My path to higher education has been shaped by experiences that have encouraged me to develop not only academically but also as a person and emotionally. Along the journey, I have learned and discovered the ability to effectively handle situations, adapt to challenges, and persist with my goals, regardless of the pace at which they progress. One of the biggest successes I have achieved is learning to be an advocate for myself, getting help when I need it, and being willing to push through the hard times to reach the successes that come from perseverance in the face of adversity. Each challenge has been an opportunity for me to learn from it and become a better student, whether it involved finding more effective learning techniques, improving my communication skills, or learning how to work effectively in a team environment. Through these experiences, I have come to have a greater appreciation for education as a means for growth and effect. I have come to view higher education as a means where I will focus, be determined, and have a sense of purpose as I take on new challenges with opportunities that lie ahead of me. Through my course of study in Public Health, I hope to be granted the tools to advocate for those groups that are not being sufficiently represented, support community-based initiatives focused on health concerns, and advocate for policies supporting the distribution of accessible care resources. With Public Health, I'm able to bring together my love of science, advocacy, and compassion to help bring about significant and positive change in the health of individuals and communities in lasting ways. I believe that through my education in Public Health, I hope to make a positive impact not only in my community but also in the general field of healthcare. In my community, I hope to be able to make a positive impact by being instrumental in guiding people and ensuring that they understand their needs and what they require in the field of health. I am particularly interested in being part of initiatives that advocate and support individuals with rare diseases, improving the education of health providers, and ensuring that people are exposed to accurate health information. I ultimately hope to utilize Public Health as a means to not only combat prejudice, but also ensure earlier detection and support systems for rare diseases. Through this, I hope to ensure that individuals within a healthcare system feel informed, supported, and empowered. Through pursuing a higher education degree in Public Health, I can ensure my desire to advocate and work as an advocate translates into meaningful change.

With a plan in place, I am committed to improving the lives of others by focusing on a career in healthcare that promotes understanding and advocating for individuals who need a voice, as their healthcare needs often go unheard. The disparity in healthcare is most evident in serving individuals who struggle with rare or terminal illnesses. Those who face a rare disease often find themselves in healthcare situations where their diagnosis is delayed, treatment is infrequent, and healthcare providers who can understand their specific healthcare needs are lacking. Inequality does not simply extend beyond healthcare, as it is obvious that individuals who struggle with rare diseases become exhausted, both emotionally and physically, as their voice remains unheard from those who should listen within healthcare settings. One of the most impactful ways that I hope to positively impact the healthcare field is through helping individuals find better early diagnosis and access to reliable medical information. There have been many instances where those suffering from rare diseases have gone through years of incorrect diagnoses or have had their concerns dismissed because their symptoms were not presented in a “textbook” manner. Such an experience can induce feelings of frustration and uncertainty, as well as an overall distrust of the healthcare process itself. I hope that, within my career, I can help to advocate for a more patient-centric approach that encourages providers to listen to patients’ stories and help work together to determine an appropriate course of action. I believe that providers should have an equal level of determination and dedication that patients have for finding answers and treatments for their diagnosis. Furthermore, even when a cure is not heavily researched or even “known to exist”, the validation and support process can greatly impact the life of the affected individual in a positive manner. While it encourages people to take control of their condition instead of allowing it to control them, I believe I can contribute to this aspect of health care by engaging in open communication and making patients understand their condition and the resources available to them in order to instill trust and security in them. With my desire to provide clinical advocacy, I also hope to assist individuals affected by rare diseases through educational and advocacy initiatives. For example, patients and families affected by a rare disease can and do become expert patients out of desperation. However, they may still struggle with the system and find it difficult to navigate. This is where I see a need for support. While patients may need guidance, there is a relative lack of well-defined resources. This makes the process, which can already be quite daunting, all the more daunting. Above all, the aim of my career in health care will be to eliminate bias, raise awareness, and enhance outcomes for those afflicted with rare diseases. By listening to patients, advocating for them relentlessly, and providing individualized care, I hope to establish a health care experience where individuals feel acknowledged and empowered, no matter how rare their diseases may be.

My experience with mental health has shaped my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations, particularly in public health. Facing mental health has taught me that health is not only depicted as physical but is also deeply connected to the emotional, social, and environmental factors of life. Over time, I have realized that mental health is a public health issue that affects individuals, families, and large communities. With therapy, hospitalizations, and recovery, I have learned that access to care and education can change incomes and allow for early intervention. I have also, to this day, witnessed the stigma around mental health and how many facilities lack resources to treat individuals that are struggling. I have also witnessed how there are not enough providers educated in treating individuals with certain disorders leaving those with disorders that are less common to feel "helpless" since no doctor has definitive knowledge of the disorder. For example, in my own personal experience, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. After that diagnosis, I was labeled with “Patient with severe mood disorder” on every sheet from the hospital. Although that is true, I was forced to fit into a category that worked for some people, but wasn't successful for everyone. As a result of this, I now believe that the health system needs to prioritize education of its employees and to prioritize intervention and accessibility rather than treating patients by “the book” after numerous failures. My journey through mental health has influenced how I create bonds and relationships. During difficult times, I learned the importance of communication, trust, and support. During the beginning of my journey, I didn't realize how much I was impacting those around me, but over time, I have learned that my struggles have affected every person around me in a different way. My own struggles have made me more in tune with those struggling around me, even if they aren't open about it. By sharing what I have been through, I have been able to support others around me, showing that this is something that you can work through. We must normalize the stigma around mental health and educate more individuals on the signs and factors. These experiences have inspired my career aspirations in public health. I am motivated to work towards improving stigma on all types of illnesses, diseases, and disorders while increasing resources for those and their families who suffer from them. Public health would allow me to combine my own experience with evidence to help change the system.

I have faced many moments where stress, self-doubt, and pressure from those around me made me feel like giving up was easier than continuing on. After some reflection, I have learned that resilience is not about never struggling, but can be built from your own personal struggles. I have realized that there was a period in my life where I learned that resilience is made from persistence, strength, and adaptability. One example of how my resilience has inspired someone else is with my step sister ( her name is Grace). Throughout middle school and into my freshman year, I was hospitalized three times, sent to an outpatient facility, and received intensive therapy for my mental health. There were times when it felt like giving up would be easier than continuing to fight through the emotional pain I was suffering from. These thoughts often left me exhausted and hopeless, feeling weighed down by what I was going through. I am so glad that I didn't allow myself to do that because I can show those around me that the pain, struggle, and sadness can go away. That decision to keep living not only saved me but also helped me connect with the others around me on a deeper level. That person is my stepsister, Grace. Within the past two years, Grace has begun suffering from mental health problems as well. Originally, my mom and her boyfriend weren't going to tell her about what I had been through. However, I made the decision to step outside of my comfort zone and share my story with her. Opening up to grace wasn't easy; it required vulnerability and was incredibly emotional, but I knew that sharing my story would make her feel less alone. By sharing my experiences, I showed Grace that the pain and sadness do not define the person you become. I explained to her that the journey to healing and understanding what you need to help yourself is extremely difficult, but it's temporary. Throughout our conversation, I emphasized the importance of resilience, continuing forward even when it feels impossible, and that she needs to know her self-worth during the hardest of times. Over time and lots of conversations, Grace was able to see that someone close to her had faced the same challenge and survived. The resilience I demonstrated towards her was her reason for moving forward and reminds her that our family as a whole has seen what can happen through my experience. By refusing to give up on myself, I was able to show her that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it's worth fighting for.

Over the past five years, I have struggled with anxiety and depression that have significantly impacted my mental health and daily life. These challenges have often made it difficult for me to stay motivated and pursue my fullest potential. At times, simple tasks have felt overwhelming, and maintaining balance seemed nearly impossible. The weight of these struggles has tested me in ways I never anticipated, pushing me to confront my vulnerabilities and search for ways to move forward. Going through this experience has taught me about my personal limits, needs, and the critical importance of prioritizing my mental health. I have built a support system both inside and outside of school, including working with a school counselor and attending therapy, which has helped me find balance in understanding what I need and how I can improve. Accountability has always been one of my greatest challenges—waking up for school, cleaning my room, even getting out of bed on difficult mornings. Yet these struggles have made me stronger and more attuned to what is happening within my mind and body. Through this journey, I have learned to ask for help, something that once felt impossible. By creating safe, trusting relationships with my loved ones, I have discovered the power of vulnerability and connection. I have also come to realize that my struggles extend beyond myself. My struggles have affected my parents, my siblings, and my friends in profound ways. However, this process has revealed who truly cares, deepening my relationships with those who have stood by me. While the path has been far from easy, this life experience has shaped my ability to persevere through adversity and emerge more resilient. Living with anxiety and depression has been one of the most difficult challenges I have faced, but it has also shaped me into the person I am today. It has taught me to advocate for myself, manage my time more efficiently, and recognize my own strength. I understand that I am still navigating the ups and downs, and I know this will be a lifelong journey. But now, I am ready to push forward with renewed determination, balancing my emotional well-being with my academic goals and embracing the growth that comes from facing challenges head-on.

I am extremely interested in public health, specifically how science and administration policies shape the community's treatment. I'm drawn to certain questions, such as, 'How can we help stop racial inequity?' Or, how can we help make individuals feel better through our treatment? I am drawn to public health not only because it is a versatile major but also because it introduces the importance and option of independent study. This would allow me to dive deeper into the issues that interest me, such as healthcare administration, biostatistics, and health reform. Specifically, public health allows for reflection on yourself and scientific data. To me, that is extremely important, and I can see myself thriving off of this curriculum. I want to pursue a career in public health because I am deeply interested in improving health outcomes at the community level rather than focusing on individual treatment. Public health is of great interest to me because it focuses on the root of the illness rather than the symptoms. With this career/major, I hope to make a meaningful difference in our society by reducing health struggles and promoting preventative care for underrepresented populations. One thing that I have realized since I've gotten older is that there are people in my community facing healthcare discrimination. One thing that really draws me into majoring in public health is the emphasis on prevention and sustainability. Chronic illnesses, mental health and infectious diseases impact hundreds of individuals but are preventable with the proper care and research. But if we think about who has access to these resources. For example, we need to think about the income, race, location and education to determine who is more likely to have a more successful care team. In pursuit of my career I hope to advocate for policies based on the public well being. Public health focuses on shaping policies related to healthcare access, environmental safety and emergency preparedness. I want to be a part of the journey to support the vulnerable populations that create equality with each and every population, whether they are highly educated, rich, poor, or a high school dropout. I believe that everyone has the right to have access to the same things as everyone else. I believe that studying public health will help me to have the slightest impact on the care given to individuals around me. At the end of the day, I know that I can't make a global change myself but I want to demonstrate a realistic, functional and equal healthcare system and I hope that i can succeed that with a degree in public health.