Saved by a LAC..?
Demographics
• Gender: Male
• Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic
• Residence: California
• Income Bracket: 40,000
• Type of School: Career Pathway/ Apprenticeship School
• Hooks: First Gen Hispanic
Intended Major (s): Global Health
Academics
• GPA (W): 3.90
• Rank (or percentile): 40/250
• # of AP/AP/IB/Dual Enrollment/etc.: APUSH, AP EURO, AP English Language, AP Spanish Language, Dual Enrollment English, Statistics, Nutrition, and Pharmacology
• Senior Year Course Load: Duel enrollment English and Stats, Freshman English second language TA, Economics, US Gov, 3 periods of State CNA Program, ROTC
Standardized Testing
List the highest scores earned and all scores that were reported.
• SAT I: 1250 (750 RW, 500 M)
• AP/B: APUSH- 4, AP EURO- 3, AP English- 2, AP Spanish Language- 5
Extracurriculars/Activities
UCSF Clinical Research Intern - Designed/launched pilot research program on Type 1 Diabetes (ages 0-30); assisted with data collection, chart review, and protocol development; collaborated with endocrinologists, nurses, and social workers. Accepted for publication with Pediatric Endocrine Society and the Western Society for Pediatric Research (Grade 12, Summer, 60hr/wk, 9wk/yr)
Independent Lead Researcher, (local Public Health Dept & (my school district) - Led independent study on structural barriers in low-income neighborhoods; conducted surveys, analyzed socioeconomic data, and presented policy recommendations to district leadership.
Accepted for publication with the Society for public health education and the American Public Health Association (Grade 12, Year-round, 15hr/ wk, 45wk/yг)Junior ROTC Director of Support / Deputy Squadron Commander - 3rd-in-command of 165-cadet squadron; oversaw logistics, finances, officer development; achieved 89% retention rate; led weekly leadership workshops. (Grades 9-12, School+Break, 14hr/wk, 39wk/yr)
Clinical Volunteer, Community Regional Medical Center - 1,300+ hours in Progressive Care and Oncology units; assisted nurses with patient transport, comfort care, and chart organization in high-acuity hospital. (Grades 10-12, Year-round, 6.5hr/wk, 50wk/yr)
CNA Program, (redacted for privacy) Care Center - Completed 100 clinical hours for CA Nursing Assistant licensure; performed vital signs, wound care, mobility support, and chart documentation. (Grade 12, School, 9hr/wk, 15wk/yr)
California Scholarship Federation President - Led 105-member honor society; organized 20 annual meetings and 7 semester service projects totaling 300+ volunteer hours; expanded member engagement. (Grades 10 & 12, School+Break, 3hr/wk, 19wk/yr)
Health Insurance Intern, Anthem Blue Cross of California - Investigated policy gaps affecting underserved communities; analyzed enrollment barriers and drafted recommendations to improve outreach for low-income families. (Grade 10, Summer, 32hr/wk, 8wk/yr)
Assisted Living Volunteer, California (redacted for privacy) Home 100+ hours supporting elderly residents with daily living activities, mobility, meals, and companionship; assisted nursing staff with wellness checks. (Grade 11, School, 4.5hr/wk, 17wk/yr)
Sunday School Teaching Assistant, Roman Catholic Diocese of (redacted for privacy) - Assisted in teaching 200+ confirmation students; managed program communications; organized community events and religious celebrations. (Grades 11-12, Year-round, 3hr/wk, 30wk/yr)
English Teacher's Assistant - Supported instruction of 30+ freshman students with lower literacy levels; provided tutoring, graded assignments, and designed differentiated lesson plans. (Grade 12, School, 5hr/wk, 29wk/yr)
Awards
Presenting Author, Western Society for Pediatric Research (WSPR) Conference — Selected to present pediatric endocrinology research with UCSF at the 2026 WSPR Convention. (State/Regional, Grade 12)
Presenting Author, National Pediatric Endocrinology Society (PES) Conference — Selected to present pediatric endocrinology research with UCSF at the 2026 PES Convention in May. (State/Regional, Grade 12)
American Legion Military Excellence Award — Recognized for leadership, discipline, and outstanding performance in JROTC. (National, Grade 11)
Military Order of the Purple Heart — Recognized for leadership and academic excellence as a JROTC/ROTC cadet. (National, Grade 11)
Cadet Athlete of the Year — Awarded for exceptional athletic performance and commitment to physical fitness. (School, Grade 9)
Letters of Recommendation
UCSF Mentor: worked with her over the summer. Called our intern the group “the best high school students I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting” genuinely the best person I’ve met in healthcare that cares deeply about patients and her staff. 10/10
APUSH Teacher: I worked my butt off in her class and went above and beyond. She’s seen me at my academic worst and best. Also is a history nerd like myself so we bonded a lot over that. 10/10
Bio and public health teacher: personal research mentor for my project. Seen me come in as a freshman struggling academically and made me realize that learning doesn’t have to be so difficult. 10/10
Sample Essay
“When my dad nearly survived a brain aneurysm in 2014, I saw how overwhelming healthcare can be when you do not speak the language or understand the process. Watching my parents try to stay strong while juggling work, countless medical bills, and uncertainty changed the way I saw responsibility…Even as my world was engulfed by that sickening, sterile smell and the glow of dull artificial lights, what truly stood out for me were the kind nurses…From gripping my dad’s bedrail at six to kneeling beside a patient as a student CNA, I have learned to appreciate life. My dad taught me endurance and how to persevere; nursing taught me how to turn those values into healing. Nurses see the rawest, truest forms of life.”
Interviews
Denison University: Different then what I was expecting, loved the format that the alum used to conduct my interview. Felt as if she cared about my life!
Decisions
Acceptances:
UC Merced, Honors
Drexel University, BD/MD
University of Portland, Nursing
>!Denison University, Full Ride & Committed!<
Waitlists
University of Vermont, Nursing
University of California, Santa Cruz
Rejected
Rochester Institute of Technology
UC Riverside
UC Davis
UC Berkeley
Boston College (ED2)
Case Western University (ED1)
University of San Francisco, Nursing
Colby College
Cal State Long Beach, Nursing
University of Washington, Nursing
Loyola Maryland, Nursing
NYU, Nursing
SUNY Stony Brook, Nursing
University of Connecticut, Nursing
UNC Chapel Hill, Nursing
UVA, Nursing
UMass Amherst
Additional Information
Obviously this is a throwaway account, been a longtime lurker without a Reddit account but I just want second opinions on my application. I sincerely with all my heart wanted to be a nurse. I prayed and prayed to get into a BSN program but I guess being a nurse isn’t the life for me. I decided to go to the college that gave me the most financial aid and maybe go pre med or something. I feel like a failure, I’m not sure what to do at this point. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Forgive me if things are way too condensed or confusing, been struggling with sleep lately lol!