My career goals are the same of many, I wish to be a successful young woman in the medical field and pursuing my dream of becoming some ones dermatologist or anesthesiologist! I have so many things I want to be in the medical field at this time in my life, but for right now I'm at the very beginning of that dream. It's the last few months of my senior year and I'm starting to get my financial aid packages back from all the colleges I've applied to. It's been a stressful and overwhelming, yet exciting few months. Like many the only thing in my way is money. The goal is to avoid debt as much as possible so me and my family decided we wouldn't take out any loans, no federal or private, nothing that could risk me having to give most of my well deserved future income to those I'd owe. That brings us to my plan on how I plan on going through college, medical school and residency without having debt, because like my father said the worst thing you can gain is tons of debt. This scholarship helps me enact that plan without having to pay much of anything in my four years of college. The college I want to go to, Temple, offers everything I need. The research needed for med school, access to hospitals, internships, shadow opportunities, everything! Except the amount that they gave me wasn't enough for my parents, which is what has brought me here. If I was to get this scholarship this would knock my $19,154 down to $14,154 which is such a great start. I'm dedicated to knocking this cost down to the best of my ability for the whole of my 4 years because with the costs of college being reduced, my dedication, hunger and drive carrying me throughout college I hope to continue with my plan and get into a full-tuition medical school. I know how hard and how focused I'm going to have to be to push pass these financial burdens, but I'm committed to this dream and my career goals. This scholarship would help make the stress of my journey easier to overcome. Many people who work in the medical field never truly gets the fruits of their labor because they spend a high percentage of their life paying off debt, along with bills and other necessary resources in their lives. Thank you guys so much for considering helping my plan in avoiding that lifestyle and funding what I'm working towards. I'm incredibly grateful that time was taken to understand and hear my goals. Thank you!

I had more clothes in my drawers than in my closet. The clothes in the closet sat there collecting dust as I continued to out grow them anyways.I was homeschooled starting at fifth grade, never speaking to my elementary classmates again, now learning through a screen. At first it felt refreshing being home all day, wearing pajamas, and snacking whenever I wanted. All I had to do was show up for live classes, and my day was done. Unfortunately that novelty faded. I started gaining weight from sitting so much, my fast metabolism disappearing. Acne grew on my face from the hormones, but I knew my diet was apart of that too. Worst of them all I felt lonely. I felt like the clothes within my closet, as if I was collecting dust and becoming the worst version of myself. My only connection to other kids and trends was social media, where I tried to keep up with slang and culture, preparing for the rare moments I would see peers at parties or family gatherings. Even then, I felt the effects of isolation. "What happened to me?" I would ask myself. I had become so awkward where did my confidence in my voice go? Insecurities grew as I ate more sugary foods, causing more weight gain and breakouts. Seeking approval online became a habit, but rejection only reinforced my feelings of failure. Eventually I did decide that it was time to change, I was tired of feeling terrible within my own skin. I got involved in sports, worked out at home and lose weight going from 190 to 120 pounds. I then returned to a brick and mortar school my junior year. I struggled socially at first but overtime, I rebuilt friendships and regained my confidence. Yet some challenges remained. The clothes at the back of my closest like my lingering acne still needed attention. I became fascinated with skincare, understanding that while many aspects of my life had improved, caring for my skin was essential. That need to understand my skin and curiosity sparked a passion in a career: dermatology. I figured what better way to learn more about my skin then making it my career and studying about it. I want to help others take control of their skin and their confidence, learning everything I can about it. Bringing out the hidden clothes was easy, but removing their stains remains the hardest part. Just as I continue to care for my skin, I continue to care for myself, striving to grow, heal and help others along the way. I now know the importance of taking care of yourself and I make sure I always do so I won't have to compare myself to clothes in a closet ever again.