Hofstra University Undergraduate Degree

I am currently an undergraduate student at Hofstra University majoring in Neuroscience and Biochemistry. I am on track to graduate top of my class by May 2020 and I have been placed in a financial situation that may leave me defeat of my degree. Both of my parents dropped out of high school in 10th and 11th grade and I wish to separate myself from the life they chose to live. 

I plan to pursue an MD/Ph.D in clinical neuro-oncology as a practicing surgeon-scientist. I have had ambitions of pursuing this degree since my freshman year of high school in 2012. I lost my mother to an inoperable malignant tumor called glioblastoma-multiform in the year of 2012. This left me devastated, torn, upset, and confused, but it also pushed me to do more in life to help others keep their loved ones. The pain I have been through while losing my mother to such gruesome disease is incomparable and I do not wish anyone suffer through such disease. 

Following my mother's death, I was placed into foster care as a new living arrangement which left me even more confused. I thought at the time I would be placed with my biological father but then realized I have lived a life of abuse from him due to his alcoholic tendencies. This abuse became a norm in my life to the point where I overlooked what I had gone through for more than seven (7) years. 

I am currently top of my class at Hofstra University and will be the first of my immediate family to graduate with a degree let alone pursue a career in medicine. I have been a research assistant in the field of neuroscience since the year 2017; I have worked and shadowed alongside neurosurgeons conducting glioblastoma phase 1 clinical research; I have been a teacher assistant in the field of neuroscience, biology, and chemistry; I have interned for Columbia University conducting research on HIV; I have presented my published thesis in neuroscience at Society for Neuroscience in California; and lastly, I have been offered a research position at Harvard University conducting molecular research for Alzheimer's disease.

I do NOT ask that anyone feel bad for the aforementioned events I have been through; I used my past to shape my future, I used my failures to pave a path to success. I would just like to pursue the career that was chosen for me, I wish to help those in need. The balance due for remaining tuition is $2,980.00. I have applied to all scholarships I could to no avail. I currently live alone and have to juggle working two jobs to ensure a roof over my head, my car being paid, and tuition payment. I am a foster care child trying to make a difference in the world and I do not wish to fall through the cracks of the foster care system.


Best,
Andrew Biccum Jr 
Future Healthcare Provider