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Omer Ozkaya

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Bio

I am currently an undergraduate student at Northwestern University pursuing Computer Science focused on software development. Experienced in Java, MatLab, Racket, Python, C#, and currently honing my skills in C and C++. Hardworking and will wear many hats. I believe in taking the time to put in quality work to bloom the best possible results to create memorable experiences for users and using technology to make the world a better place.

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor's degree program
2020 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Computer Science
  • GPA:
    3.6

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Computer Games

    • Dream career goals:

    • Software Engineer

      Northwestern University Dance Marathon
      2022 – Present3 years
    • Data Entry Assistant

      Gateway Science Academy
      2021 – 2021
    • Computer Consulting Aide

      Northwestern University
      2022 – Present3 years
    • IT Assistant

      Gateway Science Academy in St Louis
      2020 – 2020

    Sports

    Rock Climbing

    Club
    2019 – Present6 years

    Awards

    • Regional Second Place

    Soccer

    Varsity
    2016 – 20204 years

    Awards

    • District Second Place

    Research

    • Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians

      Washington University in St Louis — Research Assistant
      2018 – 2018

    Arts

    • Gateway Science Academy Theatre Club

      Acting
      Bad Auditions by Bad Actors, Arsenic and Old Lace
      2019 – 2020

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      National Honor Society — Treasurer; Secretary
      2017 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Teach and Travel — Teacher
      2019 – 2019
    • Advocacy

      Turkish American Society of Missouri Youth Club — President
      2017 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Turkish American Society of Missouri — Mentor
      2016 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Al-Haj Abdallah R Abdallah Muslim Scholarship
    I am excited to major in computer science because I believe it will allow me to utilize my passion for innovation and problem-solving to make a positive impact on society. I have always been drawn to the potential of technology to improve people's lives and address global challenges, and I am particularly interested in using my skills to benefit underserved communities and promote equity. In the future, I hope to use the income from my computer science degree to establish a business that can be used for philanthropy. Overall, I am confident that studying computer science will help me achieve my goals and make a meaningful contribution to the world. One person who has inspired me to pursue this career is my older brother. As I have seen the impact of his coding and problem-solving skills, such as creating accessible applications for those with disabilities and creating games that bring joy to others, I have been motivated to follow in his footsteps. My parents, both educators, have also inspired me to use my skills and abilities to serve and help others. As they have taught me the importance of this throughout my life, I believe that one way I can fulfill this goal is by developing software that enhances the quality of life for others. "If anyone pursues a path in search of knowledge, Allah will then by make easy for him a path to paradise; and he who is made slow by his actions will not be speeded by his genealogy." (Sunan Abi Dawud 3643, narrated by Abu Hurairah). This and other hadiths emphasize the value of seeking knowledge, and as I aim to please Allah and attain paradise, I believe that expanding my understanding of the world and my major through higher education is an important step in this direction. By gaining wisdom and expertise in computer science, I will be able to better assist others, whether through philanthropy or through my coding abilities. I have made a difference in my community through leadership, service, and advocacy. I have organized mentoring groups for my community and personally assisted English Language Learners with learning English, translating their schoolwork, setting goals, and encouraging them to achieve these goals. In addition, I have led cultural, religious, and recreational activities for students under the age of 14 at youth and cultural centers, and have planned over 20 lessons and organized educational tournaments for middle and high school students throughout my time in college. Throughout high school and beyond, I have also advocated for human rights and equity, speaking out for unjustly incarcerated individuals in Turkey affected by Erdogan's regime and organizing fundraisers to send aid to citizens of Muslim countries affected by war and socioeconomic crises, such as Palestine and Afghanistan. To me, being a Muslim means striving to please and gain the mercy of Allah through my actions. This can be achieved in many ways, but I try to do so by broadening my wisdom, giving back to my community, and helping others understand their purpose in life. Rather than simply preaching about Islam, I believe that demonstrating and leading by example is a more effective way to inspire others to embrace the faith. I strive to live in accordance with the principles of Islam, such as compassion, honesty, and justice, and to use my talents and abilities to serve others.
    Scholar Dudes in Computer Science Scholarship
    "Omer, have you decided on what you want to study in college yet?" This was the question that my college counselor asked me after I had gotten my acceptance letter from Northwestern University. I didn't have an answer, all I had in my mind was that I wanted to help people via my strengths, like problem-solving and diligence, and fuel my mission through my passion for innovation. When I laid out these thoughts in my mind, I slowly started to understand that I wanted to be some sort of engineer: someone who solves problems with unique solutions for the benefit of society, however, I still didn't know what type of engineer I wanted to be; at first, I thought mechanical engineering would be a good fit because of my background in robotics, however, I soon realized that physics was not my forte. I decided to take an introductory computer science class, and I realized quickly that I enjoyed every line of code I wrote; it was then that I knew that I wanted to pursue the field of computer science. As I researched computer science and learned more about the field, I was struck by the endless possibilities it presented for using technology to make the world a better place. From creating software that helps to streamline healthcare and make it more accessible to everyone, to developing innovative solutions for tackling climate change and other global challenges, the potential for using computer science to make a positive impact seemed limitless. One of the things that particularly excites me about computer science is the possibility of using my skills to help underserved communities. With the right tools and technologies, I believe that we can level the playing field and give everyone the opportunity to succeed, no matter their background or circumstances. Whether it's by developing software to help people access education and job training, or by creating new technologies that can improve quality of life in underserved areas, I know that there is so much that I can do to make a difference through my studies in computer science. In addition to using my skills to make a positive impact, I also want to use my earnings from my computer science degree to build a business that can be used for philanthropy. I believe that by using my business as a force for good, I can continue to make a positive difference in the world long after I graduate. Whether it's by supporting charitable causes or by creating products and services that have a positive impact on society, I know that there are endless ways that I can use my business to make the world a better place. Overall, I am incredibly excited about the prospect of studying computer science and using my skills to make a positive difference in the world. Whether it's by using technology to help underserved communities, or by using my business to support charitable causes, I know that I can use my passion for problem-solving and my desire to help others to make the world a better place. I am confident that with hard work and dedication, I will be able to achieve my goals and make a lasting impact through my studies in computer science.
    Omer Ozkaya Student Profile | Bold.org