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Jocelyn C.

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Art
  • Baking
  • Biking And Cycling
  • Church
  • Coffee
  • Cooking
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Food And Eating
  • Journaling
  • Movies And Film
  • Piano
  • Self Care
  • Sleeping
  • Spanish
  • Track and Field
  • Yearbook
  • Walking

Reading

  • Biography
  • Novels
  • Romance
  • Action
  • Suspense
  • True Story
  • Young Adult

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

My name is Jocelyn and I live in New Jersey. I’m currently on track to graduate high school with an associates degree. I’ve sacrificed a lot of my time but like my dad always says “cada sacrificio tiene su recompensa” meaning “every sacrifice has its reward”. During junior year I was nervous to join Track and Cross Country but I liked the environment and ability to support one another. They emphasized the importance of communication and effective time management. I successfully balanced early college, track, and marching band, eventually choosing track. If I wanted to join a varsity team, I had to work hard and be completely committed to it. Despite the uncertainty, I enjoyed my first cross-country season, showcasing my dedication to achieving goals. I was inspired by my orthodontist to pursue orthodontics. Many people live with an insecurity about their smile because they are unable to afford braces. I hope that with my career I can help people who aren't confident in their smiles by having my own dental practice that can be accessible to everyone. My aim is to become the best version of myself in college. My goal of getting into a reputable dental school will be aided by my biology major and DAT preparation. I hope to visit locations where I can assist medical professionals in treating underprivileged children. I hope to influence others and encourage them to smile proudly the same way my orthodontist did for me. I want to aid individuals struggling to pay for dental care. At the end of the day a smile can brighten someone's day exponentially.

Education

Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering

High School

2021 – 2024

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Biology, General, Dentistry

Career

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Dentistry
Dream career goals:
Orthodontist
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care
As a first-generation Mexican American, higher education both excites and frightens me. My goal has always been to support my parents, who come from a community with inadequate health insurance. Their ambition for a better life is what inspired my foray into the medical industry. Due to inadequate insurance, my mom didn't have the means to correct her smile, like I did. This made me realize I wanted to pursue dentistry so I could help people like my mom feel confident in their smiles. Although having braces fixed one problem, it unraveled many others, including a period of bullying that tested my self-esteem. It was during this challenging time that I found a guide who not only helped me overcome the difficulties of wearing braces but also molded my will to become a dentist. During my journey with braces, I met my orthodontist, who was always kindhearted. We would catch up and talk about school and my future aspirations. Shortly after our first meeting. I expressed my initial desire to be a dentist, but then I questioned if I should stop there or go the extra mile. The more I bonded with him, the more he taught me about the field, and the more I realized that I wanted to specialize in orthodontics. As time went on, I learned to appreciate my smile as well as my own abilities. After taking off my braces I discovered that confidence is the key to everything, which helped me realize that everything and that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth. The increased self-confidence that came with my beautiful smile eliminated my fear of showing the world who I am. My new-found appreciation manifests in my daily life, as it makes me realize that I should value every single thing and every single moment that is given to me. It has allowed me to break out of my shell and do things that I was once afraid to do. Recently, I learned that my district was offering a dentistry program but for logistical reasons my school wasn’t able to access this program. Younger me would have taken it as a sign that it wasn’t meant for me, but after all these years that I have now gained confidence to push forward. Instead of giving in or giving up, I plan to keep fighting for this program to happen in my school so that in the future people like me can have this opportunity that I wasn’t able to have. One day, I wish to have my own dental practice where the mission is to provide those without access to adequate healthcare, quality dental care. I know of many people who don’t have the opportunity to have braces because they aren’t able to afford it or they just don’t have good enough health insurance. I want to see my mom smile in the mirror with the same confidence I now have. Perhaps I can have the wonderful opportunity to mentor patients like my doctor did for me. One never knows the impact of relationships, and I hope that with my orthodontist specialty, I will be part of the journey for other patients like me. I hope that my patients can see a light just like I saw a light when my doctor was there to listen to me. Now I look back and realize that my braces serve as a reminder of my journey so far and where I hope it leads. It turns out that my teenage nightmare was the stepping stone to my young adult college dream.
Jocelyn C. Student Profile | Bold.org