I am currently using the Princeton Review's Premium Prep books, some of which I have checked out from the library and one book bought, from the 2021, 2019, and 2025 years, and the Kaplan SAT math prep book. So far, my plan was to study five words per session and work on reviewing the math concepts. I have also taken two practice tests, and they helped me understand what areas I need to improve upon. I do not have a tutor for SAT or any program that I will be following, other than the weekly study plans in the prep books, so this scholarship would greatly improve the way I study for the exam. Despite not having a tutor, I do have my father to help me study, using his background in engineering for the math portion specifically. I am planning on taking the test in late December (as I am a sophomore) and trying to get the best possible score the first time. However, if I do not get my goal score (between 1500 and 1600), then I most likely will be retaking the exam in March, or as soon as possible after the initial test. Although many of my peers may be taking the PSAT or not at all this year, I want to take the SAT as early as possible, so I can focus on other exams like the IB exams junior and senior year. As a future IB student, I do not need any extra stress from other exams clouding my mind space, so I would like to take the opportunity to be tested soon, to get it out of the way and done. I want to take the SAT for my college admissions, because many of the universities I wish to apply to are test-req, like Johns Hopkins, etc... I also want to use this test to measure my general knowledge of my entire high school math pathway. I will be able to know what I still need to strengthen and what I can do, possibly using that to decide a good career path or major for me. Although it might be highly unrealistic, I am aiming for a perfect 1600. If I do not get a 1600, the next best score for me is in the 1500 and up range. I think that with careful planning and diligent studying, I will be able to reach my goal.

I have loved Taylor Swift since I was five; she had just released 1989 and "Shake It Off" and I was obsessed. I recall one instance around the beginning of my obsession when one of my preschool teachers asked me, "Saron, who's your favorite singer?" and I remember instantly replying with an enthusiastic "TAYLOR SWIFT!!!" "Shake It Off" had me from the start and has remained with me ever since. The first song on my playlist must be "Welcome To New York". I think it perfectly shows the idea of a new year, a new adventure. The song talks about being on a new path but liking the positive change. "It's a new soundtrack, I could dance to this beat | The lights are so bright, but they never blind me" The new soundtrack would be the new adventure a new year can bring. Another song that is a must-have on my playlist is "Blank Space". It perfectly summarizes my feelings of wanting a crush and having a list of options with infinite "blank space[s]". I love how relatable this song is; wanting a crush, having options, but never having one to stick with. One song that I would have on the soundtrack would be "Bad Blood". Recently I have had a few problems with a friend who turned on me and after about a year of friendship, completely ignored me the next year. She surrounded herself with the worst of people and her personality went from sweet and kind to ignorant and rude. This song summarizes my feelings towards her right after the betrayal. (However, she is becoming a much better person now, and I am happy for her.) The final song I would add to my year's playlist would be, of course, "Shake it Off". Over the last semester, I received a less-than-average grade on a test and it impacted my grade. As a straight-A student, anything less is like failing. My perfectionism refused to let me forgive myself for many months. This song serves as a kind of reminder that it's okay not to be perfect all the time and that I should shake my failures and mistakes off and not let them stop me. One section of the song really resonated with me, "But I keep cruisin' | Can't stop, won't stop groovin'... Sayin', "It's gonna be alright." It gives me the confidence to keep going and have a kind of mantra in my head.-