I plan to pursue a major in pre-medical sciences because I am deeply passionate about improving lives through healthcare. As a first-generation student, I value education immensely and choose my major carefully, understanding this opportunity is a privilege not everyone has. The sacrifices my family has made to ensure I have the chance to pursue this career inspire me to work even harder toward my goals. I aspire to be part of a dedicated team of professionals who collaborate to advance medical knowledge and provide compassionate care, while also advocating for and representing minority groups often denied proper healthcare. Ultimately I aim to make a meaningful impact on the world by helping others live healthier, happier lives. The most significant challenge I have faced was being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at the age of 12 and having the worst flare-up (the disease was stronger, and the medicine was not working anymore) during one of the most important years, junior year. This flare-up lasted the whole year, it altered my performance academically and physically causing me to miss multiple days of school. Throughout this year I had various tests, procedures, doctor appointments, hospital visits, and one surgery. I valued my education very much and pushed myself day to day to get out of bed and get to school as often as I could. However, even though this effort helped my grades, it hurt me physically. I requested a meeting with my counselor to go over what I was going through unable to decide on what to do since I did not want to do school online since I learn better in person and hands-on. I was then provided with a different option, transferring to a different school to relieve some pressure. At first, this appeared to be very beneficial but when I was told I wouldn’t be able to take my electives classes which at the time were health support, avid, ethnic studies, and psychology; it was going to affect my academic achievements therefore I decided not to transfer or switch to online. The steps I had to take to overcome these challenges were to learn proper balance. I did so by attending tutoring sessions, speaking to all of my teachers, meditating, and surrounding myself with people who uplifted me no matter what it was. Since then, I have learned how to properly manage these unexpected situations, benefiting my academic future.