<p>Describe the world you come from for example, your family, community or school and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.</p>
<pre><code>While most children grow up wishing to be astronauts, ballerinas or athletes, I knew what I wanted to be. Granted, I didnt know what it was called. I wanted to be like Dr. Linda. The time I had to spend with my psychologist growing up opened my eyes to a profession where it was possible to make people feel better on the inside. Dr. Linda helped me through some dark times in my life that I couldnt understand. I started seeing her when my parents announced they were getting divorced. At only six years old, I didnt really get what was going on. I was just excited to leave school for a couple hours and play board games and talk with Dr. Linda. Looking back I can see that those appointments were more than just winning countless rounds of Payday.
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<p>What really showed me how much I wanted to be a psychologist was what I dealt with after my father died. Since it was so soon after the divorce, I amassed a solid portion of my life sitting in Dr. Lindas office, playing Payday. Dr. Linda was able to help me cope with my dads death in a way appropriate for my eight-year-old mind. She skipped the unimportant details surrounding his death that I didnt need to know and just helped me understand the prospect of not seeing my dad ever again. The weekly appointments helped me understand so many feelings I was experiencing for the first time and why I felt that way. Without the comfort of talking it through with someone who could help me, I dont know how those feelings would have manifested in my life. There was no way my mom could help me alone, she was dealing with practically the same emotions I was. Dr. Linda was there for it all- the divorce, Dads sickness and death. Dr. Linda was even at his funeral, accompanying my family to the service and walking me up to the casket for one final goodbye. Now that I am no longer a scared little girl clutching her psychologists hand, I can look back on my unusual experiences and understand what they mean to me. If I werent placed in such an unusual predicament with Dr. Linda, I most likely would not know the impact a psychologist could have on a person, especially a young child. Dr. Linda is such a compassionate and gentle person, I see her as such a valuable role model for me to have, as well as a living example of what I want to accomplish in a career. Growing up, I saw myself choosing a job to help kids, just like how Dr. Linda helped me. I have always felt like I had to help somebody if they were upset, that is just how my mind works. Its only now I know that I can do that for the rest of my life and turn sad events into opportunities for emotional growth.</p>
<p>Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?</p>
<p>Last summer, I had the opportunity to spend nearly three weeks at the University of California, San Diego as a part of their Academic Connections program. I was giddy with excitement since the moment I found out I was going, because the idea of being away from my family for almost three weeks was so foreign and new. I wasnt scared at all of being away, until I boarded my plane to San Diego. Mentally, I started to panic. What if I dont make friends? What do I do if my class is too hard? Questions ran through my mind endlessly for the duration of my flight. Walking onto the campus, I knew just the two RAs who drove me there and the two other boys from the airport. The first day was a rush of emotions and new faces. All of my worry seemed pointless; the other students I met were incredibly nice and probably just as nervous as me. After several hours of icebreaker games, I felt at ease with a group of new acquaintances. To me, I saw this trip as a test run for college, and to see if I could handle being away from my family for an extended period of time. So far, I was passing my test. Normally I am a very introverted person, and I was very concerned I wouldnt be able to get past that during my time in San Diego. Luckily, I managed to overcome my worries and relax for the rest of my trip. Everything was going along great; my roommate was amazing and my class genuinely interested me. Every day I was learning about sociology and youth subcultures, and it was fascinating. I suddenly felt empowered knowing about cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. My group of friends was very close, and it felt wonderful to be friends with people who wouldnt judge me based on rumors they heard or preconceived notions. I spent my time after class at Academic Connections sponsored events or exploring the amazing campus of UCSD. I saw myself transform into this new person, someone who had no trouble striking up a conversation with anybody and about anything. Towards the end of the program, my birthday came. I was worried before coming that I would be incredibly homesick on my birthday, but I wasnt more wrong. My birthday turned out to be one of my favorite days; I have never felt more loved by my friends. Two bouquets of flowers, two birthday cakes, a free Price Center lunch and party later, I had a blast. On the final day, I was crying from the minute I woke up until I was back in Portland. In the three weeks I was in San Diego, I made such close bonds with some amazing people I am proud to call my friends. Leaving was hard, but it just proved to me that I will be more ready to leave for college than I thought before. Whenever Im in an unfamiliar situation, I tell myself to remember San Diego, remember that I can do it.</p>