Prompt 1: Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
After introductions she questioned me why I applied to REVS-UP, I responded "Well I have always loved biology, and when my friend suggested applying to REVS-UP, I decided to give it a shot. Honestly, I didn't think I would get accepted." My professor from REVS-UP revealed to me something I will never forget: "There was an overwhelming amount of applicants this year, so we only chose the best students who demonstrated their admiration for science, and you were one of them, so give yourself some credit."
Every day I participated in REVS-UP, I always got out of bed five minutes before my alarm clock; REVS-UP showed me my passion arising. REVS-UP was a four week program of hands on research of the types of bacteria found in Bakersfield's local ponds, rivers, and water streams. I had the opportunity to work with four other students from different schools, a biology professor who taught there, and students who attended there. In those four weeks, my group and I grew literally hundreds of bacteria on petri dishes. We collected, inoculated, gramed stained, and then classified our bacteria. At the start of REVS-UP I had no confidence, and I always thought of myself as someone who might never become anyone. As the four weeks progressed, my curiosity for biology ran wild, driving me out of my shell. At the end of the four weeks I was able to converse with my professor without intimidation. I had learned the value of intellectual exchange, I asked questions daily, and I became a person who aspired to explore the world of biology. The last day of REVS-UP we had to present our research and our results to the CSUB president, professors, and students. We also had to present our findings to Chevron's president and faculty. Groups of people stopped by our project, asking us questions about our research and our results, with me being the first one to respond. Then they followed up with questions, such as: "What did you learn from your experiences in REVS-UP?" I proudly answered: I learned many things, like how to interact on a professional level. But most of all, I learned how to succeed."
Participating in REVS-UP accentuated my passion for biology, and it showed me that I want a career that I will love, no dragging myself out of bed every morning, but a career that will ignite me to get up five minutes before my alarm clock. Now, as I recall the person I was on the very first day of REVS-UP, then I recall the last day of REVS-UP, I notice that after participating in the program I grew survival skills in academia, skills in research and organization, and most of all I grew confidence which now drives me to be a role model even in biology. My participation in REVS-UP shaped not my dream, but my future of becoming a pediatrician because it is something that I will love for the rest of my life. REVS-UP demonstrated to me that I have a passion for biology because most of what is knowable is still unknown; however I aspire to satisfy my thirst for more knowledge of science.
After introductions she questioned me why I applied to REVS-UP, I responded "Well I have always loved biology, and when my friend suggested applying to REVS-UP, I decided to give it a shot. Honestly, I didn't think I would get accepted." My professor from REVS-UP revealed to me something I will never forget: "There was an overwhelming amount of applicants this year, so we only chose the best students who demonstrated their admiration for science, and you were one of them, so give yourself some credit."
Every day I participated in REVS-UP, I always got out of bed five minutes before my alarm clock; REVS-UP showed me my passion arising. REVS-UP was a four week program of hands on research of the types of bacteria found in Bakersfield's local ponds, rivers, and water streams. I had the opportunity to work with four other students from different schools, a biology professor who taught there, and students who attended there. In those four weeks, my group and I grew literally hundreds of bacteria on petri dishes. We collected, inoculated, gramed stained, and then classified our bacteria. At the start of REVS-UP I had no confidence, and I always thought of myself as someone who might never become anyone. As the four weeks progressed, my curiosity for biology ran wild, driving me out of my shell. At the end of the four weeks I was able to converse with my professor without intimidation. I had learned the value of intellectual exchange, I asked questions daily, and I became a person who aspired to explore the world of biology. The last day of REVS-UP we had to present our research and our results to the CSUB president, professors, and students. We also had to present our findings to Chevron's president and faculty. Groups of people stopped by our project, asking us questions about our research and our results, with me being the first one to respond. Then they followed up with questions, such as: "What did you learn from your experiences in REVS-UP?" I proudly answered: I learned many things, like how to interact on a professional level. But most of all, I learned how to succeed."
Participating in REVS-UP accentuated my passion for biology, and it showed me that I want a career that I will love, no dragging myself out of bed every morning, but a career that will ignite me to get up five minutes before my alarm clock. Now, as I recall the person I was on the very first day of REVS-UP, then I recall the last day of REVS-UP, I notice that after participating in the program I grew survival skills in academia, skills in research and organization, and most of all I grew confidence which now drives me to be a role model even in biology. My participation in REVS-UP shaped not my dream, but my future of becoming a pediatrician because it is something that I will love for the rest of my life. REVS-UP demonstrated to me that I have a passion for biology because most of what is knowable is still unknown; however I aspire to satisfy my thirst for more knowledge of science.