Undergraduate / Finding Myself in Sierra Leone [3]

Dear Administrator,
This essay is for my college application! Any comments, edit, or reviews would be fantastic!
Thank you!

A significant obstacle in someone's life can easily be their first big move. This is the case for most people, including me. At the tender age of thirteen, I moved from a quiet suburban town to a busy, bustling and poverty-ridden country known as Sierra Leone, located in West Africa. After my younger sister pleaded for me to stay in this foreign land that I had grown up hearing stories about with her, I immediately regretted making such an impulsive decision. I constantly feared not being accepted amongst a tough and uncompromising demographic as a young teenager, and moving to a country where social status and class could either make or break you, it was a mind-wrecking experience. However, using my intellect, common sense, positive attitude, I was able to successfully navigate my way into a new life from what I had grown up accustomed to.

My first day of school could be comparable to any other kid at new school. Nerve racking. From the moment I stepped out of the car I could feel the stares from everyone around as I was escorted by my cousin to the classroom. My fast pace strides of movement felt as if I was walking in slow motion. I had never felt so uncomfortable in my life. Back at my old school I was the outgoing bubbly personality, but here I had never felt so out of place. I felt as if every move, word, or sound I made was under the judgment of everyone around me. To think that was hard enough, I had to introduce myself to the whole class! Bullets of sweat ran down my face as I slowly uttered my name under my breath, and when asked to repeat it again I could feel myself struggle to get the words out of my mouth. As the day went on, I was dazed at the curriculum the students were taught, and couldn't believe how the students could cope with such rigorous courses. The average 7th grader in Sierra was learning not only English and social studies, but also courses such as biology, physics, and business studies just to name a few. I had never been exposed to such topics before back in the states and I honestly didn't know if could handle such courses.

Over the span of several months I started to take matters into my own hands. I would not let such an experience that most people would perceive to be an amazing opportunity go to waste. I started going to tutorials to catch up to pace in my classes, as well as, study outside of school. However, I still had a one more dilemma; I had no social life whatsoever. I wanted to win the approval of my classmates so desperately that I was willing to do absolutely anything. One thing lead to another, and before you knew it I was making poor decisions that molded me into a person that I or my family didn't even know. I was so caught up in trying to fit in that I lost myself in midst of a reality that I had made up to be acceptable. Something had to change and it had to start with me.

I turned a new leaf in my life by showing people the real me; the bubbly, kindhearted, and goofy girl that I thought I had left behind was the only person I knew how to be. Before I knew it I was creating real friendships and memories that would last me a lifetime. I learned to accept that not fitting in was okay, because it was even greater to stand out. I had many ups and downs while I was in Sierra Leone, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I found something that some people could waste a lifetime to discover and that was myself.

Undergraduate / For or Against Embryonic Stem Cell Transplants? [2]

Prompt: Describe a setting in which you have collaborated or interacted with people whose experiences and/or beliefs differ from yours. Address your initial feelings, and how those feelings were or were not changed by this experience. (Texas A&M Admission Essay A)

During the first semester of my freshman year, my Pre-AP Biology class was given an assignment to research and express our point of views over a controversial topic for a debate. The motion of the debate was to be for or against the extracting of stem cells from human embryos. A human embryo can be defined as the earliest stage of development (starting from the fourth day after fertilization to the end of the eighth week) before it is considered a fetus. The stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the ability to develop into many different cells (such as blood cells, skin cells, etc.). There is a procedure that takes the embryonic stem cells from human embryos to potentially use for purposes such as treatments for diseases, research, and experiments etc. The procedure is known as stem cell transplant.

After doing research on the topic, I came to the notion that the extraction of stem cells from human embryonic cells were appropriate for use. I saw no wrong in taking stem cells from embryos to further research what could possibly save the lives of people suffering from various diseases. The human embryos were not fully developed and anyone who participated was surely willing to donate. Plus, the possibilities were endless on what these stem cells could do not only for people, but for further research in the science world.

To my teacher's surprise, only a handful of people out of the whole class were on the opposing side of the debate. Trying to make the debate more even-sided, my teacher insisted that some of the students switch to the opposing side. About ten people were chosen to switch to the opposing side. I was included. Initially, I did not want to be on a side with beliefs that were against mine, but after listening to what other people had to say I started to have a better understanding of where they were coming from. It turned out that there been had no advancement in stem cell therapy, and it had not produced any cure for diseases. Using embryonic stem cells were not guaranteed to benefit the patient's condition. In some cases it is shown that embryonic stem cells could cause tumors due to the rapid growth when injected. Also, I learned that adult stem cells are a better fit to utilize, because they would not be rejected by a patient being that it was taken from the patient themselves.

Looking back on this experience, it has taught me to not just be close minded but to take the time and acknowledge concepts from different angles. I was drawn back by their explanations, seeing the other side of the spectrum. I was able to approach the issue with a new perspective. Throughout high school, I have been able to apply this skill in many aspects of my life. One of them includes my high school drill team. This year I currently hold the position of a Senior Lieutenant which comes with many responsibilities and challenges. Being open minded has immensely impacted the way I lead the team and it has enabled me to listen to different ideas and make decisions that are best for the team. Learning to be open minded has opened many doors of opportunities that have led me to success and the person I am today.

Undergraduate / Lifetime goals - pursuing a career in the medical field [2]

Prompt: Considering your lifetime goals, discuss how your current and future academic and extra-curricular activities might help you achieve your goals.

Having the opportunity to live here on Earth is a privilege parallel to no other. Life is full of obstacles and sometimes you have to be a little bit lucky to get by. I know that there are people in this world that are not as fortunate as I am and that is what propelled me to pursue a career in the medical field. I want to provide to the needs of people who aren't as privileged as myself. I want to make a positive impact on this world and give back to others so that they may do the same in the future.

I started my pursuit in the beginning of my high school years. I've taken courses such as principles of health science, child development, and anatomy and physiology all to help prepare myself for my future in the medical field. These classes have given me a basis of what I can expect and I enjoy learning the various concepts.

One of the most important things things to do when achieving a goal is to have a plan and be prepared. Without proper preparation it is hard to find the direction in which you are headed.

My involvement in multiple extracurricular activities in school has contributed to my plan . Much of my time is spent on the drill team where I am a Senior Lieutenant which comes with many responsibilities and demands that I must meet in order for the team to be successful. My position as Senior Lieutenant has taught me to be a leader rather than a follower. I have learned to take the initiative and be responsible, owning up to my faults and mistakes. I have also bettered my communication skills; my position has made me a better problem solver and communicator when expressing ideas. Along with the drill team, I am a member of PALS(Peer Assistant Leadership Service) and LULAC(League of Latin American Citizens Youth Council). Being involved with PALS and LULAC allow me to interact with people of contrasting cultures and backgrounds. They help me grasp more diversity of the world we live in while at the same time enables me to offer my services of help to all types of people. Lastly I'm a part of Interact Club. Interact Club's purpose is to better our community. We participate in blood drives, community service, and much more. By serving and giving back to community I'm able to achieve a small portion of my end goal.

My future studies are certainly vital and important towards my lifetime goal. The path to becoming a successful doctor is a trivial and trying one but a commitment I'm willing to make and pursue. By attending Texas A&M I'm determined that I will be able to further my education in this aspect. The vibrant tradition of success and accomplishment at this prestigious school draws me in, especially knowing that I will be surrounded by others with ambition and drive to achieve the most that I can.