Growing up in a multicultural household, stories have largely shaped my childhood. My Jidu’s (grandfather’s) tales of sweeping date fields and the old tongues of Dongola served as focal lessons of my family’s Nubian history. Bedtime stories about my Great PaaPaa (grandmother), a Cantonese immigrant who raised three children in 1960s New Haven, Connecticut, introduced me to the profundity of Asian migrant identity. With age, these stories have continued to encourage a deep interest in the shared struggles and triumphs of oppressed populations—an admiration for the history and literature of families like my own. 

Living in a society of constant political divide and civil unrest has prompted me to expand my knowledge of human rights and contribute to the tremendous worldwide efforts against social injustice. Namely, I wish to immerse myself in classrooms that help students acquire global perspectives and forge unique academic pathways. I am enthralled by courses that amplify repressed voices through surveying the ongoing legacy of Black, Asian, or Indigenous resistance. As an institution for interdisciplinary learning, Johns Hopkins University nurtures the exploration of said topics with course offerings including Black Against Empire and Modern East Asian Literatures Across Boundaries—curriculums capitalizing on narratives of fortitude and oppression. Beyond the classroom, I would thrive under the guidance of Hopkins’ resolute faculty members such as Jessica Marie Johnson, a scholar dedicated to augmenting subjugated history and cultivating well-informed minds. 

Rather than leave my community behind, I want to bring our marginalized voices into powerful spaces. As such, across Hopkins’ multiple disciplines, I intend to engage in extracurriculars geared toward building solidarity between minority students. Programs with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion present the best opportunities to do so amongst others with a vested interest in social equity. I resonate with the Female Leaders of Color and their commitment to uniting women of color at the forefront of professional and academic discourse. Gaining this sisterhood would build on my experience interning for a woman-owned business, The Sustainable Socialite, as well as open doors to similar opportunities. Likewise, joining the Melanotes would encourage my artistic creation within a harmonious community of Black voices. 

In addition to campus groups, I am drawn to the Hopkins Office for Undergraduate Research (HOUR). For me, research can reconcile outstanding issues and bridge generational gaps. In the spring of 2022, after two semesters of extensive study, I curated an academic workshop addressing female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) as a polarizing public health issue affecting women across the East African diaspora—women like my aunt and grandma. Driven by the goals of safely confronting ethnocentric outlooks and educating students on culturally sensitive terminologies, my workshop’s discoveries on FGM/C prompted participants to speak out on the stigmatized issue. When I ponder on my place within Hopkins, next-level programs including HOUR solidify ways I can contribute to the institution’s diverse campus. My desire to transfer to Hopkins stems from our shared curiosity in life and the complex stories that build it. 

Since elementary school, I have been fascinated by numbers. Determined to become the best at math in my class, I didn’t let anything get in the way of my accomplishments.  

My hard work paid off, earning me one of the highest grades in the province on the University Entrance Exam in Spain. After serious thought, I took a risky decision: to pursue a college degree in the US. This choice surprised my family since even after a year of high school in England, I’ve always been very shy. I come from Tenerife, a small island where everyone is very close and friendly. But I knew that if I didn’t take that ambitious step, I would regret it in the future. Fortunately, my current institution gave me the opportunity to attend even though deadlines had passed. The small, liberal arts school allowed me to study math, but I am seeking more intellectual challenges. 

I took the most demanding classes possible this semester, including Intro to Higher Mathematics and Electricity and Magnetism, which led me to discover new areas of interest and develop higher level skills. I joined the Math Research Team and the physics club, and co-founded the tennis club. I also worked as a network connectivity ambassador, discovering the engineering behind fiber optics and offering technical assistance to prominent economists at national conferences. I even had the chance to teach beginning piano lessons to three of my peers! 

Now I want to deepen my advanced math studies, and Hopkins offers the expanded options I seek. My goal is to dedicate myself to math at Hopkins and ultimately pursue a PhD. I am inspired by the math club Ex Numera, where I will have the opportunity to participate in events and seminars given by Hopkins undergraduates. The abundance of math courses and specialties at Hopkins is truly amazing. I am attracted to advanced courses such as Mathematical Game Theory and Representation Theory. 

I am also eager to follow the rich tradition of participating in research opportunities at Hopkins and working one-on-one with experienced faculty outside classes. In the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, I can work closely with faculty such as Professors Savitt and Consani, who are experts in the field of number theory. I will deepen my knowledge on the subject and strengthen my connection to the math community at Hopkins. Furthermore, interdisciplinary studies are important to me, so I look forward to taking computer science courses such as Artificial Intelligence and Modern Cryptography, and economics courses such as Econometrics, to expand my academic preparation. Outside the classroom, I can teach young students the fascinating world of the sciences by joining the Applying Science with Kids community, and the Humanitarian Organization for Medicine and Equity to create educational opportunities through community work. 

Transferring to Hopkins will allow me to become part of a world-renowned academic environment, where research is encouraged and I will be pushed to excel. 

My lifelong dream has been to help and inspire humankind to the greatest extent of my abilities. During high school, I decided that a career in science was the best way for me to reach and help as many people as possible. Earning an education at a highly selective institution like Johns Hopkins would give me the most beneficial options for attaining my career goals and making my lifelong dream a reality. 

As an aspiring scientist, Johns Hopkins stands out to me as a university that is at the forefront of many scientific breakthroughs that will help society. Finding the solution to pressing scientific problems has been my main focus and a passion of mine during my undergraduate studies. Organic chemistry is my top concentration for research. Following my successful completion of the course, I was selected as the embedded tutor (teacher’s assistant) for the class the year following due to my passion and prior experience as a supplemental instruction leader.  

Once I transfer to a university, I hope to take my knowledge of organic chemistry and expand my mastery of research laboratory techniques. Analyzing NMR and IR spectroscopy samples to identify structural properties was the highlight of my time in organic chemistry, but I was unable to use these skills for research since little to no research is done at the community college level. Johns Hopkins’ NMR Core facility is far more advanced with multiple instruments to examine compounds, giving its researchers a better chance to find solutions to the questions they’re asking. Undergraduate research programs like the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Award (PURA) give me the chance as an undergraduate to learn the skills and gain the experience needed to continue as a professional in the sciences. It would be the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to join and become one of the top scientific researchers in the world. 

Coming from a small town in California, I believe attending Johns Hopkins University would give me the opportunity to branch out, experience different cultures, and meet people with new ideas and perspectives to help me explore my individuality. The inclusivity of this university appeals to me, a first-generation college student and woman in STEM. The ability to get hands-on experience and guidance from distinguished, supportive professors is vital for success at a higher level. As a First-Gen Forward institution, Johns Hopkins University offers a welcoming place for me and resources dedicated to my success. The constant efforts to uphold equity and the support offered to all the amazing women that have succeeded at Johns Hopkins gives me confidence that this is the right university for me.  

Attending Johns Hopkins University would give me access to the resources I would personally need to succeed and give me opportunities to gain crucial experience to become a successful professional in the STEM career field. I have continued to master all of my STEM and general education classes while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and I hope to utilize my skills at the next level.