During my last year in high school, the medical university of my city, the only one as a matter of fact, was offering opportunities for prospective medical students to take part in a scientific journey. The scientific journey was broad and ranged from seminars on new medical methodologies to seminars on the requirements of having a medical career. In face of this opportunity, I decided to take the seminars in Biochemistry, because Biology and Chemistry were my two favorite subjects in high school and in Neurology because I have always been fascinated with the brain's complexity and functionality.
The whole experience motivated me even more to apply to medical school. However, to be accepted into a medical university in Angola is very hard, not only because there are very few medical universities, fewer than ten in the whole country, but also because medical universities generally give priority to those students who have attended nursing high schools, which was not my case. Despite the difficulties, I managed to not only be accepted into the university but I also had the second highest admission grade out of almost five hundred applicants.
After being in medical school for a year, my parents sent me to the United States so that I could have a better education. And, since I have always liked the sciences, I thought that majoring in both Biochemistry and Behavioral Neuroscience would be perfect. However, as I was applying to UMass Boston, I figured that it would be a good idea to declare Biochemistry as my major, and, after I got accepted, I could declare Neuroscience as my second major. Unfortunately, after being accepted, I came to realize that the school did not offer Neuroscience either as a major or as a minor. Faced with this sad reality, I decided to forgo Behavioral Neuroscience and focus entirely on Biochemistry.
It was not until last semester, when I took my first-year seminar class that I started reconsidering majoring in Neuroscience again. The class was called Mind and Body Connection and it focused on neuroplasticity. I had the opportunity to know more about the brain and its functionality. This class was one of the most engaging classes I had taken last semester, and it definitely reassured me of what I have always wanted: to study both Neuroscience and Biochemistry.
In addition to this episode, being a member of the medical fraternity, Phi Delta Epsilon, also contributed to my willingness to further pursue my dream. In one of our meetings, we had the chance to meet Dr. Martin Acquadro, who walked us through the difficulties he had as a medical student, encouraging us never to give up on our dreams. He also emphasized the joy he experiences as anesthesiologist, helping us to see that hard work and persistence do pay off.
As I was listening to his speech, I could not help but to reflect on the academic choices I had made, and, at that moment, I realized that pursuing Behavioral Neuroscience along with Biochemistry would fulfill me more as a student and person.
My reasons for transferring are almost entirely academic. I have made many good friends at UMass Boston, and I have studied with some wonderful professors. However, I do have one non-academic reason for transferring: My brother is applying to transfer, and, right now, he is the only family member I have in the U.S. Therefore, if he transfers, I will have to transfer to the same university or to a nearby university. Otherwise, we will have to live in different places and that means that I will see him less often.
As my transcript proves, I have done well at UMass Boston. I have kept a stellar academic record not only in my science classes but also in general courses, all of which have granted me a place on the Dean's list last semester. I am certain that I will maintain the same level of dedication and enthusiasm I kept at UMass Boston in order to succeed in my new major.
The whole experience motivated me even more to apply to medical school. However, to be accepted into a medical university in Angola is very hard, not only because there are very few medical universities, fewer than ten in the whole country, but also because medical universities generally give priority to those students who have attended nursing high schools, which was not my case. Despite the difficulties, I managed to not only be accepted into the university but I also had the second highest admission grade out of almost five hundred applicants.
After being in medical school for a year, my parents sent me to the United States so that I could have a better education. And, since I have always liked the sciences, I thought that majoring in both Biochemistry and Behavioral Neuroscience would be perfect. However, as I was applying to UMass Boston, I figured that it would be a good idea to declare Biochemistry as my major, and, after I got accepted, I could declare Neuroscience as my second major. Unfortunately, after being accepted, I came to realize that the school did not offer Neuroscience either as a major or as a minor. Faced with this sad reality, I decided to forgo Behavioral Neuroscience and focus entirely on Biochemistry.
It was not until last semester, when I took my first-year seminar class that I started reconsidering majoring in Neuroscience again. The class was called Mind and Body Connection and it focused on neuroplasticity. I had the opportunity to know more about the brain and its functionality. This class was one of the most engaging classes I had taken last semester, and it definitely reassured me of what I have always wanted: to study both Neuroscience and Biochemistry.
In addition to this episode, being a member of the medical fraternity, Phi Delta Epsilon, also contributed to my willingness to further pursue my dream. In one of our meetings, we had the chance to meet Dr. Martin Acquadro, who walked us through the difficulties he had as a medical student, encouraging us never to give up on our dreams. He also emphasized the joy he experiences as anesthesiologist, helping us to see that hard work and persistence do pay off.
As I was listening to his speech, I could not help but to reflect on the academic choices I had made, and, at that moment, I realized that pursuing Behavioral Neuroscience along with Biochemistry would fulfill me more as a student and person.
My reasons for transferring are almost entirely academic. I have made many good friends at UMass Boston, and I have studied with some wonderful professors. However, I do have one non-academic reason for transferring: My brother is applying to transfer, and, right now, he is the only family member I have in the U.S. Therefore, if he transfers, I will have to transfer to the same university or to a nearby university. Otherwise, we will have to live in different places and that means that I will see him less often.
As my transcript proves, I have done well at UMass Boston. I have kept a stellar academic record not only in my science classes but also in general courses, all of which have granted me a place on the Dean's list last semester. I am certain that I will maintain the same level of dedication and enthusiasm I kept at UMass Boston in order to succeed in my new major.
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