Student profile
Personal Essay
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
When I was young, I was engrossed with the idea of building collections. I tried several times to collect conventional items: a quarter from every state, the first paper from each grade, magnets from every vacation. But nothing stuck.
What did I collect instead? A drawer full of seemingly unrelated items: my favorite birthday cards, keychains my friends bought me, photostrips from dances, teddy bears from my dad, and various memorabilia that define who am and what I value.
Even today, unique collections define me. But this time, my collection extends to the real world in the form of experiences and engagements.
Entering high school, I knew I wanted to pursue biology. I find it amazing how biology can explain everything from a rash to my grandma's cancer — biology is everyone's story. Growing up in academically-focused Cupertino, I realized a 'typical' biology collection should include AP Biology, volunteering at hospitals, and science fairs.
However, just as I couldn't collect only cohesive quarters, I also couldn't stop myself from collecting diverse experiences, including business, journalism and, of course, biology. The items in my "experiences" drawer? Magazine spreads in A111, the journalism classroom. Whether I'm transcribing interviews for hours or covering breaking news, I am proud to give others a voice as a journalist. And whether it be helping staff writers make ethical decisions or removing Oxford commas as I edit my 36th story of the cycle, I am proud to help other journalists as a Managing Editor.
Weekly meetings in the school library. Every Sunday, I make action items for DECA, my school's largest business organization. Has Operations submitted 129 business plans for the conference? Has Marketing released internship applications? Is Competitions prepared for Saturday's study session? As President, I lead 300 talented members; on a personal level, I love every business plan I present.
The TedX talk I delivered at City Hall. In July 2018, I co-founded [name of non-profit] to raise awareness about Hepatitis B in Asian communities. Since then, we've collaborated with the Public Safety Commission, distributed countless flyers at city hubs, and organized various events, including a city-wide Hepatitis Day Fair. Our efforts contribute to a safer community.
DNA extraction at the Snyder lab. Working full-time as a research intern, I loved starting my days in the tissue- culture room and using technologies like PCR and CRISPR to explore microscopic molecules. Coupled with my ongoing research in the Lipsick Lab, I realized the lab is where I feel comfortable, where I find a unique focus, and where I am constantly inspired.
This is my collection. It may not fit a typical biology collection, but the items complement one another and enrich me as an individual.
The DECA presentations I've delivered helped me develop the confidence and pitching skills needed to gain City Council support for [name of non-profit]. The stories I've written for journalism helped me develop lab reports and explain my work to people who barely understand biology. The meticulous planning required in designing and conducting experiments helped me create detailed marketing campaigns that appeal to DECA judges.
I've learned that after labs make discoveries, businesses are essential in converting research to usable products. I've learned that no matter how groundbreaking research is, it is ineffective without communication, whether it be papers for the research community or general information for the public.
Because of this, my future goal is to connect biology to broader audiences through scientific papers, a biology-based business, or public health initiatives. This combination of biology, business, and communications will allow me to impact the greatest number of people. It's a goal my unique collection sets me up for perfectly.
Our collections don't need to be, and shouldn't be, perfect. But they should be meaningful. I am incredibly passionate about my collection. It defines me, inspires me, and gives me direction. I wouldn't trade it for any amount of shiny state quarters.