Donation protected
To anyone taking the time to read my story, I just want to say how humbled and grateful I am for you doing so. I suppose the best place to start any story is at the beginning. My parents brought me into this world when they were very young (ages 14 and 16 respectively). My father was often “in trouble” (incarcerated) but has worked exceptionally hard to clean up his act, and is working towards an education for himself (for which I am so proud). My mom is the strongest person I know, and has sacrificed her life in ways I cannot imagine (I suspect I never will), and has managed to do so while undergoing numerous brain surgeries. Despite their love and support, they were not always able to take care of me in a traditional sense. At age 13 I was removed from my parents custody and placed into the custody of my grandmother and step-grandfather. The transition was hard for everyone, and I knew at this moment that in order to make a better life for my entire family, that a college education was necessary. I have known since I was 5, watching live surgeries on television, that I was in love with medicine.
When it came time to apply to college, options were limited, in that I had no savings, and limited resources. With the work of a dedicated guidance counselor, and some elbow grease, I was able to obtain enough federal loans, grants, and scholarship awards to make the dream of an education a reality. I studied full time for 3 years, maintained a 3.82 GPA, and managed to be one of the first people in my family to graduate college. During the three years there, I worked several part time jobs as a Resident Assistant, Babysitter, and Student Ambassador. I was fortunate enough to have been awarded scholarship money from both my school and from the dental hygiene community and walked away with a mere $35,000 in student loan debt despite a total price tag of my education coming in at a whooping $96,000. I spent the summer after college as a camp counselor at Camp Hazen, the very same camp that gave a very sad 13 year old a chance at a new life a few years prior.
After camp, I continued my studies at the University of Bridgeport while working full time as a Dental Hygienist. During this time, I was able to travel, and the experience was humbling. I saw first hand the severe public health issues in regards to safe drinking water, food, and healthcare. I was able to find a mentor and a friend along the way who is currently in her second year of Medical School, and has been such a blessing in terms of helping me to see my own worth. During the two years that it took to complete my Bachelor’s degree, my mom continued to suffer from tumors, and required multiple surgeries for both her brain, and sinuses. I tried my best to be as involved in her care as possible, and at that point, my love of medicine was undeniable. I want nothing more than to help people, and I know that one day, given the opportunity, I will.
I have recently been accepted into the University of Connecticut’s Post Baccalaureate Certificate program in Premedical studies, which is not only one of the best programs of its kind, but also one of the most affordable. This program is designed for students, like myself, who are trying to complete the prerequisite
coursework required to apply to medical school. While the university has over 30,000 students enrolled, I am so incredibly fortunate to have been one of just 10 students selected for admission into this highly competitive program. So long as I maintain a 3.7 GPA, and score well on my entrance exams, this program gives me the best chance of acceptance into medical school (with a faculty advising staff directly involved with the admissions at UCONN’s Medical/Dental school). Despite the in state tuition break, the program itself is not eligible for financial aid, as it is not considered part of undergraduate studies, and is a non-degree granting graduate program. The tuition is $13,000 with additional program related fees of $4,000, before things like textbooks, supplies, parking passes, etc. begin to add up (per year). I have sought out private bank loans to start to make some payments on the cost of tuition and will absolutley accept as many as I can possibly take out, but so far have been able to secure minimal funding from the private lenders and at exceptionally high interest rates (6-13%). Thankfully, if I can manage to pull together what is needed for this program, medical school will be able to be fully funded through loans.
I know my parents and grandmother wish they could help, but are unable to keep their head above water. I will continue to do everything I can to save for this program, and have managed to put aside a little bit in savings from working 7 am – 10 pm days several days a week. I know that compared to the thousands and thousands of people in this world, I am so fortunate. My life is so incredibly beautiful and it is all thanks to the sacrifices of my family. The only thing standing between me, and the future patients I will help as a Physician, are the fees related to the next two years of this program. I am determined to give back, and one day, hope to pay it forward ten fold. Thank you for your time.
When it came time to apply to college, options were limited, in that I had no savings, and limited resources. With the work of a dedicated guidance counselor, and some elbow grease, I was able to obtain enough federal loans, grants, and scholarship awards to make the dream of an education a reality. I studied full time for 3 years, maintained a 3.82 GPA, and managed to be one of the first people in my family to graduate college. During the three years there, I worked several part time jobs as a Resident Assistant, Babysitter, and Student Ambassador. I was fortunate enough to have been awarded scholarship money from both my school and from the dental hygiene community and walked away with a mere $35,000 in student loan debt despite a total price tag of my education coming in at a whooping $96,000. I spent the summer after college as a camp counselor at Camp Hazen, the very same camp that gave a very sad 13 year old a chance at a new life a few years prior.
After camp, I continued my studies at the University of Bridgeport while working full time as a Dental Hygienist. During this time, I was able to travel, and the experience was humbling. I saw first hand the severe public health issues in regards to safe drinking water, food, and healthcare. I was able to find a mentor and a friend along the way who is currently in her second year of Medical School, and has been such a blessing in terms of helping me to see my own worth. During the two years that it took to complete my Bachelor’s degree, my mom continued to suffer from tumors, and required multiple surgeries for both her brain, and sinuses. I tried my best to be as involved in her care as possible, and at that point, my love of medicine was undeniable. I want nothing more than to help people, and I know that one day, given the opportunity, I will.
I have recently been accepted into the University of Connecticut’s Post Baccalaureate Certificate program in Premedical studies, which is not only one of the best programs of its kind, but also one of the most affordable. This program is designed for students, like myself, who are trying to complete the prerequisite
coursework required to apply to medical school. While the university has over 30,000 students enrolled, I am so incredibly fortunate to have been one of just 10 students selected for admission into this highly competitive program. So long as I maintain a 3.7 GPA, and score well on my entrance exams, this program gives me the best chance of acceptance into medical school (with a faculty advising staff directly involved with the admissions at UCONN’s Medical/Dental school). Despite the in state tuition break, the program itself is not eligible for financial aid, as it is not considered part of undergraduate studies, and is a non-degree granting graduate program. The tuition is $13,000 with additional program related fees of $4,000, before things like textbooks, supplies, parking passes, etc. begin to add up (per year). I have sought out private bank loans to start to make some payments on the cost of tuition and will absolutley accept as many as I can possibly take out, but so far have been able to secure minimal funding from the private lenders and at exceptionally high interest rates (6-13%). Thankfully, if I can manage to pull together what is needed for this program, medical school will be able to be fully funded through loans.
I know my parents and grandmother wish they could help, but are unable to keep their head above water. I will continue to do everything I can to save for this program, and have managed to put aside a little bit in savings from working 7 am – 10 pm days several days a week. I know that compared to the thousands and thousands of people in this world, I am so fortunate. My life is so incredibly beautiful and it is all thanks to the sacrifices of my family. The only thing standing between me, and the future patients I will help as a Physician, are the fees related to the next two years of this program. I am determined to give back, and one day, hope to pay it forward ten fold. Thank you for your time.
Organizer
Kayla Aamoth
Organizer
East Hartford, CT