Ever since I witnessed a friend land an outstanding score on the SAT, I understood how important a strong score is for one's academic journey. I immediately began asking questions about how the test is set up, how to prepare, and how it affects my future. This was about three years ago. Since then, the SAT has been a priority of mine, and to be honest, something that I worried about for a long time. I set an ambitious and unwavering goal of landing a minimum score of 1400. To prepare for the SAT, I started by researching the structure of the test and the content that it covers. I assessed my knowledge and set up a study plan on websites such as College Board and Khan Academy. I knew that to prepare most effectively, I needed to know my level of confidence for each subject covered in both the Math and English sections. Once I had a clear idea of which subjects I needed more practice with, I planned out my study schedule. I set time-bound goals for mastering the concepts on Khan Academy. As I progressed in my studying, I began to take focused and full-length practice tests on Bluebook. Finally, it was time for me to take the SAT. I did everything I could to minimize my nervousness and maximize my confidence. When I took the test in March 2025, I earned a score that was just under my goal. I was very disappointed that I had only barely missed it. Despite having a strong score, I resolved to retake the SAT so that I could have another chance to meet my goal. I knew that my ambitious career aspirations in the competitive field of engineering would require me to stand out as much as possible. I have resumed studying with determination, this time with more information that I can use to help me improve. One of the most important lessons I have learned throughout my journey in education and leadership is that mistakes are an essential part of learning and improvement. Our mistakes from yesterday give us the perfect blueprint to succeed today. Using the breakdown of my scores, I have been working on improving the areas where I was less successful and practicing the areas where I was proficient. Additionally, through this scholarship, I have access to a new tool that could help me prepare for retaking the SAT: Learner. Now that I have these resources, I am unafraid to take the test again. My goal for retaking the SAT is still to obtain a 1400. I realize the importance of this test for my future education at a university and my future career. This scholarship could help make these possible for me. As I continue to study and prepare, I will remember to keep my past mistakes in mind so that I can fearlessly propel myself to reach my aspirations.

Two years ago, my high school’s FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team realized we would have to split into two teams to accept more students. I wanted those students to be able to join a team. The new team needed a leader, so I decided to step up as its Captain. This task proved to be even harder than I had thought. My team ended up throwing together a half-baked, unstable robot for the first competition. It was the result of poor engineering and time-management. The robot broke multiple times in the first elimination round. We were eliminated at that competition and thus did not advance in our first season. Because of the pressure of Captain during the season and the major failures that caused our downfall, I beat myself up for all of the mistakes that I had made. I was struggling to let go of the frustration and guilt. I realized that failure is inevitable and must be accepted. Failure creates the perfect blueprint for one’s next steps. This became even more evident as I led the team through a season analysis. Looking back, there is no doubt within me that this was one of the most important actions that I as a Captain have done. Back in the present, my team just finished our second season — and we placed 11th at the State Championship. We won three trophies in our second season, advancing past two significant elimination rounds. It was all because I had helped the team keep its past mistakes in mind. Those first-year mistakes drove us through the competition. Because I led the team to turn failure into success, we went from building an unstable sub-par robot to building a State Championship robot. I would never have been able to do this if it weren’t for my passion for robotics, leadership, and helping other students succeed alongside me. It was experiences like these that helped me realize that my success is driven by two factors: my motivation, and my ability to learn from mistakes. I eventually found that this is true for most people — passion and acceptance of failure are common determinants of one’s success. By success, I mean achieving one’s goals. My goal in the robotics competition this year was to make it past the first elimination round. Because I accepted my previous failures and used them as an anchor for motivation and improvement, I was able to achieve and surpass this goal, which meant I had succeeded. This philosophy that I have discovered has applied not only to my experience in a robotics competition, but to all areas of my life. We all face new challenges that appear every day, whether they are manifested in education, relationships, extracurricular activities, or simply daily needs. I make mistakes every day, just like anyone else, but I have learned that my personal success can be achieved by using those mistakes as learning opportunities, and by focusing on things that I am passionate about. This scholarship opportunity would directly help me succeed, because one of my largest long-term goals is to raise the funds necessary to attend a 4-or-more-year university. My goal is to earn a Master’s degree or higher in the field of mechatronics engineering as I study mechanical and electrical engineering. I aspire to enter an impactful engineering career that allows me to bring forth innovative solutions that help make the world a better place. For me, success in this area looks like engineering solutions that contribute to fixing the world’s efficiency and sustainability problems. As a high school Junior taking a full-time course load at a community college, I am very dedicated to my education and realize how essential a strong education is to prepare for a successful career. As I am constantly seeking opportunities to gain college funds, this generous scholarship would make it possible for me to enter higher education. This higher education would equip me with the skills and tools necessary to achieve my ambitious future goals, ultimately allowing me to succeed.

In my 16 short years, I have seen too many problems in the world that could be solved at the root cause. I want to be an engineer because I can help the world find better solutions to our problems. I value learning from mistakes and improving. I strive to learn and improve as much as possible, so that I will have a successful engineering career and obtain a 4+ year degree. In my future career, I aspire to find innovative solutions that help people around the world while keeping the earth healthy. For example, I would like to help improve the recycling industry, healthy manufacturing, sustainable energy systems, or responsible plastic usage. To help me prepare for my goals, I have participated in a worldwide robotics competition called FIRST Tech Challenge since I was in 8th Grade. I am the Team Captain of an FTC team that is currently in the top 10 of the state. We have won numerous awards under my leadership. This robotics competition has taught me countless skills in engineering, teamwork, leadership, and time management. These skills will help me achieve my educational and professional goals. I am a Junior in high school taking classes at community college. My current GPA is 4.0. The specific goals that I have for education include maintaining a 4.0, mastering higher levels of Calculus, and transferring to a 4+ year university. This scholarship could help fuel my education. My strong dedication to my education and the FTC program will help prepare me for a successful engineering career. Through this career, I plan to make an impact on the world by helping solve its problems.

I want to be an engineer because I can help the world find better solutions to our problems. I value learning from mistakes and improving. I strive to learn and improve as much as possible, so that I can have a successful engineering career and obtain a 4+ year degree. In my future career, I aspire to find innovative solutions that help people around the world while keeping the earth healthy. I plan to become an aerospace, mechanical, or robotics engineer, but I am still open to other opportunities. I am a Junior in high school taking classes at community college. My current GPA is 4.0. The specific goals that I have for education include maintaining a 4.0, mastering higher levels of Calculus, and transferring to a 4+ year university. I plan to continue to be a responsible, mature, and successful student by completing all homework assignments on time, attending class, and communicating well. This scholarship could help fuel my education. Since 8th Grade, I have participated in FIRST Tech Challenge, a worldwide robotics program for high schoolers. After participating for two years, I had the courage to take on the challenge of Team Captain as a Sophomore. This responsibility of being Team Captain is tough. I have read a variety of books on leadership, sought out mentors, and continually ask questions to learn. My team includes students both younger and older than me. In our first season, we won the second most prestigious award. We also made a lot of mistakes, but I decided to be Captain again. We are much stronger this season, because I helped the team learn from our mistakes. This robotics program, and the Team Captain opportunity, has greatly improved my leadership, communication, and time management skills. These skills will help me achieve my educational and professional goals.