Entering Brown University: Personal Statement

Many nights as I lay in bed restless and puzzled, I contemplated which direction my future would take. Entering Brown University, I thought I had a keen sense of my career goals, having convinced myself that I was well beyond the “college is a time for exploring” phase.

Having pondered before college whether I should pursue an artistic or technical path, I decided that engineering would be the most sensible choice, but, at some point during my sophomore year, I began to wonder whether my decision would offer the fulfillment I desired. Reflecting on the factors that determined my decision to become an engineer, which included an aptitude for science and math, I realized that my decision-making had been flawed, lacking sufficient cultivation

Reminiscing on my experiences of growing up in a low-income and underprivileged community, I felt compelled to give back to those who face similar circumstances. I started by sharing my own background with my tutees and mentees to demonstrate that education is an avenue for personal growth and diverse career opportunities. Mentoring caused me to realize more clearly my desire to provide a needed service to the community and raised my awareness that I had the skills and aptitude to pursue a career of service. During the winter of my sophomore year, after much contemplation and research, I decided to embark upon a new career path that would incorporate my love of the sciences and desire to work in underserved communities – the career of

I worked as a dental administrative assistant in an office primarily serving patients with mental disabilities, I observed, as well as served a community of patients who frequently find dental care unaffordable. I learned that being a dentist and providing essential care extends beyond the clinic and private office; affordable, quality dentistry should extend to the financially underprivileged and underserved communities – to inner-city and rural residents – who have the same inalienable right to adequate dental care as those more financially fortunate. It is my desire to serve my community by improving both patients’ oral health and