I have old hands; hands that want to heal, full of wisdom and a gentle touch. My mother calls them “helping hands.” Perhaps, it is because the study of people’s health, and their behaviors have been intriguing for years. My experience of watching my grandparents struggle with medical conditions and my mother's breast cancer diagnosis ignited a passion for pursuing a career in medicine. As I listened to my mother recall her doctor's visits, I was drawn to how her doctors advocated for her. My commitment to this goal is substantiated by taking four related Advanced Placement courses, including Biology I, Chemistry I, Calculus I, and Physics AB. Despite the workload, I chose to take these classes because they would further my knowledge of physical sciences and efficiently prepare me for not only an undergraduate major at premier university but eventually move on to medical school as well.
This past summer, I attended the National Student Leadership Conference, specializing in Medicine and Health Care, at Duke University. Through this program, I participated in clinical rounds, collaborated with healthcare professionals and medical school students, and learned vital leadership skills to prepare me for my future career. This experience solidified my decision to major in biology, pursue a career in the medical field and appreciate my “helping hands.” It also gave me a great outlook on what the next eight years of my life will look like as I journey toward becoming a healthcare professional.