Embracing Change, Embodying Possibility by Sarah

Embracing Change, Embodying Possibility by Sarah - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

My name is Sarah Karimi, a rising College Sophomore at the State University of New York at Geneseo, majoring in Biology. When I look back into my journey, I recognize that things have eerily unfolded like the biology I study: Predictable patterns interspersed with bouts of unexpected change, and it is within these unexpected changes that the novelty, innovation, and beauty of life flourish.

From the very beginning of my learning journey, I found fascination in the biological sciences as they help to unravel the very essence of life. Biology, a chronicle of living beings, and their journey through evolution carves the path of existence. My appreciation for biology is not just academic; it is a mirror into the complex narratives of life, both human and otherwise.

In preparation for my career ambitions, I have maintained a consistent academic performance, as attested by my college GPA of 3.46. While this anchors my technical understanding, I believe that the spirit of a true biologist lies in innate curiosity, empathy for all life forms, and adaptability which I have developed through a combination of diligent study, observation and respectful interaction with the wide variety of life. However, my journey does not stop here; I am fervently seeking opportunities to grow my knowledge, experience and make impactful contributions, which is what brings me to apply for the Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest.

At SUNY Geneseo, I had the good fortune of being taught by professors who instilled in me the value of research and inquiry. They taught me that solutions to the most pressing issues in human health, ecology, and evolutionary biology come from the confluence of interdisciplinary understanding and innovative thinking. Their dedication to their fields and their belief in their students have inspired me to aim for nothing less and prompted me to step beyond my comfort zone in pursuit of dynamic learning opportunities inside and outside the lecture hall.

The Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest presents an invaluable opportunity to support and further my aspirations. Securing this scholarship allows me to harness resources that would otherwise be inaccessible, paving the path for a deeper immersion in biology in all its intricacies. The financial assistance the scholarship provides would go directly towards supporting my pursuit of academic excellence and active involvement in research projects, which can potentially revolutionize our understanding of life processes and provide solutions for mammoth challenges humankind faces.

Applying for this scholarship is not just about the funds, prestigious as they might be. It is a commitment to myself, to continue pursuing my passion for biology, to constantly broaden my understanding and to keep pushing boundaries in the field. In embracing the spirit of this contest, I am embodying the possibility of what a woman in biology can prove to be.

As an applicant, I bring with me a dedicated spirit, a passion for unraveling the mysteries of life, and a constant yearning for learning. My journey so far, lined with academic commitment and fueled by a profound interest in biology, has prepared me for the challenges and rewards that pursuing higher education entails. Consequently, I humbly request your support in furthering this journey through the Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest.

In my eye, biology is not just the study of life – it teaches us to appreciate the strength of adaptability, the beauty of resilience, and makes us realize that each one of us is a unique story of life's success. With your help, I hope to contribute to those stories and help write the narrative of life’s future.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sarah Karimi.