College Admissions Essay: The Passion That Changed My Life

“Mitochondriaaa, praaay for us,” mocked my fifth grade classmate. At that moment, while my 11-year-old classmate was fixated on being a nuisance to our science teacher, I became fixated on science. Throughout my life, I’ve recognized two constants: a love for science and a passion for learning. Whether learning about the physical forces governing a sunset, the sociological impact on schizophrenia, or the pathogenesis of bacterial diseases, I am captivated by science. However, one question always lingered: How will I harness my passion to benefit the world around me? Becoming a physician always seemed to be the obvious answer, yet doubts clouded that notion. Ultimately, when I immersed myself in diverse medical experiences, and witnessed the

Requiring multiple tutors throughout middle school, I started feeling ashamed because I needed extra help. While my science classes interested me, I slowly convinced myself I was too average for all its complexities. It wasn’t until chemistry class my sophomore year of high school when I realized I had it wrong. Amazed by the grandeur of the Periodic Table and the mysterious nature of electrons, learning started to become easy. Suddenly, the hard work I put into my classes wasn’t hard work at all; it was something I actually enjoyed. Even my most challenging classes felt like a breath of fresh air, making the time and frustration spent understanding the material worth it. Seeing the beauty in difficult situations is something I strive to share with those around me each

Kinesiology taught me the importance of staying fit and healthy, focusing on how we can improve our overall quality of life. My biology classes, however, exposed me to the powerful world beyond the naked eye. As a whole, our way of thinking has become dominated by the fact that bigger is always better. Yet, in the end, it’s the smaller things that dominate us. As I began to learn more about the prominence of the micro-world through my biochemistry and microbiology classes, I started to wonder if my calling was in research. Our ability to manipulate such small objects to produce lifesaving solutions is incredible. My experience working with personalized medicine only strengthened my interest toward improving human health where everything begins – under the microscope. Nevertheless, while my heart belongs to small sciences, my direct interaction with patients seeking medical help cements my longing to practice