Babysitter, Friend, Mentor by Aubrey

Babysitter, Friend, Mentor by Aubrey - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

As the oldest child in my family, having an older sister myself was something I could only dream of, that is until I met Miller. Miller started babysitting my sisters and I when I was about seven years old. She would spend all summer taking us to museums, playing hide and seek with us, setting up lemonade stands, and making every day an adventure. Miller encouraged my curiosity, teaching me the beauty in asking questions and never settling what ifs.

When I was going into my freshman year of high school, Miller sent me a handwritten letter and a compilation of advice from her and all her friends titled “what I wish I could tell my freshman in high school self.” This letter was filled to the brim with insights and guidance along with funny tips and tricks for how to deal with oddly specific high school situations. Four years later it still sits on my bedside table so that it is easily accessible when I need advice. Having an older sister figure in my life has been a blessing in itself, but watching her work towards her goals has been even more inspiring.

Miller now lives in New York city on the upper east side in her own apartment and works as an ICU nurse. She has always been motivated but seeing her achieve her goals has been truly inspiring. She has taught me the value of discipline and has never let me give up on my dreams. Having her in my corner as my constant cheerleader has given me the courage to be true to myself, and to genuinely believe in my abilities.

Through her constant guidance and infectious positivity, I have grown increasingly confident and inquisitive. Over the years I have discovered my passion for biology and the health sciences. Throughout high school, I have focused on taking advanced STEM courses, while shadowing under healthcare professionals to further my understanding of the human body and its functions. I have taken online courses and read books, my favorite being ‘When breath Becomes Air’ by Paul Kalinithi. I have researched and studied and pursued my passions, never giving a second thought to those who called me ‘nerdy’ and ‘boring.’ These experiences, both positive and negative, have only further cemented my desire to become a physician assistant. Through it all Miller not only supported me, but gave me the inside scoop, sharing stories about what life as a healthcare provider is truly like. She has told me stories about the small mundane moments that make her job so impactful.

For me, motivation has never been a problem. I love learning, seeking the answers to my endless questions, and pushing myself to the limit. Consequentially, the person who has had the biggest impact on my education journey was not an educator, but a mentor. What I needed was someone in my corner, someone who believed in me as much as I believed in myself, someone like Miller.