From Uncertainty to Clarity: My Journey to Mastering the MCAT by Tricia

From Uncertainty to Clarity: My Journey to Mastering the MCAT by Tricia - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

My next big educational goal is to achieve a high score on the MCAT. As a first-generation, low-income student at Emory University, my journey to and beginning of college was filled with uncertainty and self-doubt. Dragging my cart full of overstuffed luggage through the freshman dorms, I felt overwhelmed and struggled to find my footing. The weight of these new challenges often made me question if I was prepared for this journey, especially as I faced the reality of my academic and personal circumstances.

Initially, I chose the pre-business track, driven by an interest in policy. However, I found myself questioning if this path aligned with my true passions and my grades suffered, a reflection of my struggle to find clarity. Although, in the end, I managed to bring my grade back up, I knew this path didn’t reflect the enthusiasm I had hoped to develop. So, during winter break, after much reflection, I decided to switch to the pre-med track. This decision was motivated by my long standing desire to enter the healthcare field— a passion rooted in my experiences growing up in medically underserved communities. Transitioning to pre-med was not without its challenges, and I initially struggled with that same lack of confidence. However, I leveraged my resilience and determination, traits rooted in the same experiences I felt weighed me down, and actively sought out and utilized every resource available.

My hard work paid off when I earned a spot on the Dean’s List at the end of the spring semester, achieving a 4.0 GPA. This recognition was not just a personal triumph but also a validation of my resilience and determination— a clear reminder that my adversity does not have to weigh me down but can, in fact, be the very things that lift me up. In general, it marked a significant turning point in my academic journey, symbolizing my shift from uncertainty to clarity in both my academic pursuits and my passions.

Now, my focus is on the MCAT, a crucial step toward medical school. Achieving a high score on this exam is essential for my future career in healthcare. To me, it represents both a challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate my readiness for medical school and my commitment to addressing healthcare disparities. All in all, with perseverance and dedication, I am determined to excel and make a meaningful impact for all those in situations like mine.