Application Profile

I wasn't a valedictorian in high school, and my academic background wasn't extraordinary; I had around a 3.4 ~ 3.5 GPA and an SAT score above 1500. However, I participated in various volunteer opportunities, such as cleaning beaches, tutoring grade school students in math and English, and serving underprivileged communities. I also joined clubs and played sports like track and field, basketball, and ultimate frisbee.

In high school, I was an honorable mention, which was an honor for achieving a certain GPA and not getting a grade lower than a specific threshold. I also remember having a really good essay. I had to consult a lot of people, even my English teachers back in the day and my guidance counselor about my personal statement. So, my advice for high school seniors who are going to apply to college is to maintain a balance between what you want to showcase. Grades are not just enough to showcase in college. They're also looking at how holistic your application is, like what else you did and what is your story as a student.

Freshman year during a pandemic

My freshman year began during the covid pandemic. After receiving my acceptance, from March until August, I had nothing to do while waiting to graduate and receive my high school diploma. I also couldn't apply for a visa to the United States since the embassies were closed. I had to choose between taking a gap semester or attending the semester online.

Despite the time difference between the Philippines and the United States, I decided to go ahead with the online semester. A 9AM class in the US would be at 9PM or 10PM. in my time zone due to daylight savings. After completing one semester like this, I realized I wasn't getting the full college experience. However, Hope College made an effort to ensure that those studying abroad still had a similar experience to the students on campus during that time. I'm grateful for the personal connection I've been able to maintain with my college despite the challenges. Thankfully, for my 2nd semester, I was already on campus.

What I like about Hope College

At Hope College, a small, private liberal arts school with a population of around 4,000 to 5,000 students, I appreciate the close connections I've formed with my professors and the insights they provide. Despite the appeal of larger universities, I believe small schools are underrated due to the personal connections and attention students receive from their professors. The close-knit student community makes it a perfect place to build connections.

During my sophomore year, when I faced personal challenges, my professors were understanding and supportive. One professor even told me they loved teaching more than grading, which was a refreshing perspective compared to the grade-focused mentality I experienced in high school.

Additionally, I enjoy the college's location in Michigan, despite the cold climate being a significant change from my tropical upbringing. The nearby beach, charming downtown area, and cozy atmosphere make it an attractive place to study. Lastly, as a Catholic, I appreciate the faith aspect of Hope College, which has allowed me to explore my beliefs in a different context than my household.

Work & internship opportunities

As an international student, getting internships can be tough, but building relationships with the right people makes it possible. I became a residential assistant (RA) in my sophomore year, not for the money, but to gain experience and establish connections since I was new to Hope College.

I've also been a teaching assistant (TA) for general chemistry and biology for a year which was a great opportunity to work closely with professors on course syllabi and lab requirements. While TAing, I enjoyed reviewing students' pre-laboratory notebooks, jokingly referring to it as giving autographs. In addition to this, I'm involved in microbiology research with my professors. I began as a laboratory technician, preparing materials and cleaning apparatus, before becoming a student researcher.

This summer, I'll be interning as a genetics intern at Pfizer's facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Although I had the option to apply for Hope's summer research program, I wanted to try something different!

Diversity

I have a broad spectrum of friends, including typical Americans who grew up in the United States and first-generation students from Latino backgrounds. Initially, my friends were international students because we were put into one group when we first arrived. I wanted a different experience, so I decided to interact with Americans and others who were different from me. I was curious and observant, which helped me make friends from various backgrounds.

Hope College is trying to improve diversity, which is important for me as an international STEM student who has faced discrimination and was made feel insecure about my worth in the field. Hope College always tries to ensure that students are looking out for one another, regardless of their racial background. Even though Hope still has room for improvement, they are making progress in promoting inclusivity and support within the community.

Grad School plans

I feel like a high school student again, but with the stress level of a college student. I talked to a professor about taking a gap year, but I knew I wanted to pursue a PhD.

I'm looking forward to applying to graduate schools like Northwestern, Harvard, or smaller schools in the Midwest. I'm also considering opportunities in other countries, such as a graduate program in biology in London, but in the United States, research programs typically cover tuition and pay you for your work. Next week, I'll be talking to someone from Ohio State about their graduate program. I hope my summer internship in a pharmaceutical and industrial environment will further influence my view of science.

Apart from science, I'm passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work. I'm involved with Courageous Conversations, a foundation focused on racial equity in the United States. I'm part of their college program and hope to promote more of my work in that space part-time. Balancing science with DEI work allows me to give back to the community. Additionally, I plan to pick up some hobbies I haven't pursued since high school after graduating from college!