Empowerly

Student profile

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

When I’m interested in something, I go above and beyond to explore. Once the teacher introduces a new topic, especially in science class, I need to investigate it thoroughly - know every intricate detail in each complex biological process. Realistically, I need to have a cut-off time because there is no way that I, a high schooler, could learn the meaning behind the name of each bone and muscle in the body. Why is the bone that forms the prominence in the cheek of the skull called “zygomatic”? Because the root zygo- indicates forming a union, and the zygomatic bone forms a pair with the zygomatic process to create the zygomatic arch. For the same reason, the “zygote” is named for its purpose of unifying the sperm and the egg. 

My curiosity has fueled me to relentlessly pursue opportunities to expand what I learn about science. Naturally, I sometimes feel overwhelmed with the intense schedule I tend to create for myself; however, through the years, I have found the perspective that allows me to maintain the delicate balance between focus on academia, friends and family, and most importantly myself.

I’ve developed this perspective through dance. When I feel overwhelmed, I go to my parents’ spacious bathroom, the only room in the house without carpet, to do kathak and rediscover my rhythm. As I perform chakkars (spins) to the beat of the tabla (drums), my heartbeat quickens and stress dissipates. Kathak, an Indian classical dance, has provided a counterweight to the routine of academics and extracurriculars. Ironically, through its own rhythm, dance breaks me from the rhythm of the intense schedule I tend to create for myself. 

At the UC’s and beyond, I know my tendency will be to profoundly explore the opportunities available to me - both in and out of the classroom. However, throughout life, I will also strive to pause, breathe, and dance in the bathroom. 

So, what makes me stand out from the undoubtedly impressive applicants? Balance within myself and in my lifestyle.

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. 

Since I began diligently practicing yoga at the age of eleven, my oblivious nature has been replaced with one of mindfulness. Being mindful, in my opinion, encompasses consciousness of the present, whether this means interpreting others’ feelings and actions or simply noticing the color of the leaves. Stretching and breathing, to me, is a mere fraction of yoga; the mindfulness yoga encourages is as important as its physical benefits. 

After seeing yoga’s benefits, I underwent a three-month intensive teacher training course. Afterward, I started teaching children at a local temple, where I made it my personal mission to teach not only yoga, but also mindfulness. Children may not realize the words slipping out of their mouths when angry or sad. To help them acknowledge the impact of their words, I needed to create an atmosphere of trust where they could talk about their emotions. So, I incorporated a fifteen-minute discussion into our yoga curriculum, during which the children sat in a circle and listed the moments they were rude or insensitive to anyone that week. We discussed strategies they had learned in class, such as breathing techniques, that they could apply to calm themselves in these moments.

Each week, their homework was to write a list of times they had almost directed their anger at someone, but stopped themselves after becoming aware of their emotions. Throughout the course, each student’s list became longer and the process became more natural. Mindfulness goes hand-in-hand with the practice of yoga; when I asked the students to describe how they avoided mindlessly and rudely disobeying their parents, they pridefully explained how they used the techniques we had discussed. 

My own journey with yoga and mindfulness first taught me to turn inward, finding peace within myself, but as a teacher it became more than that. When I heard my students express their emotions, I swelled with pride; I could never have imagined my younger self practicing mindfulness so successfully. Yoga is more than stretching to me: it is a tool to help myself and others, and I hope my students have realized the same.

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. 

As a child, I had no idea what schizophrenia was; however, I’m now aware of its impact on my family throughout my life. 

Whenever my mom said I didn’t need another barbie, I’d complain and ask her why she couldn’t be more like my aunt. My aunt functioned as my second mom: laid-back and relatable, the one I went to when my mom said I couldn’t buy a barbie doll. Little did I know, my aunt had been diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was eleven. Once my mom revealed this diagnosis to my thirteen-year-old self, everything began to unfold and past memories finally made sense. I always found her occasional, one-week camping trips alone suspicious: she had in fact been hospitalized during these bad episodes. But still, I had more questions than answers.

That summer, I attended the [name] Institute for Molecular Biology, where I was assigned to the class on cancer. However, due to my newfound interest, I personally requested a change to neuroscience. Here, I realized that the textbooks only scratch the surface of each topic: I learned of delusions, a symptom, but our lessons failed to explain why and how my aunt was able to hide its extremes from us children but somehow “allow” it to manifest in front of the adults. Was this the case with other schizophrenics or unique to my aunt?

I wanted to study the brain - real brains, not images in textbooks. Desperate to quench my curiosity, I emailed many professors until, finally, Dr. [name] lab, [name], at UCSF responded. Last summer, I recognized, through interactions with participants, that cognitive aging had manifested itself differently in each person. Although I couldn’t learn why exactly my aunt is the way she is, I realized that neuroplasticity is key to understanding each person’s individuality. 

A recurring theme these past few years was realizing that the more I learned, the more questions I had; this broadened my perspective and made me realize how much I don’t know. My experiences have convened to give me a glimpse into what I want to pursue in my future: neuroscience and medicine.