Hi everyone, my name is Jael Nelson, and I am an international student from Jamaica. I have recently been accepted into Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, and I am reaching out to seek support to help me commence medical school.

Since the age of nine, I have known that I wanted to be a neurosurgeon, and this passion has only grown over the years. At the age of sixteen, I lost a very close relative to a traumatic brain injury. At the time, I noticed that the hospital in Jamaica did not have the necessary facilities and medical personnel to help with his case. Because of this, I also became passionate about advancing healthcare for those in underserved communities.

My determination to become a neurosurgeon can be seen throughout my life, but most noticeably in 2024. While visiting Jamaica, my mom passed away from a hemorrhagic stroke. She was my strength and my biggest motivator, so her passing severely affected me. At the time, I was in my final semester of college while also starting to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). I pushed through the semester but had to delay studying for the MCAT.

I continued studying in June 2024, but one month into studying, my father unfortunately passed away due to complications from a blood clot. Though I was stricken with grief and disappointment, I continued to fight for this dream by studying for the exam and applying to medical school.

I was led to study in the United States because I want to be equipped with advanced and technical skills that will allow me to be the best neurosurgeon I can be for my future patients.

Meharry Medical College has given me this opportunity to get one step closer to my dream and to making my parents proud. However, I am facing a significant financial barrier. As an international student, I cannot receive federal loans, and unfortunately, I am unable to obtain a loan cosigner. I need to prove that I have $110,000 USD to cover the first year.

I have applied to scholarships and reached out to everyone I can, but I still need help to make this dream a reality. Any support, whether through donations or sharing my story, would truly mean the world to me. Thank you for being part of this journey with me.