As an adolescent girl in a very conservative bourgeois town in suburban Lahore, I often sat down during recess on a tattered bench at my all-girls school, which had neither a field nor a park and neither a library nor a science lab. While the air hummed with the commotion of my schoolmates playing, I was far away embarking on adventures with characters from Dahl’s novels or exploring the poignant struggles of girlhood and family life with characters from Jacqueline Wilson’s novels. In my rather humble household, where my mother worked long shifts in healthcare, books were a luxury and a lifeline. It was these books that opened my mind to possibilities far beyond the limitations of my surroundings, planting the seeds of a dream that would grow as I did-to become a physicist and mathematician. Some days, I would read Six Easy Pieces by Feynman, and other days, I’d study Nash’s Equilibrium by John Nash. This seamless journey between physics and math was where my true fascination took root. I was curious about time, space, and the laws of nature. Science gave me a sense of wonder that I had never felt before, a quest to explore, question, and understand the universe at its most fundamental level. This was my calling, the tolling of an awakening bell, I finally found a place where I belonged. During these times, scarcity was my constant companion. There would be 12–15-hour long power shortages each day, my textbooks would always be downloaded PDFs and the only desk that I had was my lap. My mother was diagnosed with Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and I was her sole caregiver and so I had to be homeschooled. Despite all this, I kept studying. I knew what it was that I was after and I also knew that acquiring it wouldn’t be easy, so I kept on going. And, as I got older, life got harsher, and it became even more difficult to remain perseverant. During the torrid days of June, when sweat clung to the skin, there was load shedding with 13 to 14 hours of darkness each day. The UPS barely lasted, and we often slept on the roof under a starless sky. One night, while preparing for an exam, the lights went out, my phone died, and I felt a strange helplessness. That night, my brother and I decided to build our own solar system. Solar panels were far too expensive, so I turned to YouTube tutorials, scrap shops, and long afternoons of trial and error. We marked copper plates, dipped them in ferric chloride, polished and soldered them, connected wires, and tested them under sunlight. After 7-e8 failed attempts, one plate finally worked. Weeks later, only one fan and one bulb lit up, but to me, that was everything. That was my first hands-on STEM project, and it taught me the uncertain joy of problem-solving. My dream of studying in the USA came with a crushing reality: nearly all Pakistani students accepted to American colleges had either Cambridge’s A-Levels or College Board’s AP qualifications, both of which were outrageously expensive for my family. I could not afford to take that path, so I stayed with the national curriculum and decided to give it a shot. One of my favorite novels puts it like this: “Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.” - Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea. STEM was my calling, and it guided me through financial distress and a tumultuous family life. I participated in Math contests at both national and international level and even won bronze at the Southeast Asian Math tournament. In 2023, I was awarded a $1,000 prize from the Crane Physics Foundation for my research in Machine Learning. Later, I was awarded a monetary prize by the Center of Pathogen Threat and Response Simulation (CAPTRS) for my work on AI. I used half of the money to help my mother pay her healthcare bills and the rest was spent on my education. I enrolled as a private candidate for the final high school examinations. I prepared for them entirely on my own. I had nothing but my laptop (bought from the same money), online books in PDF format, past papers, and Khan Academy. I studied tirelessly-night and day. I scored 100% in each major subject with an overall A* in 9th and 10th grade and A in 11th and 12th grade. This summer, I received an acceptance letter from my dream school, Drake University, with the Presidential Merit Scholarship in Physics and Mathematics. While my tuition is fully covered, the remaining cost of room, board, meals, and living in Des Moines over $16,000 per year, remains far beyond my family’s reach. My mother earns an unstable income averaging less than $3,000 annually. Despite her tireless efforts, our household cannot support the full cost of living in the U.S. I requested the dean to defer my scholarship from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026 in order to gather sufficient funds. I have consistently sought ways to support myself through writing contests, scientific grants, and freelance work. Without any elite schools, tutors, or counselors, I relied on my determination and ingenuity. This scholarship would not merely allow me to attend classes at Drake, it would give me access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities to pursue both Physics and Math at a professional level. It would enable me to take advanced courses, graduate early, and begin my physics research in Schrodinger’s Equation and Relativity at Caltech. From a girl on a tattered bench, lost in the pages of books, I now stand on the threshold of accomplishing my ambitions and goals. With this scholarship, I can contribute meaningfully to the fields of science and technology and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible for someone from my background. "The only way out is through."-Robert Frost

I was heartbroken when I learned that my mother had a serious illness, Deep Vein Thrombosis, a disease that causes blood clots in veins. Her diagnosis changed our lives completely. It felt like time stopped, and the lively energy of our home was replaced with silence and worry. As the eldest child, the responsibility fell on me. I became my mother’s caregiver and her strongest supporter. Even though I was young, I had to monitor her health, manage her medicine, feed her, and help her bathe. Life as we knew it disappeared, replaced by routines shaped by her illness. I learned to understand her needs, notice her symptoms, and anticipate complications. Our days revolved around doctor visits, treatments, and endless adjustments. It was always a struggle to balance her care with trying to keep life somewhat normal. On top of this, the financial burden weighed heavily on us. As a lower middle-class family, we already had limited means, and the cost of medicines and hospital visits stretched us to the limit. Every expense meant a sacrifice, and every choice carried consequences. Meanwhile, I also had to build my own path. STEM was my calling, and it guided me through financial distress and a tumultuous family life. I participated in Math contests at both national and international level and even won bronze at the Southeast Asian Math tournament. In 2023, I was awarded a $1,000 prize from the Crane Physics Foundation for my research in Machine Learning. Later, I was awarded a monetary prize by the Center of Pathogen Threat and Response Simulation (CAPTRS) for my work on AI. I used this money for my education and to help my mother pay her healthcare bills. This journey of self-dependence has taught me resilience and has given me a diligent work ethic. As Hemingway wrote in The Old Man & the Sea, “Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.” I enrolled as a private candidate for the high school examinations. I prepared for them entirely on my own. I had nothing but my laptop, online books in PDF format, past papers, and Khan Academy. I studied tirelessly-night and day. I took the exams on my own terms, without telling anyone, and I scored 100% in each major subject. Ultimately, we-as humans-reach a point in our lives where we realize that our journeys are not defined by the obstacles we face, but by how we choose to respond to them. Man is driven by a vision that extends far beyond the limitations of his present-a vision of true fulfillment, where each day begins with the joy of pursuing what he loves most. And when each day is spent in joy and fulfillment, in whatever form it may take, only then can a man say that he was here, he saw the world, and that he truly lived. This journey of self-study and resolve has grown into something far more than just an academic pursuit. I have proven to myself that I am capable of overcoming a challenge. The Old Man and the Sea lays out this phenomenon of survival very clearly: “But man is not made for defeat… a man can be destroyed but not defeated.” This summer, I received an acceptance letter from my dream school, Drake University, with the Presidential Merit Scholarship in Physics and Mathematics. But while tuition is 100% covered, the cost of room, board, meals, and living in Des Moines remains far beyond my family’s reach, which is 13,000 USD per year. In fact, I requested the dean to defer my scholarship to the Spring 2026 semester from the initial Fall 2025 semester only because I needed to gather enough funds first to cover the cost of college. I have done everything within my power and more to get here. I come from a low-income household. This scholarship will give me a chance to pursue my studies and make contributions to the fields of science, technology and literature. I aim to take advanced courses at Drake and graduate early to pursue research work at Caltech. After diligent care and medication, my mother’s health has gotten better. She still uses crutches to walk and will continue to do so for an indefinite period of time. Now, as I leave to pursue my education, my little brother will take care of her in my place. But I will continue to support her in any way that I would be able to. As I write this, I want to applaud the strength that lies within each of us. Even in hardship, pain, and grief, we can find hope. And hope is a beautiful thing.

My name is Fatima. I was born in a small suburban town of Lahore, Pakistan. As a child, I was very fond of reading books by Jacqueline Wilson, Ernest Hemingway and Charles Dickens. As a little girl, I often sat on a tattered bench during recess at my all-girls high school which had neither a park, a library, nor a science lab. While my classmates played, I embarked on thrilling adventures with characters from these novels. It was these books that opened worlds far beyond my own and nurtured my curiosity for science and literature. As I grew up, so did my reading habits. Some days, I would read Six Easy Pieces by Feynman, and other days, I’d read Principia Mathematica by Issac Newton. That seamless transition from literature to physics was where my true fascination took root. I was curious about time, space, and the laws of nature. Physics stirred a sense of wonder that I had never felt before, a quest to explore, question, and understand the universe at its most fundamental level. I am now enrolled at Drake University, where I will pursue a double major in Physics and Mathematics. STEM was my calling, and it guided me through financial distress and a tumultuous family life. I participated in Math contests at both national and international level and even won bronze at the Southeast Asian Math tournament. In 2023, I was awarded a $1,000 prize from the Crane Physics Foundation for my research in Machine Learning. Later, I was awarded a monetary prize by the Center of Pathogen Threat and Response Simulation (CAPTRS) for my work on AI. I used this money for my education and to help my mother pay her healthcare bills. This journey of self-dependence has taught me resilience and has given me a diligent work ethic. As Hemingway wrote in The Old Man & the Sea, “Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.” Ultimately, we-as humans-reach a point in our lives where we realize that our journeys are not defined by the obstacles we face, but by how we choose to respond to them. Man is driven by a vision that extends far beyond the limitations of his present-a vision of true fulfillment, where each day begins with the joy of pursuing what he loves most. And when each day is spent in joy and fulfillment, in whatever form it may take, only then can a man say that he was here, he saw the world, and that he truly lived. My goal at Drake is to obtain my bachelor’s in Physics and Math. It will help me publish my research work on the elaboration of Schrodinger’s equation in a leading journal such as Nature. To get there, I plan to study advanced coursework at Drake University, seeking out faculty mentors who specialize in quantum mechanics and computation. I also plan to sharpen my mathematical rigor by competing in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. Participating in the Putnam as well as other university-level math tournaments will strengthen my problem-solving ability and precision, all of which are essential for high-level physics research. I have already begun preparing for these competitions through the online Putnam Compendium. This scholarship would enable me to take advanced courses, graduate early, and pursue research in physics. With this support, I can contribute meaningfully to the fields of science and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible for someone from my background. “The only way out is through”-Robert Frost

As an adolescent girl in suburban Lahore, I often sat on a tattered bench during recess at my all-girls high school which had neither a park, a library, nor a science lab. While my classmates played, I embarked on thrilling adventures with characters from Roald Dahl’s novels and navigated the struggles of girlhood and a tumultuous family life through Jacqueline Wilson’s novels. In my modest household, where my mother worked long shifts at a local community clinic, books were both a luxury and the means of survival. These books opened my mind to possibilities far beyond my surroundings, planting the seeds of a very ambitious dream, to become a physicist, mathematician and a writer. Growing up in a society where STEM education is a privilege for only a few, I became aware of the educational inequity in science and tech. In my public school’s CS class, we spent day after day cramming definitions of “Software”, “Hardware”, “Double-Click” and “File”. We were taught no programming, app-development and had no exposure to AI. Just rote learning from decades old textbooks that included nothing but constant memorization of various tools. Computers were framed as “big machines for big people,” rather than tools anyone with curiosity and drive could use to create meaningful innovations. This issue resonates deeply with me because this school system is so outdated that it doesn’t even introduce the digital world let alone prepare students for it. In this age, when we’re closer than ever in achieving AGI, we still have millions of students being taught day after day to parrot definitions instead of learning to create. And this is not a small loss, this is a massive theft of human potential. I recall reading Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, who repeatedly emphasizes, “Learn to code.” For students from lower-income backgrounds in developing countries, such opportunities are rare, locked behind privilege, scarcity, and systemic neglect. While the causes are complex, corruption, underfunding, or indifference, the result is clear: there is an entire generation unaware of what they could achieve. I had no mentors or tutors. But I had the Internet. From a young age, I used Khan Academy, joining Schoolhouse.World tutoring sessions and explored GitHub repositories. I was quite active on MathStack Exchange, and I learned Python on my phone using Replit because I could not afford a laptop. I kept going and eventually, I earned a grant from the National Science Foundation for my Machine Learning and Astronomical Data Analysis research work. But I didn’t walk alone. I hosted free online and in-person sessions for girls in my community and taught them everything that I knew–Mathematics, Programming logic, Intro to CS and building websites using Replit. I made it a point to show them: “Look, you can do this even if no one around you has ever done it before.” To build confidence, I organized local mini hackathons where the goal wasn’t just to win but to try. We didn’t have much but there was a lot of passion, curiosity and shared hunger to do more than just memorize. My dream is to rescale this. I want to help redesign the tech curriculum in schools across Pakistan and other developing countries, to make it hands on, creative and accessible. Access to technology and science shouldn’t be a privilege. It should be a launchpad and I’m building it, one line of code and one student at a time. I read the works of Daniel Defoe and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and as I grew up, so did my reading habits. Some days, I would read Six Easy Pieces by Feynman, and other days, I’d read Oliver Twist by Dickens. That seamless transition from literature to physics was where my true fascination took root. I was curious about time, space, and the laws of nature. Physics stirred a sense of wonder that I had never felt before, a quest to explore, question, and understand the universe at its most fundamental level. This was my calling, the tolling of an awakening bell, I finally found a place where I belonged. In the next 5 years, my goal is to publish my research work of the elaboration of Schrodinger’s equation in Quantum Physics in a leading journal such as Nature or Physical Review Letters. To get there, I plan to immerse myself in advanced coursework and research at Drake University, seeking out faculty mentors who specialize in quantum mechanics and computation. I will pursue summer research programs and internships to deepen my expertise and gain exposure to international research standards. I am already familiar with publishing through my experience in astronomical data analysis, and I intend to build on that foundation by developing a strong research portfolio in theoretical and experimental quantum physics. I also plan to sharpen my mathematical rigor by competing in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, one of the most prestigious undergraduate mathematics contests in North America, known for its extremely challenging problems. Preparing for the Putnam, as well as other university-level math tournaments, will strengthen my problem-solving ability, creativity, and precision, all of which are essential for high-level physics research. I have already begun preparing for these competitions, using them as both a benchmark and a training ground for deeper mathematical thinking. My dream of studying in the USA came with a crushing reality: nearly all Pakistani students accepted to American colleges had either Cambridge’s A-Levels or College Board’s AP qualifications, both of which were outrageously expensive for my family. I could not afford to take that path, so I stayed with the national curriculum and decided to give it a shot. “Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.” - Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea. Then, in early 2024, something totally unexpected happened. I was awarded a $1,000 prize from the National Science Foundation for my research in astronomical data analysis and machine learning. A few months later, I learned that my poem had been ranked second in a poetry competition, earning me another $500. With that money, I took a risk. I enrolled as a private candidate for the SchoolHouse examinations. I prepared for them entirely on my own. I had nothing but my laptop, online books in PDF format, past papers, and Khan Academy. I studied tirelessly-night and day. I took the exams on my own terms, without telling anyone, and I scored 100% in each major subject. This odyssey of self-study and resolve has grown into something far more than just an academic pursuit. I have proven to myself that I am capable of overcoming a challenge. The Old Man and the Sea lays out this phenomenon of survival very clearly: “But man is not made for defeat… a man can be destroyed but not defeated.” Ultimately, we-as humans-reach a point in our lives where we realize that our journeys are not defined by the obstacles we face, but by how we choose to respond to them. We know who we are, we know where we come from, and we know what we have, but we become more mindful of where we’re going. Man is driven by a vision that extends far beyond the limitations of his present-a vision of true fulfillment, where each day begins with the joy of pursuing what he loves most. And when each day is spent in joy and fulfillment, in whatever form it may take, only then can a man say that he was here, he saw the world, and that he truly lived. My identity as a woman has only empowered me, it has never restricted me from doing what I’ve loved to do. One of the examples of this is that I earned 3rd place in Pakistan’s largest marathon, Run for Pakistan, after two years of training The sun blazed and my legs ached with the triumph of 3rd place in Pakistan’s largest marathon. Growing up in a small town in Lahore, running wasn’t just an exercise. It was freedom in its own way and after training for 2 years, I finally won the national Run for Pakistan marathon. That same persistence fuels my academic journey. Just as I trained for months to endure the marathon, I’ve been sharpening my intellectual endurance, immersing myself in physics, mathematics, and problem-solving. In the summer of 2022, there was a deadly flood in my country. Our schools were closed, and exams were delayed. We also faced long power shortages-15-17 hours long. For 17 hours straight, we’d get no power and so it became increasingly difficult to do everyday tasks. At that time, I decided to make Solar Panels from scratch. I bought Copper clad iron and Ferric Chloride solution and cleaned it with alcohol. I used the tinner to mark the inside of the boundaries of the iron and applied silicon paste over it. I created anode and cathode using a digital multimeter. With the help of my brother, I set up scaffolding and installed the solar plate mounts. We also set up MC4 connectors throughout the house and installed an inverter. After 2 weeks and 3 days, we tested the panels, and they proved to be a success. The light in my room and the little lamp on my desk ran on solar power. In early 2025, I received an acceptance letter from my dream school, Drake University, with the Presidential Merit Scholarship in Physics and Mathematics. While my tuition is fully covered, the remaining cost of room, board, meals, and living in Des Moines over $16,000 per year, remains far beyond my family’s reach. My mother earns an unstable income averaging less than $3,000 annually. Despite her tireless efforts, our household cannot support the full cost of living in the U.S. I have consistently sought ways to support myself through writing contests, scientific grants, and freelance work. Without any elite schools, tutors, or counselors, I relied on my determination and ingenuity. This scholarship would not merely allow me to attend classes; it would place me in orbit, giving me access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities to bridge my dual interests for Physics and Math. It would enable me to take advanced courses, graduate early, and pursue physics research at institutions such as Caltech. From a girl on a tattered bench, lost in the pages of books, I now stand on the threshold of accomplishing my ambitions and goals. With this support, I can contribute meaningfully to the fields of science and technology and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible for someone from my background. As my favorite poet Robert Frost wrote, “The only way out is through.” This statement has guided me through challenges both mundane and extraordinary, from power outages in Lahore to self-study exams and financial uncertainty. With your help, I can continue through, not merely to survive, but to thrive, combining intellect, creativity, and resilience to make a lasting impact.

Each evening, I explore the stubborn knots along my upper back, neck, and shoulders, as if reading a Braille tale my body has been writing for years. These are the areas of my body that have ached for as long as I can remember. Fibromyalgia turned my muscles into a battleground, and for a long time, I waited for someone or something to bring me relief. I kept waiting… until I realized the antidote was in my own hands. I studied massage techniques, learned angles and trigger points, and turned my hands into tools of relief. There were days when my body felt frozen in time and my mind utterly fried. Fibromyalgia consumed me, to such an extent that even sitting became painful. Simultaneously, I was battling a severe eating disorder. Schizophrenia cast grim distortions over my reality, and anxiety loomed like a persistent reverberant hum of the impending consternations. I juggled college applications, SAT preparation, and exam season while applying for scholarships and financial aid that I desperately needed. I studied for International Physics Olympiads with pain keeping track of time like a metronome, and I maintained my research work in Machine Learning because my stipend was the only thing keeping me afloat. At home, familial discord and financial instability cast further uncertainties. One night, after spending hours hunched over a Work & Energy physics problem, my shoulders stiffened and my eyes burned, I craved the relief of a deep tissue massage. But there was no one to give it to. So I searched online and found tutorials by Hong Kong fitness influencer Emi Wong. Her hands moved with precision and patience, and I followed, with my fingers fumbling over tense muscles. Gradually, the pressure found the right spots. Pain changed into comfort. That night became the first of many, a ritual I knew would stay with me for life. For the first time, I felt like I spoke to my body: I’m home. The massage came first. Then I began reshaping my lifestyle. I cut back on excessive sugar and refined carbs, choosing foods that nourished instead of weighing me down. I sought a psychiatrist, an act that demanded more courage than I expected. It takes a lot of self-awareness to realize that you need help because even admitting it can bring a deep sense of shame. Change, although difficult, is sometimes very necessary. Cardio flushed the heaviness from my chest; Pilates strengthened my core. And then there was my cat, Anya, who curled into my lap and calmed me down with her gentle purring. Over time, I began to see the patterns: the long study marathons and poor posture that made my shoulders tense and the chaos at home that made me anxious. I still stumble. A passing comment about my body can drag me back into old thoughts. Some nights, I resist taking my medication. But I return, always, to the massage, to the workouts that keep me active, to the routines that keep me steady. I know my triggers now. I can’t erase them, but I meet them with more patience than before. Health is not perfection. It’s an act of devotion. For me, It’s the choice to keep showing up for myself, even on bad days, because I want to live. I want to chase the dreams I’ve worked so hard for. I want to go to college and become a Physicist and Mathematician. I will carry these habits with me wherever I go. Because, in order for me to succeed in my school life, I first need to be stable physically and emotionally.