Why did you decide to apply to UCB? 

I wanted to apply to UC Berkeley because this university is recognized for its prestigious research programs and I this was one of the few schools that offered my major that I was interested in pursuing. I am a commuter student and I am fortunate that I live close to the campus so that I can participate in my extracurriculars and have access to the academic resources from the College of Letters and Science. I am a transfer student and I am grateful for my community college experience that has motivated me to apply to UC Berkeley.

Why did you pursue MCB as your major? 

I wanted to pursue MCB as my major because I have always been interested in research and medicine. MCB is a unique major because of the different emphases it encompasses. I was especially interested in Cell Developmental Biology and Medical Physiology because of my interest from my lower division biology courses. The MCB department offers a myriad of courses and research opportunities that have helped prepare me for my career path.

What is one piece of advice you would offer a first-year student or wish you knew yourself? 

One piece of advice I would offer is to take advantage of any research or internship opportunities as early as possible. Research and internship opportunities help prepare you for your future career in medicine and it is a great way to apply your knowledge from the courses you have taken, as well as further developing your interest in your profession. UC Berkeley, UCSF, and LBNL all offer amazing research opportunities for undergraduate students.

What is a sentiment that keeps you motivated, or a life motto? 

“Knowledge without action is wastefulness and action without knowledge is foolishness.” -Al Ghazali