Never Stop Setting Goals by Alexander

Never Stop Setting Goals by Alexander - August 2023 Scholarship Essay

In 11th grade, I naively believed that my success in school would automatically translate to success on the SAT. That was not the case.

Although on my first attempt, I was still grateful for the 1340 I earned, I knew that my greatest potential was still untapped. I decided to set my goal at 1400 and use all the resources I had: teacher materials, books from my library, and Khan Academy. However, another test later, and I still fell slightly short of my goal. My family and I were blessed to have the opportunity to seek a mentor who could help guide me along my SAT journey. The classes and help I received not only taught me more but boosted my confidence to set my goal even higher. I then earned a 1450, and with that, my time with Varsity Tutors had ended. Nevertheless, I knew I still had more to prove to colleges and to myself.

I continued grinding on my own, taking several practice tests a week online and from prep books from my library. The more I practiced, the more the lessons I learned previously clicked. This led to my biggest achievement in my education so far: obtaining a 1520 SAT score.

I did not know it then, but getting a score above 1500 unveiled the path I have decided to follow for the next 7 years of my life. At the University of South Florida, there is a BS/MD program available for students accepted into their Honors college. Amongst other requirements, a 1500+ SAT score was required to gain access to the program. If it was not for the hard work I put in during my 11th and 12th-grade years, I would not have the opportunity to accelerate my path to med school and be a part of a small yet dedicated group of students pursuing the same industry as me.

The next major obstacle that stands between me becoming a Psychiatrist is the MCAT. This time around, though, I am not afraid, as I was initially with the SAT. I am confident the skills and habits I have developed in the last couple of years will serve me in this rather similar task. While I am by no means equating the difficulty of both exams (I would be in for a rude awakening), I am sure the relentless mindset I have crafted will support my future educational goals of becoming a doctor.