1) No 2) About $135,000 3) Father Education: Bachelor's degree Occupation: Engineer Mother Education: Some college Occupation: Paraeducator I am a first-generation Libyan American from the greater Seattle area, living with my parents and younger sister. We are the only members of our extended family in the United States, while the rest remain in Libya, where I travel every few years to stay connected to my roots. Without nearby relatives, my friends and community became central to my life. The Muslim community, in particular, offered a sense of belonging and support, teaching me the importance of both relying on others and being dependable for them. These experiences fostered a lasting commitment to service that continues to influence my career aspirations. From a young age, I was fascinated by science and drawn to understanding how things worked. But my path toward medicine became personal when, at sixteen, I experienced my first seizure. Suddenly, I was no longer just curious about the body’s workings; I was a patient, confronting uncertainty and vulnerability. That experience opened my eyes to the role physicians play not only in diagnosis and treatment, but also in guiding patients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. It was this experience that sparked my interest in pursuing a career as a physician. Looking ahead, I envision myself as a physician who bridges patient care, research, and community service. As an undergraduate, I conducted neuroscience research on epilepsy, which sparked my fascination with the science behind disease and treatment. That experience deepened my desire to translate discoveries into solutions that directly improve patient outcomes. As a physician, I aim to dedicate a portion of my time to clinically informed research that advances treatment options and bridges the gap between the laboratory and the bedside. Beyond research, I aim to serve communities in underserved regions both globally and within the United States. Having lived in Libya, I witnessed firsthand the impact of inadequate healthcare infrastructure, where patients lacked access to even basic treatment. I hope to contribute to rebuilding systems in regions like this, ensuring people have access to sustainable care. At home, I aim to dedicate time to volunteering at free clinics, offering consistent, culturally sensitive care to underserved populations. Growing up as a Muslim Arab African American, I saw elders in my community avoid care due to language barriers, cost, or mistrust of the system. As a teenager, I began translating and encouraging them to seek care with interpreters. In the future, I hope to draw on that lived experience and my medical training to break down those same barriers for others. I also aspire to mentor students from backgrounds like mine, those who are the first in their families to pursue medicine and may lack role models in the field. Having lived this journey, I know how isolating it feels. I have already begun mentoring students in my community, and as a physician, I want to expand this work, helping future doctors find belonging and confidence on their paths. Above all, my greatest fulfillment as a physician would come from empowering underserved patients to take control of their health with knowledge and confidence. I also hope to extend that empowerment through mentorship, helping students from underrepresented backgrounds find belonging in medicine through programs like HCCP. In both care and mentorship, I aspire to build a career defined by service and lasting impact.