Saidei Johns Hopkins U CO'29
1. What first sparked your interest in your major? Was there a specific moment, class, or person that inspired you?
Since I was a kid, I had always been interested in science and how helpful it has been for the sake of humanity. Thanks to the motivation, encouragement, and admiration from my teachers, I was able to find my passion to live for. My science mentors taught me to challenge myself, think outside the box, and never stop trying. They showed me that everything is just to be understood.
During my time in NYC, I decided to major in a STEM field because I couldn’t see myself anywhere else except doing research, experimenting, calculating, or treating people. When I came to NJ, I was motivated to major in Chemical Engineering since it gives me the freedom to go after medical school or a PhD. This decision was also influenced by my chemistry teacher and my mother, who both saw my potential in this field before I did.
2. Why did you specifically choose your college to study this major?
There is a dilemma in my heart, I want to be both a scientist and a doctor. Johns Hopkins is known as the first research university and for its amazing school of medicine. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to experience the best of both worlds. Thanks to God I got accepted, and now I can see for myself what path I truly want to follow, whether it is science, medicine, or both.
3. What do you hope to do with your degree in the future? What kind of impact do you want to make?
I am firmly willing to pursue medical school right after my undergraduate degree or obtain a PhD and then attend medical school. I believe that sharing high-level knowledge gained from education with the most limited and vulnerable communities should be the norm, not a privilege.
I want to represent equity, showing that no matter cultural background, language barrier, or economic status, everyone deserves the same high-quality treatment. We are all human beings and should not need categories to be treated fairly. I also hope to set an example for young girls, that if you work hard, your dreams can come true, and that women do not belong only in kitchens. Dreams are not limited to being someone’s wife or mother, but to being yourself and living for yourself.
4. What advice would you give to someone just starting their college application?
Stress is unavoidable during the Common App process, but you can manage it by taking breaks, going out, and spending time with loved ones.
Remember, college is part of your life but not the end of it, you are what you achieve from it. No matter where you end up, stay optimistic and keep working hard because opportunities will always find you.
Feel free to express your emotions. Rejection is hard because you worked so hard, but don’t let it discourage you, it’s not that deep! If you get accepted, be proud and stay humble because college decisions don’t make you better than others.
