Academic Strategy
This piece was also from the freshman Gateway to Honors course. It emphasizes what I want to accomplish in my four years of college. Noteworthy are campus groups, research, study abroad, and community service.
.
There are several groups at UC that I enjoy and think are worthwhile. I will continue to be a member in these various programs, but once I am in the group for a year I plan to apply for leadership positions. My goal is to have at least two leadership positions in the next three and a half years. It can be in the groups that I am currently in, being UHA, GSA, Caducea, or some leadership related to my volunteering at Goodwill, or it can be a completely new group that I find interest in. But I would like to hold some positions where I will be able to have an important role, no matter what it may be.
During my experience here at UC I also want to become involved in research related to my field: biology. I think that research is a key element to understanding certain concepts, allowing a deep knowledge in one particular area. But the very premise of research is exciting. I get to partake in a study that could possibly lead to new and important information. There are so many research opportunities available, especially at UC. The first step is to look at these programs and pick one I am willing to commit to. From there it is up to contacting a few professors and expressing my interest. Even though I may only be doing volunteer work, it should be self-rewarding to become involved in research in a very active field. At minimum I would like two quarters where I meet with a professor and become involved in research and the lab procedures that go along with this research. I plan to do research near the end of my sophomore year and into my junior year.
Just as research is valuable to my interest, so too is studying abroad. As expressed in my Honors Proposal, I strongly desire to travel to a biologically diverse Spanish speaking country. There are a few options like Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Costa Rica is my first choice however and the affiliated university seems to be academically challenging. Studying abroad would not only allow me to survey and study the biology in the native country’s environment, but it would also allow me to learn the language by hearing and speaking it as opposed to reading and writing in a textbook style manner. I have been out of the country before but it has always been for shorter periods of time and with a group. This experience would really allow me to let go completely of my comfort zone. It would also increase my global awareness of different opinions and attitudes outside those of my own country. This, as expressed in my This I Believe statement, is something that I hold to be vital to growth and understanding as an individual. I In order to do this I need to work with an advisor on improving my proposal and making it exact. I also need to search for grants so that this trip is financially possible. These grants will be found online and with the help of honors advisors.
I plan to have a full four years at UC, being involved in groups, extensive community service, and obtaining high grades and unique honors experiences such as studying abroad in Costa Rica and Biology research. I plan to study Biology and Spanish. These two majors, combined with my experiences, will prepare me well for medical school to be a PA (or doctor as I am not positive just yet). Medical school will be extremely difficult and expensive, but with that final degree I will be able to achieve what job I want in life. I enjoy working with people and I enjoy science. With a medical school degree, I would be a PA or doctor working in a doctor’s office, dealing with a variety of patients. As service is such a large part of my life, I want to be able to work in a profession where I directly deal with people to help them. I could not sit in an office; I want to be able to see people, diagnose them, and explain what they might have or how to prevent certain ailments. With Spanish becoming such an influence, my ability to speak to Hispanic patients would be an even greater achievement. This to me is a great job and I wouldn’t think of it as just that.
But as a doctor or PA, I want to be involved beyond my localized area. Traveling to experience different people is again something I value greatly. I also have a strong desire to serve with no physical compensation. Therefore I want to volunteer with Doctors Without Borders. I have studied what they do and their mission. Some of the cases are sad or “hopeless,” others give more positive outlooks. But the main thing is that I want to be able to use m skills to help those who need it most.
These are my main goals in the next four years and beyond. I believe the University Honors program provides the best route and experiences to help me achieve my longer goals. My goals are not going to be easy to fulfill, definitely possible, but will be most rewarding for me as a person. These goals directly correlate to my values and who I desire to be.
.
There are several groups at UC that I enjoy and think are worthwhile. I will continue to be a member in these various programs, but once I am in the group for a year I plan to apply for leadership positions. My goal is to have at least two leadership positions in the next three and a half years. It can be in the groups that I am currently in, being UHA, GSA, Caducea, or some leadership related to my volunteering at Goodwill, or it can be a completely new group that I find interest in. But I would like to hold some positions where I will be able to have an important role, no matter what it may be.
During my experience here at UC I also want to become involved in research related to my field: biology. I think that research is a key element to understanding certain concepts, allowing a deep knowledge in one particular area. But the very premise of research is exciting. I get to partake in a study that could possibly lead to new and important information. There are so many research opportunities available, especially at UC. The first step is to look at these programs and pick one I am willing to commit to. From there it is up to contacting a few professors and expressing my interest. Even though I may only be doing volunteer work, it should be self-rewarding to become involved in research in a very active field. At minimum I would like two quarters where I meet with a professor and become involved in research and the lab procedures that go along with this research. I plan to do research near the end of my sophomore year and into my junior year.
Just as research is valuable to my interest, so too is studying abroad. As expressed in my Honors Proposal, I strongly desire to travel to a biologically diverse Spanish speaking country. There are a few options like Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Costa Rica is my first choice however and the affiliated university seems to be academically challenging. Studying abroad would not only allow me to survey and study the biology in the native country’s environment, but it would also allow me to learn the language by hearing and speaking it as opposed to reading and writing in a textbook style manner. I have been out of the country before but it has always been for shorter periods of time and with a group. This experience would really allow me to let go completely of my comfort zone. It would also increase my global awareness of different opinions and attitudes outside those of my own country. This, as expressed in my This I Believe statement, is something that I hold to be vital to growth and understanding as an individual. I In order to do this I need to work with an advisor on improving my proposal and making it exact. I also need to search for grants so that this trip is financially possible. These grants will be found online and with the help of honors advisors.
I plan to have a full four years at UC, being involved in groups, extensive community service, and obtaining high grades and unique honors experiences such as studying abroad in Costa Rica and Biology research. I plan to study Biology and Spanish. These two majors, combined with my experiences, will prepare me well for medical school to be a PA (or doctor as I am not positive just yet). Medical school will be extremely difficult and expensive, but with that final degree I will be able to achieve what job I want in life. I enjoy working with people and I enjoy science. With a medical school degree, I would be a PA or doctor working in a doctor’s office, dealing with a variety of patients. As service is such a large part of my life, I want to be able to work in a profession where I directly deal with people to help them. I could not sit in an office; I want to be able to see people, diagnose them, and explain what they might have or how to prevent certain ailments. With Spanish becoming such an influence, my ability to speak to Hispanic patients would be an even greater achievement. This to me is a great job and I wouldn’t think of it as just that.
But as a doctor or PA, I want to be involved beyond my localized area. Traveling to experience different people is again something I value greatly. I also have a strong desire to serve with no physical compensation. Therefore I want to volunteer with Doctors Without Borders. I have studied what they do and their mission. Some of the cases are sad or “hopeless,” others give more positive outlooks. But the main thing is that I want to be able to use m skills to help those who need it most.
These are my main goals in the next four years and beyond. I believe the University Honors program provides the best route and experiences to help me achieve my longer goals. My goals are not going to be easy to fulfill, definitely possible, but will be most rewarding for me as a person. These goals directly correlate to my values and who I desire to be.