The Changing Chemistry of my Life by Marina

The Changing Chemistry of my Life by Marina - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

Almost all high schoolers are taught that their next big endeavor in life should be beginning a college education immediately after four years of high school. There are many things I am looking forward to including living independently, meeting new people, and being immersed in an unfamiliar environment. I have held a job at a local grocery store for the entirety of high school, and I battled through my rigorous course load of advanced placement (AP) and honors courses while maintaining A’s. I believe hard work will help me attain my next big educational goal of attending a four-year college on a pre-medicine track while majoring in chemistry or biochemistry. Let me explain why!

I am fascinated and continue to be curious about all things in medicine and healthcare. From an early age, I had broken bones, sprained wrists, and dislocated fingers. My injuries were painfully frustrating at the time, and I realize now that they were my first real introduction into medicine. Whether it was sitting in the Emergency Room with my mom, or getting my arm “casted” with my dad, I have had multiple touch-points to meet with different medical specialists. I definitely would call myself a curious person. Now that I am older, I have spent some time researching my injuries and the medications I was prescribed. In part, my experiences with multiple doctors and nurses through the years prompted my interest in studying medicine in the future.

Fast forward to junior year of high school, I was suddenly integrated into a whole new field of medicine: orthopedics, surgery, athletic training, and physical therapy (PT). After a career-ending softball injury, tearing my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a game, I was forced into a year full of rehabilitation, surgery, and dozens of doctors appointments. Despite my difficult circumstances, I learned which PT exercises could be most beneficial to my recovery. I spent a lot of time discussing my surgery and potential complications with my surgeon, and I even requested pictures from my knee surgery to share with my AP Biomedical Seminar class. Why is this important? For me, understanding my injury has made me feel more comfortable with my body, and has allowed me to consider a future in medicine. Although it may be a long journey, I believe that having access to education is a privilege, and I want to use my experiences to help others in the healthcare system. For example, during many appointments, I realized that the doctors and staff that were providing care for me not only made meaningful connections with me, but also had to provide a level of mental-health care when delivering bad news. This is important to me as I realized that healthcare professionals need to be skilled in helping patients heal, both physically and mentally. I believe that I have the compassion, empathy, and dedication that are necessary qualities for aiding others through difficult times.

It is hard to believe that I will be leaving for college in a year. I will be away from my family, relocating, and ultimately studying important things that will transform into my career. Although it is scary right now, I know that I am prepared and excited to begin this new chapter of my life. I believe that it is important for women to pursue their dreams through education. For these reasons, I hope I am a good candidate for the Varsity Scholarship.