How much time have you already spent thinking about or preparing for the college application process? Tell us about any summer or after-school programs you’ve participated in or work you’ve done on your own to prepare. What topics have you covered? I have invested significant time and energy into preparing for college. This journey began when I applied to the Fellowship Initiative Program through the Urban Health Fellowship, but there was a moment that sparked my commitment. One day, during a session on community health and disparities in South Los Angeles, we delved into the issues of food security and food deserts; discussing the overwhelming presence of unhealthy food options in underprivileged communities like ours. I found the topic interesting …show more content…
I could feel a surge of excitement as I replied, sharing that the opportunity to have a grasp of an educated life would mean the world to me. That brief exchange led me to apply to the Fellowship Initiative Program. This moment didn’t just open a door; it broadened the landscape of my future, setting me on a path toward my goals. Once I joined the program, I experienced a pivotal moment that gave me a glimpse of college life. We stayed at Cal Poly Pomona, where I began to understand the importance of finding community and engaging with clubs like ‘’La Union’’ and the Black Student Union. I spoke with current students, shared meals at the dining hall with other program members and cemented myself in the overall atmosphere of living on a college campus. Similarly, I also had the opportunity to stay at UC Berkeley, which provided a similar experience and further shaped my perspective on college. Visiting numerous universities, including Stanford and UC Davis, allowed me to finally experience the answer to a question I had since my youth: ‘’What is a lecture and how different is college to high school?’’ As I observed the different classrooms at each school, I also learned about important resources, such as FAFSA, and discovered student support like UC Berkeley's STEM workshops and mental health club, NAMI. I found these topics important because they helped me understand college life; knowing where to find support, connect with others, and