The American Dream by Sarah

The American Dream by Sarah - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

I want to go to university and major in biology. Through this, I will be able to gain the education and experience necessary to give back to those around me and to fight inequality.

When my Korean parents moved to the United States to pursue their American Dream, they were unaware that the reality they were about to confront was nothing close to what they had imagined. They were swamped by worries on how to pay for the cost of prenatal and postnatal care during my mother’s pregnancy. My dad was in culinary school, and as a foreign student, paid work was not an option. They had been rejected from Medicaid because they were unable to prove their need for financial aid despite the fact that they were paying nearly $80,000 in college tuition. From the front desk of the hospital, my parents learned that Vassar Brothers Medical School had a charity program that helped people pay for their outstanding medical payments. They applied and miraculously were accepted. They were no longer required to pay anything for my birth. My father used to tell me that he would never forget the medical bill: “you are responsible for $0.” He and my mother constantly informed my brother and I that this fortunate incident motivated them to give back to the community. Watching my parents make positive impacts on people around them, I naturally inherited a passion for helping those in need, specifically those with health challenges.

My initial interest in pursuing the field of medicine sparked three years ago when my close friend was diagnosed with Budd Chiari syndrome, a condition that is only seen in one in a million adults and even rarer in children. I studied the disease closely to understand what he was going through. In the process of learning about the illness, I was intrigued by the intricate relationship between our health and a number of external factors such as environment, lifestyle, and diet. My interest in the complexity of our health system motivated me to delve into various chronic illnesses and health issues that are impacted by socioeconomic, political, and cultural factors. My volunteer experience at a local hospice solidified my decision to pursue education and career in medicine. As I spent time assisting elderly hospice patients with terminal diseases, I began to see death as more than a plot in a novel or a biological process; the various psychological and emotional stages of death reminded me of the purpose and dignity of human life.

Many patients I met refused to discuss their imminent death. I sensed inexplicable fear in their eyes and breath. There was one patient who stood out, however. Unlike most patients who fell into depression and were reluctant to talk about their health, Amber expressed her gratitude of being able to live one more day and accepted her declining health. With fewer than six months left to live, she started making necklaces, hoping people would remember her even after she passed. She even made one for me, one with a tree charm, a symbol of connection. Amber is still living, fighting her illness every day. One day, she will be gone. However, her courage to accept her dire reality and her heart of gratitude will live on even after she is gone. Whenever I need a little extra strength, I will reach for my necklace, a reminder of Amber’s courage.

My necklace from Amber will always remind me that every day is valuable and that no day should be wasted for resentment. In my journey to college, I will dare myself to take risks and challenge myself intellectually, inviting myself to study foreign concepts to understand the complex intersectional network of elements that contribute to the disparities across the world. I will be grateful, courageous, and fearless as I welcome all the opportunities that dare me to grow. Through college, I will be able to make important steps towards giving someone the same gift that my parents were given 17 years ago and bringing equality to all in the healthcare community as a future pediatrician.