Convincing someone to attend college is a layered and complex topic; It depends on why my peer does not want to attend college. Is it because of imposter syndrome? We all overcame the same rigorous application analysis at the hands of admissions officers. Some needed the extra support of their parent's legacies and donations, but you can do it without the aid of that; your application alone can surpass those who had to rely on privileges to grant them into college. Do not let anyone or anything take that away from you. Is it because you feel that college is not for you? That can hold at times, and while colleges urge their students to "explore" their curriculums, it may not always work out that way when trying to fulfill college and major requirements. I encourage you to apply to colleges with intent in mind, not their name or prestige. Find a college that fits you like a shoe. Allow yourself to fall in love with their community, their significant offerings, and every resource they can provide for you. It starts there. Once you find YOUR college, explore each significant opportunity, and schedule meetings with advisors, there is a high chance you will learn about majors and concentrations that you didn't know existed. But there is always one thing that brings me comfort that I wish to offer you as final advice. A degree is what you make it. Ignore those who say "[degree] can't make you any money" or "This degree is useless." Individuals are working in fields completely separate from their major, yet they are still thriving. You hold the power of what to do with your degree, but you also hold the power of how you supplement that degree across four years. You have the choice to network with others; you have the option to join internships and extracurriculars to allow you to meet new people and hear their stories. A degree is a piece of paper, but you decide how to build up its supporting factors. You can go to college. It is for you.

As a Black American, I find it necessary to focus my attention on bringing light to overlooked Black issues; my specific interests lie in medicine. I am a pre-med student at Emory University planning to graduate in 2025 with a degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology with a Marketing double major. This unique combination allows me to get an interdisciplinary view into the minds of the general public, uncovering their behavior patterns and learning how this affects greater society. Unfortunately, research has shown that Black citizens' problems in America receive considerably less attention than white counterparts. As a Black woman, I find it necessary to advocate for myself because research has shown that no one else will. Black women receive less coverage in police brutality cases, less sympathy in legal situations, and less respect than every counterpart. One aspect, in particular, seized my attention as a pre-medical student: Black women receive less support in the delivery room and general hospital settings. This inspired me to research this broad issue further and learn about the surrounding pillars that needed to be solved: the Black maternal mortality rate, the lack of support that Black women receive when battling postpartum depression, and many other issues. I have since turned my attention towards the cause of Black women. I found more minor ways to contribute to my community on smaller and bigger scales. The first thing that anyone can do is educate. There is no such thing as too much awareness for a magnitude problem. I began by writing for my university's medical review paper. I was selected as one of 7 first-year students out of 50 applicants to write, and I chose to use that platform to write about the maternal mortality rate. This journal is read by hundreds of students and reviewed by some of the most renowned physicians in the country; the domino effect of this information would be unique. As a social media intern, I also joined a local nonprofit named MomBAE, Mothers Before Anything Else. My first four months there have been amazing! We have organized a Winter Toy Drive for children and mothers and donated essential items to mothers in need. I've spent 2021 utilizing my platform for issues aligned with my values. It is vital to amplify Black voices speaking about Black issues, considering how often we get spoken over. It is also crucial that they are amplified by fellow Black voices to spread awareness in a manner that is accessible and palatable to our community. These are key to solving problems and urging unity in the Black community. I aim to continue my work with MomBAE and participate in more events to create a safe space for all Black mothers. Our next goal is to create a community for Black women to share their experiences with maternity and/or postpartum depression. I know that this will be successful.