<p>Hello
Actually, this is very personal and I did not intend to let anyone other than my family members to know about this, but
I'm a Reagent Scholar and a neuroscience major at UCLA so basically, all my tuition fees including dorm are covered by the school.
My family immigrated to the U.S. about 3 years ago when my parents divorced and I started attending high school as a Junior.
At the time, my mother was applying for an E-2 Visa by starting her own company with someone but later it turned out that her business partner deceived her and took all of her money.
Even in such situation, I tried my best at school to be successful so that I can be able to support my mother and sister.
I managed to get straight A's in high school and was able to take AP classes and etc. starting my senior year.
During my senior year, I accelerated my study in high school by taking AP courses and preparing for SAT exam.
It was then when my mom told me that my grandfather who died many years ago died of a disease called Huntington's disease, which is inheritable.
So, I had 50% of chance that I might carry the disease and I was tested to figure this out in hospital.
During the winter break that same year, I got my result and in fact, it turned out that I had that disease in my gene and it is going to degenerate my ability of thinking and everything that defines who I am.
I struggled the rest of my senior year since I could not acknowledge the fact that I was dying of some neurodegenerative disorder that I have never even heard of.
I graduated from my high school and reluctantly went on to UCLA to continue my study.
However, I lacked the willingness to study or basically do anything since I already knew that at some point in my life, my body would start to be hardened and I would lose control over my body and eventually die hopelessly.
Days went by and bitterness grew inside of me and I actually attempted to commit suicide by taking pills because I was so depressed.
But I survived and even my own family was losing the hope to encourage me.
One day, one of my roommates recommended a book called the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.
That book gave me a life-changing experience and basically became the turning-point in my life.
I suddenly felt a huge responsibility over my life and decided to give a 1000% in my life everyday until the final day comes.</p>
<p>So, last month, I finally decided to stop my study at UCLA and start fresh at community college.
Since I was very young, my dream was to go to either Stanford or Brown University. I realized that even though I have so limited time compared to other people, I wanted to achieve my childhood dream one by one.</p>
<p>Even though I declared a non-attendance term at UCLA starting this fall, I am planning to continue my research at UCLA Medical School and internship at UCLA Medical Center.
My ultimate dream is to become a neurosurgeon/neuroscientist and get to the bottom of the disease to find a cure.
So, other many patients and their families do not have to suffer from this as much as I and my family did.
I know some people would laugh at me and say it is not possible and I also know I cannot guarantee anything. But one thing that I know for sure is that I will throw my entire life for this without a single moment of hesitance and my desperateness will eventually get me there someday.</p>
<p>However, I actually have no idea how the transfer process works, so if you are okay, I'd like to hear from you guys how this is going to work. Also, I'm planning to apply to those private schools right as soon as possible (right after my first year at CC?). Is it possible to get accepted to those schools since they are really competitive. </p>
<p>Thanks and have a great day!</p>