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Jenny Ren

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Piano
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Volunteering
  • Track and Field
  • Band
  • Chinese
  • Russian
  • Exercise And Fitness
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Journaling
  • Tutoring
  • Mandarin

Reading

  • Classics
  • Contemporary
  • Health
  • Mystery
  • Romance
  • Action

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

你好, здравствуйте, and hello! I am a student enrolled at Staten Island Technical High School. As the daughter of a parent with cancer, I've had first-hand experience witnessing how patients navigate the healthcare system. This has shaped my interests in biology, medicine, and public health. During the school year, I balance academics with taking care of my dad, but in my free time, I enjoy volunteering in my community, whether that be at hospitals or nursing homes. My dream career is to become a gastroenterologist because the intersection between nutrition and digestive health is a unique topic I hope to explore.

Education

Staten Island Technical High School

High School

2023 – 2027

GPA4.0 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Human Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Public Health, Nutrition Sciences
Desired degree modality:
In-Person
Medical school interest:
Yes
Homeschooled:
No

Career

  • Waitress/cashier: Since my parents are not fluent in English, I am in charge of taking customer orders both over the phone and in person. I handle their payment and assist with packaging orders.

    Hospitality · Family-owned restaurant

    Jan 2021 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine, Public Health, Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics
Dream career goals:
I aspire to become a Gastroenterologist and treat people with digestive disorders/diseases
Work experience:
4 years
Has nursing license:
No
Leadership experience:
Yes

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
Marcia Bick Scholarship
Disadvantaged students often aren’t able to see their own potential due to obstacles that limit their access to opportunities. I am the daughter of immigrant parents who came to America to pursue their American Dream: financial stability. As one of the only Asian families in town, I spent most of my time helping at our family restaurant, which came with responsibilities such as waiting tables and managing customer service. I envied my friends who could partake in extracurriculars and travel on the weekends, and I wished to explore life beyond the tiny little town. The chance to do so came unexpectedly when Dad was diagnosed with stage 3 liver cancer. Our family split apart. Dad moved to New York, where he could get better access to treatment, and I followed as his caretaker. This was a completely new city over 550 miles away where I knew absolutely nobody. I had little time to study for the admission exams into a NYC specialized high school, but I still performed well and gained admission to Staten Island Technical High School; I continued juggling academics and taking care of Dad. Household chores like cooking and cleaning were basic responsibilities, but accompanying Dad to the hospital or arguing with his insurance company when they ended his coverage required more time. However, Dad’s illness is what motivates me to continue pursuing higher education. When I was younger, school was an escape—away from the restaurant where I had to work tirelessly, but now school represents a different form of freedom: the freedom to change my own life and improve those of others. Yet, financially disadvantaged students like myself often face challenges when it comes to navigating college preparation. For example, our school provided SAT tutoring two days a week after school, and while I knew it was a great way to study for the exam, my family’s financial situation and my personal responsibilities left little room for such a program. Instead, I turned to self-studying using online resources whenever I had the time. While Dad’s illness has taught me how to prioritize my time, I’ve also learned to take advantage of opportunities that I could never have imagined existing in my old rural town. When I won an internship through a radiology essay competition at MSK Cancer Center, I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore something I was trying so hard to understand. Coincidentally, we did research on hepatocellular carcinoma— the same disease I’ve spent years watching Dad deal with. Liver cancer treatment options used to be surface-level discussions with doctors, but were now something I was exploring behind the scenes. I’m extremely grateful for the “freedom” that New York has provided me, because it has allowed me to see my potential. I hope this scholarship will support my journey through college and turn my potential into something real as I continue to work towards a career in medicine.
Jenny Ren Student Profile | Bold.org