I love math because it is 100% needed by everyone, all walks of life, all trade, all profession... My math teacher had a poster that said: Think you don't need Math? Think again if you want to be a/an: *Accountant *Actuary *Agricultural Technician *Animal Care Technician *Applied and Pure Mathematician *Architect *Astronomer *Audiologist *Bank Teller *Biologist *Bookkeeper *Bricklayer or Stone Mason *Building and Construction Inspector *Carpenter *Cartographer or Map Maker *Cashier *Chemist *College Math Professor *Commercial Driver *Computer Programmer *Computer Systems Analyst *Computer Technologist *Cost Estimator *Data Processor *Dental Hygienist *Dentist *Doctor *Drafter *Economist *Electrician *Electronic Technician *Elementary Teacher *Engineer *Forester or Conservation Specialist *Geographer *Geologist *Graphic Artist *Health Record Administrator *Insurance Claims or Policy Processing Clerk *Interior Designer *Jeweler *Landscape Architect *Lawyer *Loan and Credit Checker *Loan or Insurance Underwriter *Machinist *Mail Carrier *Math Teacher *Mechanic *Medical Equipment Maintenance Technician *Meteorologist *Occupational and Physical Therapist *Operations Research Analyst *Optometrist *Order Clerk *Pharmacist *Pharmacy Assistant *Physician *Physicist *Pilot and Flight Engineer *Plumber *Property Appraiser *Psychologist *Public Health Nurse *Registered Nurse *Respiratory Technologist *Secretary *Sociologist *Speech Therapist *Sportscaster *Statistical Clerk *Statistician *Stay-at- home Parent *Stock Broker *Stock and Inventory Clerk *Surveyor *Travel Agent *Tool and Die Maker *Urban Planner *Veterinarian *Welder *X-ray Technician

My grandfather is a first-generation immigrant to the United States. He spent almost his entire work life cooking in a Chinese restaurant. His sacrifice and hard work provided for my father’s and his siblings’ upbringing. He was diagnosed, during the year he turned 75, with Basal Cell Carcinoma in his lung lining. He lives with us now to help with caring and my brother and I witness how debilitating the disease was. My grandfather told us that our great-grandfather suffered from similar symptoms in Taiwan and eventually passed away from an unknown diagnosis. My father said the illness is likely attributable to the asbestos use in Taiwan, as he recalled his childhood home was made of asbestos roof and awning. I grew up with intense curiosity about human body. I strive to know more about medical science and my grandfather’s cancer journey further kindled my desire to work in medical fields. I was sometimes being recruited to help with reading my grandfather’s visit summaries or prescription pamphlet. While I am honored to be approached to help, I realize that I need formal training. To help me get closer to that goal, I applied for and was admitted into Olathe 21st Century Medical Profession Academy. Starting this year, I took a part-time job as a pharmacy technician at a local pharmacy with very high-traffic. Working in that environment opened my eyes to something bigger. I saw how much people depend on medical professionals like doctors and pharmacists, not just for prescriptions but for guidance, reassurance, and sometimes just a moment of human connection. I realized I wanted to be someone who could provide more than pills behind a counter. I want to diagnose, treat, and research for more cures and medical advancement. No one in the United States should die like my great grandfather, without a diagnosis, a chance of treatment or hope. I have applied and been accepted for University of Kansas Biomedical Science and Molecular Biology. I would like to pursue a career that can bring breakthrough to rare medical conditions or cancer diagnosis that have no treatment plan for the time being. From my personal experience, I trust that will bring hope to the patients and their families alike. This semester, I have started a semester-long internship in KU Medical Center. Shadowing a variety of departments, from waiting room, pre-/ post OPs, anesthesia to op room, I interacted with a great number of patients and their families. This precious experience confirmed my career choice and direction. I understand helping others feel better is my ultimate calling. I thank you for considering my application and providing me encouragements. Appreciated!

My grandfather is a first-generation immigrant to the United States. He spent almost his entire work life cooking in a Chinese restaurant. His sacrifice and hard work provided for my father’s and his siblings’ upbringing. He was diagnosed, during the year he turned 75, with Basal Cell Carcinoma in his lung lining. He lives with us now to help with caring and my brother and I witness how debilitating the disease was. My grandfather told us that our great-grandfather suffered from similar symptoms in Taiwan and eventually passed away from an unknown diagnosis. My father said the illness is likely attributable to the asbestos use in Taiwan, as he recalled his childhood home was made of asbestos roof and awning. I grew up with intense curiosity about human body. I strive to know more about medical science and my grandfather’s cancer journey further kindled my desire to work in medical fields. I was sometimes being recruited to help with reading my grandfather’s visit summaries or prescription pamphlet. While I am honored to be approached to help, I realize that I need formal training. To help me get closer to that goal, I applied for and was admitted into Olathe 21st Century Medical Profession Academy. Starting this year, I took a part-time job as a pharmacy technician at a local pharmacy with very high-traffic. Working in that environment opened my eyes to something bigger. I saw how much people depend on medical professionals like doctors and pharmacists, not just for prescriptions but for guidance, reassurance, and sometimes just a moment of human connection. I realized I wanted to be someone who could provide more than pills behind a counter. I want to diagnose, treat, and research for more cures and medical advancement. No one in the United States should die like my great grandfather, without a diagnosis, a chance of treatment or hope. I have applied and been accepted for University of Kansas Biomedical Science and Molecular Biology. I would like to pursue a career that can bring breakthrough to rare medical conditions or cancer diagnosis that have no treatment plan for the time being. From my personal experience, I trust that will bring hope to the patients and their families alike. This semester, I have started a semester-long internship in KU Medical Center. Shadowing a variety of departments, from waiting room, pre-/ post OPs, anesthesia to op room, I interacted with a great number of patients and their families. This precious experience confirmed my career choice and direction. I understand helping others feel better is my ultimate calling. I thank you for considering my application and providing me encouragements. Appreciated!

When my dad lost his job mid-2025, I did not want to sit around feeling helpless. I got a part-time job as a pharmacy technician, partly to help with expenses, partly to help me gain work experience that is related to the field I am interested in. The job demanded me to get better at managing my time. Juggling among five AP classes, football practices, work shifts and college applications, I had to figure out how to prioritize without letting anything slip. Fortunately, playing in freshman and varsity football during the past 4 years equipped me with lots of life skills to stand up for this challenge. Perseverance: Quitting would have been an easier way out, but as I resolved to preserve. I actually learned precious life skills such as how to manage my time, ask for help when I needed it, and accept that I couldn't be perfect at everything. I had to learn continue pushing through. Resilience & rapport: Football also taught me about resilience and teamwork. We had losing streaks that felt demoralizing. Practices in August heat made me question why I was doing this. Injuries that benched me when I wanted to contribute. But I kept showing up, and I watched my teammates do the same. That shared struggle built something deeper than friendship. I built the same rapport with my fellow workers at the pharmacy, as we are “battling” with the uncertainties brought about in the health insurance industry (e.g. Affordable Care Act reform). Leadership: My football coaches showed me what leadership looks like when times get tough. Leadership is not always loud. As an outside linebacker and second-string running back, I'm not the star player. I'm not the one giving fiery speeches in the huddle. But I show up to every practice, I do the work, and I try to set an example through consistency. I've learned that being dependable matters. I lead by example such that my younger brother and my underclassmen see how one faces adversity with courage and discipline. I am grateful that I had the opportunities to be in Olathe North Eagles football team and the rigorous training throughout the past four years instill in me so much strength, both physically and mentally. Right this moment, as I am applying for colleges and fields of study, I face with tremendous uncertainties and challenges: financial stress, time commitment, uncertainties about future... I know I am up for the challenges, both physically and mentally, as I am an Eagle!

My name's Malachi Chang. I am a senior at Olathe North High School in Kansas. I am active with extra-curricula activities: I played varsity football for 3 years, track and field for 2 years, orchestra for one year and actively participated in Johnson County 4-H program. I enjoy my home town and fishing, hunting, archery are my favorite pastime. After high school, I plan to study medicine is possible, with a focus on becoming a physician in underserved areas. My interest in medicine started practically. My father was unemployed last summer. I needed a job, and becoming a pharmacy technician seemed like a good option. But working in that environment opened my eyes to something bigger. I saw how much people depend on medical professionals like doctors and pharmacists, not just for prescriptions but for guidance, reassurance, and sometimes just a moment of human connection. I realized I wanted to be someone who could provide more than pills behind a counter. I want to diagnose, treat, and truly help people. My high school has a program called Medical Profession Academy (MPA). I was admitted to MPA and that also played a critical part with my career aspiration. Through MPA, I joined a U-Champ program spearheaded by University of Kansas. The U-CHaMP program provides students from a wide range of backgrounds with enhanced support on their path toward a health professions degree while inspiring them to practice in underserved communities. I currently attend Countryside Church. My fellow church members live in outskirt of metropolitan areas. I experience first hand how Kansans who live in rural areas easily spent hours on the road in order to access medical services. Through U-CHaMP, I realize that there are organizations that help to address medical staff shortage by strategic placement of medical professionals in nexus or key locations to better serve underserved communities. I would like to be part of that organization that solve real-world problems. In Kansas, 32% of the population lives in rural counties. Even though there is no specific percentage for "Asian doctors in Kansas serving underserved areas," Kansas faces significant rural/underserved shortages. Leading by example has been my personal belief. By joining U-CHamP or any other program and devoting time and resources to underserved area, I can inspire more Asian Physicians to follow my footsteps. I am and will still be, an Ambassador to help increase awareness and to work for a cause that is worthwhile. Finally, higher education is costly. If I am being given resources and authority, I would like to be engaged with organization(s) that incentivize People of Color physicians to serve rural communities by providing financial incentives.