The reason I want to become a medical doctor is because of how much impact my doctor has had on me. Earlier in my life I was in an accident that led me to have a spinal injury that caused unbearable pain and left my legs immobile for some time. After the accident happened I noticed the pain in my lower back and legs increasing. I went to my doctor who did every test she could to rule out any possible issue. She tried her best to alleviate the pain at that time. She wouldn’t even let me leave the first day of testing because she thought the issue could be a blood clot in my leg. She was going above and beyond, making sure she could rule out any and all issues that it might be. However, as time went by with all the testing the pain wouldn’t subside and it became unbearable to stand, walk or even sit. I wasn’t able to do simple tasks on my own, such as even bathing myself. My mom was always working long and hard hours until late at night that left her drained, and my dad had to leave to find a better job so we could have a better life. This left me with only my grandmother to take care of me and help me do simple things such as eating and bathing. Although it was hard, I made sure to keep going to any doctor's appointments I had to help with the pain. My doctor then found the issue was damage to my spine and decided there were only two options. The options were surgery that could leave me completely immobile from the waist down for the rest of my life, or continuous medicine as well as physical therapy. She weighed in all possible factors and advised me to choose physical therapy and meds since she said surgery was too risky, and I had too much ahead of me in life to risk something that important. Because of her efforts I was able to walk again, and the pain subsided. Without my doctor, I don’t think I would have made it this far in life as I have. She truly had an impact on my life and helped me to achieve bigger and greater things. She made me realize how much in life we take for granted and how important it is to never let obstacles stop us from following our dreams. I know that my experience will help motivate me to help others in any way I can just as she did. I want to go above and beyond to help others the way she helped me. I think that if I gained anything from my experience it would be a drive to help others. To me, being a doctor is doing anything and everything in your power to help others, and that’s something that I'm determined to be.

An experience that led me to attend community college was the unexpected news of a little brother. I was truly unprepared for the idea of my mother having a baby after such a long time. However, that wasn’t the only factor that contributed to my decision. For some time, my mom was in and out of a toxic and abusive relationship that greatly affected us all. Her relationship with this man caused many arguments and rifts between us because of the worry I had of her being around him. Naturally, this greatly affected my reaction and feelings towards my mom’s pregnancy. I was also going through a tough time with my mental health, which was steadily declining. This all changed when the baby was born. He became everything to me, and I couldn’t stand being away from him for long. I decided from then on that I would stay in my city and attend community college for my mom and brothers as well as their protection. I have another brother who is very young as well and didn’t feel comfortable leaving him behind in the care of my mother and her partner. I stay attending community college to make sure my family is safe and okay. I plan to stay until I can put my brothers through college, and they are able to get out of our current household and sustain themselves. I care too much about my family and don’t want to risk something happening in my absence. I plan to finish my education in the medical field to have enough resources to free myself and my brothers from the current circumstances. My mother has made her decision clear about where she stands, and unfortunately, it's not with us. I plan to get my master's degree or higher not just for myself, but for those around me. I want to pursue a career in the medical field to help others in any way I can. I know I can only do so much within my own family, and I want my help to reach beyond them. I want to bring aid to as many people as I can because I think everyone needs help sometimes even when they're scared to ask. I know that many can be afraid when it comes to medical procedures, and I want to bring them comfort and put their minds at ease. My plan is to help everyone, and I think my life experiences help fuel that drive.

Growing up in a Mexican household meant there was a disbelief in the need of help with mental health. I remember in my early teens I was experiencing emotions that I didn’t know how to handle, and when that was brought up to my family, they saw it as a waste of money, money that we didn’t have. They believed it was all in my head and was something I needed to get over quickly because to them there was no reason to feel this way. This inspired me to find ways to make mental health care more accessible to those who may feel too scared to ask. Despite the growing awareness, there are still limitations in place that stop people from getting the help they need. I want to break those limitations to help those who need support. Once I get my degree, I plan to create a grant program that offers financial support to those seeking mental health care but can’t afford it. The program will prioritize low-income applicants and partner with nearby clinics to ensure accessible services. By removing financial barriers, this will allow applicants to receive the help they need without shame or fear. As I continue my studies, I plan to use my knowledge and future resources to fund this program. My goal is to create solutions that will make mental health a right, not a privilege.

I chose to pursue a career in STEM because of the meaningful impact I want to make in others’ lives. From a young age, I was always told what I could and couldn’t do just because I was a girl. Science is something I'm fascinated in and always have been, however in my early pursue I was discouraged to continue my education in this field, I was told that science was a male-dominated field, and I should pick something “more fitting” for a woman. I could never understand what they meant by that. Why should my gender determine what I am capable of? Those moments became a turning point in my life. Instead of letting those words hold me back from what I'm passionate about, I used them as motivation to further drive me forward. From then on, I decided that I would prove everyone wrong, not just for me, but for every girl who was told she wasn’t enough. I’m continuing my studies in STEM to further push the boundaries and limitations that have held so many back. I hope to be a role model for young women who have a passion for the many opportunities offered in STEM. I want them to see their dream is achievable and that they are capable of overcoming any obstacle they may come face to face with. When I finish my degree, I plan to fund scholarships just like the one I am applying for now. I want to create opportunities for women pursuing higher education. Financial support can be life changing; it can determine whether someone continues their education or has to walk away from their dreams. I know firsthand how hard it can be to overcome financial troubles, and I want to relieve some of that burden for others. My vision for the scholarship I plan to create would not just provide financial aid but also encouragement. I want women to feel empowered to enter fields where they are underrepresented and to thrive no matter the obstacle. I want to inspire them to fight against stereotypes and believe in their potential. To me, anyone can achieve greatness if they are willing to work hard for it. Passion and perseverance are powerful things that I know I possess, just as many others do. My journey in STEM is just beginning, but my commitment to make a change is lifelong. I hope to continuously make a change to help others rise and succeed just as I strive to do it every day.