Second-Year Transformational Experience Program

This academic year, I participated in Ohio State’s Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP). My involvement in STEP included weekly meetings in a 16-member cohort under the mentorship of an OSU staff member. I was given the opportunity to write a proposal for the completion of a “transformational” project using STEP funds. This proposal included a project abstract, a personal statement, and a budget proposal. Participating in STEP in my second year at Ohio State has helped me develop skills in writing personal statements and proposing budgets, both of which can be useful as I move beyond undergrad.

Ohio State’s Spring Into Service

This semester, I participated in Pay it Forward’s event, Spring Into Service. At this event, a friend and I were randomly assigned to a location in Columbus to perform duties that would better the earth in celebration of the beginning of Earth Month. We were assigned to help the Sierra Club pick up trash from a lot used as a local dumping ground. After a few hours, we had come across spilled oil, large batteries, glass, styrofoam cups, and lots and lots of plastic. At the end of the event, two trucks were nearly full of bags with trash and recyclables that had been removed from the area. Looking at the massive mounds of trash that we had dug up, I felt oddly satisfied. Although it had been a bit of a tedious task, I was able to leave knowing that at least a tiny corner of Columbus had been saved by the efforts of us Ohio State students.

 

Artifacts

My senior year of high school, I was selected to be a member of my orchestra’s leadership council. This experience gave me the opportunity to collaborate with my peers to create a better experience for my school’s orchestra members. During my time at Ohio State, I hope to become a club leader or a board member of an organization, using my leadership skills to better my community and impact my peers.

 

The Biological Sciences Scholars went on a trip to the Maize at Little Darby Creek on October 6th. At this event, students were given the opportunity to explore the corn fields, as well as pick pumpkins and interact with farm animals. Going on this trip with my fellow scholars allowed me to meet new people and form bonds with individuals that I will be sharing the net four years with.