Islam emphasizes the importance of knowledge and encourages its pursuit, as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Sahih) Being a Muslim woman hasn't always been easy, as I was the only hijabi Muslim woman in my middle school located in Las Vegas. However, that has never made me feel any less of a person than anyone else. I take great pride in being a Muslimah, and it has only fueled my determination to achieve my academic goals. I have put in the effort needed in every aspect of my school life and have volunteered to help tutor Syrian refugees. Later on, I moved to Texas and was accepted into the top schools in Dallas, Alhamdulillah. This fall, inshallah, I will be attending the University of Texas at Dallas. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden I am under, as I am working part-time to save up for tuition. It would also provide me with an opportunity to excel in my studies, as well as the volunteering I provide at MAS, a local masjid near my university. By the will of Allah, I will be majoring in Biology and pursuing the Pre-Dental path. Giving others an amazing smile is something I have been passionate about since I was a child. After all, smiling is sadaqah. Thus, being awarded this scholarship would reinforce my belief in the importance of knowledge and motivate me to excel in my future career. Islam is an integral part of my life, and diversifying my school and workplace is crucial to me. Receiving this scholarship would propel me toward my goals by providing financial assistance and motivation in a world where Muslims are underrepresented. Staying motivated is a struggle for most people, but through my religion, as well as the hadiths and Allah's miraculous words in the Quran, I find reasons to keep going. These are the main, if not only, reasons why I persevere through tribulations. I have come to realize that sabr (patience) is not only key, but trusting in Allah's plan will help me overcome any obstacle. Ultimately, if Allah sees this scholarship fit for me, it will be granted to me. Otherwise, it has not been written for me, and I am content with that. That's the beauty of Islam and its application in my daily life. In conclusion, this mindset has substantially influenced my academic and career goals.