Lead with Learning by Danica

Lead with Learning by Danica - December 2015 Scholarship Essay

The future has always been a terrifying, uncertain entity that people around me would refuse to stop talking about. All throughout middle school and the beginning of high school, whenever I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always gave the same answer: “a doctor”. However, this consistent answer was not a sign of a definite goal in mind, but an simply aspiration that I believed the people closest to me wanted to hear.
Over time, my default, and extremely general, answer of “a doctor” developed towards the more precise and stimulating study of pharmaceutical chemistry. It was through my high school Chemistry class that I transitioned from having many question marks on my future to now having a complete plan in my head. I hope to eventually work in a lab to help those facing challenging medical conditions through the study and development of medicines.
This aspiration of mine first appealed to me during my coursework in AP Chemistry/IB Chemistry SL. As a part of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, one formative assignment of the class included a student planned and performed “Design Lab”. My experiment, which investigated the effectiveness of different antacids in neutralizing stomach acid, sparked my interest in the uses and effectiveness of different pharmaceutical medicines. The fact that the combination of different elements could mean the difference of life and death of a person compelled me to pursue pharmaceutical chemistry.
This ambition has led me to narrow my possible paths for the future. Next school year, I aspire to study at a prestigious university with a good chemistry program. Additionally, I believe that one must apply what they learn and am aware that some schools offer internships to their students. Therefore, I plan to attain an internship early on in my college career in order to gain experience. I perceive being in the actual setting of where I hope to spend the next 40+ years of my life will aid in preparing me for my future.
Following both my undergraduate and graduate education, I hope to be able to attain a job swiftly. Although, I am aware the jobs in the medical field are extremely competitive, I aim to be able to rely on my high level of education for a prestigious university and internship to help me stand out and receive job positions. Because some universities are held above others, I understand that where one receives their education can affect if one is hired or not.
I believe that the education one receives from high school to graduate school will influence how easily they can reach their aspirations. In my own case, if I had not been exposed to IB Chemistry or researched specific universities, I would not have a plan. Through planning my education, I am planning the whole rest of my life.