College Admissions Essay: Working With Underserved Community

In my Science Research experience, I’ve attended four genetics conferences learning about all the new discoveries in genetics, specifically with genetic bioinformatics, advancements in stem cells, and possible cures for genetic diseases. In 9th, 10th, and 11th grade I volunteered at three pharmaceutical companies. Where I handled laboratory test data, organized data in the QC database, and followed my supervisors. As a result, I understood work etiquette and how medicinal drugs are tested. Then, beginning in 11th grade, I volunteered at Stony Brook University Hospital, becoming a leader, assisting other staff, patients, and nurses.

I like to think of myself as a person who can appreciate and understand everyone's opinions. Although I might not agree with them, I feel as if everyone's beliefs and thoughts deserve to have equal initial respect. This leads me to where I was first introduced to discrimination and racism, the exact opposite concepts I now try to surround myself with. I have lived in Cross Roads, Pennsylvania for the entirety of my young life and if there is anything obvious about my community, it is that we are not very advanced in the diversity department. My hometown is predominantly white, which brings on a whole new set of problems concerning discrimination and racism, especially when a family of a different race moves to our community. Now don't get me wrong, my family, my friends, my neighbors, are not bad people. Most of them are great people but a few have just been brought up with idealisms that I myself find racist in nature. As an example, someone I spend a lot of time with because of family relations is in many ways ignorant to people different than them. They, like me, grew up in a

While serving others, I have gained a better understanding of individuals whose lives may differ from my own. Volunteering in the Emergency Department has been a fulfilling experience, all the

Volunteering at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff, California was an extremely enlightening experience. For the first time, I was given the opportunity to interact with patients on a personal level. Although as an auxiliary member I was mainly responsible for sanitizing beds, changing linens and restocking the rooms, the ability to observe the physicians as they interacted with the patients and the opportunity to speak with the patients was invaluable. I learned an immensely important aspect of being a physician, which is the importance of great bedside manner. However, I wanted to experience a greater interaction with the patients, so I enrolled in an Emergency Medical Technician course at Shasta College and became a licensed EMT.

BA’s Coming to your Local Community College There are several reasons why community colleges should start offering Bachelor Degrees. According to the Community College Baccalaureate Association they intend to, “Promote the development and acceptance of the community college baccalaureate degree as a means of addressing the national problems of student access, demand, and cost.” Furthermore, this has been brought up for a few years now. There are currently 21 other states offering BA’s for pilot degrees.

Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to go into the field of science to help people. In high school, I was involved with an organization called Key Club. I spent most of my free time helping with donations for the Salvation Army or providing lower income families with food for the holidays. I have spent Saturdays in helping in events to raise awareness for autism. I also did an internship during college and spent three hundred hours working alongside dentists as a dental assistant in training.

“Learn a trade, that way you have something you can fall back on” Dad, Grandpa, uncles, neighborhood guys, they all said it. Cliché? Perhaps. In my case it turned out to be sound advice. Today I find myself preparing for my third career change. Admittedly though, I have not strayed far-off from the trade I learned in the Navy.

For everything stolen, place the blame onto another. The tragedy that continues will surely cease, the moment light is found. Social justice is admittedly one of my greatest passions. As one of my primary interests, I have a strong passion for denouncing evil and allowing justice to conquer. I hope that through the actions I make now, and will continue to make, what I do will be able to change the world we have. Regardless, of whether it is a minor or major change, I truly hope my decisions will be able to provide a sense of relief, for even one person. I want to be known as a person who served others; as someone who loved the idea of peace so much, they lent their hand out to anyone who required assistance. The people I am given the opportunity

As an EMT I strive to give back to my community everyday. Risking to save patients from the most obscure and gruesome situations. I advocate to my patients preventive care from simple hygiene practices to checking catheters for infection. Educating my community is personally important. Being able to prevent illness instead of treat is an ideal scenario for me as an EMT as well as to my patients well- being.

Essay #1, I really highlight my experience as an EMT to show how it would help me as a volunteer overcome any challenges i may face (327):

This has been the driving force behind my passion for serving the underserved, and being an example that STEM careers are attainable, regardless of initial circumstances. This was also my inspiration for volunteering to teach science to kindergarteners in the Athens area. With Athens being an extremely poverty-stricken area, I aimed to spark an interest in science at an early age with hopes that the barriers between underserved communities and stem careers can continue to be broken

As a student, I have demonstrated many works of service to my community and school. Service opportunities have shaped me into the person I am today and these projects have made me realize how fortunate I am for all that I have. While I've been doing these service projects through the years, it has been a pleasure seeing the joy on the faces of people that aren't as fortunate as I am. Service projects that I have completed include managing the fish booth at the St. Leo's Parish Festival, being an altar server at St. Leo's Parish, helping cook dinner for the Ridgway Fire Department during carnival day setup, participating in the St. Marys Light Up Night by dancing, and Christmas caroling to local residents. I also participated in a zombie/princess

Towards the end of my undergraduate career, I committed to pursuing a law degree. My training in history gives me a broad perspective on the dynamics which shape current events. Additionally, I was able to obtain a bachelors degree in biological sciences. It was an incredible learning experience to be able to understand the physics of radioactive decay and the biochemistry of DNA replication. The confidence I gained by having a deep understanding of the physical world really defines a large part of me.

I would say that overcoming the social class I was born into has challenged my life the most. Neither of my parents attended college, so growing up I have always watched them both work hard but struggle to earn enough money to provide for me and my three older siblings. My parents divorced around the time that the economy started going into a recession, so my mother began working multiple jobs at a local factory and waitressing on the side to make up for the loss of my father’s income. My mother’s financial struggles convinced me at a young age of the value of a college degree. However, the concept of attending college was sort of strange and unfamiliar in my family.

I feel that many people in society today don’t take a chance to try something new. Social Media has drilled into our brains that if we try something new instead of what is expected that we will be shunned. We would become social outcasts. The thing is we would become the total opposite. We would get to meet new people and make new friends that share your interests.