a reality.

First-generation college students usually have a hard time navigating through the challenges of the University system. Many, like myself, are left to find resources and help themselves, and many fall short of their goals. I pay it forward by sharing the knowledge and resources I have gained through the years. I enjoy showing others who have faced similar challenges not to feel like they are on their own going through this process. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I like to be able to help others the same way. I help fellow pre-med students find the right resources to reach their goals. I direct them to the counseling services that not everyone knows are available. I help people dealing with food insecurity get CalFresh (food stamps) while volunteering at our community garden so that students do not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Paying it forward means making a tough road more uncomplicated for those who come after us. I am fortunate to be positioned to help others in the way that people have taken the time to help me. I have not taken any help for granted, and I know my help is not either. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. Her first doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution because she was losing sight. She then found a doctor who spoke Spanish. They discussed how to save her eye and went forward with a new treatment. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. Seniors, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family that suffer from the same challenges. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. Elders, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. Seniors have difficulties making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. Her first doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution because she was losing sight. She then found a doctor who spoke Spanish. They discussed how to save her eye and went forward with a new treatment. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. Seniors, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family that suffer from the same challenges. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. Elders, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. Seniors have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life. Financial aid has been in the form of loans, just enough to cover tuition. The little money left is for fuel and other expenses. I was able to qualify for the Calfresh program, which helps ease the burden of buying food. I know this time of sacrifice is worth the lifetime benefits that higher education can bring. I have worked for a long time to get to this moment. I will find a way to continue persevering. This scholarship will help make that dream a reality.

I am pursuing a degree in Biology because it will lay the fundamental concepts I need in medical school. Biology will show me how human processes work from the cellular level and how those processes affect our everyday lives and health. These processes include influences from our environment, diet, and social interactions. I want to advance my education to make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are dealing with their health issues. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the UCR. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. I will provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I want to prove to my daughter that all her goals are attainable. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I want to help my daughter and others the same way. No matter what life has thrown at me, hard work and dedication have helped me get to the position I am in today.

I am a father to a fourteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to the University of California Riverside was one of my goals. The most significant challenge I have faced in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. There were several times I could no longer attend classes and had to withdraw late in the semester. In 2015, I received an opportunity to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and we will do homework together. I can get my schoolwork done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her schoolwork more in-depth. I take classes during the day when my daughter is at school. We usually spend the afternoons together, but when I have things to attend to, I use the resources available to parents/students. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the UCR. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. I will provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I want to prove to my daughter that all her goals are attainable. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I want to help my daughter and others the same way. No matter what life has thrown at me, hard work and dedication have helped me get to the position I am in today.

I am a father to a fourteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to the University of California Riverside was one of my goals. The most significant challenge I have faced in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. There were several times I could no longer attend classes and had to withdraw late in the semester. In 2015, I received an opportunity to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and we will do homework together. I can get my schoolwork done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her schoolwork more in-depth. I take classes during the day when my daughter is at school. We usually spend the afternoons together, but when I have things to attend to, I use the resources available to parents/students. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the UCR. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. I will provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I want to prove to my daughter that all her goals are attainable. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I want to help my daughter and others the same way. No matter what life has thrown at me, hard work and dedication have helped me get to the position I am in today.

I am a father to a fifteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to UC Riverside was one of mine. The most significant challenge in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes; her first doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She then found a doctor who spoke Spanish. They discussed how to save her eye and went forward with a new treatment. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. Seniors, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family that suffer from the same challenges. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. Elders, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. Seniors have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

I am a father to a fifteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to the University of California Riverside was one of mine. The most significant challenge in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes; her first doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She then found a doctor who spoke Spanish. They discussed how to save her eye and went forward with a new treatment. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. Seniors, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family that suffer from the same challenges. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. Elders, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. Seniors have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes; her first doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She then found a doctor who spoke Spanish. They discussed how to save her eye and went forward with a new treatment. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. Seniors, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family that suffer from the same challenges. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. Elders, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. Seniors have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life. Financial aid has been in the form of loans, just enough to cover tuition. The little money left is for fuel and other expenses. I was able to qualify for the Calfresh program, which helps ease the burden of buying food. I know this time of sacrifice is worth the lifetime benefits that higher education can bring. I have worked for a long time to get to this moment. I will find a way to continue persevering. This scholarship will help make that dream a reality.

Growing up in south-side Montebello, being raised by a war refugee from El Salvador as a single parent, and having a daughter at the age of 19 exposes you to challenges that not every student faces. Staying focused on academics and setting goals has allowed me to persevere through life’s challenges and put me in a position to become the first in my family to earn a degree. I am a father to a fourteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to the University of California Riverside was one of my goals. The most significant challenge I have faced in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. There were several times I could no longer attend classes and had to withdraw late in the semester. In 2015, I received an opportunity to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and we will do homework together. I can get my schoolwork done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her schoolwork more in-depth. I take classes during the day when my daughter is at school. We usually spend the afternoons together, but when I have things to attend to, I use the resources available to parents/students. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the UCR. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. I will provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I want to prove to my daughter that all her goals are attainable. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I want to help my daughter and others the same way. No matter what life has thrown at me, hard work and dedication have helped me get to the position I am in today.

Growing up in south-side Montebello, being raised by a war refugee from El Salvador as a single parent, and having a daughter at the age of 19 exposes you to challenges that not every student faces. Staying focused on academics and setting goals has allowed me to persevere through life’s challenges and put me in a position to become the first in my family to earn a degree. I am a father to a fourteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to the University of California Riverside was one of my goals. The most significant challenge I have faced in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. There were several times I could no longer attend classes and had to withdraw late in the semester. In 2015, I received an opportunity to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and we will do homework together. I can get my schoolwork done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her schoolwork more in-depth. I take classes during the day when my daughter is at school. We usually spend the afternoons together, but when I have things to attend to, I use the resources available to parents/students. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the UCR. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. I will provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I want to prove to my daughter that all her goals are attainable. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I want to help my daughter and others the same way. No matter what life has thrown at me, hard work and dedication have helped me get to the position I am in today.

Growing up in south-side Montebello, being raised by a war refugee from El Salvador as a single parent, and having a daughter at the age of 19 exposes you to challenges that not every student faces. Staying focused on academics and setting goals has allowed me to persevere through life’s challenges and put me in a position to become the first in my family to earn a degree. I am a father to a fourteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to the University of California Riverside was one of my goals. The most significant challenge I have faced in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. There were several times I could no longer attend classes and had to withdraw late in the semester. In 2015, I received an opportunity to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and we will do homework together. I can get my schoolwork done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her schoolwork more in-depth. I find it beneficial to keep this structure. It ensures I understand the topics I am studying while getting involved in my daughter’s everyday life. I take classes during the day when my daughter is at school. We usually spend the afternoons together, but when I have things to attend to, I use the resources available to parents/students. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the UCR. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. I will provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I want to prove to my daughter that all her goals are attainable. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I want to help my daughter and others the same way. No matter what life has thrown at me, hard work and dedication have helped me get to the position I am in today.

First-generation college students usually have a hard time navigating through the challenges of the University system. Many, like myself, are left to find resources and help themselves, and many fall short of their goals. I pay it forward by sharing the knowledge and resources I have gained through the years. I enjoy showing others who have faced similar challenges not to feel like they are on their own going through this process. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I like to be able to help others the same way. I help fellow pre-med students find the right resources to reach their goals. I direct them to the counseling services that not everyone knows are available. I help people dealing with food insecurity get CalFresh (food stamps) while volunteering at our community garden so that students do not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Paying it forward means making a tough road more uncomplicated for those who come after us. I am fortunate to be positioned to help others in the way that people have taken the time to help me. I have not taken any help for granted, and I know my help is not either. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. I am a father to a fourteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to the University of California Riverside was one of my goals. The most significant challenge I have faced in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. In 2015, I received an opportunity to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. The legacy of Jose Prado inspires me because I can see how a little help can go a long way. I have learned not to be selfish; this road can lead to loneliness and unhappiness. It is better to see others at the top with you and share happiness. If I could start a scholarship, I would look for qualities gained through struggle. Some qualities include resiliency, persistence, mindfulness, and selflessness. These are qualities that someone fighting a good fight must have to continue paving it forward.

I want to help others with what I have learned through my experiences. First-generation college students usually have a hard time navigating through the challenges of the University system. Many, like myself, are left to find resources and help themselves, and many fall short of their goals. I pay it forward by sharing the knowledge and resources I have gained through the years. I enjoy showing others who have faced similar challenges not to feel like they are on their own going through this process. I know how desolate and bleak things can look when you are alone. Once you get help, however, everything improves. Asking for help can be difficult for some. I know that dealing with imposter syndrome made it difficult for me. It took finding a mentor to see myself and my accomplishments as a success. I like to be able to help others the same way. I help fellow pre-med students find the right resources to reach their goals. I direct them to the counseling services that not everyone knows are available. I help people dealing with food insecurity get CalFresh (food stamps) while volunteering at our community garden so that students do not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. I know first-hand the difficulties of trying to study while suffering from hunger at the same time. Paying it forward means making a tough road more uncomplicated for those who come after us. I am fortunate to be positioned to help others in the way that people have taken the time to help me. I have not taken any help for granted, and I know my help is not either. As a Training Officer, I had the privilege of training incoming staff with all the necessary skills they would need to have successful careers. I would find ways to keep my team motivated. I would challenge them and set individual goals. If I see that work is no longer a challenge, I suggest they take classes at a community college to improve their skills. I recommended they take courses to better their communication, critical thinking, and social skills. My colleagues' knowledge of my academic pursuits made me a reference for their educational goals. I provide as much information as I can. I would help with registration for classes, getting financial assistance, looking for books and supplies, and seeking professional academic guidance to better their careers and lives. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people when dealing with their health issues. I want to make sure people are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often misunderstood when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes and a doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She found a doctor who speaks Spanish and they discussed how they can save her eye. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often misunderstood when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes and a doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She found a doctor who speaks Spanish and they discussed how they can save her eye. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

I have to work while also taking classes. I get flexible hours so that my academic priorities are accomplished. I currently work in the mornings and use the rest of the day to attend classes, meet with professors, and study. The most significant challenge I have faced while in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. I am a father to a fifteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals. I have worked for a long time to get to this moment, and I will find a way to continue persevering. This scholarship will help make that dream a reality. At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often misunderstood when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes and a doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She found a doctor who speaks Spanish and they discussed how they can save her eye. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

I am pursuing a degree in Biology because it will lay the fundamental concepts I need in medical school. Biology will show me how human processes work from the cellular level and how those processes affect our everyday lives and health. These processes include influences from our environment, diet, and social interactions. I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes and a doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She found a doctor who speaks Spanish and they discussed how they can save her eye. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often misunderstood when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes and a doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She found a doctor who speaks Spanish and they discussed how they can save her eye. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life. I have to work while also taking classes. I get flexible hours so that my academic priorities are accomplished. I currently work in the mornings and use the rest of the day to attend classes, meet with professors, and study. The most significant challenge I have faced while in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. I am a father to a fifteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals. I have worked for a long time to get to this moment, and I will find a way to continue persevering. This scholarship will help make that dream a reality.

At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often misunderstood when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes and a doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She found a doctor who speaks Spanish and they discussed how they can save her eye. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe that everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life.

At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often misunderstood when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes and a doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She found a doctor who speaks Spanish and they discussed how they can save her eye. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I believe everyone deserves to live a healthy happy life.

At the age of 33, I decided to make a career change. I resigned from my employer and enrolled full-time at the University of California Riverside. I want to advance my education because I can make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access to its members. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often misunderstood when dealing with their health issues. My mother suffers from the effects of diabetes. She is losing sight in one of her eyes and a doctor wanted to dry her eye using a saline solution. She found a doctor who speaks Spanish and they discussed how they can save her eye. I want to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members who would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthily as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard. I have to work while also taking classes. I get flexible hours so that my academic priorities are accomplished. I currently work in the mornings and use the rest of the day to attend classes, meet with professors, and study.

Growing up in south Montebello, being raised by a war refugee from El Salvador as a single parent, and having a daughter at the age of 19 exposes you to challenges that not every student faces. Staying focused on academics and setting goals has allowed me to persevere through life’s challenges and put me in a position to become the first in my family to earn a degree. I have proved that I am ready for the next level of curriculum by defying myself over the last few years and showing I am prepared for the challenges ahead. I want to provide my daughter with a better future and opportunities. I want to help others who have faced similar hurdles as I get ahead in their own lives. I remember not having the most basic school supplies such as paper, pens, or pencils. I was eating bigger meals at school than at home since my mother was busy working two jobs instead of preparing meals. After my first semester at Whittier College and the birth of my daughter, I found it difficult to split my time between school, work, and family. I had to decide between attending classes, working, and spending time with my daughter. Since 2015 I refocused my efforts. I have improved my grades and effort over the last few years. In bettering myself, I want to share my success with others with similar backgrounds and aid them in reaching their goals. Challenges in life can seem overwhelming and constant, but staying focused and determined will get you there. I want to raise the standard of living, not just for my family, but for all people of color. I have seen how far a little help can go for someone, like giving a pencil, paper, or a meal. I am pursuing a degree in Biology because it will lay the fundamental concepts I need in medical school. Biology will show me how human processes work, beginning from the cellular level, and how those processes affect our everyday lives and health. I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misunderstood when dealing with doctors and their health needs.

As a teenager, I found a way to escape toxic relationships in disadvantaged neighborhoods via sports; I played football and participated in track & field. I attended Whittier College after high school and participated in football there. I became a father at the age of twenty; I abandoned my studies to focus on providing for my family as best as I could. My physical fitness went downhill from there, but hiking provided more than football ever could. Hiking Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental US, might not seem like a pastime to most people, let alone doing it twice. Hiking can be dangerous to the inexperienced and unprepared. I have been on excursions where team members passed due to hiking accidents, so I know the dangers of reaching a peak. But the reward of completing a challenging hike can bring someone more than just awesome pictures and bragging rights. To me, hiking is therapeutic and a chance to collect my thoughts. I leave the fast pace of life in the city and spend time disconnected from the stresses that come with urban life. I have plenty of time to think about where my life is at the moment and where it is going. I think of my goals and assess if I am on the correct path to make those goals a reality. If I feel like I am deviating in any way, I think of adjustments to achieve my goals. Driving to the trailhead and seeing the mountain is daunting. Sometimes, while hiking, I look up at the mountain and doubt my ability to complete the task. I remember, however, that whatever challenges this mountain presents to me, I can handle. Everything starts with taking one step forward and one step at a time after that. The hurdles I have encountered in 34 years of life have prepared me to face the challenges on this mountain and in life. I get reminded that life is short and precious and that I am just a small part of this world. I should make a positive difference in people's lives every day, including my daughter. I should help others reach their goals just as others have taken the time to aid me in my endeavors. Hiking is more to me than a physical workout. It is a chance to heal my mind, decompress, and reassure myself that I am going in the right direction.

I am pursuing a degree in Biology because it will lay the fundamental concepts I need in medical school. Biology will show me how human processes work from the cellular level and how those processes affect our everyday lives and health. These processes include influences from our environment, diet, and social interactions. I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. As a child, I traveled for hours by public transportation to see a primary care physician. There was no one closer that accepted Medical. When my mother sees a doctor now, she does not get the adequate attention she needs because the doctors cannot understand her symptoms due to a language barrier, which keeps doctors from providing appropriate care. The goal is to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members that would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthy as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard.

I am pursuing a degree in Biology because it will lay the fundamental concepts I need in medical school. Biology will show me how human processes work fro­m the cellular level and how those processes affect our everyday lives and health. These processes include influences from our environment, diet, and social interactions. I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. As a child, I traveled for hours by public transportation to see a primary care physician. There was no one closer that accepted Medical. When my mother sees a doctor now, she does not get the adequate attention she needs because the doctors cannot understand her symptoms due to a language barrier, which keeps doctors from providing appropriate care. My goal is to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members that would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I will use mobile clinics to provide healthcare to community members with little access to hospitals or people who have no health insurance. The elderly, the unhoused, and people of color are the most vulnerable to sub-par healthcare. I understand the needs of these groups because I have family in all these categories. I want to make sure they are living as healthy as possible, given the circumstances they can find themselves in. The elderly have a hard time making appointments due to transportation issues. The unhoused community does not have health insurance and can go years without seeing a doctor. Mental health issues and addiction come into play with the unhoused; medical attention is a first step in aiding them to better their situation. People of color often are ignored or misdiagnosed because of language or cultural barriers. These barriers keep doctors from meeting the needs of their patients, making patients of color feel unheard.

Hiking Mt. Whitney might not seem like a pastime to most people, let alone doing it twice. Hiking can be dangerous to the inexperienced and unprepared. But the reward of completing a challenging hike can bring someone more than just awesome pictures and bragging rights. To me, hiking is therapeutic and a chance to collect my thoughts. I leave the fast pace of life in the city and spend time disconnected from the stresses that come with urban life. I have plenty of time to think about where my life is at the moment and where it is going. I think of my goals and assess if I am on the correct path to make those goals a reality. If I feel like I am deviating in any way, I think of adjustments to achieve my goals. Driving to the trailhead and seeing the mountain is daunting. Sometimes, while hiking, I look up at the mountain and doubt my ability to complete the task. I remember, however, that whatever challenges this mountain presents to me, I can handle. Everything starts with taking one step forward and one step at a time after that. The hurdles I have encountered in 33 years of life have prepared me to face the challenges on this mountain and in life. I get reminded that life is short and precious and that I am just a small part of this world. I should make a positive difference in people's lives every day, including my daughter. I should help others reach their goals just how others have taken the time to aid me in my endeavors. Hiking is more to me than a physical workout. It is a chance to heal my mind, decompress, and reassure myself that I am going in the right direction.

My objective is to teach others what I have learned with my education. In my current role as a Training Officer, I have had the privilege of training incoming staff with all the necessary skills they will need to have successful careers. Generosity means being able to share with those that need it. It can take the shape of more than monetary means but also knowledge. Before becoming a training officer, I took the training manual that I knew had several operational mistakes and submitted corrections to my superiors. A new version of the manual with all my improvements was released soon after. To keep my team motivated, I challenge them to individually set goals. If I see that work is no longer a challenge, I suggest they take classes at a community college to improve other necessary skills. My colleagues' knowledge of my academic pursuits has made me a reference for their own educational goals. I provide as much information as I can; I help with registering for classes, getting financial assistance, looking for books and supplies, and seeking professional academic guidance to better their careers and lives.

I am a father to a thirteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to USC would be one of my goals. The most significant challenge I have faced while in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. I had a daughter at nineteen and promised I would always be there for her. I grew up without a father and never wanted my children to go through the same experiences I did as a child. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. I could no longer attend class and had to withdraw late in the semester several times. I continued to search for an employer that would allow me to chase my dreams. In 2015, I received an opportunity with USC where I was able to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and both of us do homework together. I can get my school work done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her school work more in-depth. I find it beneficial to keep this structure since it ensures I understand the topics at hand while finding out what is happening in my daughter’s everyday life. To prevent these challenges from happening in the future, we are ready to move near campus to attend school full-time and remove any other distractions. No matter what life has thrown at me, hard work and dedication have helped me get to the position I am today. I am pursuing a degree in Biology because it will lay the fundamental concepts I need in medical school. Biology will show me how human processes work from the cellular level and how those processes affect our everyday lives and health. These processes include influences from our environment, diet, and social interactions. I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. As a child, I traveled for hours in public transportation to see a primary care physician. When my mother seeks medical services, she does get the adequate attention she needs because the doctors can not adequately understand her symptoms due to a language barrier and do not provide appropriate care. My goal is to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members that would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers.

I find it vital to keep track of your credit card spending to keep from paying interest. It is easy to lose track of your spending using credit cards, especially when all you need to do is swipe. Losing track of your credit spending causes the balance you owe to go up. If you can not pay the statement balance in full, then the credit card company charges interest on the balance. Credit card companies charge high interest rates to make their money up to 30%. However, if you pay the statement balance in full, you will not be charged interest. Important finance lesson: when using credit cards, do not spend more than you can repay when the statement balance is issued. With high interest rates, if you only pay the minimum amount, the balance you owe will only get higher, you will be in a difficult situation to get out of since the amount you pay does not reduce the amount you owe.

I am a father to a thirteen-year-old daughter. I want to show her that hard work and dedication allow you to reach your goals; transferring to USC would be one of my goals. The most significant challenge I have faced while in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. I had a daughter at nineteen and promised I would always be there for her. I grew up without a father and never wanted my children to go through the same experiences I did as a child. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. I could no longer attend class and had to withdraw late in the semester several times. I continued to search for an employer that would allow me to chase my dreams. In 2015, I received an opportunity with USC where I was able to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and both of us do homework together. I can get my school work done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her school work more in-depth. I find it beneficial to keep this structure since it ensures I understand the topics at hand while finding out what is happening in my daughter’s everyday life. To prevent these challenges from happening in the future, we are ready to move near campus to attend school full-time and remove any other distractions. No matter what life has thrown at me, hard work and dedication have helped me get to the position I am today. I am pursuing a degree in Biology because it will lay the fundamental concepts I need in medical school. Biology will show me how human processes work from the cellular level and how those processes affect our everyday lives and health. These processes include influences from our environment, diet, and social interactions. I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. As a child, I traveled for hours in public transportation to see a primary care physician. When my mother seeks medical services, she does get the adequate attention she needs because the doctors can not adequately understand her symptoms due to a language barrier and do not provide appropriate care. My goal is to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members that would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers.

I am pursuing a degree in Biology because it will lay the fundamental concepts I need in medical school. Biology will show me how human processes work from the cellular level and how those processes affect our everyday lives and health. These processes include influences from our environment, diet, and social interactions. I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. As a child, I traveled for hours in public transportation to see a primary care physician. When my mother seeks medical services, she does get the adequate attention she needs because the doctors can not adequately understand her symptoms due to a language barrier and do not provide appropriate care. My goal is to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members that would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. Working with the University of Southern California's Department of Public Safety exposed me to many situations that I would have never encountered. I have worked for several years at USC and always dreamt of teaching at a higher institution. I knew that I wanted to be a part of educating the next generation, especially people like myself who are underrepresented. My involvement with the USC has been a long positive one. I wish to continue working with this organization past my graduation date. I want to become faculty at Keck because I have found that sharing the knowledge I have acquired with others brings a fulfillment that I can not attain anywhere else.

Hiking Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental US, might not seem like a pastime to most people, let alone doing it twice. Hiking can be dangerous to the inexperienced and unprepared. I have been on excursions where team members passed due to hiking accidents, so I know the dangers of reaching a peak. But the reward of completing a challenging hike can bring someone more than just awesome pictures and bragging rights. To me, hiking is therapeutic and a chance to collect my thoughts. I leave the fast pace of life in the city and spend time disconnected from the stresses that come with urban life. I have plenty of time to think about where my life is at the moment and where it is going. I think of my goals and assess if I am on the correct path to make those goals a reality. If I feel like I am deviating in any way, I think of adjustments to achieve my goals. Driving to the trailhead and seeing the mountain is daunting. Sometimes, while hiking, I look up at the mountain and doubt my ability to complete the task. I remember, however, that whatever challenges this mountain presents to me, I can handle. Everything starts with taking one step forward and one step at a time after that. The hurdles I have encountered in 33 years of life have prepared me to face the challenges on this mountain and in life. I get reminded that life is short and precious and that I am just a small part of this world. I should make a positive difference in people's lives every day, including my daughter. I should help others reach their goals just how others have taken the time to aid me in my endeavors. Hiking is more to me than a physical workout. It is a chance to heal my mind, decompress, and reassure myself that I am going in the right direction.

I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. As a child, I traveled for hours in public transportation to see a primary care physician. My goal is to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members that would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. I was raised in the south side of Montebello in California by a single mother who emigrated from El Salvador due to the hardships of a civil war. I became a father at the age of twenty; I abandoned my studies to focus on providing for my family as best as I could after that. I never gave up on education and attempted to take a class per semester. I had to drop or withdraw several times due to complications with my work schedule. I am committed to completing my studies and now have an opportunity to do so at a four-year university; I have decided to attend classes full-time and stop working, increasing my dependency on aid. This scholarship will help relieve some of the stresses associated with transportation, meals, and housing. In ten years I will be finishing my residency looking for better ways to provide easier healthcare pathways for minorities.

I was raised in the south side of Montebello by a single mother who emigrated from El Salvador due to the hardships of a civil war. I found a way to escape toxic relationships in disadvantaged neighborhoods via sports; I played football and participated in track & field. I attended Whittier College after high school and participated in football there. I became a father at the age of twenty; I abandoned my studies to focus on providing for my family as best as I could after that. I never gave up on education and attempted to take a class per semester. I had to drop or withdraw several times due to complications with my work schedule. I am committed to completing my studies; I have decided to attend classes full-time and reduce hours worked, increasing my dependency on aid. I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. As a child, I traveled for hours in public transportation to see a primary care physician. My goal is to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members that would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers.

I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. As a child, I traveled for hours in public transportation to see a primary care physician. My goal is to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members that would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers. The most significant challenge I have faced while in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. I had a daughter at nineteen and promised I would always be there for her. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. I could no longer attend class and had to withdraw late in the semester several times. I continued to search for an employer that would allow me to chase my dreams. In 2015, I received an opportunity where I was able to pursue academics. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. To prevent these challenges from happening in the future, we are ready to move near campus so I can attend school full-time and remove any other distractions.

In my current role as a Training Officer, I have had the privilege of training incoming staff with all the necessary skills they will need to have successful careers. Generosity means being able to share with those that need it. Generocity can take the shape of more than monetary means but also knowledge. Before becoming a training officer, I took the training manual that I knew had several operational mistakes and submitted corrections to my superiors. A new version of the manual with all my improvements was released soon after. To keep my team motivated, I challenge them to individually set goals. If I see that work is no longer a challenge, I suggest they take classes at a community college to improve other necessary skills. My colleagues' knowledge of my academic pursuits has made me a reference for their own educational goals. I provide as much information as I can; I help with registering for classes, getting financial assistance, looking for books and supplies, and seeking professional academic guidance to better their careers and lives.

The most significant challenge I have faced while in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. I had a daughter at nineteen and promised I would always be there for her. I grew up without a father and never wanted my children to go through the same experiences I did as a child. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. I could no longer attend class and had to withdraw late in the semester several times. I continued to search for an employer that would allow me to chase my dreams. In 2015, I received an opportunity with USC where I was able to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and both of us do homework together. I can get my school work done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her school work more in-depth. I find it beneficial to keep this structure since it ensures I understand the topics at hand while finding out what is happening in my daughter’s everyday life. To prevent these challenges from happening at USC, we are ready to move near campus so I can attend school full-time and remove any other distractions. I want to advance my education because I'll make a difference in my community by providing easier healthcare access. Once done with medical school, I can bridge access to residents who would otherwise not have adequate medical services. I can communicate and connect with people who are often overlooked or misheard when dealing with their health issues. As a child, I traveled for hours in public transportation to see a primary care physician. My goal is to provide easier access to communities like the one I grew up in by setting up mobile health clinics. These clinics will help the community grow strong and healthy and prevent or detect diseases early. Mobile health clinics can provide services to community members that would otherwise not see a doctor because of transportation, language, or cultural barriers.

The most significant challenge I have faced while in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. I had a daughter at nineteen and promised I would always be there for her. I grew up without a father and never wanted my children to go through the same experiences I did as a child. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. I could no longer attend class and had to withdraw late in the semester several times. I continued to search for an employer that would allow me to chase my dreams. In 2015, I received an opportunity with USC where I was able to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and both of us do homework together. I can get my school work done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her school work more in-depth. I find it beneficial to keep this structure since it ensures I understand the topics at hand while finding out what is happening in my daughter’s everyday life. To prevent these challenges from happening at USC, we are ready to move near campus so I can attend school full-time and remove any other distractions.

I was raised in the south side of Montebello by a single mother who emigrated from El Salvador due to the hardships of a civil war. I found a way to escape toxic relationships in disadvantaged neighborhoods via sports; I played football and participated in track & field. I attended Whittier College after high school and participated in football there. I became a father at the age of twenty; I abandoned my studies to focus on providing for my family as best as I could after that. I never gave up on education and attempted to take a class per semester. I had to drop or withdraw several times due to complications with my work schedule. I am committed to completing my studies; I have decided to attend classes full-time and reduce hours worked, increasing my dependency on aid. The most significant challenge I have faced while in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. I had a daughter at nineteen and promised I would always be there for her. I grew up without a father and never wanted my children to go through the same experiences I did as a child. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. I could no longer attend class and had to withdraw late in the semester several times. I continued to search for an employer that would allow me to chase my dreams. In 2015, I received an opportunity with USC where I was able to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and both of us do homework together. I can get my school work done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her school work more in-depth. I find it beneficial to keep this structure since it ensures I understand the topics at hand while finding out what is happening in my daughter’s everyday life. To prevent these challenges from happening at USC, we are ready to move near campus so I can attend school full-time and remove any other distractions.

The most significant challenge I have faced while in college has been balancing time between family, work, and school while getting satisfactory grades. I had a daughter at nineteen and promised I would always be there for her. I grew up without a father and never wanted my children to go through the same experiences I did as a child. Receiving above-average grades proved difficult while working 40 hours a week and raising a child. My work schedule conflicted with my class schedule due to rotating shifts most of the time. I could no longer attend class and had to withdraw late in the semester several times. I continued to search for an employer that would allow me to chase my dreams. In 2015, I received an opportunity with USC where I was able to pursue academics. I was better able to balance the things I consider precious. I combined tasks involving family and school to spend quality time doing both. I sit down with my daughter, and both of us do homework together. I can get my school work done while spending quality with my daughter; I help her understand her school work more in-depth. I find it beneficial to keep this structure since it ensures I understand the topics at hand while finding out what is happening in my daughter’s everyday life. To prevent these challenges from happening at USC, we are ready to move near campus so I can attend school full-time and remove any other distractions.