Adolfo Camarillo High School
Camarillo, California
Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae with Pre-Med Studies 

Partaking in nontraditional travel, learning health sciences from a molecular and humanitarian aspect, and developing human relationships have showed me the importance of a well-rounded education and will allow me to become an empathetic physician. 

Impactful experience: 
My most impactful experience outside of the classroom was serving as a United States citizen ambassador for the national Critical Language Scholarship program with intensive language and cultural immersion in Indonesia.  In addition to spending a summer mastering the Bahasa Indonesian language, this scholarship allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and develop human relationships through experiences rather than taking a strictly theoretical approach to my studies.  

Enjoy most as a TS: 
I feel coming to USC as a Top Scholar immediately gave me a sense of belonging. From this group, I have formed lifelong friendships. I will be forever grateful for the support of the staff that supported and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and explore the many unique beyond-the-classroom experiences that shaped me into the student I am today. 

Story: 
When I first met Dr. Ted Rosengarten, renowned historian and leader of the Tracing the Holocaust Maymester, I had no idea how my life was about to change. Ted opened my eyes to the benefits of non-traditional travel and transformed my undergraduate experience. Following the Maymester, Ted wrote me a powerful recommendation, leading to my selection for the Critical Language Scholarship. CLS humbled me, pushed me outside my comfort zone, and taught me to self-advocate. Ted then became my senior thesis second reader, encouraging me to return to Berlin and visit archives, a trip which propelled my thesis, Julius Hallervorden’s Role in Nazi “Euthanasia” to an award-winning paper. I am forever grateful to Ted; I would not be the person I am today without him. 

Post-graduate plans: 
I will be attending the University of South Carolina School of Medicine- Columbia. 

Career goals/professional aspirations: 
My goal is to become a pediatric doctor and practice medicine at an academic medical center where I can also perform research simultaneously.