Ever since I was in elementary school, science has been my favorite subject. Whether studying simple organisms, ecosystems, rock formations, fossils, bacteria, etc, science has always intrigued me. I have been lucky enough to have plenty of amazing science teachers who have fostered this love for science and given me opportunities to get hands-on experiences in many different areas of science. As I have gotten older and taken increasingly advanced classes in science, I have been able to explore more complicated fields and narrow my options for my desired topic of study, and I am forever grateful for the amazing teachers who have been able to help me in this journey. I am currently studying integrative biology at Harvard University for my undergraduate degree, and I plan on pursuing virology for my graduate degree, specifically a doctorate. Once I have obtained these, I want to work in a CRISPR lab, modifying and tweaking viruses to eventually be used to help the general population. The CRISPR technology would cut out certain genes of a fetus before it is born to remove harmful DNA that holds the genes for something like a congenital disease and conditions such as sickle-cell disease, HIV, multiple myeloma, or Huntington’s disease. Through doing this, I aim to help improve the lives of many people around the world and help give them more opportunities to enjoy life to the fullest. I chose this major because of my freshman-year biology teacher who shared my love for niche areas of biology. My teacher in this class understood my love of science and had an amazing ability to make any topic in his class interesting to everyone. This teacher and I had many discussions over topics we found interesting pertaining to biology, and it just so happened to be during one of these conversations that I found my love for the field I wish to major in. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses and my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how CRISPR technology would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPR. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPR seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. After discussing things with my dad and finally settling on this career path, my dad and I set to work researching which universities would provide the best education and what path I would need to take to get to my dream career. This research has led me to apply to many different universities that I believe will allow for me to hone my abilities in this research field and help me to research and help as many people in the world as possible. I also hope that in the future, I will be able to be a role model for younger girls also wishing to pursue careers in the STEM area. I hope that my research will teach these girls that women are able to make just as important strides in research as men can and that if they believe in themselves, they can accomplish great things. Once CRISPR technology is ready for use in humans, it has the ability to greatly impact our planet for the better and help the lives of many people. I hope that I am able to contribute to this amazing field in science and hopefully have a positive effect on as many people as possible.

Ever since I was in elementary school, science has been my favorite subject. Whether studying simple organisms, ecosystems, rock formations, fossils, bacteria, etc, science has always intrigued me. I have been lucky enough to have plenty of amazing science teachers who have fostered this love for science and given me opportunities to get hands-on experiences in many different areas of science. As I have gotten older and taken increasingly advanced classes in science, I have been able to explore more complicated fields and narrow my options for my desired topic of study, and I am forever grateful for the amazing teachers who have been able to help me in this journey. I am currently studying integrative biology at Harvard University for my undergraduate degree, and I plan on pursuing virology for my graduate degree, specifically a doctorate. Once I have obtained these, I want to work in a CRISPR lab, modifying and tweaking viruses to eventually be used to help the general population. The CRISPR technology would cut out certain genes of a fetus before it is born to remove harmful DNA that holds the genes for something like a congenital disease and conditions such as sickle-cell disease, HIV, multiple myeloma, or Huntington’s disease. Through doing this, I aim to help improve the lives of many people around the world and help give them more opportunities to enjoy life to the fullest. I chose this major because of my freshman-year biology teacher who shared my love for niche areas of biology. My teacher in this class understood my love of science and had an amazing ability to make any topic in his class interesting to everyone. This teacher and I had many discussions over topics we found interesting pertaining to biology, and it just so happened to be during one of these conversations that I found my love for the field I wish to major in. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses and my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how CRISPR technology would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPR. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPR seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. After discussing things with my dad and finally settling on this career path, my dad and I set to work researching which universities would provide the best education and what path I would need to take to get to my dream career. This research has led me to apply to many different universities that I believe will allow for me to hone my abilities in this research field and help me to research and help as many people in the world as possible. I also hope that in the future, I will be able to be a role model for younger girls also wishing to pursue careers in the STEM area. I hope that my research will teach these girls that women are able to make just as important strides in research as men can and that if they believe in themselves, they can accomplish great things. Once CRISPR technology is ready for use in humans, it has the ability to greatly impact our planet for the better and help the lives of many people. I hope that I am able to contribute to this amazing field in science and hopefully have a positive effect on as many people as possible.

Ever since I was in elementary school, science has been my favorite subject. Whether studying simple organisms, ecosystems, rock formations, fossils, bacteria, etc, science has always intrigued me. I have been lucky enough to have plenty of amazing science teachers who have fostered this love for science and given me opportunities to get hands-on experiences in many different areas of science. As I have gotten older and taken increasingly advanced classes in science, I have been able to explore more complicated fields and narrow my options for my desired topic of study, and I am forever grateful for the amazing teachers who have been able to help me in this journey. I am currently studying integrative biology at Harvard University for my undergraduate degree, and I plan on pursuing virology for my graduate degree, specifically a doctorate. Once I have obtained these, I want to work in a CRISPR lab, modifying and tweaking viruses to eventually be used to help the general population. The CRISPR technology would cut out certain genes of a fetus before it is born to remove harmful DNA that holds the genes for something like a congenital disease and conditions such as sickle-cell disease, HIV, multiple myeloma, or Huntington’s disease. Through doing this, I aim to help improve the lives of many people around the world and help give them more opportunities to enjoy life to the fullest. I chose this major because of my freshman-year biology teacher who shared my love for niche areas of biology. My teacher in this class understood my love of science and had an amazing ability to make any topic in his class interesting to everyone. This teacher and I had many discussions over topics we found interesting pertaining to biology, and it just so happened to be during one of these conversations that I found my love for the field I wish to major in. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses and my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how CRISPR technology would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPR. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPR seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. After discussing things with my dad and finally settling on this career path, my dad and I set to work researching which universities would provide the best education and what path I would need to take to get to my dream career. This research has led me to apply to many different universities that I believe will allow for me to hone my abilities in this research field and help me to research and help as many people in the world as possible. I also hope that in the future, I will be able to be a role model for younger girls also wishing to pursue careers in the STEM area. I hope that my research will teach these girls that women are able to make just as important strides in research as men can and that if they believe in themselves, they can accomplish great things. Once CRISPR technology is ready for use in humans, it has the ability to greatly impact our planet for the better and help the lives of many people. I hope that I am able to contribute to this amazing field in science and hopefully have a positive effect on as many people as possible.

Science has been my favorite subject ever since elementary school, and I have had plenty of amazing teachers who have helped foster this love for science along the way. Ever since having a conversation that happened one day during my freshman-year biology class taught by Mr. Shieldes, I have been enamored by the idea of CRISPRs- modified viruses designed to cut out harmful genes from a fetus’s DNA, such as congenital diseases and syndromes. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses when my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how they would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my initial interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. The thought of being able to use my passion for science to help other people excites me, and after researching CRISPR, I truly believe that I have found the perfect way to do so. Knowing that I could be part of the process that decreases the number of people being born with sickle cell anemia or Down syndrome is what pushes me to study in this field. I am excited to explore what other areas of life viruses could improve, and how many ways I can help others with my research. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to have the opportunity to conduct this research and help others with my work. Since I come from a low-income background, there is no guarantee that I will have enough money to pay for my tuition, especially since I plan to attend graduate school, which will add further expenses between the tuition and no access to on-campus housing. Science is my love and CRISPR research is my passion, despite the cost of the education I will need to have a career in this field. Although I understand that many people just get jobs that they are not passionate about to pay the bills, I believe that having a career in a field that I am eager to work in will allow me to make the most impact with my work and stay in the field longer than those in jobs they do not like. All of this to say, receiving scholarship money would be immensely appreciated and would allow me to help many future generations with my research.

As someone who lives in a small, rural, impoverished town, there are few opportunities for someone trying to further their education. While my high school tries its best to support its students' journies toward college, there are few scholarships or financial opportunities since the school is so underfunded. Since my desired degree in virology is so specific, no smaller schools around my town teach what I would need to pursue my career in genetic modification research using viruses. While it might be easier to change my desired major and go to a local college that would cost less than the universities I currently wish to attend, I am extremely passionate about my career goals, so I have decided to stick with trying to attend one of the bigger universities that offer my desired degree. I want to help as many people as possible, so I am determined to make it work and accomplish my goals. On top of living in a community with little opportunity, I also live in a house where I am discouraged from venturing far outside of the universities within an hour of home, and whenever I mention that I am applying to universities outside of this radius, I am usually ignored or dismissed. The majority of my family does not show much interest in my college journey or care to ask why I have chosen this path, which certainly does not help me keep a positive outlook on my future. Despite lacking the support I hoped for, I push myself to make sure I am applying to the universities that will benefit me the most and give me the best education so that I may pursue the education and career that will make me happy and allow for me to help many other people with my research. Ever since having a conversation that happened one day during my freshman-year biology class, I have been enamored by the idea of CRISPRs, or modified viruses designed to cut out harmful genes from a fetus’s DNA, such as congenital diseases and syndromes. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses when my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how they would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. The thought of being able to use my passion for science to help other people excites me, and after researching CRISPR, I truly believe that I have found the perfect way to do so. Knowing that I could be part of the process that decreases the number of people being born with sickle cell anemia or Down syndrome is what pushes me to study in this field. I am excited to explore what other areas of life viruses could improve, and how many ways I can help others with my research.

As someone who lives in a small, rural, impoverished town, there are few opportunities for someone trying to further their education. While my high school tries its best to support its students' journies toward college, there are few scholarships or financial opportunities since the school is so underfunded. Since my desired degree in virology is so specific, no smaller schools around my town teach what I would need to pursue my career in genetic modification research using viruses. While it might be easier to change my desired major and go to a local college that would cost less than the universities I currently wish to attend, I am extremely passionate about my career goals, so I have decided to stick with trying to attend one of the bigger universities that offer my desired degree. I want to help as many people as possible, so I am determined to make it work and accomplish my goals. On top of living in a community with little opportunity, I also live in a house where I am discouraged from venturing far outside of the universities within an hour of home, and whenever I mention that I am applying to universities outside of this radius, I am usually ignored or dismissed. The majority of my family does not show much interest in my college journey or care to ask why I have chosen this path, which certainly does not help me keep a positive outlook on my future. Despite lacking the support I hoped for, I push myself to make sure I am applying to the universities that will benefit me the most and give me the best education so that I may pursue the education and career that will make me happy and allow for me to help many other people with my research. Ever since having a conversation that happened one day during my freshman-year biology class, I have been enamored by the idea of CRISPRs, or modified viruses designed to cut out harmful genes from a fetus’s DNA, such as congenital diseases and syndromes. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses when my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how they would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. The thought of being able to use my passion for science to help other people excites me, and after researching CRISPR, I truly believe that I have found the perfect way to do so. Knowing that I could be part of the process that decreases the number of people being born with sickle cell anemia or Down syndrome is what pushes me to study in this field. I am excited to explore what other areas of life viruses could improve, and how many ways I can help others with my research.

Growing up in a small, rural town in Texas has perks: everybody knows each other, many times there's a strong sense of community, and teachers are easy to contact and are available when you need help. While all of these things are benefits, there are many negative aspects to living in a small town, one in particular that especially affects me. Because of the ultra-conservative and traditional manner of my southern town, I’ve never felt truly natural or accepted in my environment because of a huge part of my life: I’m bisexual. I believe no one should have to grow up hiding who they are from some of the people they love most, although this is exactly what I’ve been doing since 7th grade. Realizing that I’m attracted to both boys and girls was something that took me by surprise as I discovered it, but it also led to much hurt and confusion. I tried telling my mom how I identified, but she dismissed the notion and eventually forgot about it. This was the first step in my realizing that my mom and I might never be as close again. Before this epiphany, she had been the person I was closest to, who I went to with all my problems, who I trusted most, and who had always made me feel better when I was struggling or sad. After her dismissal, I slowly lost some of that comforting feeling from her that I always had. It’s almost like there's one final brick in the wall separating us to take down before we are fully connected, but I can’t seem to get rid of it. I know she loves me no matter what, but she will never fully know me or accept me for who I truly am. I knew very young that my stepdad and I would never be close. We don’t have similar beliefs on most of the big controversial topics these days - the main one being thoughts on the LGBTQ+ community (not that he knows my thoughts on that topic). But growing up, I always heard the homophobic comments and insults he would make towards anyone he saw that slightly exhibited “gay” characteristics, and refused to let my sisters or I watch any cartoons like Loud House or others that contained gay couples. He and I always have and maybe always will have a tense and argumentative relationship simply because we can’t connect or agree on anything. On top of living in an extremely homophobic household, it seems like the community I live in has homophobia as part of the very structure of the town. A few teachers and most students at the school have made clear their views on the LGBTQ+ community at some point or other, and you can’t go anywhere in the halls or classrooms without hearing one of the guys calling another one gay or telling him he’s acting “homo”. Anyone who is openly a part of the gay community runs the risk of being made fun of or bullied if they aren’t “cool” or “chill” enough before coming out. I’ve been lucky enough not to be targeted, but I'm constantly surrounded by hostility and constantly scared that the wrong person will discover this information about me. All of these important aspects of my life make me feel like I can’t be myself and I'm partially masking or hiding at all times. I can’t wait to escape and join a more accepting school where I can be who I truly am without being judged, focus on my passions, and simply be happy.

Please write an essay, 500 words or more on the following: Why have you chosen to pursue a degree in STEM Ever since I was in elementary school, science has been my favorite subject. Whether studying simple organisms, ecosystems, rock formations, fossils, bacteria, etc, science has always intrigued me. I have been lucky enough to have plenty of amazing science teachers who have fostered this love for science and given me opportunities to get hands-on experiences in many different areas of science. As I have gotten older and taken increasingly advanced classes in science, I have been able to explore more complicated fields and narrow my options for my desired topic of study, and I am forever grateful for the amazing teachers who have been able to help me in this journey. I wish to study either microbiology or another related field in biology for my undergraduate degree, and virology for my graduate degree, specifically a doctorate. Once I have obtained these, I plan to work in a CRISPR lab, modifying and tweaking viruses to eventually be used to help the general population. The CRISPRs would cut out certain genes of a fetus before it is born to remove harmful DNA that holds the genes for something like a congenital disease such as sickle-cell disease or Down Syndrome. Through doing this, I aim to help improve the lives of many people around the world and give them a better quality of life. I chose this major because of my freshman-year biology teacher who shared my love for niche areas of biology. My teacher in this class understood my love of science and had an amazing ability to make any topic in his class interesting to everyone. This teacher and I had many discussions over topics we found interesting pertaining to biology, and it just so happened to be during one of these conversations that I found my love for the field I wish to major in. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses and my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how CRISPRs would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. After discussing things with my dad and finally settling on this career path, my dad and I set to work researching which universities would provide the best education and what path I would need to take to get to my dream career. This research has led me to apply to many different universities that I believe will allow for me to hone my abilities in this research field and help me to research and help as many people in the world as possible. I also hope that in the future, I will be able to be a role model for younger girls also wishing to pursue careers in the STEM area. I hope that my research will teach these girls that women are able to make just as important strides in research as men can and that if they believe in themselves, they can accomplish great things.

Please write an essay, 500 words or more on the following: Why have you chosen to pursue a degree in STEM Ever since I was in elementary school, science has been my favorite subject. Whether studying simple organisms, ecosystems, rock formations, fossils, bacteria, etc, science has always intrigued me. I have been lucky enough to have plenty of amazing science teachers who have fostered this love for science and given me opportunities to get hands-on experiences in many different areas of science. As I have gotten older and taken increasingly advanced classes in science, I have been able to explore more complicated fields and narrow my options for my desired topic of study, and I am forever grateful for the amazing teachers who have been able to help me in this journey. I wish to study either microbiology or another related field in biology for my undergraduate degree, and virology for my graduate degree, specifically a doctorate. Once I have obtained these, I plan to work in a CRISPR lab, modifying and tweaking viruses to eventually be used to help the general population. The CRISPRs would cut out certain genes of a fetus before it is born to remove harmful DNA that holds the genes for something like a congenital disease such as sickle-cell disease or Down Syndrome. Through doing this, I aim to help improve the lives of many people around the world and give them a better quality of life. I chose this major because of my freshman-year biology teacher who shared my love for niche areas of biology. My teacher in this class understood my love of science and had an amazing ability to make any topic in his class interesting to everyone. This teacher and I had many discussions over topics we found interesting pertaining to biology, and it just so happened to be during one of these conversations that I found my love for the field I wish to major in. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses and my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how CRISPRs would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. After discussing things with my dad and finally settling on this career path, my dad and I set to work researching which universities would provide the best education and what path I would need to take to get to my dream career. This research has led me to apply to many different universities that I believe will allow for me to hone my abilities in this research field and help me to research and help as many people in the world as possible. I also hope that in the future, I will be able to be a role model for younger girls also wishing to pursue careers in the STEM area. I hope that my research will teach these girls that women are able to make just as important strides in research as men can and that if they believe in themselves, they can accomplish great things.

Ever since I was in elementary school, science has been my favorite subject. Whether studying simple organisms, ecosystems, rock formations, fossils, bacteria, etc, science has always intrigued me. I have been lucky enough to have plenty of amazing science teachers who have fostered this love for science and given me opportunities to get hands-on experiences in many different areas of science. As I have gotten older and taken increasingly advanced classes in science, I have been able to explore more complicated fields and narrow my options for my desired topic of study, and I am forever grateful for the amazing teachers who have been able to help me in this journey. I wish to study either microbiology or another related field in biology for my undergraduate degree, and virology for my graduate degree, specifically a doctorate. Once I have obtained these, I plan to work in a CRISPR lab, modifying and tweaking viruses to eventually be used to help the general population. The CRISPRs would cut out certain genes of a fetus before it is born to remove harmful DNA that holds the genes for something like a congenital disease such as sickle-cell disease or Down Syndrome. Through doing this, I aim to help improve the lives of many people around the world and give them a better quality of life. I chose this major because of my freshman-year biology teacher who shared my love for niche areas of biology. My teacher in this class understood my love of science and had an amazing ability to make any topic in his class interesting to everyone. This teacher and I had many discussions over topics we found interesting about biology, and it just so happened to be during one of these conversations that I found my love for the field I wish to major in. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses and my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how CRISPRs would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. After discussing things with my dad and finally settling on this career path, my dad and I set to work researching which universities would provide the best education and what path I would need to take to get to my dream career. This research has led me to apply to many different universities that I believe will allow me to hone my abilities in this research field and help me to research and help as many people in the world as possible. I also hope that in the future, I will be able to be a role model for younger girls wishing to pursue careers in the STEM area. I hope that my research will teach these girls that women are able to make just as important strides in research as men can and that if they believe in themselves, they can accomplish great things.

As I leave behind my small town and head toward bigger things in life, this new chapter in my life will be called "Individualism and Independence." I have lived my life in a household without many freedoms. My stepdad consistently tells me that once I leave the house I will mess up my life for good and will not succeed how I think I will, and he criticizes every choice I make pertaining to my college journey, including my choice of major in microbiology, my career path, and the colleges I have applied to. On top of this, since I live in a small, rural, impoverished city, I have not had the same opportunities in education and resources as most others have. My school does not have the funds to give out scholarships or help its students achieve their goals for higher education, so I have had to do all of my own research to find the best schools for my major and scholarships to fund this higher education. While living in this environment has certainly taught me many important life lessons, I am excited to be able to move away from my restricted life and toward a life where I will be able to express myself freely, explore many different ways of life, and meet many different diverse people along the way. The idea of being able to live my life how I want to all while receiving an education that will one day allow me to help many people with my research excites me, and I am excited to start this new chapter of my life.

Ever since having a conversation during my freshman-year biology class, I have been enamored by the idea of CRISPRs- modified viruses designed to cut out harmful genes from a fetus’s DNA, such as congenital diseases and detrimental syndromes. Some commonly known congenital diseases and syndromes that may benefit from the use of CRISPR technology are Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Tourette syndrome, and Haemophilia. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses when my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how they would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. Researching this field has led me to realize the sheer amount of babies born each year that are affected by congenital diseases that could eventually be avoided with the career I dream to have. Although I live in a small, rural high school with very limited options when it comes to classes surrounding the subject of science and advanced education, I have taken as many classes that are related to biology as were offered, including Anatomy and Physiology, and I have taken as many dual credit classes as possible so that I may have as strong of a foundation as possible for when I begin my journey at college. On top of being able to help others with my research, I hope to be a role model for other girls who want to get involved in STEM. I believe that evening out the number of women in STEM fields will only strengthen the innovations that can be made in all fields, and I aspire to be a part of these innovations. The thought of being able to use my passion for science to help other people excites me, and after researching CRISPR, I truly believe that I have found the perfect way to do so. Knowing that I could be part of the process that decreases the number of people being born with sickle cell anemia or Down syndrome is what pushes me to study in this field. I am excited to explore what other areas of life viruses could improve, and how many ways I can help others with my research.

Ever since having a conversation during my freshman-year biology class, I have been enamored by the idea of CRISPRs- modified viruses designed to cut out harmful genes from a fetus’s DNA, such as congenital diseases and detrimental syndromes. Some commonly known congenital diseases and syndromes that may benefit from the use of CRISPR technology are Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Tourette syndrome, and Haemophilia. We were discussing the differences between bacteria and viruses when my teacher mentioned something called CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how they would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. Researching this field has led me to realize the sheer amount of babies born each year that are affected by congenital diseases that could eventually be avoided with the career I dream to have. Although I live in a small, rural high school with very limited options when it comes to classes surrounding the subject of science and advanced education, I have taken as many classes that are related to biology as were offered, including Anatomy and Physiology, and I have taken as many dual credit classes as possible so that I may have as strong of a foundation as possible for when I begin my journey at college. I found my Anatomy and Physiology class extremely interesting and useful because of the time we spent learning about the different diseases that people can have, congenital or otherwise, related to each body and organ system. In this class, I was given the opportunity to pick one genetic condition, research it, and present the information I found to the class. As a group project, I consulted with my friends and we eventually chose dwarfism. Since my dream career would be involved in the genetics field, I saw this project as an exciting opportunity to further my knowledge in the area, hoping to gain some more experience in the future. From learning that there are multiple possible causes for dwarfism, from genetics to pituitary gland tumors, I found the entire topic extremely fascinating. I also was able to learn about the similarities and differences between dwarfism and gigantism. I appreciated the opportunity to help others’ understanding of not only dwarfism, but congenital conditions in general, and show my passion for the subject. This project not only allowed me to further my knowledge in a condition that I may be able to help positively impact in the future but also gave me experience in presenting important information to groups, which may be a very important skill to have in my future career. The thought of being able to use my passion for science to help other people excites me, and after researching CRISPR, I truly believe that I have found the perfect way to do so. Knowing that I could be part of the process that decreases the number of people being born with sickle cell anemia or Down syndrome is what pushes me to study in this field. I am excited to explore what other areas of life viruses could improve, and how many ways I can help others with my research.

When I was a kid, I saw how my mom struggled to support my sister and me financially once she and my dad divorced. Since she had no college degree and little experience in specialized jobs, it was difficult for her to find a job that garnered enough money to fully support us. On top of that, while my dad had some college credits, he had never fully finished his degree, and since he was in the oil field business, I saw first-hand just how turbulent the flow of income was in that field. After sticking in the physical side of the oil field for many years, I convinced my dad to go back to college to finish out his degree, which allowed him to move into the business and sales side of the oil field, which was more stable of a job. While both of my parents are hard workers and have done their best to take care of me and my siblings, they have also proven to me the importance of obtaining a college degree, even if it is just to have a fallback plan. Ever since having a conversation during my freshman-year biology class, I have been enamored by the idea of CRISPR- or modified viruses designed to cut out harmful genes from a fetus’s DNA, such as congenital diseases and detrimental syndromes. Some commonly known congenital diseases and syndromes that may benefit from the use of CRISPR technology are Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Tourette syndrome, and Haemophilia. We discussed the differences between bacteria and viruses when my teacher mentioned CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how they would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I was also heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. Researching this field has led me to realize the sheer amount of babies born each year that are affected by congenital diseases that could eventually be avoided with the career I dream to have. Although I live in a small, rural high school with minimal options when it comes to classes surrounding the subject of science and advanced education, I have taken as many classes that are related to biology as were offered, including Anatomy and Physiology, and I have taken as many dual credit classes as possible so that I may have as strong of a foundation as possible for when I begin my journey at college. I am excited to just have the chance to research in this field and be able to help others, and I am excited to begin my college journey to build my foundation for this career.

I wish to study either microbiology or a biology-related field for my undergraduate degree, and virology for my graduate degree, specifically a doctorate. Once I have obtained these, I plan to work in a CRISPR lab, modifying and tweaking viruses to eventually be used to help the general population. The CRISPRs would cut out certain genes of a fetus before it is born to remove harmful DNA that holds the genes for something like a congenital disease. Through doing this, I aim to help improve the lives of many people around the world and give them a better quality of life. I live in a very rural and impoverished area in East Texas, meaning that my school does not have many resources available to me to further my education in this area of interest, nor have I received much help during my journey of applying to universities and scholarships, so I have resorted to doing most of the research necessary by myself. While this has taught me important skills, it has also taken precious time that could have been used for my current class assignments and such. Nevertheless, I have successfully applied to many colleges. Having to do this journey mainly alone has only strengthened my focus on my goals for my future since I have invested so much time into the research and application processes. Another part of my environment that I have had to overcome is my household. My stepdad does not believe that I need to go to the big universities that I have applied to, even though the local universities do not have the level of curriculum that I need to obtain my goals. He has made plenty of negative comments about my college journey, and even previously threatened to refuse to pay for any part of my tuition if I do not attend the college that he wants. He and I have clashed many times over my choice of universities and even my career path, and he has made it plenty clear that I do not have his support for the choices that I have made and will continue to make during my post-secondary educational journey. Although my household is filled with tension solely because of my stepdad, I have not let his negative attitude and comments affect my resolve on the issue, and I continue to stay dedicated to my career path and the universities I have chosen. My stepdad has had a similar effect on my college journey as my school environment has, and I believe that my overcoming the tensions and struggles around me will only benefit me in the future.

Ever since having a conversation during my freshman-year biology class, I have been enamored by the idea of CRISPR- modified viruses designed to cut out harmful genes from a fetus’s DNA, such as congenital diseases and detrimental syndromes. Some commonly known congenital diseases and syndromes that may benefit from the use of CRISPR technology are Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Tourette syndrome, and Haemophilia. We discussed the differences between bacteria and viruses when my teacher mentioned CRISPR, which piqued my interest. He and I discussed how they would theoretically work, and this conversation is what sparked my immediate interest in the world of virology and CRISPRs. After we had finished that section, I realized that I also was heavily interested in genetics, and CRISPRs seemed like the perfect combination of these two fields. Researching this field has led me to realize the sheer amount of babies born each year that are affected by congenital diseases that could eventually be avoided with the career I dream to have. Although I live in a small, rural high school with minimal options when it comes to classes surrounding the subject of science and advanced education, I have taken as many classes that are related to biology as were offered, including Anatomy and Physiology, and I have taken as many dual credit classes as possible so that I may have as strong of a foundation as possible for when I begin my journey at college. I found my Anatomy and Physiology class extremely interesting and useful because of the time we spent learning about the different diseases that people can have, congenital or otherwise, related to each body and organ system. In this class, I was allowed to pick one genetic condition, research it, and present the information I found to the class. As a group project, I consulted with my friends and we eventually chose dwarfism. Since my dream career would be involved in the genetics field, I saw this project as an exciting opportunity to further my knowledge in the area, hoping to gain some more experience for the future. From learning that there are multiple possible causes for dwarfism, from genetics to pituitary gland tumors, I found the entire topic extremely fascinating. I also was able to learn about the similarities and differences between dwarfism and gigantism. I appreciated the opportunity to help others’ understanding of not only dwarfism, but congenital conditions in general, and show my passion for the subject. This project not only allowed me to further my knowledge in a condition that I may be able to help positively impact in the future but also gave me experience in presenting important information to groups, which may be a very important skill to have in my future career. The thought of being able to use my passion for science to help other people excites me, and after researching CRISPR, I truly believe that I have found the perfect way to do so. Knowing that I could be part of the process that decreases the number of people being born with sickle cell anemia or Down syndrome is what pushes me to study in this field. I am excited to explore what other areas of life viruses could improve, and how many ways I can help others with my research.

If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, I would have them read the first book in the series "Keeper of the Lost Cities" by Shannon Messenger. I found this book young and was immediately hooked on the world of Sophie Foster and her tumultuous journey through life. Although it is a thicker book, it is easy to read and understand for people of most ages. I believe everyone should read this book because it is from the perspective of a girl who, while in a fantastical circumstance, has had her entire life uprooted and turned upside down, is told her entire identity and way of life is wrong, has to relearn everything she knows, and all the while is still dealing with normal preteen-teenager problems such as boys, emotions, etc. I believe that this story that so many different people around the world can relate to on some level. Although not everyone in life will experience such a life-changing experience as an identity crisis and moving to a whole different world, there are plenty of other levels that people can relate to: a high school student having to move to a different school and make entirely new friends, a war refugee fleeing to a new country and starting a new life, someone moving jobs and having to learn a new skill set. Although these situations vary in severity, all of them have in common that someone is having to relearn their way of life and is most likely scared to some degree. This book gives light on a situation that, yes, is unrealistic, but is relatable enough to help people all around the world cope with their situations.

Whether I am jamming out in my room with my headphones on, playing the piano or clarinet, or attempting to write some new song lyrics, music is an integral part of my everyday life. I believe that through my involvement with music, I have received a more extensive understanding of life and a calmer disposition for myself and others. Listening to music, whether in my room, in the car, with friends, or by myself, helps me in many different ways. I can access such a wide variety of songs by artists with different perspectives and backgrounds, which in turn broadens my horizons and makes me more knowledgeable about the world, which I think is an important aspect of a good person. Also by listening to music, I can find music that matches any one of my moods, whether I need a good hype-up playlist or one to calm down my nerves. Being able to find music that I identify with helps me to better express my own emotions and be calmer in life. When I perform music, whether for my high school concert band or jazz band, in competitions, or on my own, I can give light to many different composers with different stories, which helps others to achieve the same broadened horizons that my listening to music does. Seeing how others are affected by the music that I play a big role in makes me realize just how much music brings people together, just by making noise that they find enjoyable. Being able to create that thing that different people find in common gives me a huge feeling of pride. I am also able to express my emotions through playing music, not just listening. I am able to play whatever music I want, whether that be pop culture songs, classical music, or just random songs made by small composers that I find online. Having this autonomy leaves me with a great opportunity for self-expression and exploration, which I believe would better this world in so many different ways if every person were able to have the same opportunity. In my opinion, music makes the world a better place in many different ways, not restricted to my benefits from music. Whether broadening people's horizons or giving them methods of emotional and self-expression, music has many different benefits for the entire world, through listening, performing, or composing, and has changed how I view the world forever.

When I think about my dream version of my future self, I think about having my doctorate in virology, working in a CRISPR lab, getting to research and change peoples' lives, but most of all, being fulfilled with where I am at and what I am doing in life.

Growing up, I was constantly reminded of just the damage that both drug and alcohol addiction can have. My mom always made my aunt and uncle examples to keep me away from any addictive substances, and she always stays paranoid that I might be taking any new drug that surfaces, such as the recent surge in youth overdosing and dying from fentanyl. While my mom's constant worrying and reminding has put fear in me of the damages of addiction, she has also numbed me to some of the dangers and shocking news that comes up from her neverending nagging on the subject. It is no secret within the family that many family members have troubles with addiction, whether referring to my Mimi's cigarette use, my Aunt Jen's drug struggles, or my Uncle Brock's alcohol troubles. Ever since I was a child, I would see my grandma smoking a cigarette if I went outside, and the smell permeated every part of her house. My mom even smoked for a little while until quitting, leaving only my Aunt Jen, Uncle Brock, and Mimi smoking cigarettes in the family, while many of my older cousins can be seen with vapes anytime they leave the house. As a child, I found out that my Aunt Jen had overdosed and was in the hospital with heart problems, and that she would have to have an internal defibrillator surgically placed so that her weakened heart would not fail from the drugs she had put her body through. Since then she has done much better, but my mom does not let that memory fade from my mind and makes sure that I am constantly reminded of that sad event so that I do not follow the same path as her. I only found out a few years ago that my Uncle Brock has long struggled with alcohol problems, and has run into trouble with the law multiple times due to his overindulgence with the substance. With multiple DUIs and a couple of jail stays, he has had his fair share of instances where the effects of alcohol were given time to shine as examples for the younger members of the family, including me. Although there were many times that my uncle was embarrassed to admit that alcohol was playing a big role in the troubles of his life, he now is doing a lot better and has not run into law troubles in a while. While I do not want to follow the paths that many of my family members have followed, I also don't know if the stance that my mom has taken is the correct way to steer me away from addiction. I will certainly always be reminded of the effects of addiction, which will help me stay on the correct path, but I am also desensitized to some types of horrible events that are outcomes of these addictions, leaving me at a middle ground when it comes to these problems. I still do appreciate my mom for caring enough about me to try and help me make beneficial decisions though, and will always try to follow her advice.

Ever since my freshman year biology teacher taught my class the difference between bacteria and viruses and told me all about CRISPR research, I was hooked. Right then and there, my goal for life became set and I had my sights set on a degree in virology. Although it took me a little while to research and figure out precisely what type of classes, undergraduate degree, and experience I would have to have to achieve my dream, I eventually, with the help of my dad, figured out a rough layout for what I would be doing with my life throughout the rest of high school and afterward. After high school, my dream is to attend Harvard and earn an undergraduate degree in either microbiology or biochemistry, and then get my doctorate in virology or the study of viruses. While in college, I would like to have an internship with a hospital or research lab, at least during the summers if not also during the school year, to help get the research time necessary to create a career in virology. After getting the essential degree, I would like to have a career in a CRISPR lab. The thought that I might be able to make a huge difference in many people's lives by being able to remove certain congenital diseases excites me, and gives me something to look forward to in my future, and a goal to help drive me in my educational journey.

Whenever a girl begins high school, it's now common for older female students to warn her, "Don't date a senior as a freshman." I was warned of this very thing and ended up not listening. During the second semester of my freshman year, I started dating a senior that I went to church and was in band with. He had always acted extremely sweet toward me, and I thought he was really funny. After a little bit of dating, I was full-on in love. My parents and friends warned me that they didn't think it was a good idea for me to be with him, or that I had fallen so quickly, but I didn't care. I got mad at anyone who judged our relationship, and when I told my boyfriend that my parents weren't exactly comfortable with our relationship, he convinced me just how wrong they were and I ended up despising them. Slowly as the relationship progressed, he started to become more and more controlling. Guilt tripping me into doing what he wanted, getting visibly angry whenever I chose to spend my time with a friend instead of him, and making me shut out whoever opposed our relationship. I didn't see most of these flaws in our relationship until several months after we broke up and continued to deny them after that, refusing to believe that I had let something like that happen to me. After about 2 1/2 months into our relationship, my parents told me one night that they didn't think we should date anymore, and told me I had to break up with him, which had me devastated. The next morning, I told him in person what they had said, and was ready to tell him that we could still be friends when he stopped me mid-sentence and told me that I wasn't allowed to break up with him, even if my parents said I had to. He said that if I loved him, I would continue to date him in secret. I was terrified of getting in trouble with my parents, but I was even more scared of my boyfriend getting mad at me, so I agreed. We continued to date in secret, and he continued to make me spend every spare minute I had with him. This secrecy only continued for another 2 weeks though. My parents decided to go through my phone and read my messages, and they found all of our conversations. They told me that I had to immediately break up with him, that they would have the principal on the watch for if the two of us were spending any time together, that I had to move churches so I wouldn't see him, and that they would make me move schools if they found out I was still spending time with him again. They said that I wasn't allowed to break up with him in person and had to tell him over text, then block him and never talk to him again. I did as they said, and didn't talk to him for a very long time, fearful of the threat of moving schools. After the breakup, I was pushed into an extremely dark place. I stopped eating and stopped spending time with most of my friends. After about a week, I was missing him so much and was so devastated that I began cutting myself, almost every night. I only told two friends that I was harming myself, one of which went to the church that I'd been forced to leave. He tried to help me as much as he could, checking in on me and insisting that I called him if I ever started feeling like harming myself. We texted a lot about how I was feeling and about my self-harm, and these messages were what triggered the second wave of concern from my parents, who had decided to go through my phone again to see if my ex-boyfriend and I were still messaging. They decided that I needed to go to therapy and immediately forced me to go without giving me a choice of which therapist I went to see or if I even wanted to. Although many don't know about what sort of mental place I was in after the breakup, the ones that endlessly supported me during that time, and still do. And while I went to therapy and have friends that still help me with my mental health, some things remain permanent. I have extreme trust issues, panic attacks, and heightened emotions, and I'm always afraid that if I get too close to someone new, they might manipulate me in the same way my ex did. Because of the experience I went through, and the fact that I've healed so much since what happened, I'm able to help my friends not experience the same things I did. I know methods of calming people down from panic attacks, I'm able to help friends recognize bad relationship situations, and hopefully, I can help keep my sisters out of similar situations as well. While I will never say that I am glad I went through what I did, I will say I'm glad I've learned from my experience, and that I'm now able to help others heal from similar experiences as well.