Psychology is a field that views the individual and the brain as a whole. This is a great field of study for people like me, who look for an in-depth understanding of how behaviors and thoughts are affected by the physiology of the brain, and vice versa. As a curious person, I am attracted to the complexity of the brain and seek to find answers to questions that require more research. Questions regarding memory, emotions, perception, decision-making, and neuron connections. It is amazing that everything we do, even breathing, is because of the brain’s command. Although science has discovered so much about the brain, psychology is a relatively recent field, and there is still a lot to learn about the brain. But curiosity is not the only factor that kindles my passion for psychology. Just like many other psychologists, I became interested in this career path due to personal experiences. My search for personal healing has given me the desire to help those struggling with childhood traumas and PTSD. As a psychologist, I will have the opportunity to bring hope and healing to diverse populations in various ways. This can be achieved through research, psychotherapy, or my preferred path, working as a clinician. My desire to become a clinical neuropsychologist was strengthened after witnessing family members struggling with mental illness, especially with neurodegenerative disorders. My dear great-grandpa and grandma both suffered from dementia before they passed. I experienced how these conditions affect the family members as much as the person with the condition. Seeing my grandma, whom I loved like a mother, in this state broke me. But one of the most hurtful things is that she didn’t recognize us, she could not understand what was happening to her. She was helpless and in pain, and I couldn’t do anything about it. After experiencing my grandma’s death, I decided I wanted to change the future of memory loss and bring hope to families and individuals dealing with these conditions. I aim to research subjects that would positively affect the future of science, such as contributing to finding the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease, and not only how to prolong it but also how to prevent it. During my undergrad, I became familiar with Dr. Amen’s work, and I admire his search for reversing memory loss and ending mental illness. Although my desire to become a neuropsychologist existed before I discovered his work, it gave me hope that there might be a way we can change our brains. We do not have to conform to our broken brain, but we can improve it. I am committed to using my twenties intentionally to build the future career I love. I am looking to enroll in an APA-accredited PsyD program that will prepare me to embrace both research and clinical roles, allowing me to gain practical experience through hands-on training and assessment early in my career. After completing a PsyD, I plan on pursuing a postdoctoral degree focused on clinical neuropsychology across the lifespan. I want to become a licensed board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and work at a hospital or medical center testing individuals with neuropsychological or neurodivergent disorders such as autism, ADHD, Alzheimer's, dementia, brain injuries, etc. With my knowledge and training in clinical psychology, I will be equipped to assist patients who also suffer from depression, anxiety, chronic stress, PTSD, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. I would be prepared to support these individuals by using appropriate therapeutic approaches or guiding them to other professionals who can further assist. Thanks for considering my application!