Building the Foundation for My Future in Medicine by Nadiya

Building the Foundation for My Future in Medicine by Nadiya - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

As I enter this upcoming school year at Southern Illinois University in the MedPrep program, my aspirations are rooted in growth, preparation, and service. My primary academic goal is to fully prepare for the MCAT so that I can become a strong and competitive candidate for medical school. I also aim to excel in all of my courses, with the goal of earning at least a B+ or higher in each class. Beyond academics, I plan to deepen my involvement in the community through food and back-to-school drives and gain meaningful clinical experience by volunteering as a hospice care worker at the hospital.

These goals are not just boxes to check—they are steps toward the bigger picture of my dream to become a pediatric primary care physician. Preparing for the MCAT and excelling in my coursework will help me build a solid foundation for medical school, where I can refine the knowledge and skills I need to provide excellent care to children and families. Volunteering in hospice care will allow me to develop compassion, communication skills, and emotional resilience—qualities that are just as important as academic success in the medical field. Community involvement, through drives and outreach programs, keeps me grounded in my purpose: to give back to those who are often overlooked, just as I once was.

My motivation is deeply personal. Growing up in an underprivileged community and being raised by my grandmother, who worked two jobs to support us, I know what it feels like to lack access to resources and opportunities. Those experiences fuel my determination to become the type of physician who listens, advocates, and serves with empathy. This school year is more than an academic journey—it is a vital step toward the future I am working tirelessly to build.

Ultimately, everything I strive for this year serves one purpose: to prepare myself to be the kind of physician who makes a lasting impact on children and their families. I want to be a source of hope and care for those who need it most, and every goal I set for this school year brings me closer to making that vision a reality.