My name is Ioana Podarita, I am a Romanian-born, first generation student in the U.S. Growing up, in a poor, underdeveloped country ravaged by communism, no one around me had great ambitions, so I thought I shouldn’t either. But, over the years, thanks to and despite of many blessings and traumas, that has changed. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung didn’t believe in coincidences, and neither do I. My life is a testament to that, as you will learn from my application. I am now a 3rd year psychology student, working on my own independent research and developing a theory of personality, because I need to pay forward what has been given to me by my mentors. I am going to earn a doctoral degree and become a Forensic Psychologist, and if all goes well my research and work will help prevent violence against women and under protected persons. At worst, it will help us understand the mechanisms behind violent and maladaptive behaviors in our society. This may sound too ambitious, but this drive is fueled by highly personal reasons which is why I am so confident in its success. There is one issue though: money. I am a low-income student. Over the course of the past 3 years, I have been able to achieve merit scholarships, many minimum wage jobs, as well as the modest support of my parents. But it is still a struggle to stay in school, as well as stay focused on my academic and professional pursuits. Thank you for taking the time to read a part of my story, and just know that any support you see fit can make a great impact on my life.